It's wonderful to hear all three of you discussing this unique series! I agree with Brittany about the prose and the social commentary, and with Ola about the emotions and the compassion as well as the diversity, and with Johanna about the mystery and the immersion. All three of you are eloquent in your praise for Malazan, and I appreciate your perspectives. Thanks so much!
There is so much to praise! I never tire of talking about this series, and it was special to offer some female representation as first-time readers. Thank you for watching, Philip!
I can’t even express how happy this collab made me! Brilliant discussion and impressively in-depth for a spoiler-free video. Absolutely loved it. Thank you! ❤️
Hi Quick Jen, great point about the depth level while being spoiler free. I have grappled for months about doing video discussions about the series but cannot fathom how to do it without spoilers which is important for getting new readers engaged, that's why it's so impressive all these great Tubers are at doing it
This was great! Very much looking forward to your spoiler-filled talks. One of the things i like about Malazan is that i get to love characters that i would dislike (or maybe even hate) in real life and v.v., and it has also taught me to not judge people too quickly and first see more sides of a story. Thanks!
As I continue to catch up to some of your older videos, I am continually impressed by your discussion with some of the other book tubers. Outstanding and thank you! ...Jarrod C.
Thank you so much friends, great conversation. As a Malazan veteran, what I love about watching these amazing discussions is how it proves that Malazan truly has something for every reader. I'm a 50 yr old man that just finished my 4th reread and what I am drawn to in the series is different than everyone else, it's a beautiful thing as a reader. I look forward to hearing more from all of you, thanks again.
That Schene in book 9 is infamous but not often mentioned because of how far into the books it is. I was re-reading MoI and at the point a certain character is introduced I felt my heart sink.
I haven't gotten to book 9 yet, but I'm glad to know what to expect. Even then, I'm sure it will challenge me. I really look forward to rereading MoI some day! Best wishes on your reread!
This was a great discussion! I will say that what Brittany is talking about in Book 9 was what made me almost DNF the series for good. It's so excessive and so extraneous as to be nearly indefensible, despite the arguments to the contrary.
Thank you, Allen! I am so appreciative that Brittany shared her experience about that. Thank you for sharing that you were bothered by that too! It helps to know these things, which is one of the main reasons we wanted to make this video spoiler-free.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your experiences and feelings in such an open and honest way. I would love to hear more from you all regarding this subject matter, and the series in general.
Really enjoyable and insightful watch and i admire you all greatly your honesty and bravery to share your past life experiences throughout the video. I think when talking about the Malzan books the word that comes to me is empathy I know if i had read these if 10 yrs ago I would not of loved or understood them as much as I do now , but with the extra life experience and emotional intellect gained through relationships and managing people at work etc, makes these books for me the best I have ever read and Erickson brilliance has left me feeling as emotionally drained as a dry sponge at the end of some chapters!
Thank you, Stephen! I agree with you. I also love the way empathy is explored in this series so far, and it does help to have some life experience to understand empathy to begin with. I often hear topic oversimplified in larger social circles, and I really appreciated that Erikson took a more complex approach to the theme. I appreciate you sharing your experience!
A job well done ladies. I look forward to your future videos. I own these books but have not started to read them yet. With my TBR, I may not be reaching these until the beginning of 2023 but I enjoy listening to all videos Malazan as I feel they give me a framework so that I can enter this world with realistic expectations.
Thank you! I can understand the mounting TBR challenge. They have been a major time commitment for me and not something to be rushed, but I've been thoroughly enjoying my experience so far. Best wishes for 2023!
This was one of the best Malazan chats I've heard. Thanks so much Johanna, for sharing your perspectives. This was both enlightening and though provoking. Really liked this collaboration and hope there's more to come
Wow. Thank you much for your video. I am relatively new to fantasy and looking to jump into something. I have read many moons ago about 5 WoT books before life got in the way. As I have been searching for what other epic fantasy I might want to put on my bucket list I have come across WoT, The Cosmere Universe and Malazon. Your video with its insight and honesty on this series might be the best video I have seen on any of these series (and I have watched a lot). Thank you so much for doing this and helping me better understand what I might be getting into with this series. All our experiences are different but this video allowed me to get a perspective more than any I have seen. Thank you so much for all the knowledge you have shared!
Thank you, Kevin! I'm a good chunk of the way into the final book, The Crippled God, and I cannot describe how incredible the experience of this series has been. It's also heavy in many ways as well. I really hope you enjoy your time if you start the series!
Ladies that really was a wonderful discussion! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to you and your honest opinions. The respect and consideration you gave to each other was lovely to see and Johanna I have to compliment you on your seamless conduction of the discussion. Thank you all very much.
Fantastic video. I haven't started Malazan yet but all the enthusiasm and praise is making it hard not to open Gardens of the Moon right now! I hope to begin before the end of the year though!
Thank you, Coleton! It's been a very rewarding experience for me so far, and the experience becomes even richer through discussions like these. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
I've come here straight after listening to your talk with Philip, A.P., and Brittany. This? This is essential booktube content, and I very much hope you continue with things in this theme. As fantasy in particular is crying out for input from women. So many of the most prominent fantasy authors are male, and the audience is skewed male as well. No matter how 'woke' a man is, how wonderful a person, or skilled a writer - there is an inability to grasp the world as women see it. Things that are brushed over, glanced by, or simply ignored, by the majority of men - are sometimes situations or statements that make women feel - at least vulnerable. Simply as women, we are subject to viewing the world as containing additional dangers and risks - and as yet, I haven't heard of a male author displaying that. Like Brittany and Ola, I have a nasty history too - and here's the thing - statistics tell us HOW common this is, and when you lower the 'standard' of what qualifies as assault, the statistics get even more frightening. So it doesn't surprise me that when women enter into the genre of fantasy, quite often, they retreat, because (ironically) fantasy depicts such events in a realistic way. Thank you for discussing the impact such books can have on the sensitive, for talking about coping mechanisms, and for even allowing that these books HAVE this kind of effect.
Derri, thank you for all you shared here. I am horribly so sorry to hear that you have experienced any mistreatment. The statistics are unfathomable, and I hate that about our world. As much as I do not enjoy reading about this kind of abuse-and I know Erikson did not intend us to enjoy reading about it-I do appreciate having these discussions and allowing people to feel safe sharing what they feel. By the way, we did a more recent video on Ola, The Reading Witch's channel, which is the one A.P. was referring to in the last video. Both this one and the other one were both meaningful to the three of us. Thank you so much for taking the time to watch and comment! 🤍
I am so glad I listened to this video. Your viewpoints were fascinating to hear and your personal stories were very moving. This is the power of Malazan. I would love to hear a spoiler discussion.
Thank you so much! I agree about the power of Malazan. It's never the case for me that if I've heard one discussion on Malazan, I've heard them all because there is such a plethora of views and experiences associated with the text! A spoiler-filled video should be on the horizon soon, though I'm not sure yet which channel. :)
This was such an excellent conversation! I'm a long time fantasy reader and agree the adult sff space in general can get pretty male dominated, especially when talking about older books written by men. I completely understand you all when you say it's possible to love aspects of something even when certain scenes or details hit the wrong way. I've definitely been hearing a lot of good things about Malazan and look forward to giving it a shot after finishing the Realm of the Elderlings. It'll be interesting going straight from Hobb, who keeps you very intimately in the character's head, to Erikson, who everyone says never really puts you in a character's head. One of the reason I'm interesting in Malazan is because I look forward watching more discussions like this!
Fantastic video. So much you touched on that I think is spot on regardless of gender and more that gives me food for thought as a male. The one thing I would have liked to see you touch on more is that while the themes are heavy at times and there's obviously dark things happening it's not all doom and gloom. There's a huge amount of humor and absurdity that draws the focus back to the humanity of the people going through these insanely difficult and trying episodes. One of you briefly mentioned a joke but I'd be interested in the female perspective on so much more of that as well. I look forward to seeing so much more of this content from all of you!
A valid point! The humor and absurdity adds so much light to these books. Erikson’s humor is one my favorites, and I’ve laughed out loud many times. Thank you so much!
So sorry im late to this outstanding conversation! I am still out on holidays, couldnt help myself and pressed the play button! This was extraordinary really, I loved what you three had to say. I’m fascinated by how gender-neutral this series is, and other series should take it as an example, in my opnion. Loved all your perspectives, ladies! Thanks so much.
Thank you so much! I am also fascinated by this topic and think there's so much to be explored regarding gender identity in fantasy. Wishing you a wonderful holiday break!
I'm a western white male who has had a very privileged life. I appreciate this discussion it's great to hear your thoughts and perceptives. I found the part in book nine crossed the line. In spite of that fact that I hated that aspect and wish it wasn't part of series MbotF is my favourite series which is so dear to my heart.
I’ll try and listen to book one again for the fourth time. Still don’t know what’s going on. Purchased book two, listened to that twice. Still no idea. Can’t spoil me cause I don’t know what’s happening in the books.
There are a few things I would suggest. The first is just try to be OK with not knowing everything. It will come. The second is Tor has a chapter by chapter discussion of the series. If you get done with a chapter and are a bit confused go check out that chapter in that discussion. Just avoid the comment section at the end. Lastly I suggest checking out the essay Erikson wrote about one of the very first scenes he wrote in Gardens of the Moon regarding the Siege at Pale (Chapter 2 I think). So once you are done with that scene go check that essay out. Just google search "Deconstructing the Siege of Pale" it gives you a ton of insight into how SE is writing so that you get a bit of a peek behind the curtain and speed up the learning curve to understanding what it is he expects/hopes of you as a reader and what he's packing into every word and how he's structured it and why. Because he does have some expectations/hopes for readers just as you have certain expectations/hopes for him and his writing. Good luck. Oh, and feel free to join the facebook group. Everyone is happy to answer questions etc.
I thought the same as Ola about the romantic relationship in book 1 but someone pointed out to me that the feelings and significance given to it seem to come heavily from the male side. Not sure if it’s actually what Erickson was going for but it’s a lot more interesting to think about in this light than the love story with very little build up we get on the surface.
That’s a very good point! For what it’s worth, I actually didn’t mind how those two got together, but I’m not the biggest insta-love critic. Sometimes there is an intense attraction and when stakes are high all around and the two are alone, it kind of makes sense in my mind.
Very nice. I haven't read another series that makes you reevaluate each previous book as you go along. There are a lot of questions that you are confronted with.
It's wonderful to hear all three of you discussing this unique series! I agree with Brittany about the prose and the social commentary, and with Ola about the emotions and the compassion as well as the diversity, and with Johanna about the mystery and the immersion. All three of you are eloquent in your praise for Malazan, and I appreciate your perspectives. Thanks so much!
There is so much to praise! I never tire of talking about this series, and it was special to offer some female representation as first-time readers. Thank you for watching, Philip!
This was brilliant. I really enjoyed this and I am looking forward to hearing the next discussions in the series. Thanks for doing this.
Thank you so much, A.P.! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I can’t even express how happy this collab made me! Brilliant discussion and impressively in-depth for a spoiler-free video. Absolutely loved it. Thank you! ❤️
Hi Quick Jen, great point about the depth level while being spoiler free. I have grappled for months about doing video discussions about the series but cannot fathom how to do it without spoilers which is important for getting new readers engaged, that's why it's so impressive all these great Tubers are at doing it
This was great! Very much looking forward to your spoiler-filled talks. One of the things i like about Malazan is that i get to love characters that i would dislike (or maybe even hate) in real life and v.v., and it has also taught me to not judge people too quickly and first see more sides of a story. Thanks!
As I continue to catch up to some of your older videos, I am continually impressed by your discussion with some of the other book tubers. Outstanding and thank you! ...Jarrod C.
Thank you so much, Jarrod! I enjoy discussions more than anything!
Thank you so much friends, great conversation. As a Malazan veteran, what I love about watching these amazing discussions is how it proves that Malazan truly has something for every reader. I'm a 50 yr old man that just finished my 4th reread and what I am drawn to in the series is different than everyone else, it's a beautiful thing as a reader. I look forward to hearing more from all of you, thanks again.
That's amazing that you're on your 4th reread of the series! Congrats on that and thank you so much for your kind words. Enjoy!
That Schene in book 9 is infamous but not often mentioned because of how far into the books it is. I was re-reading MoI and at the point a certain character is introduced I felt my heart sink.
I haven't gotten to book 9 yet, but I'm glad to know what to expect. Even then, I'm sure it will challenge me. I really look forward to rereading MoI some day! Best wishes on your reread!
i'm SO happy for this collab of not only first-time readers of the MBotF but ALSO
L A D I E S '
P E R S P E C T I V E S
This was a great discussion! I will say that what Brittany is talking about in Book 9 was what made me almost DNF the series for good. It's so excessive and so extraneous as to be nearly indefensible, despite the arguments to the contrary.
It was incredibly rough. And I shudder to think how other authors would have written it as youndefinitely would have.
Thank you, Allen! I am so appreciative that Brittany shared her experience about that. Thank you for sharing that you were bothered by that too! It helps to know these things, which is one of the main reasons we wanted to make this video spoiler-free.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your experiences and feelings in such an open and honest way. I would love to hear more from you all regarding this subject matter, and the series in general.
Thank you so much! It was wonderful to share personal experiences of the series so far. I'm glad enjoyed it!
Really enjoyable and insightful watch and i admire you all greatly your honesty and bravery to share your past life experiences throughout the video. I think when talking about the Malzan books the word that comes to me is empathy I know if i had read these if 10 yrs ago I would not of loved or understood them as much as I do now , but with the extra life experience and emotional intellect gained through relationships and managing people at work etc, makes these books for me the best I have ever read and Erickson brilliance has left me feeling as emotionally drained as a dry sponge at the end of some chapters!
Thank you, Stephen! I agree with you. I also love the way empathy is explored in this series so far, and it does help to have some life experience to understand empathy to begin with. I often hear topic oversimplified in larger social circles, and I really appreciated that Erikson took a more complex approach to the theme. I appreciate you sharing your experience!
A job well done ladies. I look forward to your future videos. I own these books but have not started to read them yet. With my TBR, I may not be reaching these until the beginning of 2023 but I enjoy listening to all videos Malazan as I feel they give me a framework so that I can enter this world with realistic expectations.
Thank you! I can understand the mounting TBR challenge. They have been a major time commitment for me and not something to be rushed, but I've been thoroughly enjoying my experience so far. Best wishes for 2023!
This was one of the best Malazan chats I've heard. Thanks so much Johanna, for sharing your perspectives. This was both enlightening and though provoking. Really liked this collaboration and hope there's more to come
Thank you so much! I'm looking forward to the three of us having more discussions. It was an honor to have this first one on my channel.
Wow. Thank you much for your video. I am relatively new to fantasy and looking to jump into something. I have read many moons ago about 5 WoT books before life got in the way. As I have been searching for what other epic fantasy I might want to put on my bucket list I have come across WoT, The Cosmere Universe and Malazon. Your video with its insight and honesty on this series might be the best video I have seen on any of these series (and I have watched a lot). Thank you so much for doing this and helping me better understand what I might be getting into with this series. All our experiences are different but this video allowed me to get a perspective more than any I have seen. Thank you so much for all the knowledge you have shared!
Thank you, Kevin! I'm a good chunk of the way into the final book, The Crippled God, and I cannot describe how incredible the experience of this series has been. It's also heavy in many ways as well. I really hope you enjoy your time if you start the series!
Ladies that really was a wonderful discussion! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to you and your honest opinions. The respect and consideration you gave to each other was lovely to see and Johanna I have to compliment you on your seamless conduction of the discussion. Thank you all very much.
Thank you all for this. Excelent content and honest and fearless discussion about some very complex themes.
Thank you so much! I appreciate your positive feedback!
Fantastic video. I haven't started Malazan yet but all the enthusiasm and praise is making it hard not to open Gardens of the Moon right now! I hope to begin before the end of the year though!
Thank you, Coleton! It's been a very rewarding experience for me so far, and the experience becomes even richer through discussions like these. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
I've come here straight after listening to your talk with Philip, A.P., and Brittany.
This? This is essential booktube content, and I very much hope you continue with things in this theme. As fantasy in particular is crying out for input from women.
So many of the most prominent fantasy authors are male, and the audience is skewed male as well.
No matter how 'woke' a man is, how wonderful a person, or skilled a writer - there is an inability to grasp the world as women see it. Things that are brushed over, glanced by, or simply ignored, by the majority of men - are sometimes situations or statements that make women feel - at least vulnerable. Simply as women, we are subject to viewing the world as containing additional dangers and risks - and as yet, I haven't heard of a male author displaying that.
Like Brittany and Ola, I have a nasty history too - and here's the thing - statistics tell us HOW common this is, and when you lower the 'standard' of what qualifies as assault, the statistics get even more frightening. So it doesn't surprise me that when women enter into the genre of fantasy, quite often, they retreat, because (ironically) fantasy depicts such events in a realistic way.
Thank you for discussing the impact such books can have on the sensitive, for talking about coping mechanisms, and for even allowing that these books HAVE this kind of effect.
Derri, thank you for all you shared here. I am horribly so sorry to hear that you have experienced any mistreatment. The statistics are unfathomable, and I hate that about our world. As much as I do not enjoy reading about this kind of abuse-and I know Erikson did not intend us to enjoy reading about it-I do appreciate having these discussions and allowing people to feel safe sharing what they feel.
By the way, we did a more recent video on Ola, The Reading Witch's channel, which is the one A.P. was referring to in the last video. Both this one and the other one were both meaningful to the three of us. Thank you so much for taking the time to watch and comment! 🤍
Great video & discussion. I haven't read Malazan but am interested in trying it one day.
Thank you, Nikki! I hope you enjoy your Malazan journey once you start!
I am so glad I listened to this video. Your viewpoints were fascinating to hear and your personal stories were very moving. This is the power of Malazan. I would love to hear a spoiler discussion.
Thank you so much! I agree about the power of Malazan. It's never the case for me that if I've heard one discussion on Malazan, I've heard them all because there is such a plethora of views and experiences associated with the text! A spoiler-filled video should be on the horizon soon, though I'm not sure yet which channel. :)
This is great. Ola, you have a new follower!
Thank you! Ola is wonderful. Truly one of the best human beings I have met through BookTube!
This was a wonderful discussion. I think 2022 will be my year to engage with the Malazan series. Great links to other Booktubers too!
Thank you, Jeremy! I hope it goes well for you! Definitely a different type of challenge than WoT, but so rich and rewarding in my opinion.
So good to see lots of new Malazan vids, keep it up!
Thank you so much! Excited to see you continue with more Malazan videos as well!
10:28 for me the best quote because to me that’s what I have to say I love most about the whole series. Haven’t heard anyone say it better.
I agree that Ola articulated that so well! Thank you!
This was such an excellent conversation! I'm a long time fantasy reader and agree the adult sff space in general can get pretty male dominated, especially when talking about older books written by men. I completely understand you all when you say it's possible to love aspects of something even when certain scenes or details hit the wrong way.
I've definitely been hearing a lot of good things about Malazan and look forward to giving it a shot after finishing the Realm of the Elderlings. It'll be interesting going straight from Hobb, who keeps you very intimately in the character's head, to Erikson, who everyone says never really puts you in a character's head. One of the reason I'm interesting in Malazan is because I look forward watching more discussions like this!
Awesome discussion, I hope you get together and discuss Malazan again soon!
That's the plan! It's just difficult coordinating schedules sometimes. Thank you so much!
A sharp and illuminating conversation, ladies. Many thanks! (Bit late, but better late than never!)
Thank you so much, Johan!
@@Johanna_reads Ha, I just corrected a typo! Keep 'em coming. You are a great trio!
I'm so happy you three made this. Thank you
Our pleasure! Thank you, Bryson!
I am going to start the series in January. Thank you for this video! So great to have a female perspective!
I'm so excited to hear that! I hope you enjoy the journey. Thanks for watching!
Fantastic video. So much you touched on that I think is spot on regardless of gender and more that gives me food for thought as a male. The one thing I would have liked to see you touch on more is that while the themes are heavy at times and there's obviously dark things happening it's not all doom and gloom. There's a huge amount of humor and absurdity that draws the focus back to the humanity of the people going through these insanely difficult and trying episodes. One of you briefly mentioned a joke but I'd be interested in the female perspective on so much more of that as well. I look forward to seeing so much more of this content from all of you!
A valid point! The humor and absurdity adds so much light to these books. Erikson’s humor is one my favorites, and I’ve laughed out loud many times. Thank you so much!
So sorry im late to this outstanding conversation! I am still out on holidays, couldnt help myself and pressed the play button! This was extraordinary really, I loved what you three had to say. I’m fascinated by how gender-neutral this series is, and other series should take it as an example, in my opnion. Loved all your perspectives, ladies! Thanks so much.
Thank you so much! I am also fascinated by this topic and think there's so much to be explored regarding gender identity in fantasy. Wishing you a wonderful holiday break!
Great discussion :O
I'm a western white male who has had a very privileged life. I appreciate this discussion it's great to hear your thoughts and perceptives. I found the part in book nine crossed the line. In spite of that fact that I hated that aspect and wish it wasn't part of series MbotF is my favourite series which is so dear to my heart.
Felisin is my favorite character in the malazan series so far in the series I have only read the first three books
Thank you for sharing, Cynthia! I hope you continue enjoying the series!
I’ll try and listen to book one again for the fourth time. Still don’t know what’s going on. Purchased book two, listened to that twice. Still no idea. Can’t spoil me cause I don’t know what’s happening in the books.
There are a few things I would suggest. The first is just try to be OK with not knowing everything. It will come. The second is Tor has a chapter by chapter discussion of the series. If you get done with a chapter and are a bit confused go check out that chapter in that discussion. Just avoid the comment section at the end. Lastly I suggest checking out the essay Erikson wrote about one of the very first scenes he wrote in Gardens of the Moon regarding the Siege at Pale (Chapter 2 I think). So once you are done with that scene go check that essay out. Just google search "Deconstructing the Siege of Pale" it gives you a ton of insight into how SE is writing so that you get a bit of a peek behind the curtain and speed up the learning curve to understanding what it is he expects/hopes of you as a reader and what he's packing into every word and how he's structured it and why. Because he does have some expectations/hopes for readers just as you have certain expectations/hopes for him and his writing. Good luck. Oh, and feel free to join the facebook group. Everyone is happy to answer questions etc.
I thought the same as Ola about the romantic relationship in book 1 but someone pointed out to me that the feelings and significance given to it seem to come heavily from the male side. Not sure if it’s actually what Erickson was going for but it’s a lot more interesting to think about in this light than the love story with very little build up we get on the surface.
That’s a very good point! For what it’s worth, I actually didn’t mind how those two got together, but I’m not the biggest insta-love critic. Sometimes there is an intense attraction and when stakes are high all around and the two are alone, it kind of makes sense in my mind.
Yes, more girl squad power!! ❤
Hooray! Thank you!
Very nice. I haven't read another series that makes you reevaluate each previous book as you go along.
There are a lot of questions that you are confronted with.
This series definitely succeeds in that task! I also agree about feeling confronted with questions. That's a great way to put it. Thanks, Eric!
Is the reading witch's channel gone?
Yes, she posted in her community tab a year or two ago that she would no longer be returning to TH-cam.