Review 2012: So far my favorite Malazan book. I think I'm in love with all the characters but especially Kalam and Cotillion :) Oh and Apsalar. And Whiskyjack and ... at first the longish and seemingly unconnected story of Karsa put me off, then I remembered who he was and I enjoyed all the revelations and connections that this book delivered in the same superb writing style as the first three books.

If you like long and epic fantasy series and have not started this one or quit reading after the first book, you are making a mistake!

Review 2017: Still very good but not quite as much ahead of the first three books in being my favorite. Maybe because the ending isn't quite as traumatic as book 2 and 3.

Overall I enjoyed a break from the drama that happened with the Chain of Dogs and with the war against the Pannion Domin. This book is a lot less bloody on the protagonist's side as the final battle is fought by ghosts instead of Tavore's army and Karsa, Leoman, Heboric ... make it out of the Oasis alive and instead of further decimating my favorite characters it features the wonderful Tanno Spiritsong ascending the Bridgburners, whatever that means, and a lot of screen time for all my favorite assassins and shadow dancers.

Karsa Orlong is a glorious warrior despite and because of his faults. While I still didn't like his beginnings, knowing what was to come helped understand him earlier. Like in my last read it took me until the end to connect Onrack's story with the rest and that made for difficult reading.