The second book of the Malazan Empire's escapades is not for the weak of heart. It is somewhat simpler - following fewer and more defined storylines, than its predecessor (Gardens of the Moon) which makes for an easier read. There's still plenty of characters you will need to take in, even though some of them were also in the last book chaining things a little bit together. You are still thrown into medias res without the author bothering to explain much about all those ancient races and civilisations, the concepts of soletaken, d'ivers, ascendancy etc. I sort of like this, reading slowly and taking notes... what is a Jhaghut? What is the Tiste Edur and what is their relationship with the Tiste Andii mentioned in the previous book? Ha, the author don't give a shit about our hardship and wont give you any explanation! You are on your own in this strange world. But at least you will early on come to understand how enormously complex the history of this place is.

Then there's the cruelty and the inhuman trials that the characters have to go through. The only book I can think of that matches it in this regard is Salammbô by Gustave Flaubert (which it actually has a lot of other things in common with). When you have finished this you can relax with a book about the siege of Stalingrad or the Mongol Invasions.

The book has (like the previous volume) a lot of interesting and unorthodox characters. It is heroic, epic and quite martial, but offers a lot of other flavours too - including a quirky humour. It is easier to read than Gardens of the Moon, but still complex beyond reason.

I like it.