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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Not my favorite of his so far - found it a little hard to keep track of what was going on sometimes. Will need a re-read.
This has been a... weird book. I believe you'll like it more if you are familiar with the Malazan Book of the Dead series, so I'll split my review in two.
If you have read the Malazan series, then this one will provide background and answers to many of the questions presented there (e.g. the origins of the Warrens and the Elder Gods, as well as many of the characters' background stories).
If you haven't read the series, then I am afraid you will find the Forge of Darkness a difficult read. Like the other works of Erikson, this one is rich on heavy language, jumps between dozens of characters (many of which are secondary and under), and is generally difficult to track. This being said, it's a good book - if you can look past the strange style of the author.
If you have read the Malazan series, then this one will provide background and answers to many of the questions presented there (e.g. the origins of the Warrens and the Elder Gods, as well as many of the characters' background stories).
If you haven't read the series, then I am afraid you will find the Forge of Darkness a difficult read. Like the other works of Erikson, this one is rich on heavy language, jumps between dozens of characters (many of which are secondary and under), and is generally difficult to track. This being said, it's a good book - if you can look past the strange style of the author.
What’s not to love? There’s Draconus, Anomander Rake, Silchas Ruin and Jaghuts – almost all my favorite things in one place.
Don’t listen to anyone in the reviews that say this book is OK to read without having first read the Malazan Book of the Fallen. This book is great because we (MBotF “veterans”) have already spent so much time in the Malazan world – these are people we already know and love (or hate). The beauty of FoD is that (in general) we already know what happens and we know who lives and dies. We’ve invested significant time and emotion into this, and it’s discovering how it all started that makes this book amazing. If you don’t have the context from the other books, you’ll be reading an entirely different story than the rest of us. You’ll “meet” Anomander and Silchas and they will be nothing to you. You’ll see a name like Scara Bandaris and you will not be hit with a jolt of recognition. You’ll see a character who makes a blood vow to Anomander and you will not feel a sudden stab of pain in your heart knowing how that ends. Trust me – start with Gardens of the Moon if you want to read Erikson.
If you have read MBotF, but not FoD, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I have seen that people seem to complain more about this book than the others. I’m not sure why - it is in my top three of the series. The book does end in the middle of things – kind of like the ending of Dust of Dreams - but I kind of expected that. We all already know what the story arc is and what events need to happen to finish the trilogy. I think maybe a lot of people wanted a huge Erikson-style convergence at the end? To be fair I did think the last 25% of the book was the least interesting. This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I felt that is where the book got super bogged down with the boring philosophizing monologues (which I skipped) and there were too much time spent on all the little skirmishes the outlaws were doing – how many times do I need descriptions of killing the Deniers or village people. I thought it was getting repetitive a bit. I get it – these guys are bad, they are doing bad things (and getting away with it). Maybe another issue for some is that FoD doesn't have the humor of the other books – but we do have Jaghuts proving some comic relief. Haut is my surprise favorite character, and there's a scene with him and Korya and Varandas that was my favorite scene of the book.
Bottom line for this book – It will deliver on your expectations to start getting answers – and not just answers that start a new mystery but some solid answers to some big questions. That said, you’ll also be left with more questions too. You will for sure have some moments that shock you and some where you’ll feel like pieces are starting to fall into place.
Below is 100% spoilers about this book – It's mostly thoughts and questions that I am putting to "paper" to reference later when the other books are out.
Random thoughts
• Mother Dark seems so lame – I always thought she seemed pathetic in the MBotF and she seems that way here too. I don’t understand why anyone would want to worship her.
• Urusander seemed a blind fool allowing himself to be used in this book - Osserc always seemed like such a pussy in the main books and obviously he was always that way – I always though L’Oric was a bit of the same so clearly like father, like son, like son.
• While I generally do not care for all the philosophy in SE’s books, there were a few lines that really hit me in the heart:
o Draconus said to Arathan “you have no cause to love me” and Arathan replies “I did not know love needed a cause”
o Haral – when contemplating the horrible things he’d done said, “there had been a boy once, not ugly”
OMG moments
• Envy and Spite – what the fuck…seriously...I was shocked. They were selfish bitches in MBotF, but they were straight up evil psychopaths here. No wonder they were so scared of their father when they found out he was in Moons Spawn in OST.
• The Tiste all started out white/tan skinned - all the same people
• How the hell did Sechul Lath and Errastas make it through from FoD to the end of TCG and still be alive - how did they avoid never being called into account for their murder of Karish
• The entire wedding party attack scene surprised the hell out of me - I always thought that Andarist was married before "the bad thing" happened
• Finding out that Draconus basically created Mother Dark and he created the KG gate and unintentionally was responsible for the death of Hood’s wife
• The Lord of Hate was Gothos – I feel like I should have seen that coming.
• T’Riss coming out of the Vitr – not knowing who she was – and then she creates the Liossans
• The discovery of Burn in the underground temple – that section was beautiful and had me tearing up in places.
• The mother of Spite/Envy/Malice is Olar Ethil – that was a shock – and in retrospect shouldn’t have been surprising
• Seeing the beginning of the Caladan Brood/Anomander friendship – especially knowing how that ended
Questions unanswered:
• The split between Anomander and Andarist seems so wrong. It’s the complete opposite of everything we know about Andomader that he would give up a beloved brother over a sword – UNLESS – that isn’t the real reason for the split between the two? There was a scene in one of the later Malazan books that was a flashback of the three brothers meeting up and discussing what they needed to do and that they all had to do their part no matter how hard – and Silchas had tears in his eyes (I think). Did they meet up at least once after the split for the good of the TA?
• Scara Bandaris – how did he turn into Scabandaris Bloodeye and what happened to make him stab Silchas in the back?
• Now that we know the Purake brothers aren’t really children of MD and we know they had a mother they don’t want to talk about – is that significant? Why don’t they want to talk about her? Is there more coming on that?
• Korya Delath is a Myhbe to accomplish what? How does Quick Ben fit in – he has Andii ties and a similar name. She had the Jaghut soul shifting dolls, she was told by Haut she would live forever - it’s too many things that tie them together to be coincidence.
• The neutral people become the Tiste Edur? Scabandari, Tulas Shorn, Sukul?
• Who is Arathan’s mother?
• Who is Arathan in MBotF? If he’s even still around – is he Icarium? Gothos son figuratively but not really in blood?
• Who is Arathan child going to be?
• if Arathan isn’t Icarium where is he? Is he going to show up? IMO - He’s too important a character to not be in this triology and his backstory seems to fit with this time frame - and his origin story demands more explanation (as does Gothos)
• Will we see Rhaest?
• What happens between Killy and Draconus that makes him kill her at the end of MBotF
• Question for the Karsa triology – will Hood and his crew be going after Errastas for what they did to his wife?
• There is a scene in TtH where we know something bad happens to Sandalath as a hostage – what was it? Who is the father of Korlat?
• We know that Tulas Shorn creates the hounds – does that have anything to do with the Jhelack hostages that Silchas was sending to him? (they were jokingly called “the hounds”)
• Is the Azanthani “Old Man” someone we know in MBotF- maybe Ruthan Gudd? Or maybe Grizzlin Farr is Ruthan? Are one of them Edgewalker? If not, who is Edgewalker?
• Why didn’t Silchas change color? When asked if he meant his vow when he kneeled to MD he seemed non-committal.
• Is the High King mentioned Kallor? Seemed way too early for him. Why was Draconus so angry hearing about him? Could the High King be Mael? He's one of the few known old gods that didn't have a part in FoD beyond a one mention of his kingdom being far away. We know the Lethari continent (if that's what it's called) has strong ties to the Andii and Edur - we know Mael has an ancient temple there (and K'Rul)- so it makes sense that Mael might end up involved in some way.
• Who is the Sister of Cold Nights? Is she just not in this book, or does someone in this book becomes her? Itwas Draconus/KRul/Sister of Cold Nights that defeated him and Sister of Cold Nights was also not in FoD and I'm starting to think she's someone who isn't around yet (and another reason Kallor can't be the High King). I read somewhere that the SoCN could be "Zombie Enesdia"
• What are the words in Nimanders tomb and under the bridge? Also how did Nimander's father die - there was a mention of it being an odd death or not honorable (something like that)
• What will Olar Ethil’s stone figurine do for Arathan when he uses it?
• Who is Osserc and Rener’s child going to be? Jaedan (was that her name – L’Oric’s sister?)
• What is in Draconus’ locked tower at his keep – that locked room was mentioned several times
• Why the hell would Anomander and Envy ever end up as lovers – she’s psychotic – Anomander is so much better than that.
• We’ve met Sheltata and Sukul – who is Menadore?
• Is Narad more than just a new character? Are there any other important Tiste Edur people that haven’t been introduced?
Don’t listen to anyone in the reviews that say this book is OK to read without having first read the Malazan Book of the Fallen. This book is great because we (MBotF “veterans”) have already spent so much time in the Malazan world – these are people we already know and love (or hate). The beauty of FoD is that (in general) we already know what happens and we know who lives and dies. We’ve invested significant time and emotion into this, and it’s discovering how it all started that makes this book amazing. If you don’t have the context from the other books, you’ll be reading an entirely different story than the rest of us. You’ll “meet” Anomander and Silchas and they will be nothing to you. You’ll see a name like Scara Bandaris and you will not be hit with a jolt of recognition. You’ll see a character who makes a blood vow to Anomander and you will not feel a sudden stab of pain in your heart knowing how that ends. Trust me – start with Gardens of the Moon if you want to read Erikson.
If you have read MBotF, but not FoD, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I have seen that people seem to complain more about this book than the others. I’m not sure why - it is in my top three of the series. The book does end in the middle of things – kind of like the ending of Dust of Dreams - but I kind of expected that. We all already know what the story arc is and what events need to happen to finish the trilogy. I think maybe a lot of people wanted a huge Erikson-style convergence at the end? To be fair I did think the last 25% of the book was the least interesting. This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I felt that is where the book got super bogged down with the boring philosophizing monologues (which I skipped) and there were too much time spent on all the little skirmishes the outlaws were doing – how many times do I need descriptions of killing the Deniers or village people. I thought it was getting repetitive a bit. I get it – these guys are bad, they are doing bad things (and getting away with it). Maybe another issue for some is that FoD doesn't have the humor of the other books – but we do have Jaghuts proving some comic relief. Haut is my surprise favorite character, and there's a scene with him and Korya and Varandas that was my favorite scene of the book.
Bottom line for this book – It will deliver on your expectations to start getting answers – and not just answers that start a new mystery but some solid answers to some big questions. That said, you’ll also be left with more questions too. You will for sure have some moments that shock you and some where you’ll feel like pieces are starting to fall into place.
Below is 100% spoilers about this book – It's mostly thoughts and questions that I am putting to "paper" to reference later when the other books are out.
Spoiler
Random thoughts
• Mother Dark seems so lame – I always thought she seemed pathetic in the MBotF and she seems that way here too. I don’t understand why anyone would want to worship her.
• Urusander seemed a blind fool allowing himself to be used in this book - Osserc always seemed like such a pussy in the main books and obviously he was always that way – I always though L’Oric was a bit of the same so clearly like father, like son, like son.
• While I generally do not care for all the philosophy in SE’s books, there were a few lines that really hit me in the heart:
o Draconus said to Arathan “you have no cause to love me” and Arathan replies “I did not know love needed a cause”
o Haral – when contemplating the horrible things he’d done said, “there had been a boy once, not ugly”
OMG moments
• Envy and Spite – what the fuck…seriously...I was shocked. They were selfish bitches in MBotF, but they were straight up evil psychopaths here. No wonder they were so scared of their father when they found out he was in Moons Spawn in OST.
• The Tiste all started out white/tan skinned - all the same people
• How the hell did Sechul Lath and Errastas make it through from FoD to the end of TCG and still be alive - how did they avoid never being called into account for their murder of Karish
• The entire wedding party attack scene surprised the hell out of me - I always thought that Andarist was married before "the bad thing" happened
• Finding out that Draconus basically created Mother Dark and he created the KG gate and unintentionally was responsible for the death of Hood’s wife
• The Lord of Hate was Gothos – I feel like I should have seen that coming.
• T’Riss coming out of the Vitr – not knowing who she was – and then she creates the Liossans
• The discovery of Burn in the underground temple – that section was beautiful and had me tearing up in places.
• The mother of Spite/Envy/Malice is Olar Ethil – that was a shock – and in retrospect shouldn’t have been surprising
• Seeing the beginning of the Caladan Brood/Anomander friendship – especially knowing how that ended
Questions unanswered:
• The split between Anomander and Andarist seems so wrong. It’s the complete opposite of everything we know about Andomader that he would give up a beloved brother over a sword – UNLESS – that isn’t the real reason for the split between the two? There was a scene in one of the later Malazan books that was a flashback of the three brothers meeting up and discussing what they needed to do and that they all had to do their part no matter how hard – and Silchas had tears in his eyes (I think). Did they meet up at least once after the split for the good of the TA?
• Scara Bandaris – how did he turn into Scabandaris Bloodeye and what happened to make him stab Silchas in the back?
• Now that we know the Purake brothers aren’t really children of MD and we know they had a mother they don’t want to talk about – is that significant? Why don’t they want to talk about her? Is there more coming on that?
• Korya Delath is a Myhbe to accomplish what? How does Quick Ben fit in – he has Andii ties and a similar name. She had the Jaghut soul shifting dolls, she was told by Haut she would live forever - it’s too many things that tie them together to be coincidence.
• The neutral people become the Tiste Edur? Scabandari, Tulas Shorn, Sukul?
• Who is Arathan’s mother?
• Who is Arathan in MBotF? If he’s even still around – is he Icarium? Gothos son figuratively but not really in blood?
• Who is Arathan child going to be?
• if Arathan isn’t Icarium where is he? Is he going to show up? IMO - He’s too important a character to not be in this triology and his backstory seems to fit with this time frame - and his origin story demands more explanation (as does Gothos)
• Will we see Rhaest?
• What happens between Killy and Draconus that makes him kill her at the end of MBotF
• Question for the Karsa triology – will Hood and his crew be going after Errastas for what they did to his wife?
• There is a scene in TtH where we know something bad happens to Sandalath as a hostage – what was it? Who is the father of Korlat?
• We know that Tulas Shorn creates the hounds – does that have anything to do with the Jhelack hostages that Silchas was sending to him? (they were jokingly called “the hounds”)
• Is the Azanthani “Old Man” someone we know in MBotF- maybe Ruthan Gudd? Or maybe Grizzlin Farr is Ruthan? Are one of them Edgewalker? If not, who is Edgewalker?
• Why didn’t Silchas change color? When asked if he meant his vow when he kneeled to MD he seemed non-committal.
• Is the High King mentioned Kallor? Seemed way too early for him. Why was Draconus so angry hearing about him? Could the High King be Mael? He's one of the few known old gods that didn't have a part in FoD beyond a one mention of his kingdom being far away. We know the Lethari continent (if that's what it's called) has strong ties to the Andii and Edur - we know Mael has an ancient temple there (and K'Rul)- so it makes sense that Mael might end up involved in some way.
• Who is the Sister of Cold Nights? Is she just not in this book, or does someone in this book becomes her? Itwas Draconus/KRul/Sister of Cold Nights that defeated him and Sister of Cold Nights was also not in FoD and I'm starting to think she's someone who isn't around yet (and another reason Kallor can't be the High King). I read somewhere that the SoCN could be "Zombie Enesdia"
• What are the words in Nimanders tomb and under the bridge? Also how did Nimander's father die - there was a mention of it being an odd death or not honorable (something like that)
• What will Olar Ethil’s stone figurine do for Arathan when he uses it?
• Who is Osserc and Rener’s child going to be? Jaedan (was that her name – L’Oric’s sister?)
• What is in Draconus’ locked tower at his keep – that locked room was mentioned several times
• Why the hell would Anomander and Envy ever end up as lovers – she’s psychotic – Anomander is so much better than that.
• We’ve met Sheltata and Sukul – who is Menadore?
• Is Narad more than just a new character? Are there any other important Tiste Edur people that haven’t been introduced?
Erikson's writing does seem to be getting even darker, his characters more complex with even more shades of grey rather than good or evil. There are one or two bits of humour but certainly not the comraderie we have seen previously. Like two of my other favourite authors Abercrombie and Bakker, Erikson looks to be moving away from having characters that you naturally find yourself rooting for or who are the epitome of a hero. The problem with this is that it becomes hard to love characters and therefore care what happens to them, with this your emotional attachment to characters declines.
Having said the above, the writing style is still superb, Erikson manages to draw you in and gain your interest immediately. The book weaves intricate webs which are fascinating and you cannot help but want to find out what happens. It is a must read for anyone who has read the Malaz books, it provides answers whilst leaving you with yet more questions. For all the faults I still loved it.
Having said the above, the writing style is still superb, Erikson manages to draw you in and gain your interest immediately. The book weaves intricate webs which are fascinating and you cannot help but want to find out what happens. It is a must read for anyone who has read the Malaz books, it provides answers whilst leaving you with yet more questions. For all the faults I still loved it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'll say it. This is one of the best fantasy books of all time. Erikson is at his absolute best here. This is epic thought provoking fantasy with a depth that is hard to match within the genre.
The Kharkanas trilogy details the descent into civil war of the Tiste race. It can be read on it's own but I would personally not recommend that, as it's even more impressive and rewarding if you already know The Malazan Book of the Fallen, the main series set in this world.
The worldbuilding is incredible. Erikson creates a civilization that feels so authentic, you'd think it really existed somewhere. He gives us glimpses into every class, every sort of person living in the realm of the Tiste. His fantasy is not just concerned with the noble men or the people doing heroic deeds, but with every day people like you and me and always shows how they're affected by what is happening. He uses the genre to ask questions about society and examine the human nature. There's deeply tragic personal stories in here that you would not ordinarily expect from a fantasy novel, mixed with an epic story set in a world as imaginative as any ever created.
Erikson is sometimes critisiced for coming across as too preachy om occasion, when characters discuss philophical questions, but the way it is worked into the story is excellent and works especially well with the tone of this book. It's very reminiscent of Shakespeare and the whole novel is permeated by a sense of imminent tragedy, creating an incredible dense atmosphere. That effect is heightened with knowledge of the Book of fhe Fallen, as certain events being built up to are already established, even though the why and how is unclear.
Forge of Darkness is a story of the downfall of a civilization, a morally and politically complex story that truly feels like an epic tragedy. I have never read anything like it and every time I think about it, it just gets even better.
The Kharkanas trilogy details the descent into civil war of the Tiste race. It can be read on it's own but I would personally not recommend that, as it's even more impressive and rewarding if you already know The Malazan Book of the Fallen, the main series set in this world.
The worldbuilding is incredible. Erikson creates a civilization that feels so authentic, you'd think it really existed somewhere. He gives us glimpses into every class, every sort of person living in the realm of the Tiste. His fantasy is not just concerned with the noble men or the people doing heroic deeds, but with every day people like you and me and always shows how they're affected by what is happening. He uses the genre to ask questions about society and examine the human nature. There's deeply tragic personal stories in here that you would not ordinarily expect from a fantasy novel, mixed with an epic story set in a world as imaginative as any ever created.
Erikson is sometimes critisiced for coming across as too preachy om occasion, when characters discuss philophical questions, but the way it is worked into the story is excellent and works especially well with the tone of this book. It's very reminiscent of Shakespeare and the whole novel is permeated by a sense of imminent tragedy, creating an incredible dense atmosphere. That effect is heightened with knowledge of the Book of fhe Fallen, as certain events being built up to are already established, even though the why and how is unclear.
Forge of Darkness is a story of the downfall of a civilization, a morally and politically complex story that truly feels like an epic tragedy. I have never read anything like it and every time I think about it, it just gets even better.
I enjoyed this book a whole lot. I am actually not sure if I would recommend reading this before the main series (as it is a prequel), or after the main series, as I did. I think this book would help in understanding what the hell is going on in the main series, but reading this book after the main series has the big advantage that you get so many "wait, you are that guy?"-Moments. I literally laughed out loud when some of the previously-unnamed characters are revealed to actually be important characters from the main series, and others induced moans and shouts of "oh god no, not HIM!"
So, I guess I am saying: Read this book before or after the main series, but read it if you like dark fantasy (and I mean dark dark fantasy - if you dislike descriptions of murder and rape, this book is not for you).
So, I guess I am saying: Read this book before or after the main series, but read it if you like dark fantasy (and I mean dark dark fantasy - if you dislike descriptions of murder and rape, this book is not for you).
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My awe and adoration for this book increase exponentially with each new read. Five stars aren't enough, if there is a pedestal lofty enough to place Forge of Darkness on, it's got to be place where The Silmarillion has always reigned supreme for me. It certainly has the same impact in terms of lore and emotional investment in the characters.
Make no mistake, though, this is a hard book to read. One of the most difficult and taxing books I’ve ever come across. You need to be strong of nerves and stomach to make it through this book and cope with all it thrusts and stabs at you. And you also need to keep the eyes from glazing over at all the beautifully worded philosophical tangents (Having zero inclination for philosophy/religion/whatever of spiritual nature myself, I must admit that I read most of Erikson’s pretty words with the eye but they don’t reach any further. I am here for the characters and the story and the ornate stuff framing it is just padding to me. But there must be a more receptive audience out there.)
Forge of Darkness is super, super, super bleak and depressing, without any of the humor that makes Malazan Book of the Fallen entertaining and easier to swallow in its most tragic moments. The Tiste (as yet undivided into three different races or casts or somesuch thing) are a singularly melancholy people. Absolutely everyone in this world is unhappy. They either want what they cannot have or they have everything stolen away from them and find themselves with no recourse but grief and/or revenge. If they were like this 300 000 + years before the events in MBoTF and before their world imploded around them… small wonder the Andii are as we see them portrayed in the main series. The ennui of their lives is such that some of them literally kickstart a war, just to have something to do and give meaning back to their wasted lives. But this is not to say that there isn’t beauty or love in this world. Or honor. There is all of that in abundance, it just hurts the more when it’s all broken and stolen away.
Forge of Darkness is also full of truly horrific imagery. Being hard of stomach and utterly inured to horror from all the books I prefer, I’m still haunted by some of the gruesome scenes in this book. And some of them will always stay with me, even if I forget every other detail (looking at you, Kadaspala…) So yes, be prepared for some truly awful things to happen to people who do not deserve it and also be prepared to be left frothing at the mouth with impotent fury on their behalf.
Which brings me to the prevalent emotion stirred in me at the end of volume one. I love it more with each re-read and so too does my fury grow. Like Anomander, I cannot see past the anger and the need for vengeance. I’m also filled with visceral hatred for all things Legion and Huun Raal is possibly my most loathed and despised character in this whole universe (no, wait, he can’t top Malick Rell on the hate charts, no one can). Seeing how the Liosan came into being seems so fitting… they are the forcibly disgorged, bastard child of a scheming drunk and a selfish whore. They are the rapists and the child-murderers and the arsonists, the liars and betrayers and thieves, the absolute dregs of the Tiste society… and some few hapless fools who are too lethargic to run away fast enough. It will give me much satisfaction to see the Liosan much later in the main series, and to witness their hypocritical hordes dispatched in droves.
Not much of the above rambles look like a ringing endorsement for this book, but I highly, HIGHLY recommend it for lovers of the Malazan universe. Only after reading the main series at least once, though.
Make no mistake, though, this is a hard book to read. One of the most difficult and taxing books I’ve ever come across. You need to be strong of nerves and stomach to make it through this book and cope with all it thrusts and stabs at you. And you also need to keep the eyes from glazing over at all the beautifully worded philosophical tangents (Having zero inclination for philosophy/religion/whatever of spiritual nature myself, I must admit that I read most of Erikson’s pretty words with the eye but they don’t reach any further. I am here for the characters and the story and the ornate stuff framing it is just padding to me. But there must be a more receptive audience out there.)
Forge of Darkness is super, super, super bleak and depressing, without any of the humor that makes Malazan Book of the Fallen entertaining and easier to swallow in its most tragic moments. The Tiste (as yet undivided into three different races or casts or somesuch thing) are a singularly melancholy people. Absolutely everyone in this world is unhappy. They either want what they cannot have or they have everything stolen away from them and find themselves with no recourse but grief and/or revenge. If they were like this 300 000 + years before the events in MBoTF and before their world imploded around them… small wonder the Andii are as we see them portrayed in the main series. The ennui of their lives is such that some of them literally kickstart a war, just to have something to do and give meaning back to their wasted lives. But this is not to say that there isn’t beauty or love in this world. Or honor. There is all of that in abundance, it just hurts the more when it’s all broken and stolen away.
Forge of Darkness is also full of truly horrific imagery. Being hard of stomach and utterly inured to horror from all the books I prefer, I’m still haunted by some of the gruesome scenes in this book. And some of them will always stay with me, even if I forget every other detail (looking at you, Kadaspala…) So yes, be prepared for some truly awful things to happen to people who do not deserve it and also be prepared to be left frothing at the mouth with impotent fury on their behalf.
Which brings me to the prevalent emotion stirred in me at the end of volume one. I love it more with each re-read and so too does my fury grow. Like Anomander, I cannot see past the anger and the need for vengeance. I’m also filled with visceral hatred for all things Legion and Huun Raal is possibly my most loathed and despised character in this whole universe (no, wait, he can’t top Malick Rell on the hate charts, no one can). Seeing how the Liosan came into being seems so fitting… they are the forcibly disgorged, bastard child of a scheming drunk and a selfish whore. They are the rapists and the child-murderers and the arsonists, the liars and betrayers and thieves, the absolute dregs of the Tiste society… and some few hapless fools who are too lethargic to run away fast enough. It will give me much satisfaction to see the Liosan much later in the main series, and to witness their hypocritical hordes dispatched in droves.
Not much of the above rambles look like a ringing endorsement for this book, but I highly, HIGHLY recommend it for lovers of the Malazan universe. Only after reading the main series at least once, though.
