This post is a companion piece to my former post on the series regarding Malazan Book of the Fallen. That post is about some of the misconceptions regarding the series along with my own thoughts on the reading experience. This post is about some helpful tips to get through the series.
1 Don’t expect to know all the answers at first
You are going to be confused. There are simply too many moving parts, too many plot lines, and too many characters to keep track of everything. You simply have to keep reading and enjoy the experience. Everything will eventually fall into place. To keep track of everything you would need to have read the series 10 times and even then you might miss some stuff.
2 have the wiki close by to check new (and old) characters
It is okay to have the wiki next to you to quickly look up a character if you forgot them. There is of course always a small chance to get spoiled, but I found the Malazan wiki to be structured in a way to avoid spoilers unless you look out for them.
3 it’s okay to not remember every name and event, if you try your brain might just fall out of your head
“Don’t stress if you forget characters or events. The books are huge, and not every name will stick right away. Use the wiki when you need to, but the key characters will stand out.”
4 have a companion piece
There are plenty of good YouTube videos on the series. I recommend A P Canavan and Philp chase talks on the series they have none and a full spoiler talks about each of the books. The former also has great fantasy analysis on his channel a critical Dragon.
The podcast Ten very big books is also great. It focuses on Peter (who has read the series) and his friends who are reading it for the first time. It is a great thing to listen to along with your own reading since they too are confused about what is happening.
5 Take your time
You can’t just bench-read the series in a weekend. It demands focus and attention, so it’s important to take your time. I highly recommend taking breaks between books—how long your break is depends on you, but don’t feel guilty about needing time away from the story. The books will call you back when you’re ready
BONUS! Have fun!
Above all, have fun! Sure, there will be frustrating moments and the story can get a bit winding at times, but if you stick with it and give it the time it deserves, it will reward you in the end. If the books just aren’t clicking for you, don’t force yourself through them. Life’s too short for books that don’t bring you joy!
In the end, reading Malazan is a journey. These tips will help make that journey more enjoyable, but remember: it’s okay to go at your own pace, ask for help, and most importantly, have fun. The payoff of finishing the series is immense, so don’t be afraid to take your time and enjoy every step along the way!