I love Malazan and I still have trouble starting a new Malazan book (even on rereads) because I know it will contain a slew of new characters and old ones that I've most likely forgotten - not to mention a totally different contintent.

But for me, it's totally worth it. The difficulty of reading it initially more than pays off as those multiple threads intertwine and come together, and the Malazan books have some of the most spectacular and satisfisfying conclusions of any book I've ever read.

So if you can wait for that, then you'll enjoy them. If not, it isn't for you. And no matter what, you must be prepared for remembering lots and lots of characters and plots.