The Mazalan Book of the Fallen
Posted 15 Jan, 2005 at 21:26 by blue in /Books | Permanent link
On the recommendation of several people (as well as copious sources online), I picked up the first 4 volumes in this epic series back in the late summer last year. I didn't however get around to opening the first one until mid-way through December.
What to say about them? If you're looking for a good solid read, look no further. While no record maker, I'd like to think of myself as the sort of person who reads well above average and can blast through a fair sized novel in a day or two of reading.
While I have had the usual assortment of holiday events and disruptions in my life, it is now mid-January and I'm still only about halfway through the 2nd book.
To my credit, they are about 1000 pages each.
But what of the quality of the writing? you ask. After all, anyone can write copious amounts of material. (Actually, that isn't quite true... as someone known for using 50 words when perhaps 45... well 25... would do, I can attest to the fact that your eyes will pop in boredom long before you get around to writing 4000 pages of pulp to prove to me how easy it is... but none-the-less... it is the quality of the writing which is important.
I find that while there are great passages that can be skimmed over with little loss, on the whole, Steven Erikson (that's the guy who wrote them) writes a compelling story and manages to intertwine a fairly unique concept of magic along with many different races and cultures creating a rich tapestry of characters in this epic fantasy. (And truly worthy of the title of Epic). Those who prefer a slighter lighter style may not appriciate the somewhat darker (even at times 'gallows') humour that is used frequently through the book.
If I have one thing I'd want to see improved about the book, it would be that all too often the characters lack a certain something which would fully flush them out. Whether this is a sense of humanity... hopes and dreams... or simply that too often they begin to fall into stereotypical archtypes, I can not say. Only that they sometimes feel three quarters complete.
Even so, it is a solid read and one which, one you are into it, you will not be able to put down. (well... maybe when your arm tires from holding up the massive volumes).
Anyone else read these?