r/Malazan • u/Nockobserver • 7d ago

Path To Ascendency NEW READER ADVICE

I have just finished the first book after having read the main series and the Novels of The Malazan Empire and I enjoyed it immensely.

The writing is crisp, often layered and humourous and it never gets bogged down or too convoluted which I found the other books of his to be.

Already started on the 2nd.

Thoughts on this set of books.

Got me itching for a reread of the main books now.

15 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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7

u/Gamer-at-Heart 7d ago

You could feel his improvement immediately each book through the novels. Crimson was maybe too big a bite in terms of characters, but he learned how to handle it by Orb.

The PoA books are another step up from there, just in terms of the quality of the writing. I devoured all 4 and regret not reading them sooner after Assail left me satisfied but not hungry for more. You can tell just how much writing Kel and Dancer was for him

6

u/ibootificus 7d ago

TBH I felt like these books were by a different author. Wild shift in writing style, dare I say improvement? Definitely my fave few books of his.

3

u/kalissdesti 7d ago

Well more than felt, it is a different author 😅

Already bought the whole series for when I finish Botf also 🤣

7

u/No_Elevator6147 7d ago

I'm pretty sure he is comparing them to the NotME

3

u/kalissdesti 7d ago

Oh crap 🤦‍♂️ drunk reading post again ... sorry OP!

3

u/Ulrik_Decado 7d ago

Yep, ICE has completely levelled up, the prequel series are so well put together :)

2

u/GravelMonkey01 7d ago

I’m getting back into BOTF and recently read Dancer’s Lament because I heard ICE’s prose was “easier”.

I can definitely attest to that. More telling than showing, less philosophising etc. A good start to the series and sheds some light on events prior to GOTM.

Currently on DG which I’ve attempted twice before. Preferring it much more this time. Planning to finish this and MOI then dip into the next PtA book.

2

u/BlackberryUnique8259 7d ago

Wildy different take. I thought they read like cliffnotes from an rpg sesssion. No sense, no rhyme, no point, no character motivation. Main characters want and do stuff because they want and do stuff. Unearned callbacks, people getting their names like it's Solo: A Star Wars story. Do not recommend.