Book Review: Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson (The Malazan Book of the Fallen Book 2)

“Children are dying."
Lull nodded. "That's a succinct summary of humankind, I'd say. Who needs tomes and volumes of history? Children are dying. The injustices of the world hide in those three words.”
                                  - Steven Erikson, Deadhouse Gates

Deadhouse Gates, is the second book to the epic fantasy series, The Malazan the Book of Fallen. Following the previous book, Gardens of the Moon, the story continues as new elements are introduced, including a cast of new characters, and a new continent complete with its own lores and history. Deadhouse Gates tells one heck of a story, both epic and tragic, capturing the story of humankind via a fictional history and its conflicts. Let's have a deeper look.

Synopsis:

Followed by the events in Gardens of the Moon, the story in Deadhouse Gates took place on the continent of Seven Cities. At the heart of this continent lies the holy desert of Rakaru, where an ancient prophecy known as the Whirlwind awakens, stirring the Seven Cities to rebel against its ruler, the Malazan Empire. At the head of this rebellion is a seer known as “Sha'ik”, who united the armies of Seven Cities into one terrible force. This combined force is a power not only breath-taking in its numbers, yet equally as savage in its intents. The Whirlwind rebellion wages a war against the Malazan Empire that will prove to be the bloodiest conflict yet to be witnessed by the imperial history.

Coltaine, the legendary warleader of the Crow Clan of the Wickans, is appointed Fist for the Malazan 7^th imperial army. He leads an army made up of his Wickan followers and the Malaz 7^th army. A talented and charismatic leader, Coltaine commands a powerful and inspiring presence in his army. As the rebellion develops, cities were overrun by the rebel forces, while Coltaine and his army are the only opposing force standing against the might of the Seven Cities.

As the continent gradually fell into the hands of the rebel forces, Coltaine and his loyal soldiers are tasked with a paramount mission to escort 50,000 refugees to safety by crossing a continent, a journey some 1500 miles long. This mission is both dangerous and difficult, because on this march, not only do Coltaine's group have to survive in the desert wasteland, but they also have to escape from the colossal army of Seven Cities in pursuit, led by a man who seeks to destroy Coltaine's group completely. This legendary march becomes known as “Chain of Dogs”, a tale forever embedded into the history of Seven Cities. Can Coltaine succeed?

In the meantime, the assassin Kalam attempts a dangerous mission to assassinate Empress Laseen, while other travellers from the continent of Genabackis arrive at Seven Cities with different quests of their own...

What I think about this book:

I am truly impressed with this book. Gardens of the Moon was good, but Deadhouse Gates is a quantum leap from its predecessor. Steven Erikson drives a story both epic in scale, and tragic in its telling. Some characters from Gardens of the Moon returned in this book, but Erikson also introduced readers to a new cast of impressionable characters, setting the story in a new continent complete with its own lores and history. The imaginative works presented in this book are simply, amazing.

Just like Gardens of the Moon, the story in Deadhouse Gates is complex and intricate. 4 story arcs develop simultaneously throughout this book. Initially, these story arcs don't seem to connect. However, towards the end, these plots gradually converge and everything falls into place. This does mean, that readers have to invest time to read this book, no skimming is allowed while reading it. Because admittedly, it is a bit of a work to keep track of different plots and new characters. The good news is, for all these works, readers will be rewarded with immense satisfaction as the story unfolds towards its monumental ending.

I love the characterisation in Deadhouse Gates. Not only did Erikson expand the stories of some returning characters from the first book, but he also introduced readers to memorable characters who made their first appearances in the story. In this instance, the shining star of this book, is Coltaine, the legendary war leader of the Crow Clan. Throughout this book, Coltaine's powerful presence, stoicism, and his iron bound determination to escort refugees to safety, cut bone-deep impression in my mind. Not to mention I was deeply moved by the ending, all choked up as I close the last page of this beautiful book.

In Deadhouse Gates, characterisation has improved greatly compared to the previous book. Readers get to meet the characters, explore their thoughts, strengths and weaknesses as Erikson beautifully captured the essence of human complexities in suffering and in war, while this story, both tragic and hopeful, draws to a close and setting up the themes for the anticipated sequel.

Deadhouse Gates is a great book, it raised the bar of standard for the Malazan series, and I cannot wait to read the next instalment, a book sitting on my bookshelf right now, titled Memories of Ice.