Another great book in the series.

Another great book in the series. its a shame the have a new narrator as the one that did the forst 3 was far superior. This is one of the most epic fantasy series out there.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Epic

This adventure has continued to evolve sublimely, pity about the poor narration, needs Ralph Lister

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Solid story

Not a fan of the change in narrator. The change is quite jarring and the last one was better

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Different voice actor, jarring change

While I really liked Ralph Lister's narration, Michael Page is almost as good, but different. Ralph Lister has a better narration voice, and pronounced Malazan's names and words better. Michael Page has a narrator voice that sounds like he's reading Shakespeare, but does amazing voices for the characters. He gives them accents (not all good though, Malazans are slightly Indian for some reason), which gives the books a more realistic feel.

Still, the change of narrator is jarring. Page pronounces names differently, and gives characters completely different voices and accents from Lister (why are Fiddler and Crokus Indian??). Why Page didn't listen to Lister's narration for the sake of continuity is beyond me.
Why they chose to change voice actor 4 books in is also beyond me.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

A Shakespearian Tragedy Writ Large

Erikson seems to effortlessly weave together multiple themes into a huge tapestry, that somehow makes a perfect picture picture despite all of its disparate elements. This story starts with a character that is unlikeable, foolish and arrogant and his arc is truly satisfying. The larger story of the Malazan empire, through the lens of the Paran sisters is excruciating. There are moments of great humour, sadness and, as this is Erikson, pathos. It builds to a crescendo that ties everything together with beautiful understatement. The emotions that Erikson is able to evoke in me makes him my favourite writer, and this book, although not my favourite in the series is incredible... especially on a reread.
I just wish the pronunciation of certain words was in accord with what he has stated. Still can't quite get over Quick Ben sounding irish! Good effort by the narrator though.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

epic journey continue

i was pretty sceptical about new narrator but after i while i rly like this one and cannot wait to go through rest of the books!

Karsa Orlong it's a amazing character! love this book a lot. so far Memory of Ice it's my favorite! but this one come close!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Brilliant

A fantastic continuing of the Malazan story, although I admit I was nervous about the change of narrator. Not due to the quality of narrator, as I've listened to Michael Page before in Lies of Locke Lamora, but just the fact that I was used to the Ralph Lister (who was excellent). Obviously some characters now have didn't voices, and some names/words are pronounced differently.
But to be honest, I adjusted relatively quickly, probably due to the actual story being very good. Can't wait to start the next!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Much Better Narration IMO

Contrary to a lot of reviews here, I much prefer Michael Page's narration! Ralph Lister's actual narration was good, but his character voices I really struggled with. I felt he consistently got the tone of the characters' voices wrong, often overly dramatic and pantomime-y. Page's character voices I much prefer. But everyone has different taste I guess.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Why change narrator?! :(

Having read the books before I really enjoyed the previous audiobooks, and this enstallment of the story is good. However, changing narrator midway through such a complex series was a terrible decision. Michael Page reads well and his reading voice is very good, but his voice acting is a major disappointment here. Partly this is because the previous reader was so good at bringing the various characters to life and obviously the voices will change between readers. Worse though is the way many of the characters sound the same, a variant on a south Asian / Indian accent. It makes it hard to recall who is who and moreover the Malazan books are renowned for involving characters from many different continents! seven cities native- sounds Indian. ok fine. Fiddler from Malaz, sounds Indian. Crocus, from Darijistan, sounde Indian, and about 20 years older than he should be. The worst though- the Jaghut, sound Indian too. They're not even human. Weirdly, his female voices were a bit better in this regard. Karsa sounds good and as mentioned his reading voice is very solid, but overall a disappointment. I get the feeling he didn't listen to the previous readings at all. Most of this criticism is more fairly directed at whoever arranged the change of reader. Will try and soldier through the next book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Fantastic instalment

I love Karsa. his character growth, tempering, acceptance of uncertainty. Fantastic.
I also love how Erikson manages to slowly build the tempo towards the end of his books. IIt sweeps you along and the endings, the convergence, feel climactic. This is story telling at it's best and Michael Page's reading of it more than does it justice.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!