The Complete Malazan Book of the Fallen

The Malazan Book of the Fallen is by far my favorite fantasy series of all time. I'm 44 years old and have been reading fantasy and sci fi since I was 10. I could probably write a book on just how amazing this series is but I will try and keep it short. The author Steven Erikson whom I have met and spoken with has a background in archaeology and anthropology and it shows in his work a lot. He brings an amazing world building experience to the series with ancient civilizations becoming involved in present day book events alongside the newer civilizations. This is a 10 book series which I first read in paperback a few years back. When I saw this version drop in price I grabbed it so I could read it all again. They are long books but very worth it. The only one I don't enjoy a ton in the series is Midnight Tides which was a bit slower paced in some parts. The character development is absolutely fantastic. There are even a few characters who always seem to crack you up. Any time Kruppe or Tehol Beddict show up...be ready to laugh and enjoy them. Kruppe is probably the most intelligent character in the entire series and you just love the guy. As for some of my favorite characters (aside from Kruppe and Tehol) for various reasons I'd like to mention a few so you know who to watch for as you read. Quick Ben is one of them. He is a High Mage who is probably the second most intelligent character in the series. The others I will mention, Anomander Rake, Karsa Orlong, Trull Sengar, Onrack, Bottle, Beak and O'nos Toolan. Kalam Mekhar is another great character who is pretty much partnered up with Quick Ben. The cast of characters is so vast in this series it will blow your mind. But you will remember who everyone is and enjoy most of them. The series itself jumps you right in to a battle after the Prologue. The story is about the entire world but you spend much of it with the different parts of the Malazan army. The story is huge but you only get bits and pieces as to the entire plot at the start and as it unfolds you start to figure out what the big picture is and you will have what are called convergences. Where the author brings huge events together all at once from different sides. Read this series is all I can say. It is high fantasy at its absolute best. I can't wait to read it again a few years down the road after I finish this read through. You may also want to check out books from Ian Esslemont who writes books in the same world with many of the same and sometimes different characters. Erikson and Esslemont started creating something years ago and then decided to write books set in the world they created. Also take a look at Forge of Darkness from Erikson. It's the first book in a new trilogy with the 2nd book due out soon I think. It takes place several hundred millennia before the Malazan series with some of the characters you will already recognize.

I'm almost all the way through the series, and I'm so sad that I only have 1.5 books left. But this is hands-down my favorite series ever. Erikson's writing is clever, funny, thrilling, and intense in rapid succession and sometimes all at once. The world he creates is mysterious and complex. The series is ten very long books, yet there is no filler or Tolkien-style tangents. There are many, many characters, and I got attached to most of them at one point or another. Even when he introduces a whole set of new characters each book, they eventually become new favorites, which then add to an ever expanding cast (minus some extremely sad deaths). Tehol and his gang just might be my favorite, which is saying a lot, because that competition is fierce: the Bridgeburners, the Bonehunters, Kruppe, Anomander, etc. and most every character that gets more than one chapter just come alive. Content advisory: On a scale of one to Game of Thrones, I would judge that it starts out fairly mild, despite a war's worth of death and harm, very little graphic content for an adult novel of the type. However, as you get to the thickest parts of the war (I think books 6-7) it starts to peak at about maybe 75% of GoT. Some pretty messed up stuff happens to people that you may or may not normally associate with war, but it's truly not as explicit as GRRM's writing, though for one book it gets more disturbing, in that I consider necrophilia an extra notch or two worse than royal incest.

Wow, I have felt happy, angry, depressed, hopeful reading this series. Once I reached the end and realized what I have been reading for 10 books, I was flabbergasted. I am so grateful for not stopping earlier given the difficulty of reading the series. You might not understand WTF is going many times, remembering the myriad of characters, weird names for location/characters/magic, but trust me. Read along. Get through it in your first read. When you reach the end, you would thank yourself. I can't wait to read the series again. These books meant to be read more than once since you will understand the story differently. What a writer Steven Erikson is. Just bravo sir!

I have read all of the highly rated fantasy series written since 1980. Thus is the one to rule them. Complex, immense in scope and utterly satisfying. Of note, the first volume is the least accomplished of the series, but a necessary introduction to the world building. The accompanying series and novellas are also fantastic.

The whole series is a great read even the third time around! Enjoy for those reading them for the first time!

I had finished all books years ago, consuming all that was published in the Malazan world. When I finished the Path to Ascendancy trilogy, it felt right, to read the Book of the Fallen again. I had forgotten so much... I thought I would be more prepared this time around. Well, should you read this? Yes, you should. I wish I had more people to talk about it... and this will never be filmed, it’s impossible. So read it, and read it again.

I was taken to a world unlike any other I have experienced from Tolkein to Asimov and found myself entranced. The characters are the best written I have ever come across. Their stories comes off the pages in a liquid tapestry of flavour and colour that transcends the typical world dice-roll building we so commonly see from the D&D crowd of authors. WELL done. Have read this artwork several times. Highly recommend!!!!

I hope one day this series will get the recognition it deserves

I’m having to restart my kindle anywhere up to 4 times a day after buying this series. There’s something not right here. It’s a brand new kindle and I’ve never had issues before

A rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. Great character and world building. Loved every second of this great series!!