K'rul and Skillen discuss the wider lore of the Malazan universe (how convenient) while Ardata & the dragons torment Osserc. The captain of my heart steals the show (since he already stole my heart), and we get a bombshell reveal about the nature of the Tiste. Oh, and a hidden astronomy lesson within.

All told? A great chapter going into the ending.

Take note, viewers, of our extraordinary self-control in that we are only asking you to e-mail us: [email protected]

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The Hust assemble for the coming ritual, consternation taking hold of the soldiers as the unknown sorcery of the Dog-Runners will soon be awakened. Listar arrives - absolved of his guilt & grief - with the Dog-Runner witches, Galar despairs in the face of Toras' drunken indifference, and not even Prazek & Dathenar seem inclined to lighten the mood. Portent hangs above the Tiste, as it does above us.

In all, joy abounds. Join us to see what is to become of the Hust Legion.

We assemble, face the enemy, give the orders, and send Smiley's an email just in case: [email protected]

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[Information Requested: Why are the Shi family such assholes?]

Bloodline is the hero's (ha) homecoming & in hindsight does plenty of legwork to set up the next large arc of the series. Unfortunately, being a Cradle book, it can only be so big, and it's got a lot of legwork to do. It's got a nice gimmick & a sense of heightened urgency (and cool fights), but it's also sandwiched between two of the best books in the series, which does it no favours.

We still liked it, though.

[Suggested topic: Smiley's socials. Continue?]

[Topic accepted, continuing report...]Reach out to [Smiley's]: [email protected]

Watch [Smiley's] on [YouTube]:

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[Suggested Topic: HOLY SHIT SMILEY'S IS BACK? HYPE]

[Mostly. The next Cradle episode may be slightly delayed as we wrap up Fall of Light.]

[Topic denied, report complete.]

This is Part 2 of our Chapter 20 discussion.

Following Anomander & company, we eventually stumble upon Sharenas Ankhadu, reminiscing about Kagamandra & war. Pelk & Ivis do much the same, while Gripp & Anomander speak of the coming battle. Wreneck thinks of Korlat & Orfantal and parental burdens, while Sukul entreats Rancept not to go to war. Love is at the heart of this chapter - as is often the case with Fall of Light - but its taste is bittersweet.

I regret nothing, not even emailing Smiley's: [email protected]

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This is Part One of our episode on Chapter 20.

Noble asshattery contrasts with the Liosan asshattery from the previous chapter, with the added benefit of Rancept & company to make things more palatable. In the aftermath of the noble congregation, we are returned to the company of Sandalath & the Dracons Houseblades, among them Lord Anomander, who gets to rant for ten pages.

We've cut the episode in twain lest we rant for over two hours pre-editing, so we'll talk about the rest in the next episode.

If we sense unblinking regard set upon us, in each of our moments, beginning to end, will you send us an email? [email protected]

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[Information Requested: Points]

Wintersteel is a great book. Fast paced, exciting, cool ass fights, the culmination of eight books' worth of setup, it's just awesome. While we both could do with a little less emphasis on Lindon's POINTS, there's no denying that this book's awesome.

[Suggested topic: Smiley's socials. Continue?]

[Topic accepted, continuing report...]Reach out to [Smiley's]: [email protected]

Watch [Smiley's] on [YouTube]:

Receive schedule [Updates]: https://bsky.app/profile/smileyspod.bsky.socialBuy [Smiley's] a drink: https://ko-fi.com/smileys

[Suggested Topic: HOLY SHIT SMILEY'S IS BACK? HYPE]

[Sort of?]

[Topic denied, report complete.]

Chapter 19 happens to be one of Lee's favourite chapters in Fall of Light, so this episode just so happens to push 90 minutes after editing (I'm sure these two facts are unrelated).

Liosan asshattery prevails, Renarr provides Lee the pretext to monologue for sixty minutes, Hallyd Bahann (crowned biggest idiot of the book) gets his long-awaited comeuppance, joy all around.

Emailing seems such a simple concept, until its careful consideration unveils the fact that you should email us: [email protected]

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[INFORMATION REQUESTED] Holy shit you guys are still alive?

It's been a hot minute since we last posted, friends, and while this particular Cradle episode has been stewing for some time, we finally did get around to posting it. Uncrowned is a while back, but we still look upon it fondly. If by fondly you mean "how dare you," then yes, very fondly.

Uncrowned marks the beginning of the tournament arc of Cradle, which if you know much about such things, means it's packed jam full of action. And, you know what? We're simple creatures. We like that.

Still, how dare you, Mr. Wight. You'll be hearing from our lawyers soon.

[Suggested topic: Smiley's socials. Continue?]

[Topic accepted, continuing report...]

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[Suggested Topic: HOLY SHIT SMILEY'S IS BACK? HYPE]

[Don't get your hopes up yet.]

[Topic denied, report complete.]

[Spoilers MBotF]

If you've been in the Malazan sphere long enough, you've probably heard the adage "Kallor did nothing wrong" more than once. Turns out, those four words encompass whole avenues of discussion that one video couldn't possibly hope to tackle. But all in due time.

Inspired largely by our chat with AP about narration & his excellent videos on the subject.

His prologue close reading (spoilers for MoI): https://youtu.be/TCMsQIBGx_I?si=XEOxv8C6KhXqidMq

His "tragedy of the High King" (spoilers for all Malazan Books): https://youtu.be/Kb7Rwa_5SBM?si=m6wkr7LPtwzpimyN

And my recent discussions over on the Malazan subreddit (well, not quite "recent" per se, but this is a recurring subject), I figured I had to put my money where my mouth is & actually write/record something on the matter. I elected to do the latter.

This is the second attempt at doing so (due to technical errors on the first one) & it's rather sizeable (I'm quite loquacious, I am). I could (and perhaps, had I thought about it sooner, would) have split this episode along different lines, but for such matters you'll have to head over to more knowledgeable turf.

The excerpts discussed are the second prologue of Memories of Ice & a certain scene in Midnight Tides. What that tells us about Kallor & the characters present, how it plays into his making into a tragic figure, and how it ties back to the adage of "Kallor did nothing wrong."

If you, too, think Kallor did nothing wrong (or if you think he's the Malaz devil incarnate, or anything inbetween), please do reach out: [email protected]

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[Spoilers for All Malazan books]

[Mild spoilers for Book of the New Sun, Kushiel's Legacy, Farseer Trilogy & the Scarlet Letter (we're thorough, damn it!)]

Hello & welcome to a very special guest episode featuring AP, longtime viewer, supporter, and indirect (and now somewhat more direct!) mentor. AP surely needs no introduction, so let's get to more pertinent matters.

We spend the better part of an hour discussing non-Malazan related narration, narrative techniques, layers, and a host of similar aspects. It's a mesmerizing learning experience when someone as passionate & knowledgeable about a subject as AP talks about said subject at length (and I did make use of some of the things I learned here in my own writings!).

Most of our discussion revolves around Kharkanas, but we do spend quite a bit of time talking about the narration present in the Book of the Fallen and the different narrative layers present. I daresay I have a new perspective on matters - especially in Kharkanas - which I lacked before (you may note that Steve had a similar effect when we talked to him, as did Cam).

AP, you're always welcome to the Tavern - just say the word. And everyone else, thank you for listening (and you, too, are welcome in the tavern!)

Per that idea, feel free to reach out for an invitation and we'll be quite accommodating, one hopes: [email protected]

Would you prefer YouTube (though note that it, too, is audio only)? https://youtu.be/LKv1uuwKeCc

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