The Bonehunters: Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 6

There is a lot going on in this monster of a novel. As usual for the series, the action and intrigue start immediately and never slow down. Also as usual, no mercy is shown to the reader, who is thrown in to a complex epic with little in the way of refreshers regarding what happened before. When I read these books I am constantly beset by a feeling of unease that I am missing something important, and that is no doubt the case. These are books that need to be read carefully and probably more than once, to fully absorb (at least by most people). Besides having a very substantial character list, the setting of Erikson’s universe is complex and only revealed on an as-needed basis. The often unexplained components of the world, including Elder Gods, Warrens, and Aspects, is dispersed out in fits and starts, and only by long immersion does the reader start to feel familiar with the setting. But even then, it isn’t long before Erikson jolts you with some new revelation or an introduction of a new continent or group of people. Personally, it is the very complexity and challenging nature of the reading that I find so attractive with these books. They are definitely well-written, with excellent characters and an engaging plot, but sometimes I wonder if it might be some subconscious desire for mental punishment that keeps me coming back to the series.After this book I find that I have even more questions and areas of confusion than normal. It may be that I was more distracted this time, but I think it more likely that this volume was even more complex than normal. Plot lines from all of the previous books finally start coming together here as an apparent war among the gods is heating up. Two major story arcs take up most of this volume. First, the birth of the Bonehunters, members of Tavore’s army and survivors of the cataclysmic end of Y’Ghatan. Second, the unexpected confrontation between the triumphant 14th army and the people of their home port, Malaz City. There is also substantial progress made on the stories of the Titse Edur and their new Emperor, the ongoing drama of Ganoes Paran learning his role as the Master of the Deck of Dragons, and the building war between the gods. There is so much going on in these stories now that it is hard to keep up.Despite trying hard to do so, I find that after finishing the book I am full of questions for which I feel like I must have missed the answers. Some of these questions are rather trivial: Are the Perish the same people we read about in a previous book with Shield Anvils and First Swords? Why did the 14th find it necessary to travel a dangerous Warren to get home faster? Other questions are much more consequential: What is the deal with the Eres’al?? What is going on with these jade statues filled with souls?? Another question central to this book - What happened with the cult of D’rek? I know a summoning took place that went badly for the priests involved, a demon was released, which was later killed by some other demons released by Paran, but what was the overriding purpose? Are these events connected to the shady group trying to use Icarium? What is Tayschrenn’s role in all of this? It seemed like a big reveal that he was a member of the cult, but I was left feeling like “Wait, what?”. If you think you've got a clear understanding of what I'm missing, please do fill me in.Regardless of my inadequacies in absorbing all I should have, I still found this book a rewarding experience. That is partly because the characters here are so well-done and somehow both larger-than-life and relatable. So many of these characters seem destined (literally) for some grand purpose, but there are far too many of them for this to be universally true (I think). Which of the following does not have a critical destiny? Tavore, Felisin, Ganoes? Quick Ben, Fiddler, Kalam? Apsalar, Karsa, Icarium, Trull Sengar? These are some of the best characters in fantasy, each apparently being guided to their own Save-the-World moment. I definitely look forward to seeing what fate awaits these amazing characters.All that being said, I do have some frustrations with parts of THE BONEHUNTERS. Firstly, I was disappointed with the portrayal of both Shadowthrone and Empress Laseen. These behind the scenes characters from previous books deserved better treatment. To find them acting so shallow, almost silly, was jarring. Secondly, it was terrible of Erikson to leave us in the dark about the pact between Hood and Paran. What did they agree to? Hard to understand what was gained from not revealing more about this deal.Overall though, this is an excellent continuation of the series, merging multiple divergent storylines and seeming to approach a path towards a conclusion of sorts, though we are still a long way off from The End. Like all of the books in the series, I can highly recommend this one.

Between Y'ghatan and Malazan Island, this book was loaded with action and tense moments. Where elements from the first five books came together, the reveals were satisfying but often left me with even more questions. I'm not at all sure I understand what the Crippled God's end game is, especially as it seems he's content to throw his own chosen actors against each other. I'm also not entirely sure what Cotillion's motives are, and that's to say nothing for Shadowthrone's.And then there's Empress Laseen. I don't think anyone whose read this series up to this point would argue against her incompetence as a ruler, and it seems to me she's trapped herself so thoroughly that I can't see her getting out of the mess she created.Mostly, what I found so amazing about this book is the scope of what happened here. Yes, there are elements of it that I don't understand, but what has come together makes me think those things will eventually make a lot more sense. In the meantime, some of my favorite characters had major moments in this book, and the explanations surrounding the shape of war between gods and how their worshippers come into that equation was fascinating. You see the brutality exacted against betrayers in D'rek, a disastrous attempt at manipulating events toward a desired outcome in Poliel, and the illusion of godly benevolence shattered in Soliel. There's the idea presented over and over again that the gods in this world are fallible and frequently do make mistakes, and that's especially true of the Master of the Deck. Ultimately, though, I think what I'm most excited to see in the next book is what happens when three of the most dangerous mortals in this series converge. I can't help but to wonder if Icarium or Karsa will be enough of a match for Rhulad or if they'll just take each other out like was implied back in House of Chains.

I have really loved this installment in the series. Here we see a return of some old characters that we haven't seen in a while. Also, it seems that the story is finally all coming together; meaning, a lot of the loose ends from previous books are starting to get tied up and we see a convergence of characters, time frames, and worlds.I've read some criticism that the Malazan series has no true character development; that it's more about the worlds in which the characters move rather than the characters themselves. Also, some say that there are characters that appear in this book that are so insignificant as to matter not at all to the plot. To this, I say... I think not. I can't recall any characters in this book that haven't had some effect on the overall story line. I also feel emotionally connected to some of these characters, and feel as if they ARE developed. Perhaps we don't know every little thing about these people, but in my mind that is simply part of the style of this series. Erikson doesn't burden us with useless knowledge about the characters like so many authors do: he only shows what is important and relevant.My only real negative is that it took 6 books for things to finally come together and for me to understand how some of the characters actually relate to one another. Oh, and as I've mentioned before in reviews of previous installments, I do actually get kind of sick of the exclamations such as "Hood's breath!" and "Gods below!". (and it seems that Erikson's favorite word overall is "corruscating" because we see that a million times)I feel as if this particular book in the series had a great balance of battle scenes, adventure, and humor (which has been lacking in some of the previous books). The ending of this is also fairly exciting. I think what I love most about the series overall is that the characters are all so multi-faceted. There are no straight "good guys" or "bad guys". Everyone has moments on both sides of the coin, and we often both love and hate some of these people simultaneously. It's truly an art for an author to pull that off consistently.Four more to go!

Para mi hija, le gustó, viene en inglés pero así lo buscaba

Such detailed description of characters motivations and contemplation about the meaning of life and Gods can be problematic for the pace of a story. It can slow down the action just when you don't want it to. In this epic it doesn't detract too much but adds intrigue to a complex saga which continues to surprise again and again. It's dark humour and dramatic action is maintained throughout. He's not shy in killing off main characters but in this world, death may not be permanent.

I can only say this was an amazing book, for me personally the best one in the series so far. It even tops DG and MoI which were my previous favourites!In The Bonehunters multiple story lines from previous books are slowely being merged together. It all starts out with the continuation of the story lines that ended HoC; Tavore’s 14th army goes in pursuit of the remaining rebellions of the Apocalypse. This all leads up to one of the central events in the book; the siege of Yaghatan in chapter 7. It's not my favourite chapter in the series, it doesn't top the ending of DG or the sieges at Capustan and Black Coral, but it's nonetheless a great chapter. I didn't know what to expect afterwards, but I have to say that from there on out the story brings one thrilling event after the other; plague in Seven Cities, The Bonehunters on the run, Gods intermingling, an expidition into the underworld and the Tiste Edur come to the fore again.The Tiste Edur are still in search for 'champions' to rival emperor Rhulad. Besides this they are also going for the 'Throne of Shadow' and the 'First Throne' as well ... there's so much happening, too much to mention it all.At the end we go back to Malaz Island in the hearth of the empire where events happen that will shape the future of the Malazan Empire. This was an amazing ending for a great book ... and then Erikson even tops all that with the final chapter in the book!!!Another great element is the return of some of my favourite characters, and most of them play an important role and get a lot of POV time. We have the crew of the original Bridgeburners; Kalam, Quick Ben, Fiddler, ... with their story lines especially linked with those of the 14th army. Also Ganoes Paran makes a return in this book and sets upon an important task as Master of the Deck. Other favourites that return are Corkus (now Cutter), Apsalar, Trull Sengar, Mappo and Icarium and Karsa Orlong. Tavore and T'Amber get some more 'screen' time as well.Besides these there are again a lot of new characters. Initially none of them are as interesing as the ones we've got to know, and they don't seem as important yet, but this can change in future books of course.Erikson's writing is again supurb; a huge improvement since GotM and the worldbuilding is simply unrivalled. MBotF is unique in fantasy!Conclusion:I've read online that after the first few books the series goes down a bit and doesn't reach the same level anymore. I really don't agree with this; The Bonehunters is fantasy at it's best and my favourite book in the series. Great story, heart touching events, good characters ... and all this in the best worldbuilding you can find in Fantasy.Rating: 9.8/10

What a wonderful book.

This is a large sweeping tail. As such it has multiple plotlines that requires the reader to pay attention but it's worth it. On one level we get the conclusion of the rebellion, where the 14th army earns it's place, the sequence was enjoyable, sacrifice, heartbreak and the characters really shined as they try to survive. In doing so we learn more about the characters and the backstory that made them soldiers. On another level we have a war between the Gods and Ascendants, a war in which the mortals are but pieces on the board, but in this world the mortals aren't helpless. Some recurring characters are always a laugh, the Magi of High House Shadow and his wife, bickering and pretending to be mad as hatters whilst keeping several steps ahead of everyone else. On the action side we get an extended assassin hunt through the city of Malaz. I'll be reading the next to find out what happens.