Midnight Tides - like the style?

[Evil Agent]

I think you could just pick the series up with Midnight Tides... it's a great story, and overall rather independent from the previous books. But there is an overarcing story starting to build up, from somewhere around book 3;

The story of the Crippled God.

On that front, you'll be a bit lost... but it can still probably be done.

If you enjoy it, though, I'd recommend diving back into the whole series at some point. It's hard, but I think it's worse if you pause between books and forget the details (it is a huge world and a huge plot, one of the more confusing I've read).

[Rob B]

Thanks guys, I plan on re-reading them all, I think. I have the Canadian/UK version of Gardens of the Moon, and from what I understand, some corrections/fixes were made when Tor published it.

[AuntiePam]

I really liked the format of switching back and forth between 2 major cultures, the Edur and the Letheri, as they slowly drew together for a massive confrontation. I loved the banter between Tehol and Bugg, since it added a nice bit of humor to an otherwise dark book. I loved the action. I loved the characters, including the whole Sengar family. And I loved the whole failing Letheri empire, which reminded me strongly of the British Empire or present day America.

Me too, everything you said, especially that last part. It's very anti-war, anti-imperialism. You can almost hear someone singing Blowin' in the Wind in the background, or Knee Deep in the Big Muddy.

I'm almost at the end, everything's coming to a head -- it's very intense, and I like so many of the characters -- it feels like one of those experiences that you don't want to go into alone. Somebody hold me!

I'd recommend it as a starting place for the series -- it's much more accessible than Gardens of the Moon. And he even explains warrens! How cool was that?

[Evil Agent]

Did he explain Warrens? If I remember correctly, the people in Midnight Tides use the Holds... which are, I think, a more ancient version of the Warrens....I think it's something to do with that whole continent.

In fact, all those Holds in the appendix at the back of the book were really confusing. Not only did we get yet another new continent... but now Erikson throws a whole new system of magic at us!!! The man is insane!

Besides the different continent, and the Holds, I found Midnight Tides less confusing than many of the other books. It seemed to be based on a much more straightforward clash of civilizations. But then again, there was all the backstory about the Edur.... that was a little confusing!

Anyways, I just read book 6 (The Bonehunters) and, while maybe not quite as good as Midnight Tides, it was pretty amazing!

[AuntiePam]

Did he explain Warrens? If I remember correctly, the people in Midnight Tides use the Holds... which are, I think, a more ancient version of the Warrens....I think it's something to do with that whole continent.

Yeah, he did, in a conversation between Seren Pedac and Iron Bars. She asked Iron Bars about warrens, and he explained them to her, how they were like Holds but different.

The Crimson Guard sorta popped up out of nowhere, didn't they? I liked them, but it was surprising to have new players introduced so far into the story.

[Ouroboros]

'Midnight Tides' sat on my to-read pile for a few months before I got around to reading it. I think I was concerned that Erikson's decision to jaunt to another continent and time period so distant from the main events of the Malazan world was going to alienate me.

In fact, 'Midnight Tides' turned out to be one of the most accessible and readable books in series thusfar. Although I'd hesistate to say it's in my top three, it was a pleasant surprise.

With that said, I don't think you could read it as a stand-alone. Some of the plotlines are independent of the earlier books, but not all othem, 'Midnight Tides' is still closely related to what is happening in the overall storyline, even if the events aren't occurring contemporaneously.

[thrinidir]

I'm posting my poor attempt at review of Midnight Tides in a few days (might be decades ), but I'm not so impressed as some seem to be. But then again, I loved House of Chains that those exact others thought subpar. The style is quite polished, I never had any problems with Erikson's style. I believe MT is liked because of its relative coherence and unbaffling nature, if only compared to previous four Malazan books. One of the most thought out and unrushed endings, again comparing it only to the first four books, might have something to do with the wide acceptance of MT. But as far as my opinion goes, the story overall is quite dull, the humor forced, and characters uninteresting comparing them to Whiskeyjack&co.

[Evil Agent]

The Crimson Guard sorta popped up out of nowhere, didn't they? I liked them, but it was surprising to have new players introduced so far into the story.

They did pop out of nowhere, but it wasn't the first time. A handful of Crimson Guard also pop out of nowhere at the end of Gardens of the Moon. Apparently they are not Erikson's territory, however: Ian C. Esslemont (who co-created the Malazan world, and has just started putting out his own books) has a book coming out this year called The Return of the Crimson Guard. It is the 2nd of 5 proposed books. As the title suggests, this book is expected to finally give us more of them.