kgbooklog

Steven Erikson, Toll the Hounds
Tor (2008) ISBN: 0-7653-1008-2
Score: 5

Eighth Malazan book (out of ten), set on the same continent as books 1 and 3 (with a few characters from books 6 and 7). The major themes of this volume seem to be vengeance and redemption, the familial themes are cousins and adoption, and the mood of the series is drifting towards tragedy. There were many scenes narrated by Kruppe, which I could've mostly done without (though the bit about the White-Haired Empress was a perfect example of absurdity in the midst of catastrophe).

Next Book: Kat Richardson, Underground

Steven Erikson, Reaper's Gale
Bantam (2007) ISBN: 978-0-593-04632-6
Score: 5

Seventh Malazan book, continuing the plotlines of books 5 and 6 (and little bits of 3) and set on the Lether continent. The themes this time seem to be desire and betrayal, and I found it unusual that the author would let us inside characters' heads solely to make them less sympathetic. While the cast has gotten a little too large, the plot seems to still be firmly under control; a couple plot threads are wrapped up and I think we've seen the last of one of the races. Still the best doorstop fantasy series ever.

Next Book: Peter Watts, Blindsight

Steven Erikson, Blood Follows
Night Shade (2002) ISBN: 1-597800-04-X
Score: 1

A Malazan novella showing how Emancipor Reese was hired by Bauchelain and Korbal Broach. Actually, most of the story follows the sergaent of the guard investigating the mysterious deaths, but the book doesn't really work as a mystery. I was rather disappointed in this; things I like about Erikson just don't seem to work in shorter works.

Next Book: Tobais S. Buckell, Crystal Rain

Steven Erikson, The Bonehunters
Bantam (2006) ISBN: 0-593-04630-7
Score: 5

Sixth book in the Malazan series, a direct sequel to House of Chains (and includes several characters from Midnight Tides), finishing up the plotlines on the Seven Cities subcontinent (we probably won't be returning there). The theme concerns lies and revenge, with a motif of siblings (mainly sisters): we meet the sisters of Whiskeyjack, Quick Ben, and Lady Envy; Ganoes and Tavore are central to the plot, dealing with the consequences of Felisin's actions; Trull appears and all his brothers are mentioned; all three sons of Mother Dark are mentioned; and two pairs of twin deities get involved. We also see a bunch of dragons: big dragons, little dragons, dead dragons, shapeshifting dragons; some even have speaking parts. Still one of my favorite series.

Next Book: Patricia Briggs, Moon Called

Steven Erikson, Midnight Tides
Bantam (2004) ISBN: 0-593-04628-5
Score: 5

Book 5 of the Malazan Tale of the Fallen (though it doesn't actually include any Malazans). It takes place at the same time as Gardens of the Moon, but on a continent not shown in the other books and only two major characters overlap (Trull Sengar and the Crippled God). The plot concerns an escalating conflict between the newly unified Tiste Edur (shadow elves) tribes and the capitalistic human kingdom of Letheras, and includes lots of ambition, greed, secrets, and betrayal on both sides. I'd reccommend this as a starting point for the series since it's much more straight forward than GotM.