First read: November, 2013
Re-read: December, 2016


Phew, what a ride. Stunning conclusion to one of the best fantasy series ever. Period. ( )

Didn't fully redeem some of the issues I had with earlier books, but a good ending for the Malazan side of the story. The epilogue was nice, for all that they've gone through and all the characters and plots in between, the Bridgeburners stayed a personal favorite. ( )

Finally conquered the MBotF after a few years of off/on reading. Looking back, the depth and breadth of the world created by Erikson is astonishing. Love how many pantheons get a nod regarding mythological representation in this world. I'm glad someone put some raw power into magic systems. While terrifyingly dark at some times, it was a practical representation of how a whole world would function regarding economics, politics, and personal relationships. I think that's ultimately my favorite aspect of Erikson's world of Wu, it's utterly believable because of the attention to detail to some mundane aspects of living. Highly recommend the series for any readers looking for a Tolkien-esque depth to a relatively unique high fantasy setting. ( )

So ends my year-long journey. Still too raw to add anything else right now. ( )

I did it. I finally did it. After years of trying to get past Gardens of the Moon, I have sat down and singularly, over several months, read the entire 10 book series.

And I am so confused and torn over whether or not I liked it. I mean, obviously I did, otherwise I wouldn't have continued reading. And yet the entire series was such a weird, wild, strange, confusing, disjointed, emotional, stilted, action packed, slow? ride. How does one sum up something like that?

You don't. A lot like life itself. You can't sum that up in a book and neither could the life of these books sum themselves up in...books. I am beyond capable of telling you what these books are about, other than life itself, all it's glory and horror.

Would I recommend them? I 100% do not know. Yes. No. Maybe. Honestly, the only thing I could tell you is to try them on yourself. And good luck. ( )