Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson (A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen: Book 3)

10/10

Memories of Ice is the third book of the series entitled A Tale of the Malazan Book of The Fallen. It follows directly after the events of the first book, Gardens of the Moon, and runs concurrently to the events in the second book, Deadhouse Gates.

The continent of Grenabackis, setting for Gardens of the Moon is returned to for Memories of Ice. The continent is being ravaged by a new empire, the Pannion Domin led by a prophet, the Pannion Seer. In order to battle this new terror an alliance is made between once-enemies, the Malazans, Warlord Caladan Brood and the Tiste Andii led by Anomander Rake.

The T'lan Imass are gathering to a summons, the magical warrens are poisoned and the world is in danger by a dark and malign threat.

Memories of Ice is a book full of wonderful characters from a wide variety of well conceived races. We have the Rhivi, a nomadic people that live on the plains of Grenabackis, the Barghast, a warrior tribe, the T'lan Imass, an immortal army intent on finding and destroying the Jaghut, an elder race. We also have the Tiste Andii, a magical elder race able to veer into the shape of dragons and the Moranth, a regimented culture that makes devastating ammunitions. The Malazans are humans, an imperial conqueror bearing comparison to the Romans. These are few of the many races that populate the Malazan Books of the Fallen.

“That is for me to decide, for I exist to command them. To command them all. My birth proclaimed the Gathering – a demand that every T’lan Imass on this world has heard. And now, those who are able, are coming. They are coming.”
Memories of Ice: Book One - The Spark and the Ashes

The third installment was, in my opinion, an easier read than the preceding two. I accept that this may be because, having already read Erikson's earlier work I am now used to his style and understand that these books cannot be skimmed over and require your full attention.

New characters are brought in to accompany the characters that we know well from Gardens of the Moon and these new additions are well introduced and worthy of their place alongside Whiskeyjack, Kruppe and Quick Ben. The visual imagery is once again of the highest order and the descriptions are beautiful and paint the perfect pictures to bring Erikson's fantasy world to life.

Memories of Ice begins with a fascinating insight to the pre-history of the world and in particular the centuries long battle between the T'lan Imass and the Jaghut. The feud has been going on for thousands of years and this a welcome explanation to how and why this has occurred.

I have to admit that the deck of cards and warrens that play a large part in the books are still leaving me slightly confused. I can't say for sure whether this is because this has not been particularly well explained or if I have simply missed something very obvious and maybe it is not as complicated as I believe.

She watched the falling, watched the descent - rain, no hail -
It struck. Drumming roar on the ground, the sound filling her ears - sweeping closer -
To pummel her.
She screamed, throwing up her hands.
Each impact was explosive, something more than simply frozen rain.
Lives. Ancient, long forgotten lives.
And memories -
All raining down.
Memories of Ice: Chapter Twenty Four - Memories of Ice

This is another remarkable book by Steven Erikson, the scope of the series is unbelievably large and complicated. Bringing all the characters and locations together as well and as accurately as he does is worthy of mention alone. You can add to this humour, religion, bravery, cowardice and love and you have an epic fantasy worthy of the name.

Praise for Steven Erikson

“Homeric in scope and vision … Read and expect to be overpowered, not only by a story that never fails to thrill and entertain, but by a saga that lives up to its name, both intellectually and in its dramatic, visually rich and lavish storytelling” SF Site

"Steve Erikson afflicts me with awe ... his work does something that only the rarest of books can manage: it alters the reader's perception of reality" Stephen R. Donaldson