re: Help me decide what to read next

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I didn't make it through the first book a few years ago. Probably read 90% of it but I wasn't a big fan of the vague realms and powers in the book.

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I liked the first book a great deal when I started, but many people suggest starting with the second book in the series and then bouncing back to the first book later for the very reasons you mention. Erikson is very much a show rather than tell sort of author, so the warrens and magic system can be sort of confusing in the first book.

It's one of the best fantasy series I've read overall, particularly when it comes to long fantasy series. There are a couple books later in the series that are merely average, but the majority of the series is very good, with an excellent final book that gives great closure to the series.

Erikson is definitely not for everyone though, Malazan definitely tends to be a love him or hate him sort of series.