Also, double post but I think @theagentcoma idea of the reread on the OP that was posted on tor.com is great. So informative for those that haven't read in a while.
My train journey was 25 minutes at 8am this morning (16 hours ago) haven't had the chance to pick it up since. Before that it was about 8 years ago, I wanna say.
I have some really cool pics from the first several chapters I wanna post but I'm gonna at least wait a few days lol
The first chapter down and I'm enjoying it so far. I'm starting to get a feel for Erikson's writing, see some hints where the politics of the world are perhaps heading, trying to get some of the terms down. Good stuff, don't know how much time I'll have to read tonight but the goal is to finish up to chapter 3 tonight. It's not exactly too complicated or overwhelming yet, but it is a sharp contrast after having devoured Eye of the World last week, with that book having a comparatively friendlier start and introduction.
Halfway through the 3rd chapter - cut myself off last night while I started getting sleepy because this book does not translate well to tired brain. Loving it still and glad that it's not split into character-based chapters like almost every other book in this genre that I've read recently (or at least it doesn't seem to be so far.)
I think I mentioned this, but 9 years passed between books 1 and 2. Erikson's writing gets noticeably better in book 2, if that's any consolation for anyone struggling with his style. Also I finished all 3 chapters yesterday. I'm a very slow reader and don't expect to keep up with most of you, but I couldn't help it. I forgot how much I love Erikson's world.
Here's something I haven't totally grasped...Mages can only tap into one Warren correct? or are they just specialized in one.
Okay up to chapter 3 done. Still enjoying it a lot! Chapter 2 and 3 really ramped up the character count, references to previous events, people, places, terms. The glossaries in the front and back have been enormously helpful, and I'm just kind of going with the flow so far. Now for the more spoiler-y territory. Up to CH3 I'm fascinated by the various politics and power struggles of the world so far. Between Tayschrenn's possible betrayal of the mages/other troops and everything involving Sorry, including Paran/Lorn/Laseen's notice of her, I'm really into the seeds they're setting up. Speaking of Paran, his stabbing was a hell of a cliffhanger, and a mean way to end the week's assignment, makes me glad that I never planned to stick to just these three chapters hah. I'm already getting the impression from things like Hairlock that seeming to be dead isn't quite as it seems in this world so I'm positive that this isn't the last we see of Paran. I love Tattersail so far and Whiskeyjack has been a great character so far too, it's a very interesting main cast. On to more later (sorry, can't stick to the schedule ), gotta go through those TOR recap summaries too because I'm sure there's a ton of important info I either didn't fully understand or missed. Good stuff, glad I'm finally getting around to this series.
Most specialize in one Warren, but there are many who can access multiple Warrens. There are also Warrens that are specific to certain races, like Kurald Galain is specific to the Tiste Andii, but it can be accessed by someone with mastery of it. Haha yeah it's going to be impossible to stick to the schedule. Maybe we should expand it?
Sweet thanks, that's exactly what I was thinking. I'm a sucker for a good, complex magic system and the Warrens definitely seem to deliver.
It’s quite annoying that the chapter markings of the audiobook don’t line up with the chapter breaks of the book.
It changes chapter headings in the Audible version with every POV switch. So chapter two is starting at chapter six.
Chapter 5: oh no right when I feel like I'm getting a fairly complete grasp on the world and current characters you're going to introduce an entirely cast aren't you
But Kruppe makes up for all of it. Also yeah Erikson will unleash literally hundreds of characters on you.
Kruppe does seem pretty great so far! Also that assassin chase scene was really well done too, I'm already very curious about whatever sort of assassin guild drama is going on/has been hinted at so far.
Also CH5 I'm still trying to get the hang of Ascendants/gods/??? in this universe but Oponn sure does like to meddle a lot, huh?
Ascendants are mortals that have "ascended" to godhood. The pantheon is always changing. But yeah, in this series gods like to mess with mortals and shit usually goes sideways when that happens.