Book Review: House of Chains
- Series: Malazan Book of the Fallen #4
- Author: Steven Erikson
- 1015 pages, Mass Market Paperback
- First published December 2, 2002
Story Four
Story Four from Malazan Book of the Fallen – “House of Chains” is essentially a continuation of the plot from “The Doors of the House of Sorrow”. We return to the continent of the Seven Cities and focus on the conflict in the Raraku Desert. But with one big difference.
For the first time in this book, a full 200 pages or more are dedicated to a single character. It’s almost certain that you’ll hate the new player in question in every paragraph. And yet, he’s the first to not only get a lot of attention, but also to experience visible character development. There’s still plenty of time before the end of the book, so I’d advise you not to be skeptical. Well, you’ll still hate it, but with great admiration ☺
Storylines in House of Chains
After this first installment, Erickson serves us the familiar storylines and characters. Of course, there are also other, new ones. They come in and out with the usual speed for this epic. If you haven’t gotten used to it yet, you’re lost.
The beauty of not being able to recognize any particular pattern in the books in this series is that it never gets boring. Because this book is another strong and challenging installment.
Yes, there are finally a lot of revelations about the world and the story in House of Chains. They come from the perspective of two new characters that aren’t only interesting, but also give a different perspective on things in the story that we thought we already had a certain view and opinion on. It’s a story that already feels to me like it’ll have no beginning and no end.
The other big difference (for me at least) is that there’s a lot more time for personal change and a lot more purely human drama. My favorite ☺
It was very helpful to get away from the big game for a moment and get a feel for the people in this whole Pataklam. I was also able to refresh my knowledge on some big question marks I had before. Now there are new ones, but thank you.
A new house is in search of its knights and servants.
It’s also in search of an important throne…
“Gardens of the Moon” by Steven Erikson Book #1
“Deadhouse Gates” by Steven Erikson Book #2
“Memories of Ice” by Steven Erikson Book #3
“Midnight Tides” by Steven Erikson Book #5
“The Bonehunters” by Steven Erikson Book #6
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.
And so begins this awesome new chapter in Steven Erikson’s acclaimed Malazan Book of the Fallen.