[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...] Reach out to [Smiley's]: smileyspodcast@gmail.com

Watch [Smiley's] on [YouTube]: https://youtu.be/pfgOC93mjLA

Receive schedule [Updates]: https://twitter.com/podcast_smiley Buy [Smiley's] a drink: https://ko-fi.com/smileys

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[Don't get your hopes up yet.]

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[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: smileyspodcast@gmail.com

Would you prefer YouTube? https://youtu.be/WzsMHDSM8Ao

Want schedule updates? https://twitter.com/podcast_smiley

Wanna buy us a drink? https://ko-fi.com/smileys

[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: smileyspodcast@gmail.com

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

Want schedule updates? https://twitter.com/podcast_smiley

Wanna buy us a drink? https://ko-fi.com/smileys