On the Verge of Lunacy

Steven Erikson's debut is one step ahead of most fantasy series today. By creating a world that does not borrow concepts from Tolkien, he was still able to mold memorable characters and a unique universe in this first book of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. When I first read the book not more than two years ago, I was amazed at how he was able to develop not just one but a dozen characters in a few pages without sacrificing the need for pace and action. His experience as an anthropologist and archaeologist served him well. Though not obvious, some of the concepts have similarities in several myths, but he was able to twist them and make them unique to create the book. The first few chapters might be confusing because his point of view is not consistent. But as the story progresses, the reader will soon get used to his style. The characters themselves are fascinating. However, the reader is not forced to follow just one main character in the series. I thought at first t...

Photo taken by Cassie I watched you with awe and fear as your beauty and darkness excite my emotions. To the naked eye, you are a still object Silhouetted against an eerie background. But to my eyes, you seem to dance across the empty sky. Your light moves around the roundness of your body. Your pale yellow color accentuates the art of death beneath you. Your shape is like the Cyclops’s eye, staring out and lording over the mere mortals like us, who take time to rejoice in your beauty. You are the queen of darkness; a light to the somber side of the earth. As you ascend above the night sky, you transform into a harmless creature. Your white light becomes elusive. No one can ever tell which side is the real side of you. Whether it be good or bad, you have done wonders by your infinite silence, and unnoticed deceit, dear Moon.