Stonewielder

“I've come to understand that the truth isn't really what's important...what really matters is what people agree is the truth. -Greymane”

I'm starting to really become a fan of Esslemont. This book finally tells us more about the Stormriders and the Korelri with their wall. It also continues the story of a few of my favourite characters (Kiska, Kyle and Greymane, for example) and shines a new light on some characters I had hated previously (Not saying anything about that for fear of spoilers).

Some people say that the Malazan series has lost its focus. I disagree. In my opinion, the Series was never exclusively about the Bridgeburners, or the crippled god (Although he plays a role in this book, too), but rather the main attraction of show more the Series always was the world itself. The World of Malaz is the most believable (If you can call it that, considering it is fantasy) World I have read about so far, including the real world (Yes, sometimes the real world can make less sense than the world of Malaz).

Stonewielder also introduces a few new characters, as always, and they fit really well into the story.

Now, the old question that I have asked myself since the very first malazan book: Why no five stars? And, as always, I reply: I don't know. Five stars is something I give when a book really grips me, when I can't put it down. This was not the case here. As always, I can only say: Do yourself a favour and read the malazan books. If you have already finished the book of the fallen series, start the one by Esslemont and just keep going. They just keep getting better and better. I for one am looking forward to starting the next book. show less

Stonewielder is the third Malazan book by Ian Cameron Esslemont, and easily his best. Unlike many Malazan books, the action is centered around a single continent, one alluded to many times in Esslemont's previous books (as well as the nine volumes of Steven Erikson's own series) but never directly seen before. This is the continent known as either Fist, Korel, or Korelri, depending on who you ask, and the reason for the confusion becomes apparent once the book gets underway.

Heck, some explanation can be gained just by looking at what may be one of the coolest-looking maps in fantasy literature. Fist is a mess, both physically and politically, and the continent itself is the star of the book. Esslemont has a lot of fun shining light on show more numerous facets of this previously-unseen land, and Malazan fans can look forward to finally learning exactly what caused the first invasion to fail, why Greymane was branded a traitor by both the Empire and the Fistian natives, and just what the deal is with his sword. We also get to see a lot more of the Moranth, who have been a bit of a non-entity since Erikson's third installment.

With so many new characters and locales front and center, the bulk of the book feels almost like it could function as a standalone novel; however, there are strong ties to Esslemont's previous books, and I'm not sure what a reader would take away from the ending who was not already well-acquainted with Erikson's series. In fact, Esslemont almost seems to be maneuvering pieces into place for Erikson's tenth and final book, due out within the month. We shall see.

And speaking of the end...it's becoming obvious to me that Esslemont doesn't like to explain things to the reader. As in, like, ever. Yes, we get some welcome insights into Fist, but so many of the little details—the ones that lurk in the background, driving so much of the plot(s)—are never delved into. Yes, the Malazan books have always been about withholding information, but where Erikson seems not only to give his readers a number of dots to connect, but also to draw the occasional line himself, it's like Esslemont just gives you a handful of dots (not nearly enough!) and leaves it at that. It's one thing to have ambiguity in a text, but when motivations behind major events are completely ignored, or when "how did this character get from point A to point B?" doesn't have an obvious answer for a number of characters...well, at a certain point, too much room for interpretation becomes a Bad Thing.

But don't get me wrong; it's still a rousing and exciting ending, even if everything doesn't always make sense.

Stonewielder is still a great book, with some fanastic revelations and memorable characters. And it's an absolute must-read for any Malazan fan. But part of me can't help but wonder how long Esslemont intends to keep up the teasing before he gets to the explanations. [4 out of 5 stars] show less

This book is what I think all of Steven Erickson's book SHOULD have been like. Lots of action, a smidge of philosophy and just some down right wicked cool characters.

While Esslemont's Crimson Guard felt like it was just hanging out there all by itself, Stonewielder felt like an integral part of the Malazan Series. Part of it was several characters are from the Crimson Guard, so I wasn't introduced to a completely new set of characters, there was some continuity from CG. That went a long way towards making me more comfortable.

Man, this was just cool! The storm riders, the koreli, the Lady, Skinner the skumbag [at the end]. AND Leoman of the Flails!!!. I had always wanted to know what happened to him, and now I find out. Wicked!!

So show more basically, I enjoyed this a lot. and look forward now to more of Esslemont as his own writer instead of just an extension of Erickson. Way to go ICE... show less

Esslemont's third novel of the Malazan Empire, and his style is by now assured, though comparisons with his brilliant co-creator are inevitable. it's Year 33 of the Malazan Occupation, and the new Emperor decrees a few changes. the religious monotheist cult of Our Lady tries to eliminate its polytheist rivals. the Stormwall barrier in Korelri against the sea-rider demons threatens to collapse 4178 years after it was erected. and the Malazan High Fist Greymane's dual quest makes him a legend as Stonewielder. nicely written and a strong throughline, following Steven Erikson's established form and sharing and expanding the huge cast of characters within the complex and exciting World of Malaz. the Wall model's a little too close to George show more Martin's for comfort, but otherwise a very enjoyable and easy read. show less

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Title: Stonewielder
Series: Malazan Empire #3
Author: Ian Esslemont
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 638
Format: Digital Edition



Synopsis:

Emperor Mallick sends another army and navy to take over Korel, where all previous attempts have failed. Not only that, but the one time a Malazan army DID make it through, they cut off ties and setup their own little kingdom. Time for the Emperor to remind them that they're still his subjects. show more Almost all green troops bolstered by a navy of Blue Moranth. Facing them are veterans and turncoats and a whole contingent of Black Moranth.

Kyle and Greymane, trying to live life as teachers at a dueling school, aren't doing quite so well. Greymane gets drafted by the Emperor to lead the invasion. I'm still not sure how the Emperor convinced a former Crimson Guardsman to do that! Kyle's along for the ride as an Adjunct.

Lord Hiam is protecting the Wall that borders the sea and Korel. He and his special guards fight year after year for The Lady, throwing back the annual attacks by the Stormriders, magical sea people. For years they have used unwilling prisoners as well. This year, unbeknownst to them, they have some captive Crimson Guard. Understaffed, the Wall in desperate need of repair and the Lady's Favor apparently turning against her own Chosen, Hiam has only his faith to sustain him and with the revelations about the Lady at the end, even that will shatter.

The Cult of the Lady is trying to wipe out all other religions in Korel. The Lady thrives on blood sacrifice and it is by that power that she can hold back the power of the Stormriders. She also negates all magic associated with the Warrens, so Malazan magicians are almost useless. In response, all the poor people of the land unite under a mystical prophet who quickly dies and passes on his legacy to some Arena Champion who has vowed to never kill again.

Politics and religion each using the other to further their own agenda.

And some little side thing with Kiska, from Night of Knives, looking for Tayschrenn, who has been sucked into some sort of vortex'y thing'y.


My Thoughts:

I had waited to read the Malazan Empire novels until after I'd finished the Malazan Book of the Fallen. So when I was reading these and their lack of pages of banal philosophizing, which I got in spades in the last 3 Books of the Fallen, I was overjoyed. So much action, so much story actually moving forward.

This time around, I wasn't quite as enthused. My main complaint is that there are just too many story lines going on. Not storylines that all come together in the end, but that are multibook. My other complaint was HOW the stories were broken up. Sometimes you'd get pages and pages and pages. Then would come a 2 paragraph insert. Then on over to a 3rd storyline, etc, etc. And as far as I could tell, there was no repetitive order to them to help you remember. It felt like a jumble all thrown together.

The action was pretty good. I liked that.

With all of that, I'm definitely going to be reading Esslemon't latest, Dancer's Lament, before I read anymore of the Malazan Empire novels. If I don't like it, then I won't feel guilty about stopping these as well.

★★★☆ ½ show less

A novel of the Malazan Empire. That says it all. A myriad of characters, plethora of story lines, travelog of places that make it necessary to have a reference (dramatis personnae) in order to keep up. I felt victorious when I made it to the end. Esslemont's prose is very listenable. The characters are skillfully drawn up and keep the interest going. I'm just too old to really enjoy novels so complicated that that I had to take notes.

All of this series are quite disconnected, with only a few characters at most holding continuity between the novels, but this one has as many as any of them so far. Found it a little easier to move through, even though I don't really understand how this fits into the bigger picture. Part of the problem is that a lot of these books have events that are related to the biggest action in malazan book of the fallen, but peripherally enough that you would only notice if you were an expert. And I am not. Need a better way to cross reference some of these.