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Novels of the Malazan Empire #5
Blood and Bone
In the western sky the bright emerald banner of the Visitor descends like a portent of annihilation. On the continent of Jacuruku, the Thaumaturgs have mounted yet another expedition to tame the neighboring wild jungle. Yet this is no normal wilderness. It is called Himatan, and it is said to be half of the spirit-realm and half of the earth. And it is said to be ruled by a powerful entity whom some name the Queen of Witches, and some a goddess: the ancient Ardata. Saeng grew up knowing only the rule of the magus Thaumaturgs -- but it was the voices out of that land's forgotten past that she listened to. And when her rulers mount an invasion of the neighboring jungle, those voices send her and her brother on a desperate mission.
To the south, the desert tribes are united by the arrival of a foreign warleader, a veteran commander in battered ashen mail whom his men call, the Grey Ghost. This warleader takes the tribes on a raid like none other, deep into the heart of Thaumaturg lands. While word comes to K'azz, and mercenary company the Crimson Guard, of a contract in Jacuruku. And their employer... none other than Ardata herself.
To the south, the desert tribes are united by the arrival of a foreign warleader, a veteran commander in battered ashen mail whom his men call, the Grey Ghost. This warleader takes the tribes on a raid like none other, deep into the heart of Thaumaturg lands. While word comes to K'azz, and mercenary company the Crimson Guard, of a contract in Jacuruku. And their employer... none other than Ardata herself.
586 pages, Hardcover
First published November 22, 2012
187 people are currently reading
5936 people want to read
About the author
Ian C. Esslemont
18 books2,147 followersIAN CAMERON ESSLEMONT was born in 1962 in Winnipeg, Canada. He has a degree in Creative Writing, studied and worked as an archaeologist, travelled extensively in South East Asia, and lived in Thailand and Japan for several years. He now lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, with his wife and children and is currently working on his PhD in English Literature.
Ian C. Esslemont and Steven Erikson co-created the Malazan world in 1982 as a backdrop for role-playing games. In 1991 they collaborated on a feature film script set in the same world, entitled Gardens of the Moon. When the script did not sell, Erikson greatly expanded the story and turned it into a novel.
Ian C. Esslemont and Steven Erikson co-created the Malazan world in 1982 as a backdrop for role-playing games. In 1991 they collaborated on a feature film script set in the same world, entitled Gardens of the Moon. When the script did not sell, Erikson greatly expanded the story and turned it into a novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
April 12, 2022
2.5 stars. A surprisingly dull book after a series of great books in this series
Check out my new youtube channel where I show my instant reactions to reading fantasy books seconds after I finish the book.
I went into this book with pretty sky-high expectations, after giving the last three books in this series all at least 4.5 stars. The first book in this series was very weak, but I thought that was just a new author who was still finding his writing style. So it saddens me that I have to give this book a 2.5 star rating, as I really thought this would again be a wonderful book.
Sadly, this book just drags and drags and doesn't feel fresh at all. The first part of the book is great, and is classic Malazan. You are introduced to a ton of new characters who feel compelling, and the continent that they are on feels very fleshed out an interesting. But unlike other Malazan books, the plot just dragged on and on and didn't really have a great payoff. It feels like 80% of this book is about people going from Point A to Point B in a miserable jungle. It just feels depressing and doesn't take the plot in interesting directions.
I wish the ending of the book figured out a way to save this, but it also fell flat. The book isn't horrible, as a lot of the events do end up being interesting, but with this backdrop it feels like a lot of wasted opportunity.
Here's hoping book #6 bounces back!
Check out my new youtube channel where I show my instant reactions to reading fantasy books seconds after I finish the book.
I went into this book with pretty sky-high expectations, after giving the last three books in this series all at least 4.5 stars. The first book in this series was very weak, but I thought that was just a new author who was still finding his writing style. So it saddens me that I have to give this book a 2.5 star rating, as I really thought this would again be a wonderful book.
Sadly, this book just drags and drags and doesn't feel fresh at all. The first part of the book is great, and is classic Malazan. You are introduced to a ton of new characters who feel compelling, and the continent that they are on feels very fleshed out an interesting. But unlike other Malazan books, the plot just dragged on and on and didn't really have a great payoff. It feels like 80% of this book is about people going from Point A to Point B in a miserable jungle. It just feels depressing and doesn't take the plot in interesting directions.
I wish the ending of the book figured out a way to save this, but it also fell flat. The book isn't horrible, as a lot of the events do end up being interesting, but with this backdrop it feels like a lot of wasted opportunity.
Here's hoping book #6 bounces back!
February 7, 2020
“One can squirm and fight against it, but everyone is drawn inexorably along to the fate awaiting them.”
In Blood and Bone we get to go to Jacuruku! (never’ve been there before).
Read: jungle, jungle, more jungle, occasional jungle and jungle in between.
So, it is kind of a jungle book, without Mowgli though. Or maybe, with Mowgli but this Mowgli is female and her troop of monkeys is far more cool. Also, she keeps to the margins of the story looming in the background that is a fabled city of Jakal Viharn, the seat ofMowgli Ardata lost somewhere in the magic jungle of Himatan. The foreground is inhabited by different personages, some individual, some rather collective entities on their personal journeys meant to cross and/or converge at some point of the story:
⚔️ Murken Warrow aka Murk and his partner in crime Sour, two mage misfits rescued from Unta by none other than MissNibs Spite herself and employed during an innocuous (not) gig with a band of mercenaries that suspiciously bring to mind Malazan veterans. (you can see it coming, yes?);
⚔️ Thamaturg of the ruling Circle, Golan Amway and his faithful Second in Command aided by the persistent Principal Scribe Thorn (in his ass) of the Righteous Army of Chastisement. I am sure I could be Scribe Thorn given the chance (and the parchment);
⚔️ Jatal Prince of Hafinaj, one among many princes, a lesser son of a lesser concubine, a poet and a scholar sent on a ragtag war against the Thaumaturgs aided by a mysterious Warleader;
⚔️ the Vowed featuring mostly silent and passive K’azz (what a disappointment!) and narrated via his lieutenant Shimmer and the Disavowed featuring Skinner and his lot narrated by his mage Mara (although Petal was my favourite in this group);
⚔️ Osserc (let me discretely yawn here) and none other than Gothos, mostly sleeping in the Azath but having occasional interactions once in a while;
⚔️ one Saeng, an amalgam of the Special One and the Young One, accompanied by her brother Hanu;
⚔️ Cohort Leader Pon-Lor sent into the jungle (where else) on a side mission that goes somewhat awry;
⚔️ mostly due to Kenjak Ashevajak, an aspiring lord of the jungle and his band of minions;
⚔️ T’riss the Enchantress (sometimes also narrated via her Seguleh bodyguard, Ina of the Jistarii), Ammanas and Dancer, and even a short visit from Mael, as well as emanations of the Chained One;
⚔️ and some minor deities, ascendants, and monstrosities in various guises (some of those quite beguiling).
Those stew and simmer in the hot and humid cauldron of a jungle; some go native, some go bonkers and some don’t go that far at all. While I found it a bit wearying, those jungle passages were well written in how the author is able to capture the ambiance of this place. This is the reason why, in my opinion, jungle and not the cast above is the main protagonist of the book. Ultimately, either it ravages, consumes, changes or destroys everybody bold enough to challenge it. The personal stories are constructed around this concept and even though I personally consider the concept of a grand magical reserve under the divine protection a little bit cliche, I cannot deny that it was neatly executed.
For the record: I hate the tropics and my ideal model of a tropical island is Iceland.
Mayhap that’s why I was so tired when reading Blood and Bone. Because the hostile environment dominated the novel so much that not one of the individual strands of the story did not manage to balance it a bit. The tale developed not against the backdrop of the scenery but somehow on its fertile soil. Remove the place and everything else pales, dwindles and loses rationale. Blood and Bone is by no means exceptional in this regard, but definitely this lack of equilibrium between “what” and “where” was somehow particularly pronounced for me.
This is also why I will move on to Assail without regrets.
Also in the series:
1. Night of Knives ★★☆☆☆
2. Return of the Crimson Guard ★★★★☆
3. Stonewielder ★★☆☆☆
4. Orb Sceptre Throne ★★★☆☆
6. Assail ★★☆☆☆
In Blood and Bone we get to go to Jacuruku! (never’ve been there before).
Read: jungle, jungle, more jungle, occasional jungle and jungle in between.
So, it is kind of a jungle book, without Mowgli though. Or maybe, with Mowgli but this Mowgli is female and her troop of monkeys is far more cool. Also, she keeps to the margins of the story looming in the background that is a fabled city of Jakal Viharn, the seat of
⚔️ Murken Warrow aka Murk and his partner in crime Sour, two mage misfits rescued from Unta by none other than Miss
⚔️ Thamaturg of the ruling Circle, Golan Amway and his faithful Second in Command aided by the persistent Principal Scribe Thorn (in his ass) of the Righteous Army of Chastisement. I am sure I could be Scribe Thorn given the chance (and the parchment);
⚔️ Jatal Prince of Hafinaj, one among many princes, a lesser son of a lesser concubine, a poet and a scholar sent on a ragtag war against the Thaumaturgs aided by a mysterious Warleader;
⚔️ the Vowed featuring mostly silent and passive K’azz (what a disappointment!) and narrated via his lieutenant Shimmer and the Disavowed featuring Skinner and his lot narrated by his mage Mara (although Petal was my favourite in this group);
⚔️ Osserc (let me discretely yawn here) and none other than Gothos, mostly sleeping in the Azath but having occasional interactions once in a while;
⚔️ one Saeng, an amalgam of the Special One and the Young One, accompanied by her brother Hanu;
⚔️ Cohort Leader Pon-Lor sent into the jungle (where else) on a side mission that goes somewhat awry;
⚔️ mostly due to Kenjak Ashevajak, an aspiring lord of the jungle and his band of minions;
⚔️ T’riss the Enchantress (sometimes also narrated via her Seguleh bodyguard, Ina of the Jistarii), Ammanas and Dancer, and even a short visit from Mael, as well as emanations of the Chained One;
⚔️ and some minor deities, ascendants, and monstrosities in various guises (some of those quite beguiling).
Those stew and simmer in the hot and humid cauldron of a jungle; some go native, some go bonkers and some don’t go that far at all. While I found it a bit wearying, those jungle passages were well written in how the author is able to capture the ambiance of this place. This is the reason why, in my opinion, jungle and not the cast above is the main protagonist of the book. Ultimately, either it ravages, consumes, changes or destroys everybody bold enough to challenge it. The personal stories are constructed around this concept and even though I personally consider the concept of a grand magical reserve under the divine protection a little bit cliche, I cannot deny that it was neatly executed.
For the record: I hate the tropics and my ideal model of a tropical island is Iceland.
Mayhap that’s why I was so tired when reading Blood and Bone. Because the hostile environment dominated the novel so much that not one of the individual strands of the story did not manage to balance it a bit. The tale developed not against the backdrop of the scenery but somehow on its fertile soil. Remove the place and everything else pales, dwindles and loses rationale. Blood and Bone is by no means exceptional in this regard, but definitely this lack of equilibrium between “what” and “where” was somehow particularly pronounced for me.
This is also why I will move on to Assail without regrets.
Also in the series:
1. Night of Knives ★★☆☆☆
2. Return of the Crimson Guard ★★★★☆
3. Stonewielder ★★☆☆☆
4. Orb Sceptre Throne ★★★☆☆
6. Assail ★★☆☆☆
January 22, 2020
The last part of the book saved it for me... It was tough to get into it and relate in the begining. THe Scribe was my favorite character:)
March 5, 2018
Blood and Bone, Ian C. Esslemont’s
fifth book in his
Malazan Empire
series is by far the most interesting book in this series that I had pleasure to read. And I think what contributed the most to my pleasure was the really fresh setting Ian introduced here.
Setting is on the continent of Jacuruku, continent we heard so many things about in Erikson’s main series, but never had the opportunity to explore.
The continent itself is split in half, with eastern waist ruled by sorcerers called Thaumaturgs and western jungle Himatan, under the dominion of worshiped witch Ardata.
And as Thaumaturgs, led by Commander Golan, are invading Himatan, they themselves, are assailed from the south by a mysterious and bloodthirsty Warleader.
Now, given the history of Jacurucu, which briefly goes like this: In a distant past it was ruled by High King Kallor (yes, that Kallor) who at one point, out of boredom, obliterate it entirely. With a help of a certain fallen god.
Naturally, remnants of that distant past, in this time of turmoil (if you didn’t know, at this moment, Malazan world is in utmost sh*t-fu*k), will attract certain powerful individuals, such as Ascendants, Empires, Mercenaries, both Avowed and Disavowed.
I have said enough.
The pacing of the book is deliberately slower, given that most of numerous point of view characters we are following are going through a jungle, and in my opinion that was amusingly appropriate. But, most importantly, that speaks to me that Ian can finally deliberately tact the pacing on his own, how he wants, not how it ends up due to poor writing.
Also, descriptions! Where was this Ian hiding?! He will make you feel not like reading a book about jungle, but like you're reading a book while in the jungle.
You will smell the dirt, feel humidity, hunt mosquitoes etc.
Astonishing improvement.
I had this late revelation how Ian’s books work as a tie-ins for those stories Erikson discarded at some point of his series, something that to me, while I was reading Return of the Crimson Guard and Stonewielder, didn’t looked like, given the number of newly introduced characters in those books.
But from previous book, and especially in this one, convergence of both Ian’s and Erikson’s characters are more prominent. And I couldn’t be more grateful to them for that.
Now just imagine dialogues between Osserc, god of Tiste Liosan and a Jaghut Gothos who is responsible for breaking the Jaghut society – with nothing more than his speech!
That should have been immensely entertaining.
Gothos, this self-proclaimed Lord of Hate, is probably my favourite character in this entire Malazan world. And no, I cannot quote him, nor do any of mine feeble attempts at describing why I adore him suffice. You simply have to experience this character to understand why that is.
Unfortunately, I doubt you will see that in this book. In my opinion, Gothos is better handled by Erikson.
Gothos is a philosopher. And not just any philosopher, he is basically Diogenes the Cynic. (The one who, when Plato defined a man as a featherless biped, run with plucked chicken yelling: “Here’s Plato’s man!”).
See? I can’t describe that. You have to imagine half-naked, bearded Greek, running around with a plucked chicken. (Ha, can’t unsee that now, don’t you?)
But, that’s Gothos. And sadly, Ian decided not to use that part of his character, which somehow made him like he went through a certain filter of dullness.
But, at this point when Tiste Civil War prequels won’t be concluded before that spinoff for much beloved mass-murdering rapist and a granite cube of a character Karsa Orlong is finished, I cannot hope for anything more on Gothos, so I’ll take whatever I can, and kindly shut up.
Last thing. I’m not sure I would recommend this book for people who haven’t read Kharkanas prequels.
While events are happening before those in final books in main series, there are certain revelations and phrases used and, most importantly – explained, in prequels, so I’m worried that readers who aren’t familiar with them, will be confused. Or, at least, will be overwhelmed by them.
This will probably end up as my favourite book by Ian C. Esslemont.
Kharkanas Trilogy
Forge of Darkness
Fall of Light
Path to Ascendancy series
Dancer's Lament
Deadhouse Landing
Malazan Empire series
Night Of Knives
Return of the Crimson Guard
Stonewielder
Orb Sceptre Throne
Malazan Book of the Fallen series
Gardens of the Moon
Deadhouse Gates
Memories of Ice
Midnight Tides
House of Chains
The Bonehunters
Reaper's Gale
Toll the Hounds
Ultimate Malazan Chronological Reading Order
Setting is on the continent of Jacuruku, continent we heard so many things about in Erikson’s main series, but never had the opportunity to explore.
The continent itself is split in half, with eastern waist ruled by sorcerers called Thaumaturgs and western jungle Himatan, under the dominion of worshiped witch Ardata.
And as Thaumaturgs, led by Commander Golan, are invading Himatan, they themselves, are assailed from the south by a mysterious and bloodthirsty Warleader.
Now, given the history of Jacurucu, which briefly goes like this: In a distant past it was ruled by High King Kallor (yes, that Kallor) who at one point, out of boredom, obliterate it entirely. With a help of a certain fallen god.
Naturally, remnants of that distant past, in this time of turmoil (if you didn’t know, at this moment, Malazan world is in utmost sh*t-fu*k), will attract certain powerful individuals, such as Ascendants, Empires, Mercenaries, both Avowed and Disavowed.
I have said enough.
The pacing of the book is deliberately slower, given that most of numerous point of view characters we are following are going through a jungle, and in my opinion that was amusingly appropriate. But, most importantly, that speaks to me that Ian can finally deliberately tact the pacing on his own, how he wants, not how it ends up due to poor writing.
Also, descriptions! Where was this Ian hiding?! He will make you feel not like reading a book about jungle, but like you're reading a book while in the jungle.
You will smell the dirt, feel humidity, hunt mosquitoes etc.
Astonishing improvement.
I had this late revelation how Ian’s books work as a tie-ins for those stories Erikson discarded at some point of his series, something that to me, while I was reading Return of the Crimson Guard and Stonewielder, didn’t looked like, given the number of newly introduced characters in those books.
But from previous book, and especially in this one, convergence of both Ian’s and Erikson’s characters are more prominent. And I couldn’t be more grateful to them for that.
Now just imagine dialogues between Osserc, god of Tiste Liosan and a Jaghut Gothos who is responsible for breaking the Jaghut society – with nothing more than his speech!
That should have been immensely entertaining.
Gothos, this self-proclaimed Lord of Hate, is probably my favourite character in this entire Malazan world. And no, I cannot quote him, nor do any of mine feeble attempts at describing why I adore him suffice. You simply have to experience this character to understand why that is.
Unfortunately, I doubt you will see that in this book. In my opinion, Gothos is better handled by Erikson.
Gothos is a philosopher. And not just any philosopher, he is basically Diogenes the Cynic. (The one who, when Plato defined a man as a featherless biped, run with plucked chicken yelling: “Here’s Plato’s man!”).
See? I can’t describe that. You have to imagine half-naked, bearded Greek, running around with a plucked chicken. (Ha, can’t unsee that now, don’t you?)
But, that’s Gothos. And sadly, Ian decided not to use that part of his character, which somehow made him like he went through a certain filter of dullness.
But, at this point when Tiste Civil War prequels won’t be concluded before that spinoff for much beloved mass-murdering rapist and a granite cube of a character Karsa Orlong is finished, I cannot hope for anything more on Gothos, so I’ll take whatever I can, and kindly shut up.
Last thing. I’m not sure I would recommend this book for people who haven’t read Kharkanas prequels.
While events are happening before those in final books in main series, there are certain revelations and phrases used and, most importantly – explained, in prequels, so I’m worried that readers who aren’t familiar with them, will be confused. Or, at least, will be overwhelmed by them.
This will probably end up as my favourite book by Ian C. Esslemont.
Kharkanas Trilogy
Forge of Darkness
Fall of Light
Path to Ascendancy series
Dancer's Lament
Deadhouse Landing
Malazan Empire series
Night Of Knives
Return of the Crimson Guard
Stonewielder
Orb Sceptre Throne
Malazan Book of the Fallen series
Gardens of the Moon
Deadhouse Gates
Memories of Ice
Midnight Tides
House of Chains
The Bonehunters
Reaper's Gale
Toll the Hounds
Ultimate Malazan Chronological Reading Order
August 17, 2025
"Non lo so. Che cosa siete?
-Un mago. Un viaggiatore.
Un mago? Ah – un manipolatore di perdite interdimensionali."
"la Regina dei Sogni, non dormiva mai"
"Blood and Bone" è il quinto romanzo dell'Impero Malazan ed è ambientato nello stesso periodo di "Stonewielder" e del "Dio Storpio" e racconta gli eventi relativi al continente di Jacuruku.
I molti punti di vista ci portano sia nelle terre dell'ovest dove le tribu del deserto sotto il comando di un generale mercenario si preparano all'invasione dei territori dei misteriosi Taumaturghi, sia ad est dove c'è l'Himatan, la giungla della Regina dei Sogni, Ardata.
Qui un contingente dei Taumaturghi vi sta penetrando per conquistare e annettere il territorio, una giovane ragazza, che comunica con gli spiriti, affronta il suo destino ritrovando una persona a lungo perduta, un manipolo della guardia Cremisi guidata da K'azz è invitata a raggiungere la citta d'oro della Regina dei Sogni mentre Skinner e i suoi rinnegati sono alla ricerca di un frammento del Dio Storpio.
Tanta carne al fuoco per un racconto corale che volge l'attenzione sul tema dell'avventura in un luogo micidiale e il tema della diversità trattato in maniera elegante e profondo toccando sentimenti e passioni.
L'ambientazione è resa alla perfezione, Esslemont non ci descrive la giungla, ce la fa vivere.
Alle volte tende a perdersi negli eventi che ad una prima lettura risultano troppo misteriosi e forse incomprensibili, normale amministrazione nei romanzi Malazan dove bisogna collegare i vari punti della trama presentati o appena accennati con le mille informazioni acquisite in precedenza.
E' assolutamente fondamentale essere un "veterano" della serie per apprezzare tutte le sfaccettature e i sottintesi.
Un romanzo che fila perfettamente ed intrattiene per poi cedere leggermente nel finale poco chiaro nell'immediato e veloce.
Tuttavia pur sempre un altro grande romanzo Malazan.
----------------------
"I don't know. What are you?
-A mage. A traveler.
A mage? Ah – an interdimensional leak manipulator.”
"the Queen of Dreams, she never slept"
"Blood and Bone" is the fifth novel of the Malazan Empire and is set in the same period as "Stonewielder" and the "Cripple God" and tells the events related to the continent of Jacuruku.
The many points of view take us both to the lands of the west where the desert tribes under the command of a mercenary general are preparing to invade the territories of the mysterious Wonderworkers, and to the east where there is the Himatan, the jungle of Queen of Dreams, Ardata.
Here a contingent of the Wonderworkers is penetrating to conquer and annex the territory, a young girl, who communicates with the spirits, faces her destiny by finding a long-lost person, a handful of the Crimson guard led by K'azz is invited to reach the golden city of the Queen of Dreams while Skinner and his renegades are looking for a fragment of the Crippled God.
Lots of irons in the fire for a choral story that focuses on the theme of adventure in a deadly place and the theme of diversity treated in an elegant and profound way, touching feelings and passions.
The setting is perfectly rendered, Esslemont doesn't describe the jungle to us, he makes us experience it.
Sometimes he tends to get lost in the events that at first reading are too mysterious and perhaps incomprehensible, which is normal in Malazan novels where it is necessary to connect the various plot points presented or barely mentioned with the thousand pieces of information acquired previously.
It is absolutely essential to be a "veteran" of the series to appreciate all the facets and implications.
A novel that flows perfectly and entertains and then gives way slightly in the ending which is unclear in the immediate and quick.
Yet still another great Malazan novel.
-Un mago. Un viaggiatore.
Un mago? Ah – un manipolatore di perdite interdimensionali."
"la Regina dei Sogni, non dormiva mai"
"Blood and Bone" è il quinto romanzo dell'Impero Malazan ed è ambientato nello stesso periodo di "Stonewielder" e del "Dio Storpio" e racconta gli eventi relativi al continente di Jacuruku.
I molti punti di vista ci portano sia nelle terre dell'ovest dove le tribu del deserto sotto il comando di un generale mercenario si preparano all'invasione dei territori dei misteriosi Taumaturghi, sia ad est dove c'è l'Himatan, la giungla della Regina dei Sogni, Ardata.
Qui un contingente dei Taumaturghi vi sta penetrando per conquistare e annettere il territorio, una giovane ragazza, che comunica con gli spiriti, affronta il suo destino ritrovando una persona a lungo perduta, un manipolo della guardia Cremisi guidata da K'azz è invitata a raggiungere la citta d'oro della Regina dei Sogni mentre Skinner e i suoi rinnegati sono alla ricerca di un frammento del Dio Storpio.
Tanta carne al fuoco per un racconto corale che volge l'attenzione sul tema dell'avventura in un luogo micidiale e il tema della diversità trattato in maniera elegante e profondo toccando sentimenti e passioni.
L'ambientazione è resa alla perfezione, Esslemont non ci descrive la giungla, ce la fa vivere.
Alle volte tende a perdersi negli eventi che ad una prima lettura risultano troppo misteriosi e forse incomprensibili, normale amministrazione nei romanzi Malazan dove bisogna collegare i vari punti della trama presentati o appena accennati con le mille informazioni acquisite in precedenza.
E' assolutamente fondamentale essere un "veterano" della serie per apprezzare tutte le sfaccettature e i sottintesi.
Un romanzo che fila perfettamente ed intrattiene per poi cedere leggermente nel finale poco chiaro nell'immediato e veloce.
Tuttavia pur sempre un altro grande romanzo Malazan.
----------------------
"I don't know. What are you?
-A mage. A traveler.
A mage? Ah – an interdimensional leak manipulator.”
"the Queen of Dreams, she never slept"
"Blood and Bone" is the fifth novel of the Malazan Empire and is set in the same period as "Stonewielder" and the "Cripple God" and tells the events related to the continent of Jacuruku.
The many points of view take us both to the lands of the west where the desert tribes under the command of a mercenary general are preparing to invade the territories of the mysterious Wonderworkers, and to the east where there is the Himatan, the jungle of Queen of Dreams, Ardata.
Here a contingent of the Wonderworkers is penetrating to conquer and annex the territory, a young girl, who communicates with the spirits, faces her destiny by finding a long-lost person, a handful of the Crimson guard led by K'azz is invited to reach the golden city of the Queen of Dreams while Skinner and his renegades are looking for a fragment of the Crippled God.
Lots of irons in the fire for a choral story that focuses on the theme of adventure in a deadly place and the theme of diversity treated in an elegant and profound way, touching feelings and passions.
The setting is perfectly rendered, Esslemont doesn't describe the jungle to us, he makes us experience it.
Sometimes he tends to get lost in the events that at first reading are too mysterious and perhaps incomprehensible, which is normal in Malazan novels where it is necessary to connect the various plot points presented or barely mentioned with the thousand pieces of information acquired previously.
It is absolutely essential to be a "veteran" of the series to appreciate all the facets and implications.
A novel that flows perfectly and entertains and then gives way slightly in the ending which is unclear in the immediate and quick.
Yet still another great Malazan novel.
January 20, 2013
Green. The colour of the Visitor blazing in the sky. The colour of the jungle known as Himatan. The colour of revenge, millennia in the making.
In this story, history comes full circle as we go back to Jakaruku. Back to the conflagration that imposed the crippled god on the world. Back to Kallor's realm. Back for vengeance as a second apocalypse hangs in the sky overhead.
I have some mixed feeling about this book. Firstly, I count about seven separate story arcs. I had a bit of trouble with continuity, keeping the various arcs separate. It didn't help that everyone pretty much ends up in the same setting ie the jungle. Three of the arcs also involved smallish groups of professional soldiers with similar makeups - ie soldiers and mages. Various groups were also in the employ of powerful female ascendants/beings. Two of the arcs just seemed pointless even though they were quite humorous and fun and probably contained most of the quotable quotes of the books – they just contributed very little to the plot. The plot arc I really wanted to resolve properly just fell flat at the end. What I'm trying to say is that from a plot structure point of view the book’s a mess and there is a lot that didn't get tied up satisfactorily for me. The last book was a lot tighter in structure and storytelling.
BUT – there is still a lot to like here. Even though some of the endings were messy, we get some real moments of brilliance. The humour was brilliant. There were some really fantastic characters, like Golan the leader of the Thaumaturg army, sorry, The Army of Righteous Chastisement, as well as his faithful scribe Thorn, who records the journey of the Army and always manages to portray the most dire circumstances in the most optimistic light. We also spend some time with Gothos in the Deadhouse as he entertains the god Osserc – I use “entertain” loosely. And then there’s Saeng and her brother Hanu. We also see a large variety of creatures, soletaken, divers, and the various denizens of Ardata’s jungle from the vaguely humanoid looking to things that don’t resemble anything remotely human. We also see some of the terrible creations of the Thaumaturg mages – things that were once human but twisted into works of horror.
For fans of the Malazan series we get some enlightenment about the events surrounding the calling down of the crippled god. We find out specifically who called down the crippled god. We get a glimpse into Kallor’s former realm and perhaps the nature of the deaths he used to curse the gods. Chronologically, the events are occurring simultaneously with Stonewielder and The Crippled God – so we get some insight into the activities of other major players aside from Tavore’s army in the west. And we get a close look at Ardata.
Overall I enjoyed the book. It has a Platoon/Apocalypse Now feel mixed in with Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s essential reading for Malazan fans just for the revelations – but the plot is very messy which I have reflected in my rating
3 stars.
In this story, history comes full circle as we go back to Jakaruku. Back to the conflagration that imposed the crippled god on the world. Back to Kallor's realm. Back for vengeance as a second apocalypse hangs in the sky overhead.
I have some mixed feeling about this book. Firstly, I count about seven separate story arcs. I had a bit of trouble with continuity, keeping the various arcs separate. It didn't help that everyone pretty much ends up in the same setting ie the jungle. Three of the arcs also involved smallish groups of professional soldiers with similar makeups - ie soldiers and mages. Various groups were also in the employ of powerful female ascendants/beings. Two of the arcs just seemed pointless even though they were quite humorous and fun and probably contained most of the quotable quotes of the books – they just contributed very little to the plot. The plot arc I really wanted to resolve properly just fell flat at the end. What I'm trying to say is that from a plot structure point of view the book’s a mess and there is a lot that didn't get tied up satisfactorily for me. The last book was a lot tighter in structure and storytelling.
BUT – there is still a lot to like here. Even though some of the endings were messy, we get some real moments of brilliance. The humour was brilliant. There were some really fantastic characters, like Golan the leader of the Thaumaturg army, sorry, The Army of Righteous Chastisement, as well as his faithful scribe Thorn, who records the journey of the Army and always manages to portray the most dire circumstances in the most optimistic light. We also spend some time with Gothos in the Deadhouse as he entertains the god Osserc – I use “entertain” loosely. And then there’s Saeng and her brother Hanu. We also see a large variety of creatures, soletaken, divers, and the various denizens of Ardata’s jungle from the vaguely humanoid looking to things that don’t resemble anything remotely human. We also see some of the terrible creations of the Thaumaturg mages – things that were once human but twisted into works of horror.
For fans of the Malazan series we get some enlightenment about the events surrounding the calling down of the crippled god. We find out specifically who called down the crippled god. We get a glimpse into Kallor’s former realm and perhaps the nature of the deaths he used to curse the gods. Chronologically, the events are occurring simultaneously with Stonewielder and The Crippled God – so we get some insight into the activities of other major players aside from Tavore’s army in the west. And we get a close look at Ardata.
Overall I enjoyed the book. It has a Platoon/Apocalypse Now feel mixed in with Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s essential reading for Malazan fans just for the revelations – but the plot is very messy which I have reflected in my rating
3 stars.
September 27, 2015
This is one of the best books I've read recently.
Can't say that there weren't a few hiccups here and there, but overall the story flowed really nicely and was more than well paced.
As always, the marines were the most fun! The banter between Golan and his high scribe was also a welcome respite from all the other way-too-serious protagonists.
Yet again,
The ending, in my opinion, was too jumbled, but at least we got to see the last of . It's funny how a character you never really read about before except for being very briefly mentioned here and there earlier in the series, can become so annoying that you're glad they are offed. Perhaps I was just pleasantly surprised that it wasn't yet another Scooby-Doo appearance by said character.
I must also confess that this book has made me rather aware of the fact that I am the only person in the world not in possession of a gambeson, crumbling or otherwise. Reparations must be made at once!
I am also now really looking forward to Assail.
Though the feeling is somewhat bittersweet since I know it is the last installment in the series.
Oh well, at least it is a complete series!
Can't say that there weren't a few hiccups here and there, but overall the story flowed really nicely and was more than well paced.
As always, the marines were the most fun! The banter between Golan and his high scribe was also a welcome respite from all the other way-too-serious protagonists.
Yet again,
The ending, in my opinion, was too jumbled, but at least we got to see the last of . It's funny how a character you never really read about before except for being very briefly mentioned here and there earlier in the series, can become so annoying that you're glad they are offed. Perhaps I was just pleasantly surprised that it wasn't yet another Scooby-Doo appearance by said character.
I must also confess that this book has made me rather aware of the fact that I am the only person in the world not in possession of a gambeson, crumbling or otherwise. Reparations must be made at once!
I am also now really looking forward to Assail.
Though the feeling is somewhat bittersweet since I know it is the last installment in the series.
Oh well, at least it is a complete series!
October 26, 2018
The best of the Malazan Empire books so far.
August 4, 2019
Imagine The Lost City of Z but with even more ways to get killed and you’ve pretty much got Blood & Bone the fifth book in Ian C Esslemont’s series of Malazan novels.
For the first time the focus is the continent of Jacuruku, which I imagined as the Amazon rainforest with the danger level ramped up to 11; I challenge you not to itch or have the urge to shower after reading this book! The recently disavowed Crimson Guardsman Skinner has returned to the jungle to aid the Thaumaturgs in a search and destroy mission of the Witch Queen Ardata, the islands sorcerous ruler. Problem being she lives in a secret city in the middle of the jungle that barely anyone has reached alive. K’azz D’Avore, rescued leader of the Crimson Guard, is recruited by agents of Ardata to rid Jacuruku of Skinner. We also have the classy Sister Spite leading a band of Malazans on a treasure hunt, local resident Saeng searching for a temple and finally the mysterious ‘Warleader’ recruited by the island tribes to wipe out the Thaumaturgs. As with any Malazan book there’s a shed load going on all heading toward the inevitable convergence.
After the disappointing Orb Sceptre Throne it was a relief to see a return to the writing form I.C.E displayed in Stonewielder. The main contributing factor is featuring a location not explored before in either of the series: Jacuruku. The plot is a good one but what really stands out is the environmental descriptions. The jungle is as hellish as you’d expect; insects, sickness, heat, rain and several beasties. The writing is so good I could genuinely picture myself walking with the Thaumaturgs suffering as they do and most probably crying. I’m glad the UK only offers house spiders and mice as a threat.
I also loved the references to the events taking place concurrently with the Erikson series and Stonewielder. This was brilliantly done and brought a couple of moments of enlightenment. Overall it’s a class book and if you’re as avid a Malazan fan as me then there’s not really much more to say. Assail awaits.
For the first time the focus is the continent of Jacuruku, which I imagined as the Amazon rainforest with the danger level ramped up to 11; I challenge you not to itch or have the urge to shower after reading this book! The recently disavowed Crimson Guardsman Skinner has returned to the jungle to aid the Thaumaturgs in a search and destroy mission of the Witch Queen Ardata, the islands sorcerous ruler. Problem being she lives in a secret city in the middle of the jungle that barely anyone has reached alive. K’azz D’Avore, rescued leader of the Crimson Guard, is recruited by agents of Ardata to rid Jacuruku of Skinner. We also have the classy Sister Spite leading a band of Malazans on a treasure hunt, local resident Saeng searching for a temple and finally the mysterious ‘Warleader’ recruited by the island tribes to wipe out the Thaumaturgs. As with any Malazan book there’s a shed load going on all heading toward the inevitable convergence.
After the disappointing Orb Sceptre Throne it was a relief to see a return to the writing form I.C.E displayed in Stonewielder. The main contributing factor is featuring a location not explored before in either of the series: Jacuruku. The plot is a good one but what really stands out is the environmental descriptions. The jungle is as hellish as you’d expect; insects, sickness, heat, rain and several beasties. The writing is so good I could genuinely picture myself walking with the Thaumaturgs suffering as they do and most probably crying. I’m glad the UK only offers house spiders and mice as a threat.
I also loved the references to the events taking place concurrently with the Erikson series and Stonewielder. This was brilliantly done and brought a couple of moments of enlightenment. Overall it’s a class book and if you’re as avid a Malazan fan as me then there’s not really much more to say. Assail awaits.
December 17, 2012
I love the Malazan world, and all it's twisties and turnies...it take me by surprise, it brings up things I had forgotten and re-uses them, it adds some humor to the mix, and always gives you an AH-HA moment, and there is ALWAYS manipulation upon manipulation. Free will is as solid as a snowflake.
Blood and Bone is no exception. There were parts where I was confused, and parts where I was scrambling through my Malazan collection trying to verify some memory I had.
Right off the bat, the timeline. This novel is in a parallel timeline to Stonewielder. There is even one lovely intersection scene that puts it all into perspective.
So, this novel takes place on Jacuruku, the land where Kallor's original kingdom was, and long thought to be wasteland. It is not. It is a long narrow country, roughly divied down the middle by a mountain range (complete with a bandit troop). The eastern half is jungle, the land of Himatan. There are some poor primitive jungle villages in here, and some ancient ruins, the most notable rumored to been once paved with gold.
The western side is home of the Thaumaturgs(The Mage society we have met before) in the northern half, and a desert in the south half, home to a horse-centered tribe.
At the very northern tip of the island are the dolmens, where we previously saw K'azz imprisoned.
okay, so in this novel the thaumaturgs have hired Skinner and his crew to aid them in a march upon Himatan. Now, Skinner can be antagonistic at the best of times, but Himatan seems to have a special dislike of him.
The priesthood of the Crippled God decides to take advantage of the absence of the majority of the Thaumaturg troops, and hire Kallor to incite the Horse Tribes to attack, which apparently is pretty easy. Of course, Kallor, thinking those who had cursed him are all now dead, sees this as a road to past glory (he never learns) and has grandiose plans not just beyond the horse tribes but beyond the priests as well.
Himatan is not beyond making it's own plans, and Ardata the Witch Queen, and revered of the jungle people, entice K'azz and company to come to it's aid with the lure of Skinner.
Of course, nothing happens in Malazan without the pantheon butting in, and Sister Spite hires her own Malazan mercenaries to make a lnading at the dolmens and then head South. Osserc is also pondering all that is happening. Is it finally time for him to make a move?
Everything comes together in a torrent of action and intrigue. Gods are brought down, but which ones? Kingdoms are inherited, but by who? and really, will Kallor ever, ever learn?
Blood and Bone is no exception. There were parts where I was confused, and parts where I was scrambling through my Malazan collection trying to verify some memory I had.
Right off the bat, the timeline. This novel is in a parallel timeline to Stonewielder. There is even one lovely intersection scene that puts it all into perspective.
So, this novel takes place on Jacuruku, the land where Kallor's original kingdom was, and long thought to be wasteland. It is not. It is a long narrow country, roughly divied down the middle by a mountain range (complete with a bandit troop). The eastern half is jungle, the land of Himatan. There are some poor primitive jungle villages in here, and some ancient ruins, the most notable rumored to been once paved with gold.
The western side is home of the Thaumaturgs(The Mage society we have met before) in the northern half, and a desert in the south half, home to a horse-centered tribe.
At the very northern tip of the island are the dolmens, where we previously saw K'azz imprisoned.
okay, so in this novel the thaumaturgs have hired Skinner and his crew to aid them in a march upon Himatan. Now, Skinner can be antagonistic at the best of times, but Himatan seems to have a special dislike of him.
The priesthood of the Crippled God decides to take advantage of the absence of the majority of the Thaumaturg troops, and hire Kallor to incite the Horse Tribes to attack, which apparently is pretty easy. Of course, Kallor, thinking those who had cursed him are all now dead, sees this as a road to past glory (he never learns) and has grandiose plans not just beyond the horse tribes but beyond the priests as well.
Himatan is not beyond making it's own plans, and Ardata the Witch Queen, and revered of the jungle people, entice K'azz and company to come to it's aid with the lure of Skinner.
Of course, nothing happens in Malazan without the pantheon butting in, and Sister Spite hires her own Malazan mercenaries to make a lnading at the dolmens and then head South. Osserc is also pondering all that is happening. Is it finally time for him to make a move?
Everything comes together in a torrent of action and intrigue. Gods are brought down, but which ones? Kingdoms are inherited, but by who? and really, will Kallor ever, ever learn?
April 8, 2018
"Even after all this-in the sight of such devastation-the man still had not learned a thing. Perhaps that was his true curse. His overriding inner curse. He could never learn."
January 5, 2018
Whereas Steven Erikson’s Malazan books are consistently great, Esslemont’s entries are hit-or-miss — and this book is definitely a miss.
The best part of this book is its setting. This book gets off the ground by re-introducing the reader into the world of Malazan, and Esslemont really wants to take advantage of readers’ prior interest in Malazan. Moreover, there is the more local setting: the jungles of Jacuruku. This book takes place virtually exclusively there, which should excite readers who might be clamouring to learn more about this locale.
That being said, Esslemont doesn’t do anything interesting with these settings — both the jungles of Jacuruku and the larger Malazan world — and so he commits a cardinal sin: he wrote a boring book.
He fills Jacuruku with creepy monsters, weird hallucinations, and bizarre visitations. This is the only attempt Esslemont makes to get the reader interested in the mystery of this jungle.
It seems his strategy was just to write about a bunch of stuff happening in the Malazan world, and he expected readers to get excited just because they were fans of Erikson’s books. It doesn’t work because what we loved about the Malazan Book of the Fallen was, well, everything from the characters to the story to the compelling subtext. There’s none of that here.
The characters fall flat. The only interesting ones are the Crimson Guard, Avowed and Disavowed alike. But they occupy maybe only ~75 pages of this 850-page volume, and most of that is wasted. Indeed, the Crimson Guard characters are interesting *despite* Esslemont’s efforts to downplay them.
It would have helped this book tremendously if Esslemont had given his characters something to motivate them.
In short, this book lacks focus — and the result was a completely wasted opportunity to tell an interesting story in Jacuruku.
The best part of this book is its setting. This book gets off the ground by re-introducing the reader into the world of Malazan, and Esslemont really wants to take advantage of readers’ prior interest in Malazan. Moreover, there is the more local setting: the jungles of Jacuruku. This book takes place virtually exclusively there, which should excite readers who might be clamouring to learn more about this locale.
That being said, Esslemont doesn’t do anything interesting with these settings — both the jungles of Jacuruku and the larger Malazan world — and so he commits a cardinal sin: he wrote a boring book.
He fills Jacuruku with creepy monsters, weird hallucinations, and bizarre visitations. This is the only attempt Esslemont makes to get the reader interested in the mystery of this jungle.
It seems his strategy was just to write about a bunch of stuff happening in the Malazan world, and he expected readers to get excited just because they were fans of Erikson’s books. It doesn’t work because what we loved about the Malazan Book of the Fallen was, well, everything from the characters to the story to the compelling subtext. There’s none of that here.
The characters fall flat. The only interesting ones are the Crimson Guard, Avowed and Disavowed alike. But they occupy maybe only ~75 pages of this 850-page volume, and most of that is wasted. Indeed, the Crimson Guard characters are interesting *despite* Esslemont’s efforts to downplay them.
It would have helped this book tremendously if Esslemont had given his characters something to motivate them.
In short, this book lacks focus — and the result was a completely wasted opportunity to tell an interesting story in Jacuruku.
January 31, 2013
Story 3/5
The latest book in the Malazan World by ICE had me very excited. I was hugely impressed with the writing and story telling skills in Orb Sceptre Throne, so it was with great enthusiasm that I started Blood and Bone. I have to say that I have been somewhat disappointed. It has been a while since I gave a Malazan book 3 stars, this is 3.5 star but still, it is not a four.
The story itself has great potential. Set in a jungle environment, which was very interesting as I picked my brains trying to think of other books that were based in a heavy jungle setting. Deserts yes, jungles can't think of any? Anyway, we have a number of character groups all converging on what seems a place and time for a big finish. The story starts out just fine, we are introduced to some characters that we have met before and some great new characters and they each begin their journey into and through the jungle, packed with nasties and generally odd creatures. For the first half of the book I was along for the ride, enjoying myself and then it all went pear shaped. I had gaps between reading, picking up other books and coming back to the story I suddenly found myself lost as to which characters were doing what, or who they were with. By three quarters I had just started to get bored by it all, it just seemed to drag on. I found myself wishing it would end and I could experience the convergence. When that event happened it was pretty anti climatic for me and was left disappointed. Generally, but not completely.
Characters 4/5
ICE really got the Bridgeburner/Bonehunter marine character down great with Murk and Sour, they were the bright spot in this book, I throughly enjoyed their interaction with each other and other characters. The Thaumtaugs were a fascinating race and I really enjoyed beginning to understand them. They sound fascinating, almost like they were Lethari ascended to arrogance and seeking perfection. They added a nice mix of new characters and beliefs. To be honest the characters and story I was most disappointed with was Osserc/Gothos and The war leader section. both felt like story fillers to me and I got bored with them. Still 4/5 isn't bad for characters.
Read weight: Heavy
I found it a heavy read. I would read for ages, then go to comment and realise that I was still only one chapter further along. It felt like a really really long book.
Engagement 2/5
Yeah, 2 stars, wow, for a Malazan book. Shock horror. After loving Forge of Darkness I was expecting to be completely absorbed in this.
Recommendations; So would I still recommend this? Absolutely, if you have read everything else, you still need to read this. Seeing other events happen during the Crippled God event is fascinating. Seeing Skinner in a different light was great. One day when I read it again, I hope i change my rating and enjoy it more. Maybe it was just a bad time for me to read.
The latest book in the Malazan World by ICE had me very excited. I was hugely impressed with the writing and story telling skills in Orb Sceptre Throne, so it was with great enthusiasm that I started Blood and Bone. I have to say that I have been somewhat disappointed. It has been a while since I gave a Malazan book 3 stars, this is 3.5 star but still, it is not a four.
The story itself has great potential. Set in a jungle environment, which was very interesting as I picked my brains trying to think of other books that were based in a heavy jungle setting. Deserts yes, jungles can't think of any? Anyway, we have a number of character groups all converging on what seems a place and time for a big finish. The story starts out just fine, we are introduced to some characters that we have met before and some great new characters and they each begin their journey into and through the jungle, packed with nasties and generally odd creatures. For the first half of the book I was along for the ride, enjoying myself and then it all went pear shaped. I had gaps between reading, picking up other books and coming back to the story I suddenly found myself lost as to which characters were doing what, or who they were with. By three quarters I had just started to get bored by it all, it just seemed to drag on. I found myself wishing it would end and I could experience the convergence. When that event happened it was pretty anti climatic for me and was left disappointed. Generally, but not completely.
Characters 4/5
ICE really got the Bridgeburner/Bonehunter marine character down great with Murk and Sour, they were the bright spot in this book, I throughly enjoyed their interaction with each other and other characters. The Thaumtaugs were a fascinating race and I really enjoyed beginning to understand them. They sound fascinating, almost like they were Lethari ascended to arrogance and seeking perfection. They added a nice mix of new characters and beliefs. To be honest the characters and story I was most disappointed with was Osserc/Gothos and The war leader section. both felt like story fillers to me and I got bored with them. Still 4/5 isn't bad for characters.
Read weight: Heavy
I found it a heavy read. I would read for ages, then go to comment and realise that I was still only one chapter further along. It felt like a really really long book.
Engagement 2/5
Yeah, 2 stars, wow, for a Malazan book. Shock horror. After loving Forge of Darkness I was expecting to be completely absorbed in this.
Recommendations; So would I still recommend this? Absolutely, if you have read everything else, you still need to read this. Seeing other events happen during the Crippled God event is fascinating. Seeing Skinner in a different light was great. One day when I read it again, I hope i change my rating and enjoy it more. Maybe it was just a bad time for me to read.
November 11, 2024
Such a great book!!
June 7, 2016
Blood and Bone is far and away the best episode in Ian C. Esslemont's on-going series of "Malazan Empire" novels. For those who don't know, Esslemont and his "Malazan World" co-creater, Steven Erikson, have authored two series of books that are all interconnected and interwoven together to create, in my humble opinion, the finest fantasy series ever written. Erikson's series is ten books and is entitled "The Malazan Book of the Fallen, and with Blood and Bone, Esslemont has now completed five novels in his "Malazan Empire" series.
Blood and Bone is a tour de force on so many levels--the quality of writing, the plotting and complexity, characterization, and then the sheer significance to the entire Malazan canon. This novel grabbed me from the first page and didn't let up until the very last page--it really is that good! Both Erikson and Esslemont are known for Malazan novels that build with tension and a whole host of seemingly incongruous plot-threads, but generally about two-thirds of the way through the book a series of convergences begin to occur. This typically culminates in the 'mother of all convergences' near the end of the book, with everything coming flying together, usually in spectacular--and sometimes bloody--fashion.
Blood and Bone begins its mega-convergence pretty much from the first page and just builds like a series of monstrous waves crashing on a rocky shoreline. As I read Blood and Bone I kept thinking about Joseph Conrad's brilliant little novel Heart of Darkness, and I just have to believe that Esslemont must have also been influenced by it as he wrote this book (as well as his anthropological work in Southeast Asia). Additionally, there is a real cinematic quality to Esslemont's writing in this book that very much reminded me of Francis Ford Coppola's film Apocalypse Now (his take on Conrad's Heart of Darkness).
Blood and Bone is set on the island continent of 'Jacaruku' which is bisected by a great range of mountains that run from the northern end to the southern. The western half of the island is home to a group of warring desert tribes people and a brutal society of practitioners of dark and evil magic. The eastern half of Jacaruku is a dense and incredibly dangerous jungle realm known as 'Himatan' that will likely make most readers think of the great jungles in the heart of Africa or the Amazon in South America. And like Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Blood and Bone recounts the stories of the trials and tribulations of several disparate groups of peoples that are all struggling to travel into the interior of this jungle to a fabled lost city--including one group's truly epic journey up a river through the jungle of 'Himatan'. I'm not going to tell you why, except to say that it is all about power--gaining it, or denying it of somebody else.
I think that Blood and Bone is vitally important in helping to answer some questions, or shed significant light on events touched upon in the other novels in Erikson's and Esslemont's Malazan world. If you've been a close reader, you will very much enjoy much of what you discover in this action-packed novel. You're also going to be delighted to encounter some 'old friends' from previous novels, and you're going to love the 'new friends' you're meeting for the first time. While complexly plotted, this a rollicking good read with loads of action, tension, and moments of mind-numbing terror. As I said at the outset, I think this is Esslemont's best novel yet, and I can't wait to see where he takes us in his next installment. While I have a pretty good guess, I'll let you read Blood and Bone and work that out for yourself. I have no qualms awarding this book five of five stars, it is a truly great story!
Blood and Bone is a tour de force on so many levels--the quality of writing, the plotting and complexity, characterization, and then the sheer significance to the entire Malazan canon. This novel grabbed me from the first page and didn't let up until the very last page--it really is that good! Both Erikson and Esslemont are known for Malazan novels that build with tension and a whole host of seemingly incongruous plot-threads, but generally about two-thirds of the way through the book a series of convergences begin to occur. This typically culminates in the 'mother of all convergences' near the end of the book, with everything coming flying together, usually in spectacular--and sometimes bloody--fashion.
Blood and Bone begins its mega-convergence pretty much from the first page and just builds like a series of monstrous waves crashing on a rocky shoreline. As I read Blood and Bone I kept thinking about Joseph Conrad's brilliant little novel Heart of Darkness, and I just have to believe that Esslemont must have also been influenced by it as he wrote this book (as well as his anthropological work in Southeast Asia). Additionally, there is a real cinematic quality to Esslemont's writing in this book that very much reminded me of Francis Ford Coppola's film Apocalypse Now (his take on Conrad's Heart of Darkness).
Blood and Bone is set on the island continent of 'Jacaruku' which is bisected by a great range of mountains that run from the northern end to the southern. The western half of the island is home to a group of warring desert tribes people and a brutal society of practitioners of dark and evil magic. The eastern half of Jacaruku is a dense and incredibly dangerous jungle realm known as 'Himatan' that will likely make most readers think of the great jungles in the heart of Africa or the Amazon in South America. And like Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Blood and Bone recounts the stories of the trials and tribulations of several disparate groups of peoples that are all struggling to travel into the interior of this jungle to a fabled lost city--including one group's truly epic journey up a river through the jungle of 'Himatan'. I'm not going to tell you why, except to say that it is all about power--gaining it, or denying it of somebody else.
I think that Blood and Bone is vitally important in helping to answer some questions, or shed significant light on events touched upon in the other novels in Erikson's and Esslemont's Malazan world. If you've been a close reader, you will very much enjoy much of what you discover in this action-packed novel. You're also going to be delighted to encounter some 'old friends' from previous novels, and you're going to love the 'new friends' you're meeting for the first time. While complexly plotted, this a rollicking good read with loads of action, tension, and moments of mind-numbing terror. As I said at the outset, I think this is Esslemont's best novel yet, and I can't wait to see where he takes us in his next installment. While I have a pretty good guess, I'll let you read Blood and Bone and work that out for yourself. I have no qualms awarding this book five of five stars, it is a truly great story!
November 17, 2024
One more to go....
February 11, 2024
"There is no antipathy so ferocious as between those closest in their philosophies or tenets, yes? The narrower the disagreement of dogma, the wider the ocean of blood spilled..."
The one positive about this entry is that we get to witness Jacuruku and explore the aspects unique to that contintent.
But compared to all others Novels by ICE, this one was average at best. It seems like a filler before the grand finale.
3.5 out of 5 Stars
The one positive about this entry is that we get to witness Jacuruku and explore the aspects unique to that contintent.
But compared to all others Novels by ICE, this one was average at best. It seems like a filler before the grand finale.
3.5 out of 5 Stars
March 26, 2025
There’s lots (well, ‘lots’ in context of the typical obscurity of a Malazan book) of useful information here, background wise. Butttt…. you know, the ending was such a kind of MREPHEPR (sound of balloon deflating) – and the buildup wasn’t anything spectacular – so put those two together and you have a pretty lackluster tale. I mean, seriously WHAT THE FUCK with the ending. I get how it’s beyond the ken of mortals (including the reader and all that) but mean…huh? I’m hoping that it’s just been so long since I read another Malazan book that I’m just forgetting whatever the driving motivation here is. Because I’m not seeing any (for the T’riss/Ardata thing).
The Crimson Guard stuff was more interesting but there’s really only so many times you can avoid a question before it gets obnoxious. Erikson does it better (sorry, Esslemont) – I rarely get annoyed at him for doing it. When Esslemont does it, it often comes across sloppily and blandly aka yawn.
Wow. That’s a really bad cover. Who would see this cover and go “I want to read that book?” Maybe Monty Python fans looking for further adventures of the formerly-limbless-knight? It could happen. There must be a market there…
Still, the next/last book promises (not that it’s going to keep that promise) so many things that I’m certainly going to read it and, indeed, am even looking forward to it even if it’s as bland as this one just for all the stuff that’s maybe going to happen in it.
I did kind of enjoy the humor side-plot. The wry (?), absurdist sense of humor is something that both authors do well – and something I appreciate. The scribe’s interactions with the expedition leader are priceless, and Sour and Murk’s stuff isn’t half bad either. That being said… it’s probably not for everyone.
THREE STARS
At least one of those is just for how hungry I am for the worldbuilding, even in scraps.
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2025 re-read
Ehhhhhh. This book was the epic fantasy version of a fever dream. Not terrible, not great, worth reading at least...IF you like the world of Malazan. Boy was the ending a lot of boom for nothing. Even less than you'd suspect is revealed (I get it, the mystery of the Avowed has to wait until the last book! But like, someone should have punched K'azz in the face by now, he's such a weird avoidant baby), and like..stuff happens, I guess. At least the quasi D.E.M. (sending everyone home) was foreshadowed by the bits about Ardata granting wishes. I did like Sour & Murk's plotline, the rest were less likeable. Not terrible, just not great. The comedy one was decent. And Esslement is still "verbing his/her noun".
The Crimson Guard stuff was more interesting but there’s really only so many times you can avoid a question before it gets obnoxious. Erikson does it better (sorry, Esslemont) – I rarely get annoyed at him for doing it. When Esslemont does it, it often comes across sloppily and blandly aka yawn.
Wow. That’s a really bad cover. Who would see this cover and go “I want to read that book?” Maybe Monty Python fans looking for further adventures of the formerly-limbless-knight? It could happen. There must be a market there…
Still, the next/last book promises (not that it’s going to keep that promise) so many things that I’m certainly going to read it and, indeed, am even looking forward to it even if it’s as bland as this one just for all the stuff that’s maybe going to happen in it.
I did kind of enjoy the humor side-plot. The wry (?), absurdist sense of humor is something that both authors do well – and something I appreciate. The scribe’s interactions with the expedition leader are priceless, and Sour and Murk’s stuff isn’t half bad either. That being said… it’s probably not for everyone.
THREE STARS
At least one of those is just for how hungry I am for the worldbuilding, even in scraps.
----
2025 re-read
Ehhhhhh. This book was the epic fantasy version of a fever dream. Not terrible, not great, worth reading at least...IF you like the world of Malazan. Boy was the ending a lot of boom for nothing. Even less than you'd suspect is revealed (I get it, the mystery of the Avowed has to wait until the last book! But like, someone should have punched K'azz in the face by now, he's such a weird avoidant baby), and like..stuff happens, I guess. At least the quasi D.E.M. (sending everyone home) was foreshadowed by the bits about Ardata granting wishes. I did like Sour & Murk's plotline, the rest were less likeable. Not terrible, just not great. The comedy one was decent. And Esslement is still "verbing his/her noun".
April 30, 2017
ICE has really grown as an author these five books. His descriptions, the flow of his writing and the empathy interwoven have all contributed to a much more robust journey. It's only fitting that this book takes place in Jacuruku which is an Amazon type world. We've had desserts, ice field, ice walls, frontier forests and everything else so the Malazan world wouldn't be complete without a jungle.
While the world building was very complex and complete the dialogue felt choppy in this book compared to others. Several characters it even made their personalities seem different. There were also several confusing story lines which the re-read didn't explain and checking the Malazan forums others were confused and didn't seem to have answers. This is coming from someone who other than the first few chapters of Midnight Tides was never confused in the rest of the series. There were also points in the story where I thought did I just sleep walk and miss something to have ended up here? There's still some portions I'm completely confused about.
Probably my favorite part of the book were the interactions of different gods and ascendants. Two in particular had a steady stand off for most of the book.
3.75*'s
While the world building was very complex and complete the dialogue felt choppy in this book compared to others. Several characters it even made their personalities seem different. There were also several confusing story lines which the re-read didn't explain and checking the Malazan forums others were confused and didn't seem to have answers. This is coming from someone who other than the first few chapters of Midnight Tides was never confused in the rest of the series. There were also points in the story where I thought did I just sleep walk and miss something to have ended up here? There's still some portions I'm completely confused about.
Probably my favorite part of the book were the interactions of different gods and ascendants. Two in particular had a steady stand off for most of the book.
3.75*'s
April 4, 2016
Wonderful! Definitely up to MBotF standards. Favourite Esslemont book yet.
March 21, 2024
Compared to the main series, A NOVEL OF THE MALAZAN EMPIRE was significantly weaker. It was almost a bad copy of the main series with serious issues.
While in the main series, characters have a deeper characterisation, and different aspects, in this series, they were shallow and almost good all the time. Also, the last-moment collision of the events was a repeatable pattern that makes the story predictable and annoying.
The concept of the mystery in the main series was better structured since you couldn't guess what will happen next by considering the fact that main series' characters were easily killed and left behind, or in some cases, some storyline remained unfinished or unexplained. However, in this series, all actions were predictable.
While in the main series, characters have a deeper characterisation, and different aspects, in this series, they were shallow and almost good all the time. Also, the last-moment collision of the events was a repeatable pattern that makes the story predictable and annoying.
The concept of the mystery in the main series was better structured since you couldn't guess what will happen next by considering the fact that main series' characters were easily killed and left behind, or in some cases, some storyline remained unfinished or unexplained. However, in this series, all actions were predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2025
Would give 4.5 stars if offered, and may increase to 5 as time goes on. Really enjoyed this book pretty much all the way through. Felt like there were no bad chapters or slow lulls, but I’m still digesting and trying to figure out what the heck happened at the end. Jatal was cool, and I enjoyed the crimson guard. Wish we got final chigravah showdown
March 2, 2024
This book is about learning from the experiences of others, knowing that being cultured does not necessarily equate to wisdom.
March 31, 2013
...After the messy and disappointing Orb Sceptre Throne, this novel is a return to form for Esslemont. More focussed and less dependent on the story Erikson has already laid out, much more of Esslemont's own talent and ideas on the Malazan world shines through. I still liked Stonewielder better but that is a very personal preference. Looking at the quality of the writing and the way Esslemont handles the multiple story lines and large cast of characters, there is not much in it. Blood and Bone is a worthy extension of this epic tale and promises some very interesting things for Esslemont's next novel. He's been hinting at going to the continent of Assail, one of the last remaining blank spots on the Malazal map. I for one, can't wait to see what he'll treat us to in the next volume.
Full Random Comments review
Full Random Comments review
May 31, 2018
I am not crying.... Nope, i did not cry with that ending. My face is wet 'cause it´s raining outside, nothing more....
Blood And Bone starts as a somewhat hard to read book, mostly because almost all of the characters are new, or at least we didn't have them as POVs before. But the fact that the character's are likeable and very well written, and the fact that the story develops in an interesting way, makes you get invested on it really fast.
I have already said that there are chapters that rival some of the best ones that Erikson has written, and that really counts as a lot.
I won´t get into details, if you are reafding this you have either no idea what the series is about, so i won't spoil it, or you have devoured the books, so you know how this goes....
I am just going to say this, i don´t want this saga to end, ever, and at the same time, i can´t wait to start Assail.
Blood And Bone starts as a somewhat hard to read book, mostly because almost all of the characters are new, or at least we didn't have them as POVs before. But the fact that the character's are likeable and very well written, and the fact that the story develops in an interesting way, makes you get invested on it really fast.
I have already said that there are chapters that rival some of the best ones that Erikson has written, and that really counts as a lot.
I won´t get into details, if you are reafding this you have either no idea what the series is about, so i won't spoil it, or you have devoured the books, so you know how this goes....
I am just going to say this, i don´t want this saga to end, ever, and at the same time, i can´t wait to start Assail.
June 7, 2024
Стилът на Есълмонт със сигурност става все по-добър с всеки изминал роман, но финалите на неговите книги са някак импотентни, което аз не мога да си обясня. Тук имаше много потенциал, особено заради паралелното развитие на действията с финала на "Книга на мъртвите", и получихме някакви препратки към действия тук, които са афектирали неща там, но исках и очаквах много повече. Въпреки този meh финал, действието водещо към него е увлекателно, Есълмонт е много повече "приятелите по пътя" отколкото "дестинацията" пистаел.
January 24, 2022
He could never learn
May 20, 2017
This is a placeholder review. I enjoyed it, but the ending left me with a lot of questions that soured my overall feeling for the book. I don't know if I have questions because I've forgotten something in a previous tome or not.
When I do the real review I will be reading all the Erikson, and Esslemont stories together in internal chronological order. That will hopefully make more sense instead of reading first the Erikson books in published order, and then the Esslemont ones in published order. I therefore reserve my right to change my rating after a re-read.
When I do the real review I will be reading all the Erikson, and Esslemont stories together in internal chronological order. That will hopefully make more sense instead of reading first the Erikson books in published order, and then the Esslemont ones in published order. I therefore reserve my right to change my rating after a re-read.
July 9, 2022
(4.1/5)
This felt like just another Malazan novel. It was good but it took me forever to read since I didn’t really want to keep reading. Being the 15th novel in the Malazan universe that I’ve read, I am getting a bit tired of the formula (the non-formulaic formula).
Here we have pretty much all new character threads, and none of the characters were that great. In Malazan fashion, there’s not much room to get attached to the characters, due to the more observational way they are written + little page time. There’s crazy Malazan stuff™ with mysterious stuff happening on the island, but nothing that interesting. Maybe because I’ve read too much crazy Malazan stuff™, or maybe because it wasn’t all that unique here.
Where this book stands out is the environment of Jacaruku. We get nonstop vivid descriptions of various characters traversing parts of the island, so it did feel really immersive.
I do not feel that excited to read the remaining 7 or so Malazan books that are out. I know I’ll probably like them, but I’m just a bit tired of the style.
This felt like just another Malazan novel. It was good but it took me forever to read since I didn’t really want to keep reading. Being the 15th novel in the Malazan universe that I’ve read, I am getting a bit tired of the formula (the non-formulaic formula).
Here we have pretty much all new character threads, and none of the characters were that great. In Malazan fashion, there’s not much room to get attached to the characters, due to the more observational way they are written + little page time. There’s crazy Malazan stuff™ with mysterious stuff happening on the island, but nothing that interesting. Maybe because I’ve read too much crazy Malazan stuff™, or maybe because it wasn’t all that unique here.
Where this book stands out is the environment of Jacaruku. We get nonstop vivid descriptions of various characters traversing parts of the island, so it did feel really immersive.
I do not feel that excited to read the remaining 7 or so Malazan books that are out. I know I’ll probably like them, but I’m just a bit tired of the style.
December 28, 2021
A travelogue through jungle, a Heart of Darkness set in this universe, horror (heavy on the body-horror) woven into adventure, and the futility of it and the successful saving of the world all at once, with multiple stories twining to create that outcome. It's strengths are to some extent its weakness, the endless jungle trekking come to feel just that, endless and pointless, and while Esslemont becomes better at characterization - or I have grown used to him - there's not quite enough to keep you interested in all of the separate story lines.
Still, it is solidly plotted and executed, as always, and takes those little moments to let you into its world rather than just observing it.
Still, it is solidly plotted and executed, as always, and takes those little moments to let you into its world rather than just observing it.
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