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I've recently got one of my friends into this series. He is on the second book and keeps telling me how cool the Wickins are. I can't wait for him to see how the book ends. It is going to be great.
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Jun 7, 2014 22:00
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Ethiser posted:I've recently got one of my friends into this series. He is on the second book and keeps telling me how cool the Wickins are. I can't wait for him to see how the book ends. It is going to be great. drat dude, that's cold. Of all the things in this series the end of that book is only topped by Beak.
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Jun 8, 2014 09:00
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The ending of Deadhouse Gates hit me harder than Beak. I think this is because Reaper's Gale was already so full of sad things happening that I sort of blew a fuse midway through and stopped really being affected by it.
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Jun 8, 2014 09:11
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Yeah, when I read it for the first time I think that was the scene that cemented that I'll be reading the rest of the series. edit: While I'd argue Beak is handled better than The Fall, they serve different purposes - what hit me most about the ending of DG was the sheer pointlessness and stupidity of it all.
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Jun 8, 2014 11:14
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After Deadhouse Gates I refused to let myself feel again...until Beak wandered into my life 
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Jun 8, 2014 16:42
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TryAgainBragg posted:After Deadhouse Gates I refused to let myself feel again...until Beak wandered into my life Listening to it on Audiobook...oh man 
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Jun 9, 2014 04:00
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drat, the only dude I cajoled into reading this series got burned out on GotM when it shifts over to the Darujhistan cast. Admittedly, it's been more than a year since I read GotM, but I don't recall the cast change being that jarring or frustrating. Oh well. Have you guys had any success recommending the series to real life friends?
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Jun 9, 2014 04:44
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The guy I was talking about earlier only made it through GotM because I kept telling him how good the series was. The fact that you just get thrown into the story and not much of how the world works or the background of the world is really explained was a real turn off. My friend only really got into the book once it changed to Darujhistan because the plot got a lot more understandabe.
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Jun 9, 2014 04:52
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The loss of both Trull and Rhulad affected me far more than Beak, to be honest. Still, this series is the gift that keeps on taking. I just got through the attack at the tavern and didn't realize I liked Bluepearl as much as I did until he passed.
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Jun 9, 2014 15:36
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^^ Hands down, that was the biggest 'No... NO!' moment of the series for me. Just (Huge Reaper's Gale Spoilers) one little push by the Errant being nothing more than true to his nature, and we lose Trull Sengar had me immediately phoning a friend who'd finished a week earlier just to have someone to share the moment with.
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Jun 9, 2014 15:47
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Ynglaur posted:The loss of both Trull and Rhulad affected me far more than Beak, to be honest. Still, this series is the gift that keeps on taking. I just got through the attack at the tavern and didn't realize I liked Bluepearl as much as I did until he passed. I felt the same way about the tavern, but I suspect it is just because I hate everyone else in that plotline so he looks good by comparison. TtH has way too much Blend and Picker who both stopped being interesting by MoI.
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Jun 9, 2014 16:28
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Really? I like Blend and Picker a lot. Even Antsy has grown on me, in that "this guy is annoying as gently caress but he's still family so we have to put up with him" kind of way. I still can't stand Hedge, though. Go figure.
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Jun 9, 2014 20:47
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Different strokes for different folks, apparently. Especially since I like Hedge a lot, he's arguably my favorite Bridgeburner, particularly in his post mortem sections in RG. But I also like genuinely Blistig and Nimander's traveling therapy group so my taste is objectively terrible. edit: Antsy is the biggest saving grace of OST, really.
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Jun 9, 2014 22:05
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Man, non main character assassins die in the most ridiculous and humiliating ways. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMlu7ZleclI
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Jun 11, 2014 22:06
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TryAgainBragg posted:After Deadhouse Gates I refused to let myself feel again...until Beak wandered into my life Ending of DG had Mappo, Gesler, Stormy & Truth all work together to save those two dogs from death. That part was bittersweet. Plus those two dogs actually showing up again in DoD & effecting an outcome in TCG was karmic justic for the wickans. quantumfoam fucked around with this message at 04:48 on Jun 12, 2014 |
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Jun 12, 2014 04:45
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Been hearing really great things about this series but man, I cannot get into the first book. Would it be alright to skip and go back to it down the line?
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Jun 12, 2014 05:12
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Aafter posted:Been hearing really great things about this series but man, I cannot get into the first book. Would it be alright to skip and go back to it down the line? If you can't get into it because you're hopelessly lost, that won't really change regardless of which book you read first. If the writing is a bit rough for you, I guess you might consider skipping to book 2, but I'd just try to stick it out. 
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Jun 12, 2014 05:40
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Aafter posted:Been hearing really great things about this series but man, I cannot get into the first book. Would it be alright to skip and go back to it down the line? have you tried skipping chapters to keep the narrative focused on one storyline, then doubling back to read the other chapters once all the characters hit Darujhistan? I did that myself because Kruppe was way too bombastic and I kept putting down GotM because Kruppe was boring me to tears. Once I got invested in the bridgebruners, I was able to re-read the Kruppe sections and understand that Kruppe does what he does because he's the Eel. quantumfoam fucked around with this message at 06:26 on Jun 12, 2014 |
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Jun 12, 2014 06:22
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The writing is very rough. I've been enjoying Ganoes' character and whatnot. I don't know. I think it's just very unfamiliar territory (ASOIAF reader, argh magic yadda yadda) and there's nothing to hook me in, I suppose. But I love the background, I love this confusing cycle of unknowing. This got me: "My take on Erikson was always that he expects you've read all his books at all times. When you read book 1, he expects you're read books 2-10, kinda. It sounds retarded, but it makes it infinitely rereadable." That hooked me and made me want to read the hell out this series and what a cool freaking idea. Oh and the idea of a series being better than ASOIAF and completed. So perhaps the better narration of Book 2 will be hook me in better. Then I'm thinking book 3 and then book 1? Edit: Also, I've been drinking. forgive me. Aafter fucked around with this message at 06:34 on Jun 12, 2014 |
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Jun 12, 2014 06:30
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tuluk posted:have you tried skipping chapters to keep the narrative focused on one storyline, then doubling back to read the other chapters once all the characters hit Darujhistan? The thought that good friend Tuluk would utter such disparaging words towards the ever benevolent and graceful Kruppe is enough to force Kruppe to seek solace in delectable pastries.
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Jun 12, 2014 06:49
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Aafter posted:The writing is very rough. I've been enjoying Ganoes' character and whatnot. I don't know. I think it's just very unfamiliar territory (ASOIAF reader, argh magic yadda yadda) and there's nothing to hook me in, I suppose. But I love the background, I love this confusing cycle of unknowing. This got me: I had the same issues reading GotM as well, however, I just stuck it out. As rough as it is knowing some of the character interaction and background enhanced the second book. I also didn't pick up on a whole lot of stuff in the first book because I was confused 90% of the time. On the reread there is no series better and Gardens, for its flaws, is amazing. If you are going to skip around I would go 2 then 1, 3 has some massive poo poo in it that would kind of take you out of 1 I think.
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Jun 12, 2014 06:52
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Tooter posted:If you are going to skip around I would go 2 then 1, 3 has some massive poo poo in it that would kind of take you out of 1 I think. I will do this thing. I think I'll give Book 1 another chance before I do so, though.
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Jun 12, 2014 07:10
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Aafter posted:The writing is very rough. I've been enjoying Ganoes' character and whatnot. I don't know. I think it's just very unfamiliar territory (ASOIAF reader, argh magic yadda yadda) and there's nothing to hook me in, I suppose. But I love the background, I love this confusing cycle of unknowing. This got me: I actually reread GotM a week ago as a start of my third reread of the series. Also the first reread after the completion of the main series. This has actually changed my view on GoTM and made GotM a much better book. Still a little rough around the edges, Tayschrenn in particular comes off badly. From now on I will consider GotM to be the prologue to the series, which is a pretty apt description considering the length of the series. Also, I would like to read more about demons. They are quite cool throughout the series and they only play a minor role for the most part. In some ways, demons doesn't really belong to the series and is more of a classic fantasy inclusion. Which is kinda interesting and just showcases the how many other fantastical races which are in the series.
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Jun 12, 2014 07:36
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Personally I couldn't get anywhere in GotM for like three attempts, the third time I just committed myself to knocking it down. Around 1/3rd of the way through I found I actually had some momentum to finish up and the rest of it went by pretty quickly. Just stick with it and if by the end you didn't like it, then at least it was only 1 book.
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Jun 12, 2014 08:03
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Gardens of the Moon was written about 8-10 years or so before the other books in the series, and it shows. The writing in the other books is much better. Honestly, I'd skim over Gardens of the Moon. Some of the stuff towards the end, like Raest's release or Rake's fight is awesome. Get acquainted with the characters, appreciate the  stuff at the end, and don't worry if it doesn't all click, you'll be fine in the other books. Reread the book sometime after you've gotten further into the series and GotM will make a lot more sense.
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Jun 12, 2014 08:35
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Cardiac posted:Also, I would like to read more about demons. They are quite cool throughout the series and they only play a minor role for the most part. I actually rather enjoy the references to demons. Most characters who refer to summoned creatures as demons are being very generic with that description - they're just any creature from a world other than the main one - notably the Tiste could all be classified as demons under the typical description. In one of the later books there's a nice reference to a home land which is slowly losing a longterm war against an intractable foe - the nobility is sending fodder to fulfil a contract for the most part instead of themselves to better their chances of winning. e: so basically which world would you like to hear more about? Baudin fucked around with this message at 20:23 on Jun 12, 2014 |
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Jun 12, 2014 20:19
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I'm halfway through MoI, having skipped DG for the time being, and I was wondering what Malaz races have standard fantasy race analogues? So the Barghast and Jaghut are related, and they both have tusks, so they're a bit like orcs. While the Tiste Andii are like Drow, but only in appearance.
Inspector Gesicht fucked around with this message at 12:32 on Jun 13, 2014 |
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Jun 13, 2014 12:29
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Barghast aren't related to the Jaghut and don't have tusks. IIRC the barghast are more like mixed blood of the Imass and Toblakai. I don't think there's really any spoiler in that, if you haven't heard of those races just keep reading. Jaghut sounds orc-like in appearance but not even vaguely in behavior. All of the Tiste races are described more or less like elves. I guess Toblakai are kind of like ogres or giants but really more like super barbarians. I think some of the other races like the Trell are descendants of Toblakai Eriksson does a pretty good job of "making up" some races without going too far down the standard fantasy archetype paths
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Jun 13, 2014 12:46
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Levitate posted:Barghast aren't related to the Jaghut and don't have tusks. IIRC the barghast are more like mixed blood of the Imass and Toblakai. I don't think there's really any spoiler in that, if you haven't heard of those races just keep reading. Toblakais have spawned a bunch of subraces covering Barghast, Fenn, Trell and Moranth(?). Imass are basically Neanderthals. All Tiste are originally the same race, where Liosan/light elves are the most evil I guess, while Andii/dark elves are the good ones. Tiste can apparently as well breed with humans as seen in Midnight Tides. Jaghut spawned one subrace, the Jhags where the most famous is Icarium. Forkrul Assail have also subraces, or rather humans with various amounts of Forkrul Assail blood in them. Considering how many races that can breed with one another, I don't even wanna think about how that is explained biologically. I mean, humans share 98% with chimpanzees and I don't see any half-human-chimpanzees out there. Hmmm, thinking about Icarium, time to reread DG for the third time.
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Jun 13, 2014 13:39
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Just to clarify, the Jhags are any Jaghut halfbreed, rather than a particular race spawned by the Jaghut in the way the Barghast evolved from the Toblakai/Imass unions. And we've known about Tiste being able to breed with humans since I think GotM, where I think it's already mentioned that Topper is a halfie or has Andii blood. What makes the Tiste so elven aside from their height and epicanthic folds? They aren't described as having pointy ears and I blocked it out, are they?
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Jun 13, 2014 15:09
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Also essentially immortal unless killed with violence, fantastic warriors and magic users, blah blah. It's not perfect one to one but they definitely evoke the classic image of elves Also I'm not sure if the Jhag Bolead are just Jaghut halfbloods or some other creations by the Jaghut? I feel like it was hinted they were more purpose made than just halfbloods
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Jun 13, 2014 15:38
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Levitate posted:Also essentially immortal unless killed with violence, fantastic warriors and magic users, blah blah. It's not perfect one to one but they definitely evoke the classic image of elves I think Hood or someone decently high-up hints that they're some sort of an experiment. Might have been an attempt to create specialist mageslayers.
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Jun 13, 2014 15:58
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anilEhilated posted:I think Hood or someone decently high-up hints that they're some sort of an experiment. Might have been an attempt to create specialist mageslayers.
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Jun 13, 2014 16:29
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Nachts!
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Jun 13, 2014 16:44
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Levitate posted:Nachts! Yes, them too. Have you started FoD yet? The Bolead were created by using soul shifting of some form on dolls - there is a girl involved in the storyline who is implicitly hinted at potentially being either Quick Ben's ancestor or perhaps someone who ends up as one of his souls.
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Jun 13, 2014 17:03
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It's worth mentioning that the whole series evolved out of a GURPS campaign, so while the authors have evolved their ideas past the generic archetypes, you can still see where they began. Andii -> Dark, Light, and Twilight/gray elves Jaghut -> Orcs Doesn't work on all of them, and certainly they have played around with them, but you can still kinda see it.
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Jun 13, 2014 18:46
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Honestly, Jaghut may look like orcs but they're pretty much their polar opposite otherwise.
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Jun 13, 2014 19:03
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Levitate posted:Nachts!
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Jun 13, 2014 19:28
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Also I think the Moranth are semi-insectoid? But that may just be their armor. I don't think they're related to the Toblakai at all, but I could be misremembering or just wrong. I don't know that we ever see a Moranth sans armor. The super warriors with the masks, are they just hypertrianed humans/partial ascendants or something?
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Jun 13, 2014 19:38
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nucleicmaxid posted:Also I think the Moranth are semi-insectoid? But that may just be their armor. I don't think they're related to the Toblakai at all, but I could be misremembering or just wrong. I don't know that we ever see a Moranth sans armor. I have to reread OST to answer that. But I remember something about them being related to the Barghast and thus Toblakai, but I might be wrong. Looking at the wiki the Moranth is a mix between Imass and Toblakai. Seguleh are not ascendants. Well, except for Rake then, but that was more by accident.
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Jun 13, 2014 19:50
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