The seventh awesome chapter in the most ambitious and acclaimed fantasy series of recent years.The Letherii Empire is in turmoil. Rhulad Sengar, the Emperor of a Thousand Deaths, spirals into madness, while the Errant, once a farseeing god, appears suddenly blind to the future. Driven by the corruption and self-interest, the empire edges ever-closer to all-out war with its neighbouring kingdoms. And the great Edur fleet draws ominously ever closer. With Karsa Orlong and Icarium Lifestealer among its warriors, that blood will be spilled is certain.But a band of fugitives look to escape from Lether. One of them, Fear Sengar, seeks the soul of Scabandari Bloodeye, for he hopes that with its help, they might halt the Tiste Edur and so save the emperor, his brother. But another is Scabandari's old enemy: Silchas Ruin, brother of Anomander Rake. He carries scars inflicted by Scabandari, and such bloodshed cannot go unanswered. …
The seventh awesome chapter in the most ambitious and acclaimed fantasy series of recent years.The Letherii Empire is in turmoil. Rhulad Sengar, the Emperor of a Thousand Deaths, spirals into madness, while the Errant, once a farseeing god, appears suddenly blind to the future. Driven by the corruption and self-interest, the empire edges ever-closer to all-out war with its neighbouring kingdoms. And the great Edur fleet draws ominously ever closer. With Karsa Orlong and Icarium Lifestealer among its warriors, that blood will be spilled is certain.But a band of fugitives look to escape from Lether. One of them, Fear Sengar, seeks the soul of Scabandari Bloodeye, for he hopes that with its help, they might halt the Tiste Edur and so save the emperor, his brother. But another is Scabandari's old enemy: Silchas Ruin, brother of Anomander Rake. He carries scars inflicted by Scabandari, and such bloodshed cannot go unanswered. There is to be a reckoning and it will be on an unimaginable scale. . .
Another great Malazan book. As always you're a bit lost, but this one felt like it had too many plot lines going, even for a Malazan book. Overall great story.
I am trying to enjoy each page but it's a challenge and Erikson doesn't do himself any favors with long pauses between action or characters waxing philosophical page after page. Redmask, the brief inclusion of the K'chain Che'malle and Karsa helped this story but they weren't the focus of this story.
I have invested seven months in to this series, I can't stop now. The final three books are monsters and take up a third of this entire saga but I need to push on.
Despite many distinct story lines I got attached to nearly all characters in the books.
In this one I particularly enjoyed he portrayal of Beak an autistic wizard with the Malazans who surprises all. And Hellian is coming through as one of the more funny characters, I liked "Hellian's Art of War" - quite successful by the way.
Somehow Erikson manages to keep me on my toes throughout this whole book. I kept wondering who was on which side, who would win, who would live and who would be sacrificed to the drama of the story. He often shows the reader both sides of the conflict and so I am often able to sympathize with both. There is no black and white just a lot of grey. I am not even sure anymore about the ultimate goals of anyone in these books. So I am guessing that Tavore must be …
Despite many distinct story lines I got attached to nearly all characters in the books.
In this one I particularly enjoyed he portrayal of Beak an autistic wizard with the Malazans who surprises all. And Hellian is coming through as one of the more funny characters, I liked "Hellian's Art of War" - quite successful by the way.
Somehow Erikson manages to keep me on my toes throughout this whole book. I kept wondering who was on which side, who would win, who would live and who would be sacrificed to the drama of the story. He often shows the reader both sides of the conflict and so I am often able to sympathize with both. There is no black and white just a lot of grey. I am not even sure anymore about the ultimate goals of anyone in these books. So I am guessing that Tavore must be the author's stand-in since she also isn't telling anyone what her plans are ... ;)
With the contrasting finale of the Tehol and Seren story lines it seems the Letheras story has found a furious ending. At the end - as always - I am left wondering where several important characters, namely Icarium and Karsa, have vanished to. And where the heck is Kalam ...