I've read this series in hard copy and thought that this book would be a safe way to spend an extra credit. However, I found Mr. Lister's narration to be so enjoyable I'll be buying the whole series again in audio format.

If I recommended this book to a friend, I would warn them of its complexity and uneven writing. The world building is impressive, but there are too many view points that are confusing. The plot wanders.

Ralph Lister did an outstanding job reading this book.

Sure.

I have heard the books get better.

The in depth pervasive environment, history, well fleshed out characters. It's an epic fantasy realm unlike any other.

The kick-off to a great series!

He is probably one of the better readers I've listened to, perhaps the best. The Malazan books are full of different cultures, characters, languages, etc. and I think the reader does a great job at trying to create different accents, styles of speach, and attitudes for each character.

The first 30+ hour movie!

Why did he give Khalam a nasaly voice?! I am seriously holding this against the reader. I imagine Khalam as almost Khal Drogo-ish type of character and the reader makes him sound like British Milhouse from the simpsons.

Written for adults, this book has rich and deep characters. The world is complex and weaves an interesting network of layered machinations upon machinations.

However, given the great maturity in writing style and characters I kept waiting for a more meaningful and develop story arc. Instead it felt like every event and conflict resolved through deus ex machina---which may have been the point, but it left me wanting a story line to get invested in. I may listen to the second book, but I'm not highly motivated to do so as I don't really care what will happen to these characters (that may also have been the point).

The story is second to none but the narrator misses the mark on several characters.

Quick Ben. Because he and his ilk are the reason I like fantasy.

His voice for Fiddler was a travesty. Really detracted from the experience having one of my favorite characters sounding like a crackhead. Quick Ben's and Kalam's voices were likewise bad.

Had to pee a couple times.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen is, in my opinion, the greatest epic fantasy to date and anyone that loves fantasy is sure to thoroughly enjoy this/these book(s).

The start really put me off with this novel, and I almost did not finish it. It felt like the author was throwing in so many plot lines and twists at thee beginning that someone new to the series would become hopelessly lost. The ends were worth the struggle however, and I persevered. I think I may go back through soon to see what I may have missed the first time.

Cropper-You never no what he is going to say next.

No at the start, but once it got rolling I did not want to stop.

This is a decent read but the story is ridiculously difficult to follow and would probably be best as an actual paperback novel.

Narrators voice makes it difficult to tell what characters are actually actually talking because they all sound like the same person.

I thread that this is one of the best rated epic fantasy series but as an audio book it falls short.

Excellent start to the series, and even though I had read the series some years back, it was great to listen in the verbal format. Highly recommend, the narrator was fantastic!

I felt like I was dropped into the middle of the story, I had no ideal who was who and which side they were on. I have listened and read very complicated stories but never had such a hard time understanding a book. I was very frustrated and got tired of going back trying to figure out what was going on and gave up on the book.

Yes. I really enjoyed the story. Interesting use of magical system. The relationship between gods and humans was very unique

Sari

Great Voice acting. Kept me drawn in