New Reader's thoughs on MT
Hi, I finally finished Midnight Tides. I'm proud to say that I'm halfway through the series now! I've been reviewing all the books so far. If you are interested, here's my previous review of HoC - https://www.reddit.com/r/Malazan/comments/1rya0yq/new_readers_thoughs_on_house_of_chains/
Just finished the book an hour ago, and it has just left hanging in mid air. This one felt a lot more somber and methodical than the previous ones. The end was dramatic and a bit understated, more about what is not being said at points. This book truly and finally addressed some of issues I've had with this series - the lack of political machinations and that the humour did not connect with me. Well, this is one of the funniest books I've read (in general). Tehol and Bugg, truly a wonderful duo, every single scene with them was a delight to read. I can't believe Erikson can write so well. Also, this is the book where the anthropological background of the author really shows. I really got immersed in the culture of the Edur and the Letheri; I could have read so much more about that. And the political scheming is going on in both factions really worked.
The themes were presented so powerfully. In a previous post here, I was concerned about how the empires are handled and talked about in this series. Not anymore. This is such a thorough examination of debt and greed and empires and expansion and conquest and manifest destiny. Sometimes a bit too blunt and repetitive, but still brilliant and resonating with me. The theme of grief is developed so well, especially with Seren Pedac and her journey. I could really relate to her as a character. I could also relate to Trull so much, and how his lack of bloodlust leaves him misunderstood. Alone among his kin.
Talking about the world and the lore, I loved how everything was different here. A world frozen in time, where only holds existed, they understood and did things differently than the other cultures in the world of Malazan (is it called Wu?). I love the idea of the elder magic being unrefined and just pure energy and destruction, and chaos. It was honestly so interesting how the conquest of Lether was not a thing of epic poems, no heroic battles, but a blitzkrieg - a “what if the nazis had magic nukes”. It was truly tragic.
My favourite tragic plotline is the broken emperor and the slave. This was so touching, I can't even explain it. The eternal emperor, drawing closer and closer to madness with each death, was cared for by the slave who embalmed him in golden coins. A truly haunting image. And Undinaas, the ultimate sad boy, I'm really curious what happens to him next.
So many fun side characters here, the undead thief with a sex addiction driven by a little sea parasite, the undead child and the dead azath with all of it's prisoners spilling out, the rat catcher's guild, which is actually a guild of thieves and assassins, and almost everything else? So entertaining!
Tehol and Bugg had such a pure and genuine connection. The misunderstood genius, who needs taking care of by a god-in-disguise, who just enjoys their time together and feels actually alive. Someone who has seen it all and is despondent of human nature, to take care of a man who is so unique. Every single time they share a page I would laugh so hard. I swear, if Tehol had actually died, I would have been so upset! (NO SPOILERS IF HE DOES LATER ON)
I really enjoyed Brys and the Ceda. Another favourite, if you can call it a duo. Uncovering ancient secrets, meeting mythical creatures. I just so enjoyed Brys's demeanor, and I found the Ceda such a quirky interesting presence. Brys dying was a low point for me... I don't know if being an undead water sentinel is a better fate than actual death. I truly hope we see him again.
There are some things that did not resonate with me, however. One is maybe the ending sequence, the last 100 pages. Don't get me wrong, it's enthralling, but there was something sad about not having one sweeping grand ending. Multiple things coming together, but some I could not connect to, like the plotline with the Azath and the Toblekai gods, wasn't that well developed, or killing the Soultaken god, just kind of happened off-page. Maybe too many things are happening at once. Another was that Tehol's schemes did not amount to much in this book; rightfully, he decided not to go through with his economic terrorism. Also, I thought this was going to be about how and why Trull was shorn. I was just waiting to see what he messed up so badly, but it never came. But I guess it was just a consequence of his doubts and probably Rhulad being pissed that he didn't kill him in the throne room. But still, kind of underwhelming.
The thing that bugged me the most was Bugg’s reveal. Throughout the latter half of the book, I thought he was Hood. He seemed way more powerful than we thought, he was a part-time waiting man (mortician of sorts) and he’s super old and with a black sence of humor. Also the whole subplot of the emergence of the House of Death, how it had been forzen? How can he not be Hood? His being Mael did not make too much sense ot me. But I’ll read and find out more.
Anyway, a truly amazing book, the first time for me that this series started feeling like a masterpiece. I do understand why the big battle scenes were not on the level of DG and MoI, this was more of a one-sided conquest with the various moral consequence coming form that. What fascinating characters and cultures. I'm so excited to see how it all develops, but I'll need a break now, maybe a few books and a few months to take it all in, prepare myself for the second half. These books do take a toll on you, but by Hood's balls is it worth it.