Memories Of Ice : A Book Review (Malazan Chronicles)

Malazan Book Of The Fallen
Book 3
Memories OF Ice

Publisher's Summary

The ravaged continent of Genabackis has given birth to a terrifying new empire: the Pannion Domin. Like a fanatical tide of corrupted blood, it seethes across the land, devouring all who fail to heed the Word of its elusive prophet, the Pannion Seer. In its path stands an uneasy alliance: Dujek Onearm's Host and the Bridgeburners - each now outlawed by the Empress - alongside their enemies of old including the grim forces of Warlord Caladan Brood, Anomander Rake, Son of Darkness, and his Tiste Andii, and the Rhivi people of the Plains. Outnumbered and mistrustful, they must get word to potential allies, including the mercenary brotherhood, the Grey Swords, whose orders are to hold the besieged city of Capustan at all costs.

But more ancient clans too are gathering. As if in answer to some primal summons, the massed ranks of the undead T'lan Imass have risen. For it would seem something altogether darker and more malign threatens the very substance of this world. The Warrens are poisoned and rumours abound that the Crippled God is now unchained and intent on a terrible revenge...

 

This book is highly rated and beloved by all who read it; I’d only ever heard good things about it. But even then, this is the kind of book authors would want their magnum opus to be. Unsurpassed. Other books will excite and entertain, but I doubt any will move me as much as this one did. Every single five star review is worth it. I don’t know how it can be rated any lower. It is, much like Deadhouse Gates, the best example for the grimdark high fantasy genre. For grimdark as a whole. AND, its also doubling up as a thriller unsurpassable. Most thrillers, crime, war and detective fiction a la Dan Brown and Alister MacLean; this book thrills on an entirely elite level without sacrificing on its dark story-line. Mysterious and serious along with side splitting humor in the right places.  

 

 

Writing

Not only is this an entertainer, but the purity of writing can be used as an example for budding authors and content writers. When writing Kruppe, for instance, the author flexes his vocabulary in a way that leaves all other authors in the dust. How many characters can an author keep track of? I had thought no one could surpass Robert Jordan and his Wheel Of Time when I read that; Erikson has already surpassed him in only three books. How did this man manage to keep track of every thread? Every one gets a fair chance to be a hero/heroine. Every line, every chapter, entertains more than anything else possible. And not only does the author not let the intensity slip, he keeps increasing it. Even though it seems all the shocks you’ve been given are enough, he comes ahead to give you more jolts.

Characters

So many characters that I won’t even bother naming them all: in short, all our favorite Malazans (except those from Deadhouse Gates), Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, the ever lovable Ganoes Paran, and the laid back Kruppe of Darujhistan, along with warlords, gods, kings, dragons, ascendants, wolves, priests, necromancers, sell-swords, politicians, spirits. Villains aplenty. And new characters. Lovable, heroic, brave, courageous without measure, and even a few disgusting ones. This book doesn’t have childish superheroes; it has superheroes with flaws; selfishness, lust, greed, revenge. How they put all personal pains aside to fight a demon way out of their league is motivating to me. There is a character of every kind possible. And I’m having a terribly difficult time choosing my favorite character arc. Whom do I choose? They’re all pure gold. There is fiction of the sort that excites and mesmerizes and entertains: an apt description for this book, I would say. The smallest detail from one corner of this book will later be used to explain something else. The sort of book that yields a new level of understanding every time you read it; the kind of book worth reading a hundred and one times .

 

World-building

World-building is not the highlight of this book. Set on the continent of Genabackis for the most part, the tale revolve around three important places: Darujhistan, Capusthan and Coral. A few other places also play a role, but mostly, the story is set on the move, from one campfire to another. 

 

Themes

The nature of evil, exploring how terrible human actions and beliefs can truly become, and on the flipside, undying fidelity and loyalty in face of unmeasurable pain.

 

Conclusion 

The GOAT of high fantasy grimdark, a book no one has ever regretted (possibly), unless you count those whose hearts have been broken by the pain it delivered. An epic. Bloody awed, moved and terribly pained at the same time. I cannot fathom it. There are books whose ending is shocking; memories of ice is shocking in entirety. Life will never be the same again. This book has not only surpassed the standard set by Deadhouse Gates, it has also set a new standard of fiction reading for me as a person for the rest of my life.