La tempestad del segador

Malazan Book of the Fallen #7

by Steven Erikson

La tempestad del segador es el séptimo volumen de la saga «Malaz: El Libro de los Caídos», la decalogía que ha convertido al escritor canadiense Steven Erikson en una de las mayores voces de la fantasía épica contemporánea.

En el imperio letherii reina el desconcierto. Mientras el emperador Rhulad Sengar, rodeado de aduladores y comisionados de su maquiavélico canciller, se precipita a la locura, los agentes secretos letherii llevan a cabo una campaña de terror contra su propia gente. El Errante, en otro tiempo un dios clarividente, parece ahora incapaz de ver el futuro. Las conspiraciones recorren el palacio y el imperio, manejado por corruptos e interesados, está al borde de una guerra sin precedentes con los reinos vecinos.

Por otra parte, la flota Edur se encuentra cada vez más cerca. Entre sus guerreros se hallan Karsa Orlong e Icarium Robavida, cuya mera presencia significa que correrá sangre. Pero una pequeña banda de fugitivos está decidida a escapar del imperio y salvar al emperador. Se aproxima un ajuste de cuentas y su magnitud será inimaginable.

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Fiction, High Fantasy, Epic, Dark Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

1608 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2007

About the author

Steven Erikson is the pseudonym of Steve Rune Lundin, a Canadian novelist, who was educated and trained as both an archaeologist and anthropologist. His best-known work is the series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/steven...

Reviews

[Petrik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Reaper used his scythe to chop onions in an attempt to bring tears to my eyes. Unfortunately, he didn’t succeed.

By this point of the series, I think it’s safe to say now that Malazan Book of the Fallen will never break my heart the way it did a lot of readers. People always told me that Erikson was more brutal towards his characters more than George R. R. Martin or all the conclusion of his books will leave my soul crushed; I strongly disagree with these as I found none of the books in the series so far to ever move me to the point of making my soul crushed or on the brink of tears. This series is amazing in many other aspects but for characterizations (which is the most important aspect of any story for me), in my opinion there are several authors who did it better.

Before you raise your pitchfork, let me emphasize that the reason behind this comes down to the simple fact that Erikson spread out his characterizations to way too many characters, and for what it’s worth, what he did with more than hundreds of characters were incredible. However, because there were too many characters POV, I was never invested in the majority of the characters as much as I did with some of my beloved series that has a normal amount (let’s say one until more or less thirty POV throughout the series) of characters to follow. I was super happy with what Erikson did in The Bonehunters; he introduced a relatively few new characters (many awesome ones at that too) and we get to follow mostly characters that we’re familiar with. In here though? The drammatis personae shot up to at least 150 characters and we’re forced to read so many completely uninteresting new characters POV; more info on this later.

Reaper’s Gale, the seventh book in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series brings the plot back to Letherii, the location where the story of Midnight Tides (one of my favorite books in the series) took place in. I won’t be talking about the plot at all, this is the seventh book already. My introductory paragraph and my rating should give you an indication that I have mixed feelings about this installment. Trust me that I honestly wish I could give this book 5 stars but doing that would be a lie. Here’s the thing, Reaper’s Gale provided me some scenes that could be included into one of the best scenes from the series, but unfortunately it also provided me with some of the worst and boring experience in the series.

The first 40% (twelve chapters) of the book were quite a mess for me to read. Erikson focused the story on mostly new characters I simply don’t care about. This is the seventh book already for god sake, and after reading the book, some of the new characters felt almost as if they were there just for the sake of making this book longer or unnecessarily more complex than it should be. Usually, I don’t mind Erikson introducing new characters, that’s what he always did with each installment. However, Erikson was capable of giving distinct voices to his characters and that very important ability was lost to me in this installment. Most of the new characters sounded almost completely the same and their POV became uninteresting to read. One of the newest character, Redmask, was one of the most disappointing character storylines within the series so far. I genuinely laughed because the conclusion of his story was so damn ridiculous, unsatisfying, and pointless; it made me think “what was the point of me reading his story? This could’ve been almost entirely skipped and my experience reading this book will most likely get better.”

Although Redmask was one of the worst and—for now—pointless characters in the series so far, Erikson also included one new side character that I consider one of the best character Erikson ever wrote; his name is Beak. Let me get this straight, Beak didn’t get a lot of POV for us to read but just with a few POV chapters, Erikson managed to make sure his characteristics, background, motivation, ability, were all fleshed out. His characterization was so damn incredible that even simple line like this passage down below holds a tremendous amount of impact.

“Yes sir. You’ll see. Everyone will because you’re all my friends and friends are important. The most important thing in the world. And I’ll show you.”

I’ll be honest, the book was barely a 3 stars read for me until the last 20% of the book happened. Although the road to get to the last 20% was full of up and down for me, it still felt rewarding to reach the climax sequences because the last three chapters of the book offer some scenes that would definitely be considered as some of the most memorable scenes within the series. Friendship, loyalty, destruction, flashes of light, bloody duels, and sorcery conflagration shine in the last 20%. The climax sequences of the book were executed magnificently and all the manipulation, scheming, and politics within Letheras was still as good as ever; I just wish there would be more of them just like how it was in Midnight Tides.

Picture: One of the interior artworks in the Subterranean edition by Tommy Arnold



The last great things about this book that I can say without spoilers would be the return of my favorite duo, and of course getting to see the continuation to the Emperor of a Thousand Deaths plotline. Lastly, as always, every time the story put me in the POV of familiar characters from the previous installments, I became completely enthralled and immersed in the story.

“Why, without a sense of humour, you are blind to so much in the world. To human nature. To the absurdity of so much that we say and do.”

Despite a lot of setbacks within this installment and my personal opinion that this is currently the second weakest book of the series so far, Reaper’s Gale was still overall a great book. There’s probably no chance that the series will follow characters we’re familiar with in the last three books of the series, but I’m still hopeful that Erikson will somehow get the story back on the track of greatness like he did with the third, fifth, and sixth installment of the series.

You can order the book HERE!

You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished another!! Omg!! I have been listening to this in the mornings since I finished the last one! I will start the next one Sunday morning and I dread that one because I know what’s coming!!

Happy Reading!

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[TS Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I will not be the first to extoll the astounding breadth and depth of the Malazan world with its extensive history, a multitude of races, richly diverse cultures and a huge cast of characters. I may also not be the first to admit how lost I sometimes feel, wandering through this labyrinth of intricate worldbuilding.

Reaper's Gale was the first volume in the Malazan Book of the Fallen which, much to my delight, continued directly from the previous book. There was no whiplash from the sudden change in plot lines from one book to the other in the past six books. Almost all the subplots from the previous novels led into this one with a lot of known main characters showing up one way or another, all of which descended upon the Letherii Empire.

The very same empire we visited in the fifth book, one which was corrupted to the core, enthralled by coin and in the grip of a financial meltdown, engineered by a genius who was hell-bent on breaking the chains the wealthy few held over the larger citizenry of Letheras. Within this story lies a compelling commentary on the evil of greed and power perpetrated by the garnering of wealth.

"Where is the virtue in any of it? Is possession a virtue? Is a lifetime working for some rich toad a virtue? Is loyal employment in some merchant house a virtue? Loyal to what? To whom? Oh, have they paid for that loyalty with a hundred docks a week? Like any other commodity? But then, which version is truer - the virtue of self-serving acquisitiveness or the virtue of loyalty to one's employer?"

As grimdark served to portray the greyness of humanity, many of the characters we have come across do fit that description very well. These are not bad people, but those who were driven to dubious choices and actions arising from circumstances, rightly or wrongly. However, arising from this aspect of greed for coin and power was where I truly found blackness. Here we find despicable characters which were borne from the vicious cycle of money ever rising to the top, in a society where the rich gets richer, and the poor get poorer. In this respect, Reaper's Gale was one of the darker instalments in this series thus far.

In spite of the many familiar faces, the reader was yet again greeted by another cast of new names, tribes and cultures, such as the Awl and the Shake. The Malazan marines were made up of the most diverse group of hardened soldiers, with nicknames which were either quite apt or hilarious or sometimes both. The way in which Erikson switched points-of-view between a significant number of the Malazan marines was masterful. Instead of the more common way of seeing a battle or fight sequence through the eyes of a few main characters, Erikson employed a method where we moved from one squad to another, usually in quick succession, through the individual perspectives of a large cast of characters. This in effect created both a more immersive experience as well as getting into the heads of soldiers as they face possible death. It can also get confusing when names you've never seen before suddenly popped up and you found yourself introduced to the sergeant of the 5th Squad, 10th Company, etc.

As compared to most of the earlier ones, the numerous threads and plotlines in this book did appear to be more interconnected. Perhaps this could be due to the larger picture being more apparent as the tale slowly progressed towards its denouement. It also goes without saying that each Malazan Book of The Fallen had always been emotionally powerful, and this volume was possibly one of the most at this point of the series.

Subterranean Press Limited Edition Cover


As much as I would love to gush about the characters again, I feel that I've reached a point in this series where I should refrain from saying too much. Safe to say that this instalment had some of the most awesome and badass characters reappearing and doing what they do best. Aside from the Malazan marines, we have the walking legend, a mage who is much more than what he seemed, my favourite duo of the series and that superlative warrior from a gigantic race thought long extinct.

"Not overconfident. Not indifferent. Not even contemptuous. No easy explanations for this Toblakai warrior. He would be within himself, entirely within himself, until it was time.... to witness."

My initial impression of the finale herein was that it was strangely anticlimactic after the build-up which started all the way from the previous book. Upon rereading this though, I appreciated that what was needed to be told for now was wrapped up as satisfactorily as possible. The tale hence will continue.

"So in these our last days
The end of what we see is inside
Where it all began and begins never again
A moment's reprieve, then darkness falls."

You can purchase the book from Book Depository (Free Shipping).

You can find this and my other reviews at Novel Notions.

[Deborah Obida · Rating 5 out of 5]

When stone is water, time is ice.
When all is frozen in place fates rain down in fell torrent.
My face revealed, in this stone that is water.
The ripples locked hard to its shape a countenance passing strange.
Ages will hide when stone is water.
Cycles bound in these depths are flawed illusions breaking the stream.
When stone is water, time is ice.
When all is frozen in place our lives are stones in the torrent.
And we rain down, rain down
like water on stone
with every strike of the hand.

I thought no book in this series would break my heart as much as MoI, how wrong I was, this book is more heart-breaking, so much deaths and suffering. Despite this being heart-breaking its now my number one favourite in this series, there is basically nothing I hate in this book. It was fast paced, has way more characters than the previous books, this book features the Malazans, Tiste Edur, Letherris and a host of others. I also enjoy the representations in this book. Religion, race, simpletons, feminism etc. Despite this series being an epic fantasy it is still relatable, I think we humans don't really change no matter the world, time or century.

Pain was not to be embraced. Chaos was anathema to a mortal body. It ruined the flesh because it did not belong there. There was no exaltation in self-destruction.

World building and Writing
The only thing am going to say about the world building is that it gets better, its explicit and in-depth. The book is written in third person multiple POVs of like a million characters, I enjoy the switch between the characters, but I can’t help wishing my favourites have more POVs.

In discovering what it is to die, we have been cast out from the world.
In discovering beauty, we were made ugly.
We do not suffer in the manner that beasts suffer – for they surely do. We suffer with the memory of how it was before suffering came, and this deepens the wound, this tears open the pain. There is no beast that can match our anguish.

Characters and Plot
My favourite aspect in this book. If you’ve yet to read the previous book, this part contains minor spoilers, cause I’ll mention the characters

The Malazans
The bonehunters to be more precise, The surviving ones which include Tavore, Keneb, Blistig, Lastora Yil and the squads. Fiddler, Gesler, Hellian, Urb and their squads are now in Letherri after the incident in Bonehunters, they plan to hunt the Edurs but things never go as planned. Some other new Bonehunters are introduced and I already have two favourites, Beak and Skulldeath.

The Letherris
My beloved Tehol and Bugg, are still continuing in their plot to bring down the economy, but the ruling class are now aware that someone is messing with the economy. Ublala Pung is also in this, he all but move in with Tehol.

Despite the fact that my review is extremely lengthy, I just have to add this conversation.
'Good thinking, Ublala. Now, stay close to me. I am, after all, a master of this thieving skulduggery.'
'Really? But Bugg said—'
'What? What did my miserable manservant say? About me? Behind my back?'
Ublala shrugged. 'Lots of things. I mean, nothing. Oh, you misheard me, Tehol.
They heard the scuff of boots from the street, then a loud voice: 'There! Who's skulking in that alley?'
Ublala flinched down. 'How did he know?'
'We better run!'
They bolted.
And when he got home...
'They will be on the lookout now,' Bugg observed, 'for a man wearing a blanket.'
'Well,' Tehol retorted, 'there must be plenty of those, right?'
There was no immediate reply.
'There must be,' Tehol insisted, a little wildly even to his own ears. He hastened on in a more reasonable tone. 'The ever growing divide between the rich and the poor and all that. Why, blankets are the new fashion among the destitute. I'm sure

We still have Shurq Elalle who is now a pirate and some new characters but my fav among the new ones is Janath, I all but loathe the rest. Seren Pedac is still recovering from the incidents that happened in MT, even at that she still manage to guide them. She and Trull got reunited, got married then he died, she was pregnant for him when he died

The Edurs
Need I mention my favourite is Trull, He is just too good, they just don’t deserve him, the rest could go and die, except Fear, I grew to like him in this, he is not that bad, he is just a one track mind guy, so all what happened was just too much for him. I just can’t decide whether I hate or pity Rhulad, he should just remain dead.

The Others
Karsa Orlong, Samar Dev, Icarium and Taralack are all in Letherri, amongst the champions that is to duel with Rhulad to the death. I really enjoy the character development of them except Taralack that I loathe cause of what he is doing to Icarium.

Toc Anaster finally made an appearance, as always I enjoyed his PoV, and adore his character development.
Tool, Kilava and Hetan are also in this, even though it was just towards the ending. They were too late and came just when Toc died, also Tool and Hetan are now married.

Something major happened to Onrack he is now flesh and blood and has a son

Udinaas the pessimist, I can’t even hate him, the man has being through so much. I really love how he handled things with Rud Elalle, I was scared he might ruin things. Rud Elalle is now among my favourite characters.

Nimander Golit is so not what I expected him to be, I thought he would be a bit like his father, but no he is nothing like Anomander. He is so broken and indifferent, I hope things gets better for him.

Finally Silchas Ruin, the albino Tiste Andii, despite him being cruel I still like him, I love that he kept his promise to the Azath.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review now up!

Warning: Minor spoilers from earlier books in the series!

I have been reading this series for a while now. Right at 5 months to be exact. And I find myself taking more and more time in between each book. Whether to reflect on what I have read or just needing a break I’m not quite sure. These books are huge and contain more information in one volume that some do in an entire series.

Reapers Gale was the largest book in the Malazan Book of the Fallen I have yet to read. After 3 weeks and adult life getting in the way several times I finally finished it. I feel like I should mark this off my bucket list.

It has been several years since the events of Midnight Tides, and the people of Lether have become accustomed to the Tist Edur rule. The Emperor of a Thousand Deaths, Rhulad Sengar, has defeated every champion he has faced and his reign goes unchallenged….or does it. Others with power seek to find a way to weed out the Edur ruler and his kind, and the return of the Edur fleet brings with it two new champions that are unlike anything the Emperor has yet to face.

Meanwhile, the Bonehunters have payback in mind. They have tracked the Edur fleet to the continent of Lether and intend to rid the Letheri people of their oppressive rulers. But what they expect and what they find may have them changing their tactics in order to make it out alive.

‘It is the curse of leaders to believe they can truly change the world.’

As with all of the Malazan books Reapers Gale has many different story arcs that are each enjoyable in their own way. I wouldn’t say it was as action packed as The Bonehunters, but it wasn’t lacking in enjoyment either. Erikson’s writing can leave you wandering what the hell you just read at times, but his humor is spot on and I found myself laughing out loud at times.

While I enjoy the humor in these books, the heartbreak seems to outweigh anything. Maybe it’s due to most of the heartbreak coming near the end. All of the books don’t end this way. At least not for me, but I guess it depends on what characters you get attached to. This was one of those books. Erikson has a way of just breaking your heart through his descriptions of these scenes and the people they effect.

‘We give voice to our sorrow, to our loss. In discovering what it is to die, we have been cast out from the world. In discovering beauty, we were made ugly.’

Reapers Gale probably won’t make it to my top 3 of the Malazan books, but that doesn’t mean it’s not 5 star material. Everyone that reads this series has their favorites, and of course I have my own. If I had one problem with this book it was that it felt a little drawn out, but that isn’t going to lower my rating. Too many pros for one minor con to change my opinion. Erikson has his descriptive and at times a little too intellectual for me writing style, but I love it. I can’t recommend this series enough!

‘The end….is never what you imagine. Be comforted by that my friends.’

5 stars *****

[Books with Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another excellent edition in Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series. It probably failed to hit the heights of the very best Malazan books I've read but I'd still rate it above Deadhouse Gates in terms of overall quality.

I loved the fact that we returned to the continent of Letheras for this story. I was a massive fan of the fourth book and its characters so it was great to return there to witness the aftermath of the Edur occupation of Letheras. The Edur and Letharii cultures were so different and it was fun to see how they combined to give us the government we found in this story.

The other big plus for this Malazan instalment was that it featured a ton of the very best characters. As well as the stars from Midnight Tides we got the Bonehunters pitching up here after their flight from Malaz City at the end of the last book. We also got other big hitters like Karsa, Icarium, Toc, Onrack, and Quick Ben!

The stand-out stars for me were probably Karsa, Quick Ben, and the duo of Tehol and Bugg. Pretty much all the scenes involving those guys were exciting and compelling. Honourable mention goes to Beak. His story arc was the strongest one of the entire book for me.

The strongest aspects of the book for me was the overall way the story developed and the way Erikson depicted the way the new Edur occupied Letheras functioned. I did not love the scenes involving Tanal Yathvanar, they were mostly a bit brutal for my liking, but on the whole I loved the stuff we got from the Liberty Consort and the Patriotists. I'll not say too much about the overall direction of the story but I did love how it played out. I suspected Erikson was going to lean in this direction from the early tone of the story but I definitely did not expect him to go all out in it! I was surprised but strangely happy with the way things played out in the end parts of this story.

Another strong point in this books favour was Erikson's depictions of war and battle. He is truly fantastic at showing the horrors of war and of how there is always two sides to every story. Even the supposed "good guys" are often painted in a critical light by Erikson.

In terms of flaws I felt like Erikson let his tendency to philosophise overshadow the story on a few occasions. I've never felt like that in the previous instalments but this time around I did feel a few scenes served no other story function other than to have the characters act as mouthpieces for a few of Erikson's observations. He is usually a bit smoother than that! I was also not a giant fan of the whole Redmask story arc. It felt a bit pointless and every character who was caught up in that story arc ended up floundering a bit(Even a legend like Toc!). I hope the arc has some sort of future payoff.

Rating: 4.5 stars. I rounded down. I feel a bit bad for rating this one less than 5 stars. Compared to most books it would be an easy 5 stars but compared to some of the other Malazan books in this series I just felt like this one was a tiny bit below their high standard.

Audio Note: Michael Page does a good job with the audio of this series.

[Overhaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

En el imperio letherii reina el desconcierto. Mientras el emperador Rhulad Sengar, rodeado de aduladores y comisionados de su maquiavélico canciller, se precipita a la locura, los agentes secretos letherii llevan a cabo una campaña de terror contra su propia gente.

El Errante, en otro tiempo un dios clarividente, parece ahora incapaz de ver el futuro. Las conspiraciones recorren el palacio y el imperio, manejado por corruptos e interesados, está al borde de una guerra sin precedentes con los reinos vecinos.

Por otra parte, la flota edur se encuentra cada vez más cerca. Entre sus guerreros se hallan Karsa Orlong e Icarium Robavida, cuya mera presencia significa que correrá sangre. Pero una pequeña banda de fugitivos está decidida a escapar del imperio y salvar al emperador. Se aproxima un ajuste de cuentas y su magnitud será inimaginable.

"La Tempestad del segador", el séptimo libro de la serie Malaz el libro de los caídos. Trae la trama de regreso a Letherii, donde tuvo lugar la historia de "Mareas de Medianoche".

No hablaré de la trama este ya es el séptimo libro. Poco más que añadir tengo a lo ya dicho en anteriores reseñas de Malaz, sobre sus personajes, cada especto de la narrativa, geografía, acción, emoción e intensidad.

Está todo dicho en anteriores reseñas..

Erikson es un maestro, es espectacular cómo lo va hilando todo siendo un conjunto bestial y titánico.

Cada parte del engranaje de Malaz es muy importante. Los personajes son brutales, el worldbuilding y cada aspecto geográfico es sublime. Todo acompañado por una narrativa propia que tanto te embelesa como te deja pensando. La acción y las sendas sigue siendo lo mejor que he leído en este género.

Malaz es Malaz. Y Malaz es algo único, titánico, insuperable, inolvidable en momentos y es su vasto elenco de personajes. Todo encaja de manera milimétrica y es para sacarse el sombrero.

A día de hoy Steven Erikson sigue siendo mi número uno. Malaz es brutal que puñetera gozada..✍️⚔️🍻

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It started slow and bit underwhelming but book becomes exponentially better as it progresses culminating in one of the best finales in Malazan books. Full review potentially to come when I settle my impressions and recover from those final chapters.

[James Tivendale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I apologise if this is not the most polished of reviews. I have to be honest, I am still speechless from what happened in the last quarter of this book.

To begin - most of my favourite characters from the books thus far were featured here. It brings two story arcs together. The relationship of the Edur/ Letherii in Letheras and the surrounding areas and also the Bone-hunters.

A lot of new characters are introduced (again! - how large can this cast get?* see the end of review). Some very memorable but none more so than dim-witted kind hearted super powerful mage Beak.

The introduction of so many new faces did make it confusing during some of the battle scenes between the Letherii and Redmask's rebels. I kept having to revert back to the Dramatis Personae to remember who was on each side. The battle scenes were complex too. Very War & Peace like.

There are a lot of very fast POV segments throughout the book. Showing so many viewpoints we are really very lucky to analyse a work from so many wonderful, complex perspectives.

I enjoyed following Silchas Ruin, Fear Sengar, Clip, Seren et al... knowing that this crew's journey to find Scabandari Bloodeye's soul was highly unpredictable and slightly nerve-wracking. Tehol & Buggs banter is as hilarious as ever. It was also cool that Trull Sengar and Onrack meet up and cross paths with Quick Ben and Hedge. I do get the vibe that at the end of the Malazan Book of the Fallen - most the characters are going to know each other personally. Lol.

The ending blew my mind. Some parts were just a bit too mean. & People think the deaths in Game of Thrones come as a shock??! I had to re-read some of the scenes about seven times just to get my head around it to make sure I hadn't misanalysed the context. (I hadn't) So many touching moments when people realise their lovers or friends are dead. I need to recompose myself before I can allow myself back into this amazing, beautiful, heartless and grotesque world.

*He probably added so many characters to replace the ones that are killed off :'(..... Peace.
James @ www.youandibooks.wordpress.com

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Never mind the truth. The past is what I say it is.
That is the freedom of teaching the ignorant."

You know, we spend our lives in ordinary mundane affairs. We behave in a mundane way, we dress in a mundane way. We walk to the office, we work in the office, we come home on the train, we say hello to our family and then we die.
And then Erikson comes in and reminds us that we have another whole world of passion, of love, of frustration, of sorrow, of tragedy, of desire. You know, the entire range of human emotions available – through a book.

It is a remarkable window, this book. It provides a good time, or an adventure, or an escape.
Or even an excuse for us to be heroes, or a part-time villains (because, let’s be frank, nobody wants to end up a villain forever after).
It provides an access to someone else’s train of thoughts and within it a whole new point of view, of this imaginary world, or perhaps, even the real world that surrounds us.

Reapers Gale is a seventh book in The Malazan Book of the Fallen series and twenty first on my chronological reading order which includes both Steven Erikson’s and Ian C. Esslemont’s work.
The story in it follows one year after the events from previous two books, Midnight Tides and Bonehunters.
We’re back on the continent of Lether where we finally witness convergence of the characters and collision of their respective worlds, philosophies, powers, swords and – cussers.
Oh yes. Malazans are here.

Empire of Lether is conquered by Tiste Edur. On the throne sits Emperor of Thousand Deaths – Rhulad, surrounded by Lether bureaucrats, which successfully isolated him from his fellow tribesmen, leaving him all alone with the whispers of previous betrayals, doubts and regrets.



Two opposing people now found themselves united, exploiting fallacies of each other’s systems of power and hierarchical structures: Edur got the crown – but does the crown wield real power?

“The winners never won, because the losers refused to lose. An insane war.”

Tiste Edur struck, then Kingdom of Lether, pre-emptively, in response to the threat of losing their land and resources. A sort of economic war that, through fighting to avoid cultural assimilation and end of their independence, quite paradoxically grew into conquest of their own.
But, within a year of their occupation of Lether people, they have realized that a far more subtle conquest had taken place – conquest of which they were the losers.

“They are here. On this shore. The Malazans are on our shore. And they burned their ships.”

Finally, on the distant, never before explored continent, Malazan professional soldiers get to do what they were made for. Away with the columns, away with the marches, belay with the orders of the high command and their chess wars. Now it’s the time for Guerilla warfare. And Malazans are bloody and vicious in it.

After seemingly losing their purpose, cursed in endless following bloody footsteps in the shadows of their predecessors, never to fulfill their expectations, Bonehunters are lost.
There are big shoes to fill: Dassem Ultor, first sword of Empire. The legendary Bridbeburners. Worshiped Coltain’s 7th army. Each name heavy with legends of their deeds, justified with their purpose.
Bonehunters were hurt. They are taking everything away from them. First battle. First win. Their own people doubted in legitimacy of their actions, they even tried to take the truth from them.
Well, Adjunct Tavore of the house Paran, will have none of that.

“Compassion is never enough. Nor is the hunger for vengeance.
But, for now, for what awaits us, perhaps they will do.
We are the Bonehunters, and sail to another name. Beyond Aren, beyond Raraku and beyond Y’Ghatan, we now cross the world to find the first name that will be truly our own. Shared by none other.
We sail to give answer.”

While we wait for inevitable clash between the Empires, others are questing.

Tiste Edur Fear Sengar and albino Tiste Andii Silchas Ruin are on a quest of finding the soul of Edur’s deity Scara Bandaris, Scabandari Bloodeye, but each with their own purpose. One to ask his God to help his hostage brother, the other, seemingly on quest for vengeance against that God, because in distant past, he was betrayed and stabbed in back by him.

Other quest involves another Tiste Edur, Trull Sengar, a T’lan Imass Onrack T’emlava and a wizard Ben Adaephon Delat, who are send to find ‘the borders of a dreamworld.’

Of course, as with every other of his books, we are introduced with a complete new cast of characters, tribes and nations.
This time those are united tribes of Awl that rebel against oppressing Letheri Empire, led by Redmask, a mortal sword of K’Chain Che’Malle. Which, of course, means that at his side he has two beautiful beasts, K’El hunters Sag’Churok and Gunth Mach.

And combined, they are as vicious and deadly as they are beautiful.

And, of course, Karsa’s there. Glorious in his character's mediocrity.
I know that there are a lot of fans of this character. To me, however, he brings this sense of boredom and predictability, something that I'm not used reading in these books.
But, I have complained about him and explained my reasons why I feel like that in depth in reviews for previous books, so I'm not going to do that again.

I guess that, after seven books in the series you highly enjoy reading, it's not that strange finding yourself at a loss of superlatives. Mainly because you don't want to sound repetitive. Saying again and again, how this is, in your honest opinion, the best high fantasy series - ever.
So, instead of repeating what's already established and exploring that in depth yet again, I mainly want to focus on problems and acknowledge that they exist in this book.

It takes a while for this book to start, sort to say. Although we begin with known characters, and while we are getting familiar with new setting and the surroundings, first time we actually feel like at home, is when Bonehunters enter the fray.
And the reason behind that, in my opinion, is because of what they bring.
Change of pacing, which until that point felt slow and repetitive, substantially gets better because of the structural narrative of how they were portrayed in this book.

Bonehunters, as a unit, are spread out all around the empire in minor units consisting of 15 soldiers.
Many of which get their own point of view.
And this, besides making pacing better, works on other levels as well, like getting familiar with the soldiers, which means that departure with them will be harder.
And I'll stop there.

Sheltatha Lore, Sukul Ankhadu, Menandore rift.
(Going from three-dimensionality of a character to only one):

This is a problem that partially will have people who've read Kharkanas prequels.
Those of you who have read Kharkanas prequels already met these three sisters/cousins and explored some of those characters in depth, as well as members of their families.
Especially Sukul Ankhadu, who has a prominent role in those books, a character who is highly likable, and also, why not, both understandable and relatable.
So, it's much explored in depth characters that, in this book, you couldn't have possibly feel that.
Actually, if you remember what I have said here about Sukul Ankhadu while reading the book, you would probably think me mad.
That's because, sadly, she and her sisters/cousins are nothing but words on a paper. There's no depth whatsoever about these characters.
(But they veer into dragons and provide great battle sequences, so I guess, some of you are here for that...)

After Deadhouse Gates and Memories of Ice, this is probably the toughest to get through emotionally.
Those of you who have read these two books I have mentioned, probably know that Deadhouse Gates is tough to go through mostly because of the themes that exploits, while Memories of Ice, on the other hand, is excruciatingly hard because of the characters and your emotional investment in them.
Reapers Gale combines both of that, just in a slightly lesser quantity.

In conclusion: brace yourselves. Each for different reasons.
Not an impeccable book, but highly enjoyable.



3.83/5

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

Malazan Book of the Fallen series
Gardens of the Moon
Deadhouse Gates
Memories of Ice
Midnight Tides
House of Chains
The Bonehunters

Ultimate Malazan Chronological Reading Order

[Wick Welker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slog but a needed convergence of plotlines.

I enjoyed the first ten percent and last ten percent of this book. The rest? I’m kind of asking myself why was it all there. Did we need this many words to get to where we needed to be by the end of this book? Don’t get me wrong, the end was epic and satisfying, bringing together many characters across nations and warrens for several showdowns that were long in the making. I just can’t help to feel like my time was a bit wasted with soooo much hiking, traveling, boring war strategy, political statecraft and very on-brand indecipherable scenes with characters that I don’t even remember.

For me this is Malazan middle book syndrome. A group of people travel through mountains and plains for the majority of this book with very little character development to show for it. I think Erikson over estimates his ability to get the reader to care about an enormous cast of ancillary characters. His strengths as a writer are creating vivid fantasy worlds but I think he’s lacking in fleshing out characters. For example: can you tell me the different traits of Seren Pedec and Lostara Yil? How about Tavore? I swear these women all behave the same. Which isn’t to say Erikson is bad at writing women I just think he overestimates the readers interest in stock characters. Hedge, Fiddler, Bottle and all the rest of the Malazan 14th—they all act the same. So when we spend long scenes where undifferentiated characters exchange dialogue, I’m quickly losing my interest as my eyes gaze on my TBR pile sitting on my desk.

Sorry more complaints: why doesn’t Erikson get to what actually interests the reader? I want to get to Rhulad! He’s the most evil epic emperor ever and I came into this book reader to see epic clashes. Yes they happen but it took 1200 pages. I’m just not that interested in post Tiste Edur Letheri politicking. Also for the vast majority of this book I had no clue what a lot of characters were even doing. Motivations are needlessly opaque.

Ok now to the good: Rhulad, Karsa Orlong, Icarium, Silchas Ruin and Tehol Bedict. These character arcs deliver and it is pretty epic. The clash between nations that I was expecting going in? Yeah it happens and I loved every minute of it. The social commentary about imperialism, capitalism and exploitation is really well done. The ruin of exploitation of labor and the treachery of the aristocracy was a deep thread in this book. Lots of arcane plot lines also start to converge with Quick Ben, Onrack and others (again hard to know what the hell it was they were doing half the book). The prose as always was great and the lore was as sharp as ever.

In the end I am asking myself: did Erikson have to write this book or could he have just cut 80% of it and tacked the major plot points onto the next book? Probably. So I walk away giving this a conflicting 3 stars.

[Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this took me longer than any other book in the Malazan series. Possibly longer than any book I've read during the last few years. But I prevailed in the end.

Malazan Book of the Fallen reviews:
#1 Gardens of the Moon
#2 Deadhouse Gates
#3 Memories of Ice
#4 House of Chains
#5 Midnight Tides
#6 The Bonehunters
#7 Reaper's Gale
#8 Toll the Hounds
#9 Dust of Dreams
#10 The Crippled God

[Anna [Bran. San. Stan] · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m falling in love with this series. It took me a few books but now I’m just head over heels. The confusion I felt, especially in the first book, though tough for me to bear, was worth weathering. It wasn’t always easy as these books are so long, but I am so glad I persevered. I hope it’s not too melodramatic when I say they have changed my life.

Though Erikson can do it all, his main superpower lies in creating a plethora of varied characters, many of them so distinctive you have no problem remembering them, covering a wide range of human nature, from despicable to loathsome to funny to endearing – you name it. Sometimes it takes a book or two for a character to reappear but then it’s just so rewarding to see them again. (I must admit I had to look up a few of them now and then.)

Part of what makes the characters so distinctive is Erikson’s uncanny ability to write dialogue – many of the characters you can just recognize by their voice, be it an erudite scholar or an oblivious soldier, a confused mage or a sardonic sapper, an unhinged priest or a hilarious god. Or any combination thereof – and more. It’s truly a marvel to behold.

So it’s not just character development that is his superpower, it’s also his diction, his prose. I have never come across the like. Again he can do it all, introspective, philosophical, descriptive, humorous –and all of it wrapped up in beautiful English.

And then there is the worldbuilding. Just look at a map (https://atlasoficeandfireblog.wordpre...) and you get the idea of how extensive a world he has created. Different cultures, different histories, and a complex magic system. In truth it is the latter which is most challenging for me. The respective topography is often tied to one book so that you’ll then just explore a continent at a time, which is no great challenge. But the complex warren magic often made me stumble; I have just accepted that I don’t understand everything and that has helped some. Maybe I’ll gain more understanding upon a re-read.

So here we are. I’m again left breathless and stunned after another exceptional novel, ever eager for more. Yes, my life has changed; I cannot picture my life without Malzan anymore and I don’t want to. My life is richer for it, for the genius that is Steven Erikson.

Onward!

Edit: I'm upping this to five stars. I still cannot shake this book.

[Mayim de Vries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epilogue: Also, Tehol for President.*

Chapter 24: All is fine but what died should stay dead no matter how much I like the character.

Chapter 23: Ever seen one man versus three dragons battle? No? Then come here.

Chapter 22: Seren Pedac should be renamed as "Seren Dipity"

Chapter 21: Dear me, Hood, by all the lit candles, you did right this time.

Chapter 20: This bickering couple, they really need to take the arguments to bed.

Chapter 19: Serves you well, Feather Witch!

Chapter 18: Really hate the Errant right now.

Chapter 17: Farming demons! Farming demons? For peaceful retirement. Really, Mr Erikson, now I have seen it all.

Chapter 16: For the first time in the series, my notes on a single chapter amount to nothing. Zero little nothings.

Chapter 15: No. this Rhulad-softening exercise does not work on me. He is not only pitiable, he is also being willfully stupid. And this is unforgivable.

Chapter 14: Adjunct, you really have done it again!

Chapter 13: Unwitnessed campaign. In other words: how to invade a country tavern by tavern (the Malazan way, the Letheri way is bank by bank).

Chapter 12: Onrack no longer a rack only. I saw it coming but it is a happy development nonetheless.

Chapter 11: The Malazans are on the shore. Finally some bonehunting will come about.

Chapter 10: I hate it that everyone in this book knows more than me!

Chapter 9: When you can weep or you can laugh, opt for the laughter. This is what gods and tyrannies fear the most.

Chapter 8: The conquest by the weak is called corruption. Sometimes it might be waged by Letheri. And sometimes but eggless hens.

Chapter 7: When an earthquake announces you - this is what is called a grand entrance.

Chapter 6: When the current Champion to the Matron meets the former boytoy to the Matron... well, that cannot end well, can it?

Chapter 5: Hold The Bug puzzle aka. Bug and Tehol trickery.

Chapter 4: Kettle, my heart boils and whistles for you in this book.

Chapter 3: This Redmask person, where did he come from?!

Chapter 2: I am an academic by vocation. Can you imagine the powerful emotional gale Janath Anar's tale has thrown me in?

Chapter 1: I guess nobody expected Letherii Inquisition.

Prologue: I have heard it is called Weeper's Gale.

* I am not going to even pretend that I could in any way give a pale shadow of justice to this book or indeed a whole series in a proper review. There are many better than me, here on Goodreads (and many of those I'm lucky to have among my friends), who managed to grasp and convey the sheer brilliance of what awaits those who open the Malazan Book of the Fallen. All I can give you is a chapter breakdown of weeping reaping my own gale.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen:

1. Gardens of the Moon ★★★★★
2. Deadhouse Gates ★★★★★
3. Memories of Ice ★★★★★
4. House of Chains ★★★★★
5. Midnight Tides ★★★★★
6. The Bonehunters ★★★★★
8. Toll the Hounds ★★★★★
9. Dust of Dreams ★★★☆☆ (and the third star is a testament to my generosity)
10. The Crippled God ★★☆☆☆

[Michael Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not crying, you're crying.

This has, by far, the saddest death scenes yet. The deaths themselves weren't that sad, but Erikson makes them heartbreaking. There's no way to really go into more depth without huge spoilers.

As far as the story goes, Erikson hits it out of the park, yet again. Our cast is most of the people we've already met: we have some Malazans, the Bonehunters, Letherii (which I hate with a passion, save Tehol) and the Edur. We also get to meet Silchas Ruin, Anomander Rake's brother. Who we're told is the coldest of the brothers, which is scary to think of.

The battle scenes, especially the one between just 2 people,at the end, gave me goosebumps. It shows just how scary one particular warrior really is in battle.

These reviews will be getting shorter and shorter due to just about anything I could say would be a major spoiler.

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

“No sueñes con la gloria. Ella también está muerta.
Ella lo era todo. Y está muerta”.

Aquí tenemos el caso extremo de no soy tu soy yo. No saben las ganas que tenía de que llegara este día y poder dar finalizada este libro. Me siento muy liberada.

“Llaman a la guerra, paz; a la tiranía, libertad. En qué lado de la sombra te encuentras decide el significado de una palabra. Las palabras son las armas utilizadas por aquellos que miran a los otros con desdén. Un desdén que solo se profundiza cuando ven como se engaña a esos otros y se les hace parecer tontos porque decidieron creer. Porque, en su ingenuidad, creyeron que el significado de una palabra era único, inmune al abuso”.

Un año, un año entero para leer este libro entre pausas, relectura entre otras cosas. Este libro llegó a sacar lo peor de mí, a lo que ustedes me pueden decir: “pero Elena, es solo culpa tuya y porque quisiste” Obviamente, ha sido todo culpa mía, ya lo he admitido al inicio y no pararé de decirlo.

“Fue intencionado? ¿Fue a propósito, algo estudiado? ¿O del modo en que la sangre se seca para crear una postilla?”

También he de admitir que lo empecé el año en el peor momento posible, personalmente y académicamente pero necesitaba como un respiro. Luego, cada vez que intentaba leerlo sentía que no avanzaba nada, se me hacía todo bola entre otras cosas. Sin embargo, ¿saben que fue lo mejor de todo? Acabarlo. Juro que estaba en la cama, mire hacia la página que decía: ASÍ TERMINA EL SEPTIMO RELATO DE MALAZ. EL LIBRO DE LOS CAIDOS y me quedé medio indiferente- medio enfadada, sin poder créemelo y a la vez sintiéndome como si me sacara un gran peso de encima. Lo cogí, le saqué la funda que uso y lo coloqué con el resto de la saga y le dije: Ahí te quedas, guapo.

“-El mal habla con mentiras.
+Y el bien conoce solo una verdad. Pero es una mentira, porque siempre hay más de una verdad.”

Ahora, bajo ningún concepto voy a decir que el libro no me gustó, una cosa no quita la otra. El libro está decente, sin embargo, sí que voy a admitir que detesté el final y como siempre me enfadé. Solo diré que algunas cosas me parecieron demasiado gratuitas, pero bueno, es mi opinión y punto. No estoy diciendo que el libro es una basura. Para nada.

“Así que ella estaba loca, entonces yo también.
Que el Embozado me lleve, quizá lo estemos todos.”

El octavo puede esperarse que igual tardo un rato en ir a buscarle.

[Scott Hitchcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upon Reread this book read as it did the first time. The first third is a lot of the Awl, the Patriotists and the Liberty Consign. It's sends a lot of important political messages with direct parallels to American history but I was again glad when it was over and at the end of book two Yan Tovis utters music to every readers ears They are here. On this shore. The Malazans are on our shore.

Tehol and Bugg do what Tehol and Bugg do and amuse us with banter ranging from absurd to clever but ever mixed with a political overtone.

This book majorly belongs to the marines. If you didn't love them leaving Y'Ghatan, besides WTF is wrong with you, you have to love them in this tale. All their backstories, their banter and bickering, concern and empathy.

But it also lives up to its nickname Weaper's Gale. Just as gut-wrenching the second time. Beak, Toc, Trull......and then the survivors Tool, Onrack, Seren.....so much pain and anguish.

Then in the end SE does what SE does and produces yet another massive convergerance with multiple plot lines all crashing together in truly epic fashion. Simply Brilliant.

I think I caught more that I missed in this reread than any of the others. So many little symbolic details. Some setup long ago and some still far reaching. This series makes all other "epic" series look like novellas.

-------- Original review

So you’ve finished the 6th installment the Bonehunters and you’re thinking here we go a clash of worlds. Malazan vs Letherii, Rhulad vs Karsa vs Icarium steel cage death match, Quick Ben vs Shadowthorne……..NOPE. Dear reader did you actually think we would pick up anywhere else but in the midst of a hundred new characters and storylines? Foolish mortals.

The start was like the first book of House of Chains or the start of Midnight Tides. Thankfully a lot of characters like Karsa, Silchas Ruin and others started to cycle in but I was never so happy to read:“They are here. On this shore. The Malazans are on our shore.”

I loved all the Malazan parts. I loved the story line of Ruin, Fear, Seren, Udinaas and Kettle. I loved the story arc of Quick, Hedge, Trull and Onrack. The quick screen time of Karsa, Icarium, Shadownthrone, Menendore and others also great. I found the Letherii parts slow and tough at times. Even Bug and Tehol’s humor seemed a little trite compared to the camaraderie of the Malazans and other groups.

Chapter 22 has to go down as one of the top ten of the series and perhaps the most heart wrenching of them all which is saying something considering events in Deadhouse and Memories. Chapter 23 also very sad and a scene three dragons and a wizard that I would love to see on the big screen.
Starvald Demelain, the warren of dragons……………did not see that coming.

The ending had a lot of surprises. Some good, some bad and a lot more sadness.

All in all just another amazing chapter in this series.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars.

This one is incredibly hard to rate. The middle 1/3 or so dragged as much as any Malazan book (and these books drag in places) since book 1.While some of the plot threads were still interesting, if somewhat slow-paced (the Malazan soldier's) some were pretty much dead in the water with seemingly nothing happening but a load of depressing philosphising (The quest to find Scabandari Blood-eye). However the final quarter brought pretty much every previously dull and stagnant plot-thread to life, ramped the pace up to 11 and delivered one of my favourite endings, in a series chocked full of awesome endings (I especially appreciated that this ending didn't feel like Erikson was trying to force as much epicness as possible into it like some other ones, this one felt like a much more natural progression from the rest of the story).

Full review to come.

[Jenna Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I now understand why fans call it Weeper's Gale.

Like MT, the Letherii storyline took me longer to get into than some of the other Malazan books. In RG, Erikson has undertaken more storylines with more characters while at the same time trying to close off some stories. I wasn't sure he could bring it all together at the end, but by now, I should expect nothing but greatness from him.

I would have to say that my favourite storylines in RG were the ones that got the least amount of pages. I didn't dislike the others, but I found myself being drawn to characters I already knew. Karsa and Icarium's POVs are the most memorable in my mind, but all of the Malazan characters were a welcome addition to the novel after book one. A couple of my favourite stories: Tehol and Bugg, Toc, Samar Dev, Icarium, Karsa, Silchas Ruin, Quick Ben.

Chapter 22 was legendary. It was one of the best chapters in the whole series and I'm still in shock, but it seems Toc will still have a role even though he died, so there is some good news for my favourite one-eyed character. This chapter, and the last book of the novel in general, was flipped between POVs so perfectly; I really didn't want to put the book down at that point.

[Charlie Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

La Tempestad del segador

Séptimo relato de la serie de Malaz en el que volvemos al continente Lether, por primera vez vemos que hay tres libros seguidos que tienen en común al menos un hilo. En el caso de MdM y LC el hilo es Trull Sengar, lo suficiente como para empezar el libro con más idea. En el caso de este que nos ocupa la continuación es muy clara visto el final de Los Cazahuesos.



Aunque ese final prevea alguna reacción en contra de Lether, sorprende ese movimiento Malazano llegando al continente sin mucha idea de lo que se van a encontrar. Pero estamos hablando de lo que queda de los abrasapuentes, ahora los cazahuesos, los reyes de la acción en el imperio malazano, con sus soldados de élite y sus magos, superiores en arrojo y poder a cualquier ejército.

En este relato todo confluye en el continente dominado por los Tiste edur. Tenemos a los paladines que van a enfrentarse al emperador inmortal Rhulad Sengar, los malazanos que quieren dar una lección a los Tiste edur, una estrategia de Tehol Beddict para hundir la economía de Lether, fugitivos perseguidos que buscan venganza, rebeldes que van a dar muchos problemas a los Letherii, etc. Además de magos, hechiceros y dioses ancestrales que aparecen cuando un hilo se pone interesante.



Muchos actores principales para un espectáculo que se prevé a la altura. Otra cosa es los sube y baja que tiene el libro. Demasiados valles en mi opinión, muchos hilos durante el relato, algunos nada interesantes, demasiados personajes legendarios que se tienen que repartir las mejores escenas, y claro, no hay para todos por igual. De todas formas no faltan batallas y enfrentamientos espectaculares.


«Y Ben el Rápido, allí en pie, como un frágil sauce ante un tsunami, desató su magia.»

Por no hablar de personajes que desaparecieron hace cuatro libros y los encontramos aquí como si nada, o el muerto muy muerto que lo resucitan porque él lo vale. Como en un juego que cuando estás bajo de vida, te acercas a una fuente de salud para revivir y "yastá". Un poco de cachondeito veo yo aquí. Ya que estamos, a mí me gustaría ver resucitado a alguno que echo de menos, quedan tres relatos, veremos.

En definitiva buen séptimo relato malazano, a mi parecer por debajo de los últimos, el nivel de la serie es tan alto que cuando te encuentras uno un poco por debajo lo notas y más cuando este se preveía grandioso. Pero seguimos, con más interrogantes, una huida hacia delante hasta el relato final.

[Matt's Fantasy Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely phenomenal book that achieves true greatness in the fantasy genre

I cannot get over how much I enjoyed this book, and how much I am sucked into the Malazan universe. This book picks up immediately where the last one left off (which is a bit of a rare thing in Malazan), and I am truly grateful for that because I am in love with the continent of Letheras.

This book is truly the definition of epic fantasy -- From a convergence of the greatest warriors on the entire planet coming together to fight an unstoppable ruler who gains strength every time he dies, to a group of outcast witches, to a mysteriously masked hero of the plains who rebels against their stronger rulers, to the loveable marines who we have read so much about coming together and bridging the previous books to the new storylines -- this book really does have it all.

Unless the final 3 books in this series have a significant drop in quality, Malazan will go down as hands-down my favorite fantasy series of all time.

[Chris Berko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadhouse Gates used to be my favorite, until I read Memories of Ice. The last two-hundred pages of Midnight Tides convinced me it deserved the top spot. But then Bonehunters stole it with the way everything takes off and alas, this masterpiece. I'm not saying anything remotely new here but these books keep getting better. It's just a tremendously entertaining series that doesn't insult my grey matter and rewards the effort required to read.

[Joshua Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's easy to see why this is such a divisive installment in the Malazan Book of the Fallen. On one hand, it has an extremely disjunct and meandering beginning (around 500 pages worth!) and the plot moves at a glacial pace... when it's moving at all. On the other hand, however, Reaper's Gale has some of the most meaningful character moments in the entire series. Many of these moments feature characters prominent in Midnight Tides, which shares the same setting as this book, but others were entirely new characters or even characters from much earlier in the series (as early as book 1!) whose stories intertwine brilliantly here. The last third of the book was very strong and the ultimate ending left me quite satisfied, even if the beginning was a huge slog for me. 3.5/5

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

For me, this is the first of the series that starts to close the circle. There are endings within these pages that are devastating, some that bring a tearful smile, and some that bring a joyful 'yeah, you got yours'... Of course, being Erikson, that doesn't mean there aren't new characters and new questions; he has a deep and abiding dislike of simplicity. Save a few spellbinding moments, it's not a book that is in the running for the top spot, but it serves well to signal the beginning of the end.

[Samir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't feel like writing a review so this is gonna be a mini rant with a spoiler included.

This is, for me, the weakest book in the series so far. Bunch of threads with an underwhelming conclusion and I still don't get why Erikson killed Trull. Such a pointless way to end a character. I would somehow get over it if he died in a meaningful battle or sacrificed himself to protect Onrack or Seren but not this. He built a character everyone who possess a shred of empathy got emotionally attached to and ended him in a stupidest way possible just to mess with our heads and make us go: "NOOOOO", or in my case, followed up with a bunch of swear words. I hate it when authors kill a character just for shock value. That's just lazy writing. I almost gave it 3 stars because of it.

And I never thought I'd say this about a Malazan book but it really could have been shorter.

[Lau ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We left a debt in blood. Malazan blood. And it seems they will not let that stand.”
They are here. On this shore.
The Malazans are on our shore.

💫Spoiler free review for the entire series

Reaper’s Gale is the seventh volume in Malazan Book of the Fallen. For the first time, we are following the events of the previous books, The Bonehunters and Midnight Tides, which made the reading experience easier. While the pacing was slow at times, I didn’t mind much because we were mainly following characters we already knew from other books, so I cared about them and enjoyed seeing how they were doing. Also, you’re aware of what’s going to come and that suspense makes you keep reading.


This volume follows mainly characters we’ve seen before, but there are still a lot of new characters and dozens of points of view to keep track of. Even though you have to be very focused in order to not get lost, all these characters let us go through voices from different sides of a conflict, giving us a clearer image of the consequences of their actions. I really appreciate the complexity of it, that’s why I keep reading this series despite not being the lightest read-to think that I ‘only’ have three books left!😭

However, there were some POVs that had a lot of pages of building up only to appear once at the end. While they helped make the conclusion more satisfying, it made me wonder if the book could have been cut on certain parts to maintain a better pace throughout the story, since this is such a long book. Especially because there were POVs I hated and wouldn’t have minded seeing less of them-I’m looking at you, Letheri rulers.


I really want to talk about the main characters but, at this point, everything is a spoiler. I’ll just say that I was looking forward to one certain fight that didn’t happen and I have a suspicion it’s going to be the last final battle. I thought Erikson did us a bit dirty there but I forgive him because everything else was really cool.


One of the only characters I can talk about, because he’s new, was Beak. I loved his POV. He’s a mage, thus he was a bit crazy, but I’ve come to realize I love following mages exactly because of that. I first loved Quick Ben, then Bottle, and now, Beak-I can’t wait to see the next one if we continue to follow the trend 🤣


Beak’s story was so heartbreaking it made me want to fight all the people who mistreated him-both when he was younger and inside the army. He only wanted to have friends! I think that part was important because it really showed how people who don’t behave like what’s ‘normal’ suffer a lot of injustices in life. It was a lesson on empathy, because even characters who were good-hearted failed that test when it came to Beak.


I also tend to love characters that don’t understand social cues and Beak was the best one at that. I laughed out loud reading his thoughts, it was very refreshing seeing a narrative so different from the rest. I have to admit, though, that I was never able to trust him because of that. Hearing him talk about all the candles being lit, not being able to turn them off anymore and dying along with his friends filled me with dread.

“I was born a stupid boy to very rich noble-born parents.” Usually the first words he uttered to everyone he met. The next ones were: “That’s why I became a soldier, so I could be with my own kind.” Conversations usually died away shortly after that, which made Beak sad.
my poor baby 😭

Overall, I wish I could talk more about everything I loved in this book, but you’ll have to read it to see for yourself because I don’t want to spoil anyone. It took me three weeks to read this, because it’s a long book and quite slow paced, but I really enjoyed following characters that I already loved as well as some of the new faces. As always, I also really appreciate how Malazan shows the reality of different characters during the same conflict. It gives you perspective, which is something a lot of citizens need right now. I think society would be a better place if more people read books like this one.

“Everything of true value is, in fact, free.”

↬ Malazan Book of the Fallen:
1. Gardens of the Moon: 2.5 stars
2. Deadhouse Gates: 4.5 stars
3. Memories of Ice: 3.5 stars
4. House of Chains: 2.5 stars
5. Midnight Tides 4.25 stars
6. The Bonehunters: 4.75 stars (favorite book of 2024)
7. Reaper's Gale: 4.25 stars
8. Toll the Hounds: 5 stars (first 5-star of 2025!!)
9. Dust of Dreams: 2.5 stars
10. The Crippled God: 3.75 stars

My rating is based on terms of enjoyment. Which explains why The Bonehunters was my fav of 2024 yet I didn't give it 5-stars while other books I gave 5-stars to weren't. But that's the problem with trying to rate art (which it's a discussion for another day😂).

[Krell75 · Rating 5 out of 5]

La morte e la pace nell'oltre.
La natura del potere e della corruzione.
Identità culturale, colonialismo e conflitto.
Compassione, sacrificio e dovere.
La follia e il tormento.

Anche questo settimo romanzo della saga Malazan è una narrazione complessa dove si rischia di rimanere travolti da un'ondata di emozioni potenti.

Il conflitto tra la Quattordicesima Armata Malazan e l'Impero Letherii è di una brutalità quasi insopportabile, ma necessaria. Si percepisce la sofferenza dei soldati, la loro stanchezza, ogni colpo assestato. Le scene di battaglia, mai fini a sé stesse, sono veicoli per esplorare il costo umano della guerra.

La figura di Rhulad Sengar, l'imperatore maledetto, mi ha ossessionato. La sua tragica discesa nella follia, la sua ricerca disperata di una morte liberatoria, è stata narrata con un'intensità che mi ha lasciato un profondo senso di malinconia. E poi c'è Karsa Orlong, un personaggio che amo per la sua forza brutale e il suo percorso di riflessione. "Venti di Morte" è un romanzo ricco di personaggi, alcuni dei quali continuano le loro storie dai libri precedenti, mentre altri vengono introdotti.

Il vero cuore pulsante del romanzo è stata la capacità di Erikson di creare legami emotivi profondi, e poi rendere i loro destini in bilico, capaci di spezzare il cuore. In mezzo a tanta oscurità, ho trovato riflessi di incredibile bellezza: la lealtà incrollabile tra i soldati, la compassione inaspettata, e l'umorismo arguto di Tehol e Bugg che offriva un respiro vitale.

"Venti di Morte" è un libro che ti consuma e ti sfida, ma ti ricompensa con una profondità e un impatto che ti cambiano. Una lettura che non si dimentica.

-----------------------------
Death and peace in the afterlife.
The nature of the power and corruption.
Cultural identity, colonialism and conflict.
Compassion, sacrifice and duty.
Madness and torment.

This seventh novel in the Malazan saga is also a complex narrative where you risk being overwhelmed by a wave of powerful emotions.

The conflict between the Malazan Fourteenth Army and the Letherii Empire is of an almost unbearable, but necessary, brutality. You can feel the suffering of the soldiers, their exhaustion, every blow dealt. The battle scenes, never ends in themselves, are vehicles to explore the human cost of war.

The figure of Rhulad Sengar, the cursed emperor, has obsessed me. His tragic descent into madness, his desperate search for a liberating death, has been narrated with an intensity that has left me with a deep sense of melancholy. And then there is Karsa Orlong, a character I love for his brutal strength and his path of reflection. "Reaper's Gale" is a novel full of characters, some of whom continue their stories from the previous books, while others are introduced.

The real beating heart of the novel was Erikson's ability to create deep emotional bonds, and then make their fates in the balance, capable of breaking the heart. In the midst of so much darkness, I found reflections of incredible beauty: the unshakable loyalty between the soldiers, the unexpected compassion, and the witty humor of Tehol and Bugg that offered a vital breath.

"Reaper's Gale" is a book that consumes and challenges you, but rewards you with a depth and impact that changes you. A read that is not to be forgotten.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can see that the overarching story might add up to a wonderful jigsaw, but Erikson is a demented pounder of the keyboard, someone needs to edit him savagely, take away his computer and make him write longhand. He has long since lost control of his creation. As Stalin may have said 'Quantity has a Quality all of its own', it pounds your mind into numbed submission as you trudge towards the slopes of Mount Doom, bearing the ring of steadily reducing expectations.

After 500 pages of this the 7th Malazan book of the fallen, the Malazan arrive. There are still 700 pages to go, but at least the story picks up a bit. Erikson is a master of repetition and meandering conversations. Yes we get it, the Letherii Empire has been conquered but its conqueror's have no control. We really don't care after the fifth time someone says this. Likewise the number of very similar skirmishes and pointless rapes do nothing for me.

Erikson does the worst resolutions to conflicts one can imagine, after say 3 or 400 pages of build up you expect something special, but what you get is a couple of pages, of 'oh he got killed'.

The Malazan wander around with high explosives, but 'fight' ever so bravely against the poor saps armed only with swords. I can't ever believe in magic that can't remotely detonate gunpowder, you need only read Grunts by Mary gentle to see how pitifully high technology performs in such an environment.

Let us hope that Erikson finishes this soon, or is otherwise forced to write something new, short and focused. This rambling sprawl has good elements drowned in padding and power inflation, virtually anyone could do anything, there is no sense of certain characters being special.

[Велислав Върбанов · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Ледериите са майстори в развалянето на думите, на значенията им. Те наричат войната мир, наричат тиранията свобода. Това от чия страна на сянката стоиш решава значението на една дума. Думите са оръжията, използвани от онези, които гледат на другите с презрение. Презрение, което само се задълбочава, когато виждат как онези други са измамени и превърнати в глупци, защото са избрали да вярват. Защото в своята наивност са мислели, че значението на една дума е твърдо, неподвластно на злоупотреба.“


„Вихърът на жътваря“ напълно ме заплени и веднага се нареди сред най-великите фентъзи романи, които съм чел! Стивън Ериксън по безапелационен начин е представил епична и многопластова история, свързана с разпада на цивилизации и жестокия имперски начин на живот... Той е вложил всеобхватни обществени теми за размисъл, които отлично допълват страшно напрегнатите сюжетни линии. Разбира се, книгата е изпълнена с мащабни битки и мистични намеси на богове, както и различни забележителни герои от предходните части на Малазанската поредица са въвлечени в шеметни премеждия, покрай бруталните конфликти в Ледерийската империя. В този брилянтен роман най-силно ме впечатлиха Карса Орлонг и Бързия Бен!






„— Танал Ятванар, най-големите ни врагове са онези, които са лишени от увереност. Хората с въпроси, онези, които гледат на акуратните ни отговори с непоклатим скептицизъм. Такива въпроси ни терзаят, подронват устоите ни. Разбери, тези опасни граждани разбират, че нищо на този свят не е просто.“


„— Силхас — каза Серен, — имаш ли някаква представа за какво говори Кетъл?
— Не, Аквитор — отвърна той. — Но смятам да продължа да я слушам.“


„В края на краищата тиранията няма чувство за хумор. Твърде чувствителни са, твърде задръстени от самоувереност. Което си е почти непреодолимо изкушение — защо да не бъда извинен, ако им се подиграя понякога?“ Уви, Патриотистите не притежаваха гъвкавост към подобни неща: най-гибелното оръжие срещу тях бе насмешката, присмехът — и те го знаеха.“


„Да приемеш, казваха те, означава да схванеш важността на отговорността; и ако можеше да съществува такова нещо като светски бог, то за обитателите на Андара, последните последователи и поклонници на Чернокрилия господар, името на този бог беше Отговорност.“


„Сеймар Дев видя блесналите свирепи зъби на Карса Орлонг и я прониза мраз.
— Какво знаеш за това? — попита го.
— Проклятието ми е да привличам души — отвър��а той. — Какво са духовете, вещице, ако не просто силни души?“


„Селението на Сянка бе изпълнено с жестоки места, но никое не можеше да се сравни с жестокостта на сенките над душата. Подобни мисли измъчваха в последно време Котильон.“


„Всяко обяснение, което опитам, ще повлияе на възприятието ви за онова, което ще откриете в края на пътуването си. А това не бива да се позволи, защото начинът, по който възприемате, ще оформи и всъщност ще определи реалността, която ви очаква.“



„— По начин, необходим, за да сглобиш нещо наподобяващо професионална армия. Трябва да пренасочиш лоялността им към старите кръвни връзки. Виждал съм как действаш войсковите си командири, за да си сигурен, че ще следват заповедите ти в бой. Виждал съм как те на свой ред действат отдельонните си водачи, а отдельонните водачи — отделенията си.
— Ти си войник, Анастер Ток.
— И съм мразил всеки миг от службата, Червена маско.“


„Няма никаква порта — о, ти си я видял, знам го.
Но тя е лъжа. Тя е каквото умът ти строи, камък по камък.
Защото вашият вид обича граници. Прагове, деления, очертания. За да влезете в някое място, вие вярвате, че трябва да напуснете друго.“


„Откакто Сенкотрон го беше отвлякъл — когато Калам най-много се нуждаеше от него, — Бързия Бен кипеше отвътре. Изплащането на дълг в една посока означаваше измяна спрямо приятел в друга. Неприемливо.“


„За всяка дума, която изричаме, няма ли хиляда, останали неизречени? Не казваме ли често нещо, като имаме предвид точно обратното? Погледни ни — погледни себе си. Душите ни все едно са затворени в някоя обладана от духове крепост. Вярно, ние я построихме, всеки от нас — със собствените си ръце, но сме забравили половината стаи, изгубили сме се в коридорите...“


„Първи урок, когато си имаш работа с Карса Орлонг. Очаквай неочакваното.“


„— Злото говори с лъжи.
— А доброто знае само една истина. Но тя е лъжа, защото винаги има повече от една истина.“


„Но това щеше да е интроспекция, нали? Твърде изтощителна задача, да търсиш отговора на такива въпроси. По-лесно е просто да изпълняваш заповеди на други...“


„Но едурът забелязваше на моменти блясък на подозрителност в очите на малазанския чародей, сякаш Бързия Бен се задържаше на ръба на някаква вътрешна пропаст, спускане към нещо, на което заради самия си нрав не можеше да се довери изцяло.“


„И едурите, както и ледериите, бяха безсърдечни същества, при това страхливи. Готови да обърнат гръб, за да не видят цената на безразличието си. Готови да лишат от братство всекиго и всеки път, когато това ги устройва.
И в същото време го наричаха варварин.
Щом е така, той с охота приемаше това различие.
И верен на ясното си, дивашко разбиране за добро и зло, щеше да затаи в ума си онази сцена...“


„Всички тия оплаквания от Тавори, а ето го и него, правеше същото проклето нещо като нея — отблъскваше ги всички.
Защото беше необходимо. Защото нямаше избор.
„Тъй че ако тя е луда, значи и аз съм луд.“


„— Разбира се, не вярваш, че една тълпа е способна на справедливост.
— Бяха сдържани досега.
— Не говориш сериозно.
— Орбин, нито един Тайст Едур не е пипнат.
— Защото метежниците не са глупави. Кой смее да се изправи срещу едурската магия? Тъкмо бездействието на местните едури подтикна тълпите към още по-жестоки крайности.“


„Поредно проклето от Гуглата село, по-лошо от гъби след дъжд. Доказателство, ако им трябваше — а не им беше нужно, — че все повече се приближават до столицата. Селца, села, паланки, движение по пътища и черни коловози, тътен от преминаването на стада коне, рогове, ехтящи в далечината като вой на вълча глутница, стягаща убийствения си обръч.
— Живот ни чака — измърмори Фидлър.“


„Езикът на очите винаги е съвършен.“


„Това е истината за бившите роби, защото дори тази дума е лъжа. Робството се утаява в душата. Моят господар сега е провалът.“

„— Е, и?
Бързия Бен въздъхна.
— Проклет тъп идиот. Портите на Старвалд Демелайн.
— И?
— Само това. Сенкотрон и Котильон. Които обичат да използват Азатите, когато ги устройва. Сега вече имат достъп. И не просто до този свят при това.
— В Старвалд Демелайн? Богове на бездната, Бързак! — „И заради това ли току-що направихме всичко? Това ли те доведе тук?“
— Няма нужда да пищиш, сапьор. Когато се стигна до посаждането на тази Къща, ние дори не бяхме свидетели. Нали? Но да знаеш, това, което всъщност ме притеснява, е какво знаят или изглежда, че знаят тези двама потайни кучи сина. Схващаш ли?“


„Знаеше много добре, че триумфът на мъстта е отровен.“


„Зад Карса Сакатия бог се изсмя хрипливо и рече:
— Чаках те от дълго време, Карса Орлонг. Толкова усилно се трудих… за да те доведа при този меч. Защото той е твой, Тоблакай. Никой друг не може да го владее така, както можеш ти. Никой друг не може да понесе проклятието му, не може да остане разумен, не може да остане негов господар. Това оръжие, Избранико мой, е за теб.
Карса Орлонг се обърна към Сакатия бог.
— Никой не ме избира. На никого не давам това право. Аз съм Карса Орлонг от Теблор. Всички избори са само мои.“


„— Все пак в страната има мир.
— Да, и това ме кара да се чудя за точно колко дълго една империя може да кротне — отвърна Бъг.“