Only about 30 pages from finishing this.
So, I liked Gardens of the Moon enough to continue on to Deadhouse Gates. I thought Deadhouse Gates was a huge improvement and greatly enjoyed it for the most part. I think I've enjoyed Memories of Ice even more than Deadhouse Gates; however, strangely, I have zero desire to continue with the series after this (unless the end blows me away and I can't help but instantly download the next book).
Why is that when I seem to be enjoying them? The series is just exhausting. When Erikson just chills out and paints a scene and doesn't try to shove every historical context of the current moment down your throat, his prose shines and his ability as a writer is notable. I cannot for the life of me imagine sustaining such endless information for SEVEN MORE DOOR-STOPPING NOVELS. Holy shit. And there are people who not only read the series once but re-read it? Damn, that ain't for me.
Memories of Ice features some of the best action I've read in fantasy actually, with the two sieges written in such a captivating and exciting manner. I grew to care for characters I never thought I would. However, as the novel is wrapping up Erikson is doing that thing again where he just unleashes a hailstorm of endless philosophical monologues, convenient names and references that tie plot-lines and narrative threads neatly in a bundle while I'm like, "Why am I so confused after 3000 pages into this world?"
So yeah, three books to round out my experience with the Malazan Book of the Fallen and I think I'm good.
I HAVE to read some shorter books next. First this year was The Stand, then these two... I'm surprised none of these 1000-1400 pagers have taken me longer than a month to read with how slowly I take my time.