Ratings100
Average rating4.2
Fantasy-roman.
Reviews with the most likes.
4.5 ⭐️ this book was fantastic! Really enjoyed my time back in Seven Cities!
WITNESS
The Whirlwind's rage had never before been so fierce, leading him suspect that the Malazan army was drawing close, that the final clash of wills was fast approaching. This was, in truth, a convergence, and the currents had trapped other powers, pulling them along with relentless force.
And behind it all, the whispers of a song...
House of Chains is the fourth installment in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. Like its predecessors, the book is divided into four sub-books. In the first book, “Faces in the Rock,” Erikson introduces a new set of characters and writes the book from a single point of view. While Erikson frequently introduces new characters, dedicating an entire sub-book (250 pages) to the same point of view is a departure from his usual style. In the subsequent part of the book, Erikson returns to his “usual” style.
It's not entirely clear to me what the purpose of the single point of view opening is. While it can allow for quicker character development, this could apply to any character. Erikson often employs specific literary devices to support the story and plot intentionally, but in this case, it seems like he wanted to try something different—perhaps flexing his literary muscles and showcasing his capabilities. However, it didn't fully convince me.
The plot of House of Chains is characterized by the concept of “convergence.” Multiple storylines converge around Raraku as the central point. Considering the other books in the series, I expected a grand climax. Without the context of the previous books, it would have been a satisfactory ending. However, with that context, it was somewhat disappointing. While there are still significant and emotional events, they have less impact compared to the first three parts.
It's a good book, but not exceptional. I would give it 4 stars.
House of Chains est le quatrième roman du cycle de fantasy Malazan Book of the Fallen de Steven Erikson. Le récit prend la suite de celui du deuxième roman, Deadhouse Gates, sur le continent des Sept Cités où la rébellion fait rage contre l’occupant malazéen.
In Northern Genabackis, a raiding party of savage tribal warriors descends from the mountains into the southern flatlands. Their intention is to wreak havoc amongst the despised lowlanders, but for the one named Karsa Orlong it marks the beginning of what will prove to be an extraordinary destiny.
Some years later, it is the aftermath of the Chain of Dogs. Tavore, the Adjunct to the Empress, has arrived in the last remaining Malazan stronghold of Seven Cities. New to command, she must hone twelve thousand soldiers, mostly raw recruits but for a handful of veterans of Coltaine's legendary march, into a force capable of challenging the massed hordes of Sha'ik's Whirlwind who lie in wait in the heart of the Holy Desert.
But waiting is never easy. The seer's warlords are locked into a power struggle that threatens the very soul of the rebellion, while Sha'ik herself suffers, haunted by the knowledge of her nemesis: her own sister, Tavore.
Je l’ai dit, le récit poursuit celui du deuxième roman, mais en réalité il commence par une première longue partie qui peut sembler sans rapport avec ce qui précédait, puisqu’elle nous raconte les aventures de Karsa Orlong, un guerrier orgueilleux venu des montagnes au nord du continent de Genebackis. Le début est assez surprenant, d’autant que l’auteur nous avait habitué à multiplier les points de vue, alors que cette première partie se déroule uniquement à travers les yeux de Karsa Orlong. Cependant, cela a parfaitement fonctionné pour moi, et j’ai aimé détester ce personnage qui ne brille pas par sa sympathie et sa finesse au premier abord.
La suite nous replonge dans la rébellion des Sept Cités contre l’Empire malazéen, et nous avons le plaisir de suivre les deux camps de l’intérieur, à travers plusieurs personnages anciens ou nouveaux. J’ai beaucoup aimé passer d’un côté à l’autre, sans parvenir à prendre parti pour la rébellion ou pour l’empire, tant leurs causes sont défendues par des personnages plaisants et d’autres détestables. Quitte à suivre une guerre, autant qu’elle soit décrite de façon non manichéenne, ce que fait parfaitement Steven Erikson dans ce tome.
Ce que j’ai beaucoup aimé dans ce roman, c’est sa gestion du rythme. J’avais regretté dans le tome précédent, Memories of Ice, un ventre mou difficile à passer au milieu du roman, et je n’ai pas eu la même impression ici. C’est assez remarquable pour être signalé, s’agissant d’un pavé de plus de mille pages !
Je continue donc avec grand plaisir ma découverte de ce cycle de fantasy épique, et je vais aussitôt attaquer le cinquième tome, Midnight Tides.
Series
10 primary booksMalazan Book of the Fallen is a 11-book series with 11 primary works first released in 1999 with contributions by Steven Erikson and Michał Jakuszewski.
Series
16 primary books22 released booksMalazan is a 37-book series with 16 primary works first released in 1999 with contributions by Steven Erikson, Michał Jakuszewski, and 4 others.
Series
3 primary books6 released booksМалазанская «Книга Павших» is a 6-book series with 3 primary works first released in 1999 with contributions by Steven Erikson and Michał Jakuszewski.
Series
4 primary booksLa caduta di Malazan is a 4-book series with 4 primary works first released in 2000 with contributions by Steven Erikson, Miguel Antón, and 3 others.