Entirely understandable, the first 400 pages are basically an info dump with no context and no way to connect any dots. It does smooth out, and I think it’s worth it, but I can easily understand why people don’t go through with it. But since there’s no new malazan books currently, what’s your favorite fantasy series that you’d recommend?
It’s a very different style, but one thing I love to recommend is The Gentlemen Bastards by Scott Lynch, starting with The Lies of Locke Lamora. Simply fantastic fantasy.
If you’re looking for something a bit more classic, there’s The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny that I absolutely adore, as well as The Black Company by Glen Cook for that grimdark fantasy feel.