Memories of Ice

Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 3

By: Steven Erikson

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

Length: 43 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

The ravaged continent of Genabackis has given birth to a terrifying new empire: the Pannion Domin. Like a tide of corrupted blood, it seethes across the land, devouring all. In its path stands an uneasy alliance: Onearm’s army and Whiskeyjack’s Bridgeburners alongside their enemies of old - the forces of the Warlord Caladan Brood, Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii mages, and the Rhivi people of the plains. But ancient undead clans are also gathering; the T’lan Imass have risen. For it would seem something altogether darker and more malign threatens this world. Rumors abound that the Crippled God is now unchained and intent on a terrible revenge. Marking the return of many characters from Gardens of the Moon and introducing a host of remarkable new players, Memories of Ice is both a momentous new chapter in Steven Erikson’s magnificent epic fantasy and a triumph of storytelling.

©2006 Steven Erikson (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

great series so far!! sucked in!

falling in love with every character more and more! the twists and story are unique and incredible! one of the beast world I've ever been a part of!

1 billion star book.

Ralph Lister makes this story come to life so easily. Amazing book. Wraps up really well.

Again, cried like a baby near the end

After making it through Deadhouse Gates, and that gut wrenching ending of the Chain of Dogs, Erickson kicks me in the feels yet again with this one. Well done, off to House of Chains!

Great book continuing the bridge burner story

Love the book and the series. A pity they changed narrators for the rest of it but I can just read them.

great series

there is so much that this does right, I will offer one critique however. the gods are too involved. and the story can become too epic at times. when the gods are so involved they reveal themselves as weaker than you'd think a God could be, and the empire itself could threaten them all the more.

amazing great read and narration

very enjoyable great book and narration I teared up to be quite honest I'd listen to it again

Absolutely fantastic!!

Truly one is my favorite series of all time! I have read them several times and am so glad I can now share them with my friends via an excellent performance by the narrator on Audible.

Some of the pronunciations obviously are a bit different from those in my head, but such few and far between that it is hardly with mentioning.

The voice range the narrator has for such a HUGE number of characters is truly impressive!! Must be over three dozen voices he had mastered!

If You Made It This Far

This is not a narrative, it is a puzzle. The weave runs deep. You've endured the opening, but missed foreshadowings that change the story entirely. Continue forward, be you soldier, priest, warrior or sapper. This is a story of humanity, a humanity which embraces a mastefully crafted backdrop.

This is only my second time through, and it deserves to rest it's weary feet at the top of the the highest mountain of fantasy series.

Great story, great reading!

Thoroughly enjoy this series, and Ralph Lister is a fabulous narrator! Can't wait for the next book!

Not A Chef. Not A Rock Star. A World-Class Writer!

Reader be warned - I read this novel many years ago, and I've read it more than once. Therefore, I can easily state the following with utter conviction: This, Erikson’s largest work thus far in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, is fantasy storytelling on an epic scale, much larger and yet better than his first two novels in the series.

Wait…What? Better?

Yes. Much better. I know I drug many of you kicking and screaming into this series, and you discovered a unconventional and amazing fantasy writer that challenged you, astounded you, and possibly frustrated you a fair number of times. As I warned in my review of the first book in the series, this isn’t light reading. Erikson will task you, and task you HARD.

However, most of you, if not all, are extremely excited for the journey, as was I when read this series for the first time.

But, you ask, how is it better? Hmmm…

(Michael sighs, sips from steaming cup of New Orleans French Market coffee, leans back in comfy leather chair.)

Let’s settle in and get started. It’s going to be yet another longer than anticipated review.
First, what hasn’t changed: There is a veritable dramatis personae of Gods, nations, magicians, warriors, priest-kings, both old and new, who conspire, strategize, form alliances, backstab, avenge, love, care for, wage war and even do a few very bizarre things in the name of their causes (No specific here. You KNOW I don’t do spoilers!). Memories of Ice takes us back to Genabackis, where it all began in the first of the series. The south will give up a new menace, with a twisted nightmarish ritualistic religion driving them forward. It’s how these wonderful characters, both good and evil, come together, that is the sheer joy of this work.

What has changed: Erikson has grown as a writer’s writer by this third novel in the series, and it shows. His character definitions are more focused, and I feel, more robust with less weight, if you will. You will engage with them, appreciate their unique point of view and motivation, and even at times, understand why they do what they do and what they sometimes don’t do. While the war descriptions and writing are less than the previous novels, they are rich, descriptive battles that more than make up for their smaller size, in my opinion. Less can definitely be more. As much as I truly love his writing, it was a journey of growth from the first to the tenth novel, and you’ll experience and enjoy that here. He begins to enter his own, and starts to take his place as a fantasy writer of extreme note. His writing is more natural and connected, more unified as a novel. If you have yet to be convinced of this, after reading the first two novels in the series, Memories of Ice should definitely clinch this for you. Solid.

(Michael stops, takes yet another sip from cup, looks at you over cup shrewdly while he does so.)

Now. As Shakespeare aptly penned, “there’s the rub.” This is a LOOOOOOOONG novel. Certain things will take time. A LOT of time. He can be overly descriptive. Remember, he’s still growing, and will still have a tendency to expound, which is one of the VERY few problems with this novel. You’ll be tempted to skip sections or chapters. Do NOT do this. You will regret it. You have to be patient. Keep in mind, dear Audible listener, that there are three things you simply cannot rush: A master chef’s meal, a renowned maestro’s symphony, and a world-class writer’s novel.

What’s that? No…he’s not a chef, he’s an anthropologist. Yes, that’s what I said, an anthropologist…yes, REALLY…No he doesn’t write in the kitchen…Well, he MAY… No, I’m not reviewing his cooking, it’s an ANALOGY, for God’s sake! His novel…NOVEL! And hold on, I…WHAT? No, he's NOT a rock star, and no he doesn’t know Madonna! Well, he COULD… Wait. You’re missing this.

Maybe it’s me.

(Michael leans back in his chair, looks into the steam rising from his coffee, looks back up. Takes a moment, continues review.)

Maybe it IS me. Maybe it’s what Erikson does to me with his writing. It’s expressive, engaging, creative and stimulating. He has zero inhibitions in Memories of Ice. He boldly ventures forward, and makes the previous two tomes in the series seem like a launchpad for this brilliant novel. And that's a VERY good thing. He swept me along on his voyage. And is the voyage with Erikson worth it? Definitely.

(Michael leans forward in comfy leather chair, puts empty coffee cup down, finishes review.)

For your effort and patience, you will receive a writer’s greatest gift: An incredible, and what I consider to be an extremely satisfying ending that…Well, I’ll leave it at that. Again, no spoilers. As I’ve stated in the past, I’m certain that some of you will mark this as unhelpful. Oh well. I’m all about the journey, and what a journey this will be for you, dear Audible listener.

This is a writer on his way to becoming a writer’s writer. No, not a chef. Not a rock star. A world-class fantasy writer. And one of my favorites.

And, I’m hoping, one of yours.