#The Malazan Book of the Fallen

[the-evil-duckling]

A short series of malazan quotes, part 1:

"The flower defies."

Tiste Andii poem, in its entirety.

[chloristoflora]

Tehol collected his cup and cautiously sniffed. Then he frowned at his manservant.

Who shrugged. "We don't have no herbs, master. I had to improvise."

"With what? Sheep hide?"

Bugg's brows rose. "Very close indeed. I had some leftover wool."

"The yellow or the grey?"

"The grey."

"Well, that's all right, then." He sipped. "Smooth."

"Yes, it would be."

"We're not poisoning ourselves, are we?"

"Only mildly, master."

"There are times," Shurq Elalle said, "when I regret being dead. This is not one of those times, however."

The two men eyed her speculatively, sipping at their tea.

"Ideally," she continued, "I would now clear my throat to cover this moment of awkwardness. But I am incapable of feeling any more awkward than is my normal state. Secondly, clearing my throat has unpleasant consequences."

Midnight Tides, by Steven Erikson (Malazan Book of the Fallen #5)

[hedgehogs-can-fly]

Branderson has claimed that in his prime Talenel’Elin was unmatched by any non-shard we’ve met within the Cosmere, which got me wondering: Would he be able to best Erikson’s Dassem Ultor? It’s very much a question I want to ask of Brandon, if ever I get the chance.

[hedgehogs-can-fly]

Gryllen’s one weakness

Holy shit, oh my god! 50 of them??

[joncronshawauthor]

What's the Difference Between Grimdark and Dark Fantasy?

Ah, the world of fantasy literature. A realm brimming with noble heroes, wondrous magic, and epic battles fought for the very fate of existence... But let’s face it, sunshine and rainbows can get a tad boring after a while. Enter dark fantasy and grimdark, the genres where shadows are more than welcome, and heroes sometimes turn out to be not-so-heroic after all. So, let’s take a macabre…

[pansen1802]

[boooklover]

“The lesson of history is that no one learns.”

Steven Erikson, Deadhouse Gates

[humanoid--human]

i've heard it said that malazan is a three million word essay on the nature of compassion

and this is true

but if malazan is an essay then this here is the thesis statement:

“We humans do not understand compassion. In each moment of our lives, we betray it. Aye, we know of its worth, yet in knowing we then attach to it a value, we guard the giving of it, believing it must be earned, T’lan Imass. Compassion is priceless in the truest sense of the word. It must be given freely. In abundance.”

and that sentiment is so utterly beautiful that by itself it balances all three million words and ten books of cynicism and despair and suffering

let alone the fact that throughout the series this thesis is lived out again and again

these books man

[chloristoflora]

"You asked, a moment ago, how I honour the memory of our parents. I can tell you this, Brys. When I see you. How you stand. The deadly grace – your skill, taught you by his hand – well, I have no need for memory. He stands before me, right now. More than with Hull. Far more. And, I'd hazard, I am much as you say – like her. Thus," he spread his hands helplessly, "you ask for help, but will not hear what I tell you. Need there be reminders of the fates of our parents? Need there be memory, Brys? We stand here, you and I, and play out once more the old familial tortures."

"You describe, then," he said hoarsely, "our doom."

"She could have saved him, Brys. If not for us. Her fear for us. The whole game of debt, so deftly contrived to snare Father – she would have torn it apart, except that, like me, she could see nothing of the world that would rise from the ashes. And, seeing nothing, she feared."

"Without us, then, she would have saved him – kept him from that moment of supreme cowardice?"

Brys was facing him now, his eyes glittering.

"I think so," Tehol answered. "And from them, we have drawn our lessons of life. You chose the protection of the King's Guard, and now the role of Champion. Where debt will never find you. As for Hull, he walked away – from gold, from its deadly traps – and sought honour in saving people. And even when that failed… do you honestly imagine Hull would ever consider killing himself? Our father's cowardice was betrayal, Brys. Of the worst sort."

"And what of you, Tehol? What lesson are you living out right now?"

"The difference between me and our mother is that I carry no burden. No children. So, brother, I think I will end up achieving the very thing she could not do, despite her love for Father."

"By dressing in rags and sleeping on your roof?"

"Perception enforces expectation, Brys." And thought he saw a wry smile from his brother.

Midnight Tides, by Steven Erikson (Malazan Book of the Fallen #5)

[malazanquotes]

The soul knows no greater anguish than to take a breath that begins in love and ends with grief.

Toll the Hounds pg. 963

[the-evil-duckling]

Looking at you, brys.

died and came back tired. died and came back exhausted. died and came back with manic energy. died and came back with malingering unease. died and came back twitchy. so many possibilities

[autumntavern]

Monok Ochem, colour version! Bit experimental on the colours

[literatureaesthetic]

current read 📓 finally continuing my malazan journey!!

[gedoran]

'He was not a modest man. Contemplating suicide, he summoned a dragon.'

[the-evil-duckling]

The entire series - beginning to fucking end - is a series about compassion. More than anything else, it is compassion that forms the core of the Book of the Fallen.

And that is, perhaps, fitting.

god it's the little moments of compassion in malazan that really get me. it's mappo using his healing vials to save the wickan dogs, it's crone comforting the mhybe, it's that captain comforting the soldier who had to shoot coltaine. it's toc the younger hearing that the t'lan imass might be dispelled and looking at onos t'oolan, this terrifying undead freak who has shown emotion exactly one time, and going: i hope that doesn't happen, because he's my friend.

[joncronshawauthor]

Discover New Fantasy Worlds: 10 Series Similar to 'The Wheel of Time

If you’re a fan of Robert Jordan’s sprawling masterpiece, ‘The Wheel of Time,’ finding the next big series to sink your teeth into can be quite the task. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of epic fantasy series that share a similar scope, rich world-building, and complex character development. Here’s your guide to finding the perfect series to embark on next. 1. ‘A…