- Paperback: 698 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Press; New edition edition (Mar 29 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0593046285
- ISBN-13: 978-0593046289
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.2 x 4.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 921 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #532,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Fans of Steven Erikson's Malazan fantasy series probably won't be surprised to learn that Erikson once worked as an anthropologist and archaeologist. His background shows in the complex, detailed societies he creates, from the level of mythology right down to daily customs. Midnight Tides, the fifth book in the series, is even a sort of archaeologist's nightmare, in which a forgotten artifact from the past is rediscovered and unleashes chaos and destruction upon the world. The novel follows the war between the Tiste Edur, an ancient race, and the Letherii, who have conquered all their other neighbours. The conflict is a continuation of an older battle between ancient beings, but its terms evoke our own world. The Letherii society follows the dictates of the free market, and most of the citizens live in various degrees of indebtedness. The Tiste Edur live according to traditional concepts of honour and community, but their society can no longer survive in the face of the rapacious Letherii commerce machine, which always demands new resources and subjects to exploit.
In his earlier novels Erikson made a name for himself with his realistic, unsentimental depictions of combat, and Midnight Tides is perhaps his most modern rendering of warfare. Magic is his equivalent for contemporary military technology, with summoned demons dominating the battlefield like tanks, and sorcerous firestorms standing in for carpet bombing. Cities are laid to waste in seconds, and soldiers go mad from the magnitude of destruction. Erikson also subverts many of the typical genre expectations of a fantasy novel. Sure, there's the usual cast of colourful characters--warrior brothers who quest for a magic weapon, an undead emperor, a bloodthirsty god, a shrewd slave, and many more--but there's no simple conflict between good and evil here, just shades of grey. Midnight Tides plays out like real history does, with no real beginning or completion, just an unending chain of events, each leading to a future that promises only more chaos and madness. --Peter Darbyshire
From Publishers Weekly
Those with a taste for massive high fantasy epics will welcome Erikson's fifth entry in his Malazan Book of the Fallen saga (after 2006's House of Chains), though it largely deals with the calm between storms. In the north, the Warlock King has united the tribes of Tiste Edur into a formidable realm, though his four feisty sons may yet cause problems. In the south, the still more formidable kingdom of Lether is using both bribery and military threats to intimidate its neighbors and rebuild its ancient empire. Tiste Edur will have none of this, however, for reasons going back to bloody feuds of centuries past. The author has a rare talent for building character by internal dialogue without slowing the pace. The large cast may daunt new readers, but maps and a glossary help fill the gaps. The ending suggests there'll be a lot more action in the sixth book (out of a projected 10).
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Addicting!,
By James Cameron (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Midnight Tides (Malazan Book 5) (Mass Market Paperback)
Another fantastic work by Mr. Erikson. I believe he is the best author currently writing this genre. His ability to write multiple plot lines, while maintaining a large cast of believable characters is a testament to his talent. His works evoke every possible emotion in a reader and this latest addition is no exception. This is not your run-of-the-mill juvenile fantasy with hobbits, orcs and elves. He has created a very believable world with flawed heroes and sympathetic villains. With Midnight Tides, I found myself referring to previous books to tie together plotlines and the scope is truly epic. As far as I'm concerned, the next book cannot be published soon enough!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Read...,
By A Customer
This review is from: Midnight Tides (Malazan Book 5) (Mass Market Paperback)
The problem, such as it is a problem, is that this fantasy series lessens the enjoyment of the others. On a quality basis, the only series to approach this one is Neal Stephenson's "System". And that includes GRRM whose recent release is at the top of the best-sellers. There are several Laurel&Hardy routines in this book which are particularly amusing and not all by the major characters... I appreciate Eriksen's talent in allowing the minor characters to breath life and depth into the book. I especially enjoy the tying-off of loose ends from the earlier works.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I expected..but still good,
By D. T. S. W. "5deadlyconans" (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Midnight Tides (Malazan Book 5) (Mass Market Paperback)
A Malazan book without the Bridgeburners?For me, this book seemed to take on a different tone than the previous books in the series - a little more sombre, a little more introspective (character wise). While there are some battles, this book does not proceed with the same pace and action as the previous books. Perhaps it is this difference that makes this a good read. You are drawn into the characters and constantly find yourself trying to figure out how each of these characters fit into the overall plot line of the series. I eagerly awaited this book and wasn't disappointed in the least. I can't wait for the next one!
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