Memories of Ice

Title: Memories of Ice

3rd book of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series

Author: Steven Erikson

This book is more related to the first in this series. Several characters are introduced for the first time including new players. Familiar character present in Gardens of the Moon are also reintroduced. The plot of the series is finally presented here. The Crippled god shows up in the first part of the book. Whiskeyjack also returns, as well as Paran. This book serves as a turning-point to the story. It's filled with revelations about important characters, including the introduction of some of the young gods, elder gods and elder races.

The book begins with a flashback of an important event that took place sometime in the past. At this point in the series, the reader must have a sharp memory of the previous books and pay attention to the events that will take place thereafter. References to other characters and events are scattered throughout the series and the significance might be missed if the reader cannot recall them. Erikson gives a lot of hints, explanations and even repetitions for the readers to understand. He has also acquired another style. He uses italics to separate a flashback or a dream, or to express a characters thoughts, sometimes within a conversation. I admit the change of font hurts my eyes a bit but it's manageable. He overuses it sometimes and some of the characters could babble on and on. There is less action too than the previous two books. Most of the characters delve into self-examination. The pace of the narrative is not constant and most of the action is present only during the siege of Capustan and the battle at Coral.

The battle scenes are impressive as usual but there are scenes where some of the actions are described only in a few words to proceed immediately to the outcome of the battle. Erikson though was able to handle well the variety of the characters and the tribes or races. He was also able to focus on several characters as well. The outline of the pantheon and its origins are also explained, but he leaves enough mystery to make the readers want to know more. 

When I first read the book a few years ago, I did not pay attention to the emotions of the characters but the description of the war, and it horrified me. Reading it the second time gave me an opportunity to examine the characters closely and how they relate to war in general. Now that I think on it, I think the theme of the book is to examine what the mind and heart goes through in the midst of war. Two opposing features of humanity at their extremes can be observed. On one side are the people who fight for freedom and honor to survive and the other, people who are driven to embrace pain, terror and cannibalism to survive. But there are also those who make war because it's the only life they know. Others also exploit the opportunity to seek revenge or to seek salvation and find meaning in their existence. I can go on and on with the list. Erikson was able to show different thoughts and emotions that might go through someone's mind when faced with different choices. It is overall, a sad book. Most of the characters are portrayed in different degrees of despair, but also show them in their best qualities. When pushed to the limit, some people break, some embrace the pain and endure, while some would try to take away the pain and bring hope to others.

I was saddened by Whiskeyjack's death and the changes that happened to some of the characters. Some characters also discover new powers within themselves. Duiker also makes an appearance in the last part of the book but I don't think he has a big role anymore in the series. Some of the incidences that occurred in Deadhouse Gates are also explained in this book. 

Apart from the plot itself, there are more things that the book can offer. That is one of the things that makes this series great so far - a book that makes the readers think and reflect upon themselves.