Book Review – Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson

Premise

In the Holy Desert Raraku, the seer Sha’ik and her followers prepare for the long-prophesied uprising named the Whirlwind. Enslaved in the Otataral mines, Felisin, youngest scion of the disgraced House of Paran, dreams of freedom and vows revenge, while the outlawed Brigdburners Fiddler and Kalam conspire to rid the world of Empress Laseen (although it seems the gods would, as always, have it otherwise). And as two ancient warriors – bearers of a devastating secret – enter this blighted land, so an untried commander of the Malaz 7th Army leads his war-weary troops in a last, valiant running battle to save the lives of thirty thousand refugees.

In this thrilling chapter in the epic story of the Malazan Empire, war and betrayal, intrigue and roiling magic collide, shaping destinies and giving birth to legends…

Overview

Name – Deadhouse Gates [#2 of the ‘Malazan Book of the Fallen’ series]

Author – Steven Erikson

Genre – Epic Fantasy/High Fantasy/Action/Adventure (often also categorized under ‘Military Fantasy’)

First Published – 1 September, 2000 by Bantam Press

This Edition [featured image] – 2001, by Bantam Books (MMPB)

Cover Rating – 10/10 (absolutely love it!); an amazing job by Steve Stone

Chapters – 24 (divided into 4 sub-books, plus a Prologue and an Epilogue)

Pages – 943 (excluding others)

Review

NON-Spoiler section

If you are new to the scene and don’t quite know what this Malazan stuff is all about, let me help enlighten you before we get going.

The ‘Malazan Book of the Fallen’ (completed; 10 books) by Canadian author Steven Erikson is just one of the series set in the Malazan world, with Deadhouse Gates (DG) being the second entry of the same. Another series is that of ‘Novels of the Malazan Empire’ (completed; 6 books) by Ian C. Esslemont, again a Canadian author and Erikson’s “partner-in-crime”. Together, these two series are labelled as the “core” series. Apart from these, there are two prequel series – ‘The Kharkanas Trilogy’ (2 books out; book 3 still to be published) by Erikson, and ‘Path to Ascendancy’ (4 books out; likely more to come in the future) by Esslemont. There is also a sequel series – ‘The Witness Trilogy’ (only book 1 published so far) by Erikson. To top it all off, there are also a series of novellas – ‘The Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach’ by Erikson.

And breathe!

What was that? Not enough you say? Well, speak for yourselves if you think that’s the case cuz this is one of the biggest fantasy series of all time when it comes to the word count! And the best part… it’s not done yet!

Since the start of 2023, I was very well introduced to the Malazan world by various means – YouTube, online articles and websites, fan art, the r/Malazan subreddit, etc. to name the main ones. All these aforementioned factors greatly piqued my interest in the series, and ultimately led me to start the journey myself without any further delay.

For a more detailed look into my personal experience before starting the series, check out – The ‘Malazan Book of the Fallen’ by Steven Erikson – An introduction by a first-time reader.

Now, before starting the series, I would highly recommend the brand new readers to go through the ‘Preface’ by Erikson present at the start of the first novel of the series – ‘Gardens of the Moon’. It’s totally FREE to read here. As to why you should read it in the first place, check out my views and opinions about the same as I try to break down the important bits – Preface to ‘Gardens of the Moon’ by Steven Erikson – A breakdown + why you should read it.

But before we get started with the review, there are a few things worth mentioning. Firstly, there’s the ‘Dramatis Personae’… with a LOT of characters… a LOT! Present in both the novels at the start, they list out the characters who the reader will come across in their journey. Secondly, the maps, again present at the start of the novels, are actually pretty awesome if you ask me (I absolutely love me some maps! An excellent job by Neil Gower). Not only superbly drawn and realized, but the little intricate details are very well done too. And finally, at the end of the book, there’s the glossary (you better be ready to flip back and forth!), which is basically a quick/brief rundown of the vast lore which the reader is about to be plunged into. All three of the aforementioned things are very much vital to the whole reading experience to say the least.

OK then. Strap the saddles to your horses and take a deep breath… cuz we are about to embark on a journey… an experience in itself… quite unlike any other…

Well, *takes a deep breath and exhales loudly* where do I begin? Believe it or not when I say that this novel right here was one of the VERY BEST reading experiences I have ever had till date (having read quite a good number of books in general, and a pretty decent amount of fantasy too). Without adding any gloss or sugar coating to it, I must add that I was left SPEECHLESS when I had read through the last words of this EPIC tale. Honestly, words are not enough to describe the emotions you go through as a first-time reader while undergoing this journey.

I had heard and read a lot about this novel and once completing ‘GOTM’, was super excited to get on with it. And oh boy, it delivered in the grandest of fashions possible, surpassing the already great expectations I had.

So, without any more blabbering on my part…

…here’s the plot in brief –

The continent of Seven Cities is about to witness something that will change the face of the world forever. The proclaimed and much awaited ‘Apocalypse’ is about to begin, threatening to blow away the ever-expanding Malazan Empire in its deadly “Whirlwind.” With the rebellion only but moments away, promising to cover the land with utter horror and devastation, the lives of those involved are about to get a whole lot… complicated.

Felisin, a young noble-born, must undertake a painful and suffering journey across the harsh and unforgiving desert. And along with her companions Baudin and Heboric, she must survive… one hour at a time… in a thirst for revenge against someone very close, with the betrayal still burning bright inside her already tortured and battered soul. But can she trust anyone after what’s happened in the past? Her destination is yet unknown to her, but fate as we know it has something planned… something that will change her and everyone around her… forever.

Fiddler and Kalam, along with the young duo of Crokus and Apsalar, must carry on their mission of delivering the once possessed girl to her home, while desperately trying to rid the world of the Empress and her rule. Their journey will see them part ways, with Kalam going on his solo adventure, and the trio going their separate path to try and get across the land as quickly as possible. But it isn’t going to be easy at all for any of them, as the rebellion has gripped the land from top to bottom, and every outsider is a target…

Onto this mystical and historic land, enter two ancient warriors and close friends – Mappo and Icarium. Will their path lead them to the answers they seek? Or will it result in something far worse… threatening to tip the balance of power, for there is a convergence waiting to happen. And what it will bring in its wake is nothing but death and chaos…

Yet with everything that’s about to unfold, there are hundreds and thousands of Malazan citizens that are about to face the full-fledged wrath of the local tribes, who in the name of the ‘Apocalypse’, are about to bring nothing but all out madness, sweeping the land in the process, covering it red with blood…

There is only one man brave and capable enough to outrun this mad rebellion – Coltaine. Along with the trusted and feared Wickans by his side, and with the Malazan Seventh Army at his disposal, he is in a desperate race against time across the desert to deliver thousands of refugees to safety from the pangs of death itself. And in the process of doing so, he will become a legend… a figure who led the infamous ‘Chain of Dogs’…

Got GOOSEBUMPS even typing that out, believe it or not!

What impressed me the most (or should I say “what didn’t”, cuz everything was pretty much amazing!)

• The plot, with all the sub-plots going on throughout, was absolutely jaw dropping. There is nothing out there that I’ve heard or seen or read about which matches with the story being told here.
• The characters were so very well written. You will totally get attached to some, while outright hate the others. The feelings being displayed by them will resonate with your own at multiple times… love, pain, fear, compassion, suffering, horror, etc. to name a few.
• The setting, mainly taking place in the desert, was so well written and realized. I love a well depicted desert setting, and Erikson has done a magnificent job in doing just that. The atmosphere was superbly crafted and you will certainly “feel the heat” of it, so as to speak!
• The lore was very deep, and the world building was both immense and impressive. Honestly, Erikson deserves a round of applause for this. The man is a genius, and I don’t say that lightly. The amount of dedication, time, and energy required to create such a vast, epic fantasy world is nothing short of incredible and commendable at the same time.
• The writing is just unparalleled in my honest opinion. Massive credit to Erikson for this. There’s, again, nothing quite like it that I’ve read so far in fantasy. The prose just flows along beautifully.
• The wide arrays of themes being shown in this novel are truly worth reading. The effects of war on anyone and everyone even remotely involved are so very well written from all perspectives.

What didn’t quite fit the bill?

• Although the writing was excellent, I was left confused on a few occasions as to what was actually happening in the first place. Agreed, that Erikson doesn’t hold your hand and make it easy for you. And while there are improvements from its predecessor, as I said, there are a few scenes that left me scratching my head even after going through them a couple of times. That was the only bit of negative aspect for me personally in this novel. Apart from that, it’s pretty much perfect!

Now, usually, I would have a section titled “standout quotes/dialogues” right about here. But trust me, the space is not enough for that! Same goes with the awesome “scenes/moments”, the “characters”, and the “lore” as well (having said that, I’ve tried to jot down the best ones in the spoiler section). An important thing to note is that I’ve personally tried taking notes while I was going through ‘GOTM’ (like trying to compile it in a recap form, to capture all the places, the characters, the lore, and stuff like that), but have failed to say the least, and hence, stopped trying and attempting it from ‘DG’ onwards completely. Not recommended for a first-time reader in my honest opinion. Have learnt it the hard way, so as to speak. Better to just go with the flow, and enjoy the journey as a first-time reader, rather than taking notes and trying to figure everything out for yourselves.

Alright, before moving on, I would like to address a couple of things that were being said about the series as a whole throughout the internet. And now having read the first two tales myself, here’s what I honestly think –

• The series is complex and confusing – It is complex, and it is confusing. But I think this was blown way out of proportion. For an average reader like me, I found the first two novels very enjoyable and interesting. So, do not worry about understanding everything. Just pick up the series, read along, and go with the flow.
• There are too many characters – Agreed. In both of the novels! But let me tell you one thing very honestly. You won’t feel that a character is similar to the other in any way. Not one. Erikson has done an incredible job with this. Kudos to him. By the end, you will either fall in love with pretty much every character, or hate some of them like no other!
• The writing is difficult to pick up – Agreed, again. But only some parts of it. The rest is very smooth sailing. You have to remember that ‘GOTM’ was written way before it was originally published, that too for a script initially. And truthfully, ‘DG’ has significantly improved on this very aspect. So again, this one is blown out of proportion I feel.

In conclusion, I would say just pick up the books, read them, and then decide for yourselves. If I would have gone with some of the views of people online, I wouldn’t even have had a look at the series in the first place. But now, I’m very much glad that I have managed to read through the first two novels! Hence, I would strongly suggest you give the series a try at the very least, then be the judge yourselves.

Final thoughts

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! If you haven’t already figured out how much I enjoyed this one, then I’ll gladly let you know once again. This book was an experience in itself, and that’s saying a lot of things. There’s quite literally nothing so far that I’ve read that comes close to this novel. Nothing! I would like to say that if you even remotely like the fantasy genre (even if you aren’t a veteran, or haven’t read a lot of it as well, like me), I totally recommend that you give this series a try. Yes, it is big. Yes, it is quite complicated and confusing at times. Yes, it can sometimes prove “a bit too much” for some people. But trust me, many of the things tend to get blown out of proportion, especially when it comes to this series. So again, I request you to pick it up, have a right go at it, and “WITNESS” the stuff for yourselves! It is nothing less than EPIC!

Rating: – 10/10! (AMAZING. EPIC. UNREAL!!!)

“An epic second tale which mesmerizes, dazzles, and leaves you awe-struck at so many levels. Breath-taking in scope, and moving at break-neck speeds to a harrowing conclusion, this novel has it all when it comes to fantasy at its finest. An absolute must read in every sense of the word! A literary MASTERPIECE!”

Major Spoilers ahead!

Note: – Before proceeding further, I would sincerely request you to first read the original work, even if it minutely matches your interest in the genre (or of what you’ve read so far in this post). I do not want to take away the experience of a first-time reader whatsoever (I’ve had some bitter experiences with spoilers with this very series, hence the warning). Once again, I request you to have a breather, stop right here if you haven’t read either ‘GOTM’ or ‘DG’ yet, and proceed to pick them up first before going ahead.

Having said that, if you have completed ‘GOTM’ and ‘DG’ anytime in the past at least once… you have my respect! Here’s some of my views, opinions, and thoughts about some of the stuff that’s presented in the novel… major spoilers included, of course!

Characters, Places, and Moments from ‘Deadhouse Gates’

Thoughts on the characters

Favorites (in no particular order… except Coltaine. He deserves the no. 1 spot, and rightly so!)

• Coltaine – No words or phrases can describe my total respect and love for this amazing character. I was so glad that he will be back sooner or later (just like Tattersail). The grin I had on my face while reading the Epilogue was the definition of excitement itself!
• Bult – Uncle was a great character. Sad to see him go. His dialogues were witty and funny to say the least!
• Duiker – I mean, we get his POV throughout the ‘Chain of Dogs’ and more. A strong, well-written character. And of course, he will be back soon!
• Captain Lull and Corporal List – Both very lovable and well written characters. Really sad that there won’t be more of them.
• Felisin – WOW! I had heard a lot about her character development and stuff, but dayyuumm! Her journey throughout the book is literally full of pain and suffering. Being used and treated like an object is one thing. One might say her behavior/nature was ill-mannered and disrespectful. But you can’t deny the fact that her story arc deserves praise for how well it’s depicted by Erikson. The transformation from Felisin to Sha’ik was something!
• Baudin – Really sad that he’s gone. Would have loved to see him as the “right-hand” to Feli… Sha’ik, I mean. Hope there are more ‘Talons’ out there in the future books.
• Heboric Light Touch – Like Duiker, I loved his POVs. A very well written character, who himself has a pretty good story arc.
• Kulp – Loved him! Why did he have to die?
• Mappo and Icarium – I LOVE THEM BOTH! Can’t wait to see more of them. The “chemistry” was fun to read. Icarium definitely is too OP though. Same level as Anomander Rake, or…? They both can surely make an impact, tell you that much!
• Iskaral Pust – Like Kruppe in ‘GOTM’, I don’t think he has any haters!
• Kalam – His solo adventure was super fun to read. His “relationship” with Apt, and in the later half with Minala and the family. He is undoubtedly one of my favorites so far in the series as a whole.
• Fiddler, Crokus, and Apsalar – Their journey was pretty exciting as well.
• Pearl/Salk Elan – Not only loved his character (giving off strong ‘Topper’ vibes), but also his little “bromance” with Kalam.

The ones I totally HATED! (there were none in ‘GOTM’, but in ‘DG’… no words needed. If you’ve read it, you’ll know why!)

• Pormqual
• Mallick Rel
• Nethpara
• Pullyk Alar
• Korbolo Dom

Others

• The Wickans + The Seventh + all the other men, women, and “beasts” – They all have my utter and immense respect!
• The Boar Company – LOVED THEM! Honestly, can’t wait to see them again.
• The Red Blades – Like the Crimson Guard in ‘GOTM’, would have loved to see more of them.

Thoughts on the places

• Seven Cities – Loved the atmosphere and the lore depicted throughout.
• Hissar – The vibes were brilliant! Especially towards the beginning.
• Raraku – The mystic nature surrounding it was fun to read!
• Iskaral Pust’s “humble abode” – Great fun reading those scenes!
• The Azath + Tremorlor – For the first time, we get a broader perspective of what it’s like to be in the Azath, and the house within. Loved reading the scenes!

Thoughts on some scenes/moments + some opinions

• Reading the ‘Chain of Dogs’… I mean, it’s a total experience in itself! The tactics, the formations, the surprises, and the heartbreaks… all so well written! (I’m not shy to admit that I was emotional on more than one occasion).
• Mappo’s and Icarium’s solo + group journeys always seemed to have that “extra” bit of emotional element to it. Be it friendship, camaraderie, “bromance”… you name it.
• Pretty much all the scenes on the Silanda were fun! Well, it’s completely opposite when it comes to fully understanding them though, cuz I’m still not sure WTH happened!
• Yet another ship sequences were super fun to read… the Ragstopper’s, of course!
• All the maze sequences inside the Azath were so much fun to read! The pages just flew by on that one!
• Fiddler’s meeting with Kimloc was a great read too.
• Also, Moby just sitting inside Tremorlor, playing with his tail after hugging and parting ways with Crokus and the others left a lump in my throat, not gonna lie.
• The title of the novel being ‘Deadhouse Gates’ is a bit of a paradox, in a way, no? Kinda same with ‘Gardens of the Moon’. But on the other hand, both names sound really cool! Especially ‘Deadhouse Gates’ cuz it’s got an equally amazing cover art to go with it, which matches really well with the vibes and the feel of the novel! For me personally, ‘DG’ has the best cover out of the 10 ‘MBOTF’ novels (among Bantam MMPBs that is).
• Lastly, I still have almost NO idea what exactly “Warrens” are or how do they work… but I’m pretty sure it’s a case of RAFO. Having said that, I’m still very much enjoying the mysterious ways in which magic works in the Malazan world.