Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Dust of Dreams

Important note about the Dramatis Personae for both this and The Crippled God. They're mean to be one book but at nearly 800,000 words combined they needed to be broken apart. The Dramatis Personae for TCG is completely different but some of these characters are in that book as well.

The Malazans

Adjunct Tavore
High Mage Quick Ben
Fist Keneb
Fist Blistig
Captain Lostara Yil
Banaschar
Captain Kindly
Captain Skanarow
Captain Faradan Sort
Captain Ruthan Gudd
Captain Fast
Captain Untilly Rum
Lieutenant Pores
Lieutenant Raband
Sinn
Grub
The Squads
Sergeant Fiddler
Corporal Tarr
Koryk
Smiles
Bottle
Corabb Bhilan Thenu'alas
Cuttle
Sergeant Gesler
Corporal Stormy
Shortnose
Flashwit
Mayfly
Sergeant Cord
Corporal Shard
Limp
Ebron
Crump (Jamber Bole)
Sergeant Hellian
Corporal Touchy
Corporal Brethless
Balgrid
Maybe
Sergeant Balm
Corporal Deadsmell
Throatslitter
Galt
Lobe
Widdershins
Sergeant Thom Tissy
Tulip
Gullstream
Sergeant Urb
Corporal Reem
Masan Gilani
Saltlick
Scant
Sergeant Sinter
Corporal Pravalak Rim
Honey
Strap Mull
Shoaly
Lookback
Sergeant Badan Gruk
Corporal Ruffle
Skim
Nep Furrow
Reliko
Vastly Blank
Sergeant Primly
Corporal Kisswhere
Hunt
Mulvan Dreader
Neller
Skulldeath
Drawfirst

Dead Hedge
Alchemist Bavedict
Sergeant Sunrise
Sergeant Nose Stream
Corporal Sweetlard
Corporal Rumjugs

The Khundryl

Warleader Gall
Hanavat (Gall's wife)
Jarabb
Shelemasa
Vedith

The Perish Grey Helms

Mortal Sword Krughava
Shield Anvil Tanakalian
Destriant Run'Thurvian

The Letherii
King Tehol
Queen Janath
Chancellor Bugg
Ceda Bugg
Treasurer Bugg
Yan Tovis (Twilight)
Yedan Derryg (The Watch)
Brys Beddict
Atri-Ceda Aranict
Shurq Elalle
Skorgen Kaban
Ublala Pung
Witch Pully
Witch Skwish
Brevity
Pithy
Rucket
Ursto Hoobutt
Pinosel
The Barghast
Warleader Onos Toolan
Hetan
Stavi
Storii
Warchief Stolmen
Warlock Cafal
Strahl
Bakal
Warchief Maral Eb
Skincut Ralata
Awl Torrent
Setoc of the Wolves

The Snake

Rutt
Held
Badalle
Saddic
Brayderal

Imass

Onrack
Kilava
Ulshun Pral

T'lan Imass

Lera Epar
Kalt Urmanal
Rystalle Ev
Brolos Haran
Ilm Absinos
Ulag Togtil
Nom Kala
Inistral Ovan

K'Chain Che'Malle

Matron Gunth'an Acyl
J'an Sentinel Bre'nigan
K'ell Hunter Sag'Churok
One Daughter Gunth Mach
K'ell Hunter Kor Thuran
K'ell Hunter Rythok
Shi'Gal Assassin Gu'Rull
Sulkit
Destriant Kalyth (Elan)

Others

Silchas Ruin
Rud Elalle
Telorast
Curdle
The Errant (Errastas)
Knuckles (Sechul Lath)
Kilmandaros
Mael
Olar Ethil
Udinaas

Sheb
Taxilian
Veed
Asane
Breath
Last
Nappet
Rautos

Sandalath Drukorlat
Withal
Mape
Rind
Pule
Bent
Roach

Note: IMO this is one of the best books in the series minus the parts about the Shake which are confusing and long. I'll break out sections and you can choose to read the long game of the Snake or not.

Prologue

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We start with the snake which is a major reason people tend to not like DoD. A group of children lost in the desert. You have to look at every nuance of the snake as symbolic of how children are abused, go hungry and don't have homes in today's world.

Kalyth and a lot of machinery. Who's the one group who use machinery? The Matron has been busy. Kalyth is human. Has she taken over for Redmask? Destriant. These two KC are back from Lether. So who will be the Mortal Sword and Shield Anvil?

It's not spelled out the assassin they are worried about is a short tail and these are long tails. There's been hints in other books these two have warred in the past.. MOI for instance.

Interesting all the doubt in the KC. Flying KC!

Dusty green figure walking alone.....Jaghut? Heboric? Other?

Asane? Breath? Last? Taxilian? Rautos? Nobody, Sheb, we’d all be dancing.’

Interesting group. Remember Rautos was a bit obsessed with Icarium's machine.

Another crucified dragon.

So Fener and Heboric stand in the way of the Jade suns. Standing in the way of war. Justice is the enemy. Who represents justice?

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Chapter 1

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Bonehunters! Finally. Baby Smiles LOL. I love the little hints that the quarry was fiddler as he runs over two bridges. All this for a reading for Tavore.

Sinn and Grub hanging out at the Azath is fitting. I would have liked Sinn and Kettle to meet. So they want to avoid the deck reading too. Grub Mockra? Sinn now so powerful Grub doesn't feel the warren.

Extra joints, Forkrul Assail. The Azath House didn't die? It just left? Because of a battle between the FA and KC? Foreboding or ancient past? Sinn willing to break the world.

Tehol and Bugg! Worried about Fid and the reading. A lot of foreboding. The Errant still on the loose.

Telorast and Curdle, poor Banaschar. Where is Apsalar? The Errant sitting with the ex-priest of the worm of Autumn.....plotting what?

So remember Brys is the Soldier of High House Life. Thus the Errant won't risk direct confrontation.

QB questioning what Hedge is up to and now they're both invited to the reading. All the lead up to this divination is worth it.

Kindly's description of what he'll do to Bent was really funny. That dog takes shit from nobody. Add Sinn and Grub to the reading.

Trull's son to take over as the Knight of Shadow? The Errant, I keep thinking what will happen when he and Ganoes meet. Seren meeting Shadowthrone......I can't see that going well.

11 plus FId for the reading. Quick Ben, Hedge, Grub, Sinn, Brys, Tavore, Banachar, Lostara, Stormy, Gessler and Bottle makes 13 the number Fid doesn't want.

The two drunks are the same ones from down by the lake in Midnight Tides. The gods of beer and wine, lol. They give up Bugg's game.

Who is blocking the Errant? Bugg? Ganoes? Other?
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Chapter 2

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Remember the Meckros islands move and also that Onrack is now human again. Silchas Ruin, the last time we saw him QB sent him flying away in dragon form from the rooftops of the Letherii capital.

Giving advice to a child is like flinging sand at an obsidian wall. Nothing sticks. The brutal truth is that we each suffer our own lessons— they can’t be danced round. They can’t be slipped past. You cannot gift a child with your scars— they arrive like webs, constricting, suffocating, and that child will struggle and strain until they break. No matter how noble your intent, the only scars that teach them anything are the ones they earn themselves.’

The Perrish with some dissension between their Mortal Sword, Shield Anvil and Destriant. Betrayal, the vow a mistake. Tanakalian is no Itkovian apparently. Foreboding. He's going to choose who is worthy of his embrace. The first failing of any order.

Yedan getting rid of the fools so Twilight can rule without obstacles. Interesting how SE weaves this. The Shake and the Shore. What is that relationship?

SE has a bigger message here. Those with Draconian blood, blood of the Elient, cannot coexist because they all want to have power and are thus self destructive. Dragons will kill each other always betraying. The Soul Taken, those searching for power. All messages into our world.

Drinking virgin daughter's blood? The Bolkando aren't starting off too good. They had an encounter with the Kundryl Burned Tears. They're sometimes forgotten as a group who have been with us since the chain of dogs.

‘Sixth prophecy!’ hissed Skwish, pushing her way round her sister and glaring at Yan Tovis. ‘What of th’fifteenth prophecy? The Night of Kin’s Blood! “And it rises and the shore will drown, all in a night tears into water and the world runs red! Kin upon kin, slaughter marks the Shake and the Shake shall drown! In the unbreathing air.” And what could be more unbreathing than the sea? Your brother has killed us all an us all!’

Interesting prophecy. The shore drowning with rising tides, global warming.
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Chapter 3 - Love this one.

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Ruthan Gudd is one to watch. He was first introduced in TBH. Why is he hiding from the reading?

A reminder that we still don't completely know Kalam's fate/state. I really like all these little Bonehunter catchups. Their fears, pains, shock.....Veronica groans at Hellian.....

Tavore on how to spring an ambush, so she knows something is waiting for them and this reading it to set things in motion on her terms not theirs. Who are they is the big question.

I cannot love the tension of this reading more. Just the participants dread would be enough but the Errant, the gods of beer and wine bursting into flame, Bugg.....

‘Spinner of Death, Knight of Shadow, Master of the Deck.’

Spinner is a member of High House Death not Hood himself. Pust made reference to this way back in DG.

Knight of Shadow is Seren and Trull's son.

Master of the Deck Ganoes Paran.

Virgin of Death Sinn is the new person taking this over. Remember it was Apsalar\Sorry.

Sceptre Grub, an unaligned card. Interestingly this card was also dealt to Grub in a reading on the Silanda.

Magus of Dark Quick Ben. We've known he's had Tiste Andii ties for a long time. Deadhouse Gates 12 souls, in MOI trying to duck Anomander and so on. Who really is QB?

Mason of Death Hedge. Not shocking here since he's out on parole from the Bridgeburners who now control the bridge between the living and the dead. Remember this was held by both Whiskeyjack and Fiddler at different points.

Queen of Dark Sandalath. This one is pretty important. Remember she grew up in Kharkanas and although she died during the betrayal of the Edur she dates way back and we don't have her full back story.

Champion of Life Lostara. Interesting in that we know the Queen is the Queen of dreams, Weaver is Agayla, Brys is King,

Obelisk Bottle, unaligned, with links to the Eres'al not shocking.

Orb Gessler, unaligned.

Throne Stormy, unaligned. So Grub who is tightly aligned with Stormy and Gessler and their dogs get...between the three of them they get Orb, Sceptre and throne.......coincidence?

Fool of Chains Banaschar, well that deepens the plot given he was just conspiring with the Errant.

The Errant revealed but Fid calls him out and threatens him with the Master of the Deck. My oh my had Ganoes grown in stature. Interesting Brys comments as well. He's lived in stone and knows all the forgotten names. Will he call on them at some point? Gods before Togg and Fanderay. Fid's bluff. All of these players marked.

No card for Tavore? Curious. That Bugg is impressed by Fid's control and power says something. That Fid had the sight to protect them all really speaks to his character. Are they all playing to his tune?

The Errant knowing he cannot control Fid. The fur he felt was Kilava. Banachar and Fener tools to be used.

Telorast and Curdle. Since Apsalar departed are they still working for Edgewalker? How does their Draconic partnership last? Remember they are Eliant not Soultaken.

Sand losing her mind at being Queen. She doesn't know how QB is the Magi for the Andii.

Bonehunters to start marching to the Wastelands.

QB, stay away from Sand. Funny, I'll ram ten warrens down your throat.

Good ole Uballa bashing the Errant. Sinter a bit of a talent.

So Fid held back that Uballa was Herald of Life and Tavore is linked to High House chains in some capacity. Why conceal the first and what the hell could the second mean????



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Chapter 4

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Guesses on what the Wastelands are?

Who do you think will become the new Mortal Sword and Shield Anvil for the KC? The group they see TBH and the leader Tavore is not for them.

Heboric meeting Kalyth. The spotted horse on the cover would be her in Heboric's words taking hallucinations to stop the mind and get back in the pulse of the universe.

Hetan's children remember are Kruppe's not Tool. Girls really are rough. Siege, a great word for when they want something.

Torrent last of the Awl, Toc's tormentor. Barghast women hunting him, LOL. The Kell assassin killed the Barghast. Talamandas, I had forgotten he was still with the Barghast.

All these Jade references. You can feel the final convergence coming. Jade spears in the sky.

The Snake eating their own dead. Dealing with grief from liking him. An orphan's lament.

Quisiters? Quitters? Could be, yes, the Quitters, the bone-skins who stood taller than anyone else and from that height they saw everything and commanded everyone and when they said Starve and die, why, that’s just what everyone did.

I missed this the first time around because like a lot of SE's hints there just laid in plain site without emphasis while you're dealing with distractions. Look at the description of the Quitters and their power and with some other hints from earlier in the book from other groups besides the Snake we start to see who the real enemy is going to be.
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Chapter 5

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Businesses are the vultures of war, Halliburton alert.

QB spilling the beans that they're going through the Wastelands unwitnessed. Is Tavore taking them on a suicide mission? Lostara's card Champion of Life.....will she fight Tavore on this and become the champion of returning?

TCG is scared of what's coming? Does this have to do with the "Quitters"? QB bringing up Shadowthrone first of all the gods. The most wiley of them all. So what are his plans?

The enemy to the east" ‘Justice is a sweet notion. Too bad its practice ends up awash in innocent blood. Honest judgement is cruel, Adjunct, so very cruel. And what makes it a disaster is the way it spreads outward, swallowing everything in its path. Allow me to quote Imperial Historian Duiker: “The object of justice is to drain the world of colour.”

That should make it pretty clear. Who values justice and is drained of color. Combined this with the Quitters physical description and their mind magic.

So the heart of TCG came down next to Kolanse which is next to the Wastelands. Kalor whose burnt out Warren Kellanved usurped has come up. Can we conclude the wastelands origin?

Chaining TCG one last time to steal all of his power. What of the Jade statues and the Great Ravens both part of TCG?

So SE finally spells it out. Kolanse has been usurped by Ahkrast Kovalain, The warren of the Forkrul Assail. Justice. To make it worse the FA are sitting on TCG's heart using it as a power source. So their justice will be against anybody trying to usurp their power. Power and Justice......corruption.

A reminder that Uballa is on a mission from Karsa who will destroy the world. So much in motion here already and remember DoD and TCG are really one large book. Think of all the different parties already heading towards the convergence.

So Icarium and the reading are both playing off of each other and causing chaos, pun intended, with the warrens. A new set of Warrens using Icarium's blood and refreshing K'rul's.

Sinn looking to knock down gods. She's pretty powerful and a lot unstable...The Azath feeding?

Fid avoiding Hedge. Y'Ghatan Stormcrawlers. That's a cool nickname.

In book 9 Quick finally explains the Warrens. How cool would that description have been in book 1?????? As always he's in the know glancing at Bugg when mentioning elder warrens. The elder god in turn smiles at his dissembling.

Funny Tehol with the largest fence comment given the Trump narrative.
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Chapter 6

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Khundryl Burned Tears and Warleader Gall. Historical note there was a Gall of the Hunkpapa Lakota the same tribe as Sitting Bull who was one of his war leaders. Remember the Burned Tears fought to be the best fighters ever but realized that was Coltaine's tribe. All these different tribes although in Seven Cities looked like Middle Eastern tribes also have American roots and traits.

Note Gall's crow feather cloak.

This Bolkando Queen sounds impressive, too bad these chancellors cannot say the same. They were quickly outwitted.

So the Shore that the Shake defended in the past was that of Kurald Galain and they're headed back using the mortal path. So they must as well have some Andii blood?

The Ghost is a key figure. It's not Herboric. The cast of characters around the host give some hints. This K'Chain Che'malle keep with all their throats slit, who is capable of that atrocity?
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Book 2

Chapter 7

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That description and reminder of the Errant killing Feather Witch is quite haunting.

Knuckles, Sechul Lath. Errastas wanting to crush the new gods and revive his power. So he was driven out for something he no longer deserved. Is this why he resided in Lether? Trapped like the Edur? Mael was able to go between realms, as water will. What did he do?

Knuckles children, the twins. Oponn. She would be Kilmandaros.

Osserc and Kilmandaros. Osserc is an interesting character who we've seen in both series. He is definitely self serving even with his son. Kilmandaros is also Forkrul Assail and Sechul's mother.

Osserc is going to meet Edgewalker? That seems an unlikely alliance and Kilmandaros laughs at him. Will Osserc side with the other elder gods and try to take back Emurlahn from Shadowthrone with Edgewalker's help?

Quick Ben finding the tiles are quite alive. They're linking Rallick to Mael and know his identity.

Sand ready to leave TBH. Saelen Gara, is this the people the Shake are descended from? So the Shake are part Andii part Human.

The Errants plans made clear by Baneschar.

They were Mael's Nachts all along, interesting.

Sinn had a Tanno Spiritwalker tutor? Could it be Kimloc the same one who gave the BBs their song and ascension? The dead on the move again?


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Chapter 8

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The KC ready for war but Kalyth blind. Given the keep Taxillion and company found you can figure out who it was. Do they worship dragons? The keep would lend to that theory. An Otataral Dragon or a Dragon taken down by Otataral?

Sag'Churok's monologue about the warrens, otataral, life, death is amazing. How animals look at the world and understand it better than we do as we bleed out other worlds. BTW Love all the KC's names.

So the dead god is of the KC and the Otataral dragon will be awoken. Who is looking to control it.

In HoC Lostara and Pearl took the Imperial Warren, Kalor's Warren, and saw a crucified dragon in a spherical visible pocket that was its own warren. That dragon was the Otataral Dragon. That warren part of the waste lands where we are now. The wastelands are a product of what Kallor did back then. The heart of TCG falling in Kolanse where now the Forkrul Assail have usurped and are using that heart for power. So we see history repeating itself with a massive convergence of power coming this way.

Talamandas has become quite bitter. This anger of the Barghast and especially the women. The new warrens consuming Talamandas. Amazing tale of the dead wolves.

An engine in the keep. Kalse Rooted, the Ghost knows the name. So the Ghost must be very old indeed. Anything to take out of the name? The Ghost also confirms that the short tails killed all of these KCs. Can they rise again?

Interesting that all of this party has some story of survival against long odds. They've all had horrible lives. The story of Feather Witch.

And, the ghost now knew, he had a thing about time.

It should be pretty easy to figure out who the ghost is now.

The Shake back to Galain. The anticipation of seeing Kharkanas.

The glass desert. When sand melts it becomes glass. Kalor and his nuclear war.
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Chapter 9

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Janath and Shurq, LMAO. The distraction.

Something tells me there's more to this sweet eating Bolkando princess than meets the eye. Has Kruppe been to Bolkando? :)

Killing rival spies.

Love the scene between Hood and Deadsmell. Death portrayed as a compassionate god, one of the few, is so counterintuitive to all the current dogmatic teachings.

Sinn and Grub travelling the warrens like Kell and Dancer? That could be really bad given her stability. Love the dogs are still here. Bottle still visited by the Eres'al.

Rumjugs and Sweetlard under Kisswhere, LOL. Kindly and Pores scenes are very underrated in this series.


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Chapter 10

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The Barghast rape and hobling is very disturbing. Sekara the vile. Crucifiction. What could scare Tool? KC?Jade talons in the sky, ghosts from another realm flowing out onto the plain.

Chance -- ‘Chance— Knuckles— but see how it’s at war with itself? That’s the truth of Chance right there. Fortune and Misfortune are mortal enemies. And that one: Rule— no throne, thrones are too obvious.’ She flipped that Tile. ‘And Ambition on the other side— they kill each other, you see?’ She began flipping more Tiles. ‘Life and Death, Light and Dark, Fire and Water, Air and Stone. Those are the old ones, remade.’ She swept those aside, leaving three remaining Tiles. ‘These are the most potent. Fury, and on its opposite side, Starwheel. Fury is just what it says. Blind, a destroyer of everything.

Chance at war with itself. So the push pull of chance but in this case perhaps more in action given what we know about Errastas, Sechul Lath and Kilmandaros. The second part is the empty throne.

The third part is interesting. Starwheel points to TCG as does fury. A destroyer of everything to me is Time and time is Icarium. Will our Ghost return?

On the other side Life and Death, Light and Dark, Fire and Water, Air and Stone. Pretty much all the high houses plus the Imass and Elementals.

Blueiron gives life to machines, the KC. Blueiron also makes me think of the Swords of Bluerose, of the Tiste Andii. Root, Kalse Rooted. Ice Haunt, so will the Jaghut be drawn into this conflict?

Twilight definitely has the melancholy of the Andii, human or mixed race. Three suns, so not Galain but Lioson or a neighboring realm. Lioson wouldn't be good given the ancient war between dark and light.

Repose, a Forkrul Assail. 5 Lioson. Yedan is pretty fierce to win this battle. Are the Lioson and FA aligned? It wouldn't be surprising given the FA represent justice and the Lioson pious purity of the light. Piety and Justice equal Repression.

The suns a weapon. To burn them alive.
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Chapter 11

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LOL @ Tehol's diplomatic dealings. Interesting that Bugg cannot see Brys's path and sees him as unaligned where in the reading he was the king of high house life. Bugg to take on the Errant directly! Janath with child.

Grizzin Farl mentioned as missing ages ago I'll point out because he's a character in Kharkanas. Also not Edgewalker being mentioned in the same breath with Draconus and Nightchill. Powerful indeed. Knowledge of Draconus being freed from Dragnipur hasn't reach Lether apparently.

Olar Ethil, the one they don't want to see. A undead Bonecaster and also an Azathanai like all the other mentioned. Ardata remember is Morgora's patron and is much discussed in the prologue of MOI. She'll also play a part in Blood and Bone. Note Errastas keeps seeing Ghosts in his periphery and that Icarium is also noted in the last laying of the tiles.

This house they were all in for a time is interesting. Will it become active again. It's interesting that Sechul seems contrite for past damages and wants to wear his wounds but not Errastas. Yet he still follows.

Ruthan Gudd not wanting mages looking into him....like Quick Ben. Remember he knew Greymane well.

Ubala having to wait on his tasks. Dragon scaled armor. I wonder if we'll get that back story in Kharkanas or perhaps the new trilogy. Skyfall, from TGC? Ubala headed to the Wastelands too.

Throatslitter, a hidden Talon and there's more. Nep threw spiders at somebody, Ardata like Mogora?

Blistig slowly becoming disenfranchised.

The new Bridgeburners! Does that mean if I join I ascend? :)

QB finding Bottle's spy and tying threads. QB really has had a lot of interactions with the stars of the series. Rake, Brood, Kruppe, Kallor, Hood, Gothos, Bauchelain and Broach, Silchas Ruin, Shadowthrone and Cotillion, Trull, Icarium, Menandore, and her two sisters, Talamandas, Onrack, Rud Elalle......and he's still standing.

Who is the Adjunct conversing with? Protected by an Elder?

Hedge with his own alchemist, scary.

A gift from Mael to Tavore, in your direst need, when blood is needed. Is Mael offering himself as that offering to come and help?


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Chapter 12

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The Barghast are really hard to like especially from their MOI origins. What is this storm that wipes the Shakehunters out? Tool's lessons on how leaders should lead are so apt.

Tool honorable to the end. Poor Hetan. What will this mean for her and their children?

An oily bitterness in the air, serpent like, talons. Short tails or KC? Different cuts, short tails. The assassin from above.

Olar Ethil kissed the Son of Darkness? So Toc begged for their behalf and he is active in this land. Olar Ethil is such a great name. She thinks of herself as the mother of mankind.

Darkness comes from within. Kharkanas. Home?
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Book 3

Chapter 13

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Silchas's story of Draconus coming to the Tiste Andii is a glimpse into Kharkanas and worth noting. Consort to Mother Dark, interesting. When Father Light rose so did his jealousy. Does Anomander regret? Does Silchas know of Anomander's fall and reunion with Mother Dark?

Starvald Demelain gate sealed but will the Dragons rise? Hands of Fire, Ryadd Eleis.

Korabas an eleint, the Otataral Dragon revealed. Against reference she'll be freed.

Sand goes into Rashan, not Kurald Galain? Nimander not with the Shake. Galain is wounded?

The Venath Demons cleaning up the Forkrul Assail, bad day for justice. Jaghuts created the Nanchts.

You have to treat these scenes of the snake as a message from children suffering from hunger, safety and shelter to adults who will never read them. SE is on one major soapbox and the snakes turns a lot of people off because it's so abstract.

Kalyth meeting the Bridgeburners. Guarding the gate. What a terrific scene.

Jaghuts to the rescue. 14 undead apparently freed from Hood's realm and not fans of his being at both chainings. Iskar Jarak, pretend they are T'lan Imass, awesome line. I like these Jaghut with senses of humor, who knew?

Sinn blows away a KC, powerful indeed. Her blood is on fire, oh oh. Sinn's message about being made by the pain you've witnessed and how you're remade reverberates with me.

So Icarium still has a body and the drone can see him but the humans cannot?
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Chapter 14

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Love the Chain of Dog curses. Rava another in a long line of deplorable diplomats.

Because we are all creators of private hangings, depicting our own heroic existences. Alas, only the maddest among us weave in nothing but gold thread— while others among us, unafraid of truth, will work the fullest palette, the darker skeins, the shadows, the places where the bright light can never reach, where grow all the incondite things.

It is tragic, indeed, how few we are, we who are unafraid of truth.

Starting to understand Tanakalian is believing his own bullshit. Those who believe in their own destiny. Definitely not Itkovian. Willing to wear any mask he needs to.

Abrastal proving noble. The wounds of the Chain of Dogs still painful for Galt and even the second time around myself as a reader. Spax is a character.

Gall's pain in losing a child. That crushing grief.
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Prepare yourself for this one. Brutal.

Chapter 15

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What a scene between Toc and Tool. Tool just wanting to leave his pain behind meets the lock. His old friend. So heartbreaking. Then to find out it was really Olar Ethil and her own scheming. Tool will now embrace hate not love, that cannot be good. Toc the Herald promising retribution on Olar.

‘You are a fool. From my ancient blood ran every stream of Soletaken and D’ivers. And my blood, ah, it was but half Imass, perhaps even less. I am old beyond your imagining, warrior. Older than this world. I lived in darkness, I walked in purest light, I cast curses upon shadow. My hands were chipped stone, my eyes spawned the first fires to huddle round, my legs spread to the first mortal child. I am known by so many names even I have forgotten most of them.’

How much of what Olar Ethil says here is true? Some of the things she's saying have been attributed to others. Can she by extension claim some of it? Maybe. It is important to note these things for your Kharkanas trilogy read.

‘So many names . . . Eran’ishal, Mother to the Eres’al— my first and most sentimental of choices.’ She seemed to flinch. ‘Rath Evain to the Forkrul Assail. Stone Bitch to the Jaghut. I have had a face in darkness, a son in shadow, a bastard in light. I have been named the Mother Beneath the Mountain, Ayala Alalle who tends the Gardens of the Moon, for ever awaiting her lover. I am Burn the Sleeping Goddess, in whose dreams life flowers unending, even as those dreams twist into nightmares. I am scattered to the very edge of the Abyss, possessor of more faces than any other Elder.’ She snapped out a withered, bony hand, the nails long and splintered, and slowly curled her fingers. ‘And he thinks to hunt me down!’ Her head tilted back to the sky. ‘Chain down your servants, Hood!’ She fixed him once more with her eyes. ‘Tell me, mortal! Did he catch you?’

Again important information. Who is the son in shadow? Who is the bastard light. Is she speaking in a generality of womanhood? Claiming to be mother of all?

Her monologue is pretty powerful and a major info dump. The big question is whose side is she coming down on? Her own, with Errastas, with the Forkrul Assail, with TCG? Even within those groups there's blurred lines where alliances could form. One thing for certain she won't be on the side of the Bonehunters.

Sectoc and the wolves going back to the camp?

The short tails hunting Kalse Rooted. The rules of humans and survival and annihilation. Remember the Thel Akai came before the Toblokai.

Irkullas to offer the Barghast mercy. Eb to use a propaganda campaign. Bakal only now enlightened.

Sekara the vile, apt. Even in the face of the enemy the Barghast are all plotting. Their plans for Hetan's children are appalling. Then the hobbling. Then the rapes. Even the second reading this made me sick.

Toc the Herald's arrows. Toc to protect Tool's children now that he's out of Olar's taint. Setoc to care for the children.

Tool remade by Olar Ethil. A people to kill.

I think what makes this so utterly awful is the women's role. I get all of the social implications and how in society women will figuratively hobble and rape a woman in ways mentally as bad a men. The back stabbing, undercutting and the social banishment. SE definitely gets our attention. So brutal.

(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16

(view spoiler)[
Errastas the lie. The cause of turning dreams to dust. Interesting that Kilmandaros switches from Forkrul Assail to Thel Akai. So Olar Ethil is Eleint. She is Tiam's daughter, a daughter of dragons.

Kaminsod is the real name of TCG.

Olar Ethil's revealing Errastas's plan. Free Korabas (otataral dragon) to remove the young gods and then have Kilmandaros kill Korabas.

Who is the master of the deck's knuckle in the hole? Tavore, K'rul, Shadowthrone......? Interesting they haven't seen the FA as an issue. Olar Ethil knowing of the 14 Jaghut and Iskar Jarek. Errastas unable to even entertain the notion. Is WJ the knuckle for Ganoes?

Mael knows of the FA. Sechul playing Errastas. Mael and Mallick misunderstood.

What an awesome scene.

Love all the bonehunter catchups.

Telorast and Curdle disappeared......what could they be up to?

Stormy must want to kill QB after that.

An audience with Quick Ben, lol.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17

(view spoiler)[
This Snake scene is really abstract. I get the meaning that gods, mothers and fathers have all abandoned these children and they're fleeing the justice system of the foster homes. That no action becomes an action that leads to insanity when you look at the cruelty and indifference.

Olar Ethil waking the T'lan Imass or is it Tool? Is Silverfox involved? The waters are crowded.......Tool in vengeance, going to war.

Toc speculating that Olar Ethil is responsible for this gathering T'lan army, will Tool turn them away. I think not. Is Toc's eyebrow reference Laseen? Sounds more like Envy. Could Setoc have this power? If she's a destriant to the wolves and given her power over the Barghast men, perhaps.

This is an interesting union with Toc helping Setoc of the wolves since he was once Mortal Sword of the Grey Wolves and travelled with father and now son of the T'lan Imass and is Herald of Hood.

Also interesting that he compares the wolf to Hairlock, a hair of what once was to create these simulacrums.

The brutality towards Hetan continues. Even children learning from their parents how to make the fallen eat shit.

Jaghuts freezing the battlefield? A door opening?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18

(view spoiler)[
The citadel, the river, the temples are important for this series but worth highlighting for when you read Kharkanas.

Not sure from other books if we've talked about the Azathanai but the quote here about there quarries links them to the building of the Azath houses. We get a lot more into who the Azathanai were in Kharkanas but there are mentions of who they are in BotF. I simply cannot keep it straight when these reveals come so I'll leave it at that for now.

Even the Shake don't know their relationship to the Andii. To the first shore.

Gallan and a flashback to the prime of Kharkanas and Orfantal brother of Korlat, since killed by Kallor. Sand is the mother of Orfantal and Korlat. Memories of his childhood.

Mother Dark stirring well below the surface? Sand a hostage. This gets a lot of play in Kharkanas.

Taralack Veed entering Kalse Rooted. Icarium Lifestealer revealed as the Ghost. Why, at least according to Veed, would he summon him to kill this group?

Is Olar Ethil looking to usurp the road to Gallan? Torrent learning she's not to be trusted.

Do Yedan and Yan Tovis sense Mother Dark or do they sense Sand who is now Queen of High House Dark? Empty no more Kharkanas and Galain awakened.

Cold and darkness. Omtose Phellack or Kurald Galain? Other? Bridgeburners? Terrible battle.

Senkit now a sentinel. The throne transforming. Is is ready for the Shield Anvil and Mortal Sword? Is this machine a clock of Icarium's? Held is Feather Witch. All of these people stains on Time's soul. Icarium be bound in time. To take his throne. Does this mean he'll also lead the KC?

The Shake stood on the shore between Dark and Light. It was the birth of Shadow. And now will there be another fight between the Andii and the Lioson? Betrayed by Scandarbi to defend their trail. More tales for Kharkanas.

All the warrens battling in Galain. Gallan opened their path to survive. Silchas Ruin commanding him to save them. These Hust swords are important. Mother Dark returning.

Olar Ethil making reference to Errastas, foreboding. They've seen the tracks of a Trygalle carriage.

Quite the entry for Draconus.
(hide spoiler)]

Book 4

Chapter 19

(view spoiler)[
Draconus sending a message. What was the last time he was angered? And where will he fall with the pantheon? Events of Dragnipur catching up to them. Interesting that they compare Draconus to Rake but closer to chaos and that he'll fill Rake's role. The consort, remember referenced to Mother Dark earlier. Kilmandaros would not have killed Rake. Some respect from this group of plotters. Their history with the Edur.

Kilmandaros losing control when around Eleint, Eleint herself. The God of Justice, Forkrul Assail, not liking humans claiming justice. "The one under a Jaghut stone." Is Errastas referencing a hold or a Forkrul Assail? I have to think the latter and we know which one that is but Calm was freed in House of Chains by Karsa and friend.

Are they all really allied against Errastas as Kilmandaros would have us think? Did Draconus have the foresight to know Rake could do what he could not and break the weapon he forged to hide the gate of darkness? And have the extra benefit of freeing him from Kalor's curse? Talk about playing the long game.

A reminder of how Dassem\Traveller\Dessembrae was used in this plot. Faith in Rake. Light and Dark now focused, a return. So Errastas was talking about the hold of Dark not Calm the FA. Kilmandaros furios at the threads leading from Rake to Hood to Shadowthrone and Cotillion.

Badalle a child of the FA? Mixed blood? Aren't we all children of justice?

I could unleash my Holy Voice for the first time ever and so force my kin to come to my aid when Rutt and Saddic and all the others.

Holy voice? Keep that in mind. A Quitter in their midst. What city is this? "The Quitters were coming. To begin the last slaughter." So the Forkrul Assail will rise given this is the 3rd or 4th source believing this to be the case.

We finally meet some FA other than Calm or the brief appearance of Repose. Only the children with the strength to walk through the desert to fight (in)justice. You can assume their names describe them just like the Malazans. Scorn is scornful, etc. Brayderyl the Quitter.

The Quitters unable to stand in the face of defiance. Justice turned back on them.

"Who knew dust could be so interesting?" LOL

The Arti Ceda sensing a massive weapon out there. Korabas, Icarium, the FA.........? QB coming to the conclusion all of this has been orchestrated by ST and Cotillion. Is the power in the earth the T'lan Imass. Should Tayschrenn finally decide to do something.......Is QB behind on new of Tayshrenn's demise?

QB the only one who can stand against Draconus? How would he know how much the time in Draginpur would change him? What does Draconus want to talk to them ?

So Arinict opened a direct portal to Draconus and he didn't use it. Subtle here but overt in letting the elder gods know he's back in the game.

Bonehunters starting to lose it.

Still alive, Greymane? Did you feel it? I think, your bones could be rotting in the ground right now, old friend, and still you’d have felt it.

Draconus.

Fuck.

The world shook. Balls of fire descending, the terrible light filling the sky. Fists hammering the world.

Wish I’d seen it.

Let us play this game of blissful oblivion a little while longer. ‘It’s better this way, Draconus.’

‘This is Kallor’s empire, friend. Will you not reconsider?’

Reconsider. Yes, there is that. ‘The shore seems welcoming enough. If I mind my own business . . .’ He’d smiled at that. And I smiled back. Draconus returned to that continent— I felt his footfalls, there inside my seemingly eternal prison. He returned to see for himself the madness of Kallor. You were right, Draconus. I should have minded my own business. For once. Can you hear me now?

Draconus? Are you listening? I have reconsidered. At long last. And so I give you this. Find me, and one of us will die.

So Ruthan Gudd is old as hell by these quotes. Find me and one of us will die Draconus????? WTF is he really that powerful or hyperbole? Mark this quote down because when you read Kharkanas you're going to start to think is this character Ruthan Gudd of is it this one? I have my own theory on who he is and there's this quote from MOI further backs me up. Don't read it if you want to speculate when reading Kharkanas and form your own opinions.

(view spoiler)[Lady Envy shrugged, smiling with delight at the opportunity to return such a gesture. ‘A misguided sibling who’d thought he was being kind. All right, perhaps that was too simplistic an answer. My sibling had found the goddess, terribly damaged by the Fall, and needed a warm-blooded place to lay her spirit, so that it could heal. Serendipity. The ay’s pack was dead, whilst she herself was too young to survive in normal circumstances. Worse yet, she was the last left on the entire continent.’

That would make Draconus his father. (hide spoiler)]

The MOI quotes adds to my theory. We'll get more on Ruthan in a while.

Helian seeing jade and dragons.

Hedge confirming WJ and the BBs hold the gate.

Sinter seeing the betrayal. A soldier's lament, is what we're doing all worth it.

They're off to set TCG free? Remember Tavore did have links to HOC in the reading. Sinter calls it just and figures this is eating Tavore alive. She's going to show her she can trust the Bonehunters with the burdon. Cold iron. She'll figure it out. A leader willing to take on the burdon for her people. The question is with all we know of TCG how can this be?

It was him? Confusing here. Is Lostara referencing Ruthan Gudd or Pearl? Even on second read I'm not certain.

Uballa and Draconus, that is a pairing nobody would expect. A reminder Uballa has Rilk a mace made of space metal, TCG related? Also Dra Alkeleint the dragon scaled armor. Fitting for his companion.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20

(view spoiler)[
You almost forget Silchas and Rudd were part of this book it's been so long. Kettle the Azath.

Two undead dragons following Olar Ethil, Telorast and Curdle. Ryadd having surpassed Silchas. Interesting. They came closest to winning the war of the Eleint? That is news. They mask their power as well as Pust and Mogora.

Silchas once happy. Olar Ethil, that fucking mean to break all this news to him. Torrent, who knew he had it in him? He really did learn something from Toc. He probably, sadly, did save Olar.

Cartographer and the remnants of the trade guild carriage. Mappo on the same continent as Icarium. Gruntle active. A reminder Cartographer reports to Hood, or did. The tie-ins to Toc. Toc leading Setoc to prepare for war.

Why would the KC assassin want Gruntle. Take out the god of war? Mappo considers the KC could be hunting Icarium.

‘An ancient wolf, from the age of the Imass. Their bloodline was harvested in the shaping of the Hounds of Shadow . . . but not the Hounds of Darkness. For those, it was the bloodline of a breed of plains bear. Ty’nath okral, in the language of the Bentract Imass.’

So that's kind of interesting. The hounds were different types of mutations or cross breeding?

Krughava is going to push Tanakalian over the edge. Abrastal is not to be trifled with. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21

(view spoiler)[
Hostages a big part of Kharkanas society. This was prominent in a lot of cultures through Europe and Asia. Mother Dark not talking to Sand, careful what you wish for.

Draconus and his place in the Andii coming to the forefront again.

The Hust Sword healed by Dragon's blood. The story of these swords will be a big part of Kharkanas.

Kilmandaros, justice through violence. Sechal only interested in immortal blood but can push and pull Kilmandaros. If there a link between TCG and Korabas?

Telorast and Curdle, two dragons one woman, Tiste Andii. A D'ivers not Eleint? That's much different than we've been led to believe. Chained by Rake, Kilmandaros and Edgewalker then Dessimbelackis offered them to become Soultaken. That sounds like taking a step backwards. All these little things across so many books makes me want a full story about Edgewalker.

So if they try to go into dragon form the chains return and they're back in shadow. They want to reach the throne and break the cycle. Olar Ethil giving herself and the T'lan Imass a similar curse. Is she really trying to save the TI?

All these TI still making vows, still fueled by hate underneath it all.

Uballa is so funny. Sekara the vile, undone. A better death than she deserved.

Note Shurq traveling into Kolanse by ship. The handmaiden a ceda. Bargaining with Mael or his daughters.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22

(view spoiler)[
icarius and the perfect city. Jaghut. Immune from time.

Love how the way to beat the justice of the quitters is different forms of art.

The sword fire. Not Badalle can control 4 adult quitters with her voice, the Forkrul Assail. If you hadn't picked up on the hints that's their power. The voice of justice. They compel others.

Stormy and Gesler gone. Not the slashes. Stinky demonic blood that stinks. Talons. The assassin of the KC. QB always knowing too much, too elder.

What would the KC need Stormy and Gesler for? The hints are there.

Keneb ready to get rid of Blistig. We've seen his discontent. Wastelands like Otataral. Love Bottle and QB driving Fid nuts.

‘They were selected,’ said the High Mage, ‘and no, I have no idea why.’ Keneb struggled to make sense of all this. He glanced at Fiddler. The sergeant looked miserable. Well, nothing new there. ‘Gesler and Stormy,’ he slowly ventured, ‘were anything but average marines.’ ‘As close to ascendants,’ said Quick Ben, ‘as anyone in this army.’

It's bad when QB doesn't know why. More than enough hints to figure it out.

‘Aye, Adjunct. To that end, we have another problem. He was just here, in fact.’ She held his gaze. ‘I am aware of that, Fist. I am also aware of the additional burdens you have been forced to carry as a consequence.

Tavore as usual in the know to everybody's surprise.

‘It may be that this power’—and he glanced over at Aranict for a moment—‘is one of these warrens you Malazans have brought to us. Or it could have been a ritual of some sort. Its name was Ahkrast Korvalain. What it did, Captain, was steal the life-force of the land itself. In fact, it may well have created the Wastelands, and in so doing it killed the spirits and gods dwelling there, and with them, their worshippers.

This is interesting from Byrs. Did the Forkrul Assail usurp Ahkrast Korvalain? The wastelands were created by Kallor and the fall of TCG but did the FA use this as part of their sense of justice and steal it?

Skanarow not letting the Ruthan thing go, going as far as bringing it to Kindly who has also had it with Blistig.

Neffarias Bredd, is he Kaiser Sosoe?

What happened to you, Tavore Paran? Was it something in your childhood, some terrible rejection, a betrayal that stabbed to the deepest core of you, of the innocent child you once were?

So this may seem an odd thing for me to quote but mark it down. There's another companion coming which leads to a theory.
‘We ain’t . . .’ and Gesler trailed off, gaze straying over to Stormy. ‘Someone called him Shield Anvil, once. I think. Can’t recall who it was, though. Actually, maybe it was Mortal Sword, come to that.’ He glared at her. ‘Whoever it was, though, it wasn’t no K’Chain Che’Malle.’ She shrugged. ‘There is war. You lead. Him and you. Gunth’an Acyl send me to find you. I find you. You are fire. Gu’Rull see you, fill my head with you. Burning. Beacons, you and him. Blinding. Gu’Rull collect you.’

The first time though I had thousands of theories of which mayb I hit on 20% but Stormy and Gessler becoming Shield Anvil and Mortal Sword is one of the ones I hit on so I'm rather proud of that. Don't get me wrong my batting average sucks but I did hit this one home run! :)
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23

Hold on, this is a great one.
(view spoiler)[
So Abrastal and Fallash made a deal with Mael. Busy Bugg.

It should be apparent where the betrayal is coming from by now.

5 T'lan Imass of the original 7 who were the gods of Karsa's people, the renegade TI, the unbound. Soon to be 7 again.

Why would the T'Lan Imass need to honor a Malazan Alliance? Especially a renegade army? Is there a link? I believe there is.

Tool to undo the summons? How?

Ruthan Gudd's cure, roots of the Azath and then a white blade which he was hiding with magic. She answers, who is she? He's giving off frost, Jaghut? The white blade, Lioson? What did he smell? The she is really interesting. Olar Ethil? With the T'lan Imass in this chapter maybe but she hasn't

Fid freaked out. The emissaries already dead.

K'Chain Nah'ruk. The short tails. They were after Kalse Rooted and it was shit luck they crossed paths. Nudge of the Errant?

QB very cold, Ruthan?

Ruthan a Stormrider.....anybody see that coming even with the hints? Keep this in mind for Kharkanas.

QB and his acorns. What a battle. Funny QB and Hedge with the same line. Ruthan down. Keneb dead NOOOOOO!

QB, he left his body and winged skyward, WTF does that mean? Is he dead or a soultaken dragon? Hoping the latter.

Half the BH missing. Loved Gall just raising his weapon in salute. TBH stopping the advance. Bottle using the Wyval. Are we headed for another Beak sacrifice?

Lostara doing the shadow dance.

Yikes, SE you bastard ending a chapter at that point!!!!!


(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24

(view spoiler)[
Tool, a time of killing. Nom Kala a dust of dreams. The T'lan Imass are a heartbreaking people.

Ampelus Uprooted. A larger Moon Spawn. TBH could have used this army along with Stormy and Gesler. The Matron usurped. This final battle to the end. Stormy taking it all on himself. A true Shield Anvil. They get to ride the KC, pretty cool.

Short tails eating warrens and killing dragons? New news. Are they the soldiers of chaos?

Gessler sowing false hope, what does a commander do, indeed.

Are Stormy and Ges children of the Eleint now? The assassin impressed. Realization the Bonehunters were crushed by the Nah'ruk. Khundryl wiped out.

Tool taking his vengeance. God that was awful. The Barghast annihilated.

Imagine Stormy taking on all the souls of the KC. He wouldn't refuse them. Ampelus Uprooted ignited and spitting out skykeeps, a warren unleashed? The same keeps from MOI?

What a battle, again.

Oh oh Icarium is waking up and threatening to bring even worse. If he truly wakes up they're all screwed. Kalse Uprooted, the KC know Icarium.

Androjan Redarr is Stormy, good to remember that.

Icarium to use all the warrens to seal this one and lock out the short tails. Badalle and the children sending a message. Do it for the children. Lock out the chaos.

A finnest from the Errant. Good that he screams. Kalse Uprooted to become a Azath.

A boy, a girl? Badalle and one of the others or Sinn and Grub?

Bent!!!!!!!!!

Ampelus dead.

Roach returning as well. Sinn using the new warrens. Sulkit in the Azath.

Mappo still hunting for Icarium. Still chasing time. Poor Toc stuck outside the fire.

Hood and the 14 Jaghuts. Hood alive again.

Errastas knocked on his ass. He's got an eye on a gate, LOL. Kilmandaros to end the world with Korabas's release.

Who is left from the Bonehunters? What a way to leave us hanging.
(hide spoiler)]

Starting this tomorrow so I can go a chapter per day and really enjoy this going slowly. I feel like the last two books the first time around I was so spent I missed stuff so this should be really interesting.

I have to warn you guys in advance. Chapter 15 has in it the most disturbing scenes I've ever read in fantasy. Keep in mind I love Grimdark. I hadn't been this shocked since the likes of Full Metal Jacket and Platoon back in the 80's when I was a teen and the war genre switched from the good guys defeating the bad to who the hell are the good guys?

I warned Angela and Miche when they went through it as the last group in this forum and they were still shocked and numb. In a series which has already given us Capustan, Karsa in the first quarter of HoC, Toc as a prisoner of the Pannion Seer , the siege of Y'Ghatan and many many more think about that to prepare yourself.

Scott wrote: "I have to warn you guys in advance. Chapter 15 has in it the most disturbing scenes I've ever read in fantasy. Keep in mind I love Grimdark. I hadn't been this shocked since the likes of Full Metal..."

If that is the scene I think it is then I have to admit that while I did find it disturbing it was far from the most disturbing thing I've read in the fantasy genre over the years. I think it helped that Erikson gave the reader a lot of time to prepare in advance for that happening. I'd likely have been more shocked and upset if it had caught me by surprise but as it was I'd been expecting it for a while given the tone of the rest of this instalment and the build up.

I was actually way more upset by the reason for the scene than by the scene itself as I felt like that really cheapened the inclusion of such a disturbing scene. Spoiler for the end of the book: (view spoiler)[I loathed the fact that that whole brutal and disturbing Hetan scene was only included to be a motivating moment in a male characters heel turn. This story arc and the unrelentingly bleak Snake story arc is the reason why I think Dust of Dreams is by far the weakest book in the Malazan series. (hide spoiler)]

Scott wrote: "I have to warn you guys in advance. Chapter 15 has in it the most disturbing scenes I've ever read in fantasy. Keep in mind I love Grimdark. I hadn't been this shocked since the likes of Full Metal..."

Gavin wrote: "..."

(view spoiler)[I think I found it disturbing because of the symbolic nature involved. The rape and more for the me the hobbling was done by women. The symbolic nature of how they'll tear another woman down and socially castrate her was really devastating because it happens in everyday life. I get what you're saying about it altering Tool's motivations but again it was a clear message that sometimes people have to lose it all before they'll act. Personally for me it was more disappointing how some of this played out in TCG.

I don't like the Snake storyline which is why for me it's not at the top of the series but instead is in the middle. There's so many terrific story arcs and scenes in this book. This was still a superior book to GotM, RG and HoC. The first time around I thought it was way better than TtH but I liked my reread of TtH way better so we'll see how this goes. (hide spoiler)]

Scott wrote: ..."

(view spoiler)[[I think I found it disturbing because of the symbolic nature involved. The rape and more for the me the hobbling was done by women. The symbolic nature of how they'll tear another woman down and socially castrate her was really devastating because it happens in everyday life.

I think the fact that this kind of behaviour is so common place in society negated any need for this scene in the book. It was not showing us anything we did not already know to be true about the nature of humanity. It meant that the scene itself was just there to shock and disturb the reader enough that it would justify Tool's actions later in the story. It was all there just to to be a bit of motivation for Tool's character. I really loathed that and feel like it was one of Erikson's biggest mistakes in the whole series.

Spoilers for end of The Crippled God: (view spoiler)[You disliked the fact that Hetan's soul got to make a reappearance and help redeem Tool's character at the end? I did not love that scene but I have to admit that is mostly because Dust of Dreams irrevocably trashed Tool's character to the point that I no longer cared for him at all. I have always found it a little disturbing that so many fans dislike Hetan's soul popping up again yet had no issue with the same happening for Coltaine's soul. Heroes get a second shot but victims must stay victims forever or things take an "unrealistic" turn? (hide spoiler)]

I felt like Dust of Dreams or Reapers Gale were the weakest books in the Malazan series closely followed by Toll the Hounds and Deadhouse Gates. Dust of Dreams came too close to being one note misery porn for my liking. (hide spoiler)]

Crippled God spoiler (view spoiler)[I hated that Hetan was made whole again after all of that. I felt it cheapened the impact of the initial scenes. I get the symbolism that nobody is beyond repair but I think it would have been more impactful and you still could have had Tool's redemption with the children.

Coltaine's soul was pre-broadcast from the beginning. You had all of the young mages ect. Not liking Hetan's arc had nothing to do with victims staying victims or it being unrealistic.

I didn't have the same issues with Tool that you had.

While I agree the scene was meant to shock I also feel like it was there to open people's eyes to how their actions can be a mental rape or banishment.

I think we probably need to agree to disagree on this entire arc. We just see it from polar opposite sides. Which is actually terrific because a book should be open to interpretation and provoke discourse like this.

(hide spoiler)]

Done. Liked it even more the second time.

I cannot believe we are here already!

Mayim wrote: "I cannot believe we are here already!"

It's such a long haul.

Personally, I'd prefer to be in the middle of the series and have, say 10 more books to go.
But that is me. :D

Mayim wrote: "Personally, I'd prefer to be in the middle of the series and have, say 10 more books to go.
But that is me. :D"

Wait until you finish TCG and go through major PMS (Post Malazan Syndrome). The books you read after are flavorless.

Quick Ben vs Icarium

So innnn, but not ready for the last 2 books!

Toc’s scenes with the Mother in MOI has been the most disturbing story I’ve read I think, ever. I had to stop reading at times because it made me so upset. Thanks for the warning!

By the way, I have a friend who I let borrow my Gardens of the Moon back in April. He is now binging through the series and up to MOI and I gave him the links to all your notes. Thanks again Scott!

Wohooo! I'll be starting early. Probably tomorrow. Can't wait to finish this!

Barry wrote: "Wohooo! I'll be starting early. Probably tomorrow. Can't wait to finish this!"

It really is such an accomplishment. I was so spent when I finished.

Jess wrote: "By the way, I have a friend who I let borrow my Gardens of the Moon back in April. He is now binging through the series and up to MOI and I gave him the links to all your notes. Thanks again Scott!.."

Nice. I love spreading the Cult of the BotF.

End of Prologue
(view spoiler)[
1. Ugh, the “Snake” with the abandoned, sick, starving children. I’m bracing myself if and/or when this is what Scott is warning will happen in Ch 15...

2. An assassin K’Chain Che’Mail. As if the regular Kell hunters aren’t scary enough. Is she really the last matron. Why is she so obsessed on finding a human Mortal Sword? Why not just birth more assassins...

3. I’m guessing g that’s Icarium who’s having a conversation with seven of his selves...
(hide spoiler)]

Barry wrote: "End of Prologue.."

Not confirming anything at this point but all your questions are what I was thinking the first time around.

I'll be starting a day or two late. I still wish Tehol had ended up with Rucket. Oh well, probably just as well. (view spoiler)[Ships die in this series. *still mourning Trull* (hide spoiler)]

I'll be starting a day or two late. I still wish Tehol had ended up with Rucket. Oh well, probably just as well. (view spoiler)[Ships die in this series. *still mourning Trull* (hide spoiler)]

I am running late for the same reason as V... We are finishing up the Mad Ship trilogy... You know those books are bricks as well... Will be here as soon as possible after:-)

Yes, I'm going to need something to expunge the bad taste of Kennit from my mouth (and mind). Don't think this book will be the best thing for that, lol.

I’m the opposite. I’ll finish up DoD first before tackling our beloved Kennit 😂.

Ch 1
(view spoiler)[
1. The Bonehunters with their shenanigan. Apparently Fiddler is quite strong to be able to escape from like 6-7 people surrounding him at the bar.

2. Why are they so afraid of the Deck reading? The possible bleak prophecy or the fear that the reading may be hijacked by Errant or some other gods?

3. Who’s threatening Seren and Trulls unborn son? Errant?

4. I like the gods of wine and beer. More gods should chill like them. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 2
(view spoiler)[
1. Why is Silchas Ruin planning to work with Rud Ellalle? Just to save the Imass? There must be more than that. But, I’m not confident that this cooperation would work. Eleint tend to try to destroy each other. And both Ruin and Rud are Eleints are they not.
Btw, it must’ve sucked to be Udinaas. Your kid is a dragon and you’re a human being. How do you discipline him if you think your son is being disrespectful, for example. I understand Udinaas’s position. There’s nothing he can do really to stop his son.

2. The Shake are the descendants of Tiste Andii and humans, right. The prophecy seems to indicate some sort of tsunami? Mael displeased with them? Is the Watch corrupted/possessed?

3. I certainly don’t trust the Perrish’s Shield Anvil. What’s his objective ... who’s betraying them? What are they looking for going to the wastelands? I presume there should be some sort of strategic value to the adjunct for her to send the Perrish away.
(hide spoiler)]

Veronica wrote: "Yes, I'm going to need something to expunge the bad taste of Kennit from my mouth (and mind). Don't think this book will be the best thing for that, lol."

There's a lot of people you'll have a bad taste for in this one.

Barry wrote: "I’m the opposite. I’ll finish up DoD first before tackling our beloved Kennit 😂...."

You have a really good grasp on the series at this point and I remember having all the same questions.

Choko wrote: "I am running late for the same reason as V... We are finishing up the Mad Ship trilogy... You know those books are bricks as well... Will be here as soon as possible after:-)"

They are long. I loved that series though........I really hated Fitz in the first series.

I didn't mind Fitz, but I do think that as brilliant of an author that she is, she should shorten her books by at least one third. Look how much more ground Erikson covers in the same space! I know it is different, but as I always say, less is more!

Scott wrote: "There's a lot of people you'll have a bad taste for in this one."

I'm also finishing up River of Stars and Kay always goes for the bittersweet endings. I need some light and fluffiness, damn it!

Veronica wrote: "Scott wrote: "There's a lot of people you'll have a bad taste for in this one."

I'm also finishing up River of Stars and Kay always goes for the bittersweet endings. I need some li..."

Beyond Redemption

So dark and yet you'll laugh your ass off. After Malazan and Stormlight Archives my favorite series.

I’m interested to start Beyond Redemption, probably after Malazan.

Then I will read it too... But first I need to read a smutty fluffy maybe historical romance:-):-):-)

Scott wrote: "Barry wrote: "I’m the opposite. I’ll finish up DoD first before tackling our beloved Kennit 😂...."

You have a really good grasp on the series at this point and I remember having all the same quest..."
Thanks, Scott.

I'm actually intrigued with Errant now that I've some time to think a little bit about it. (view spoiler)[ About what his intention is. I recall he seemed benign when he was masquerading as the Consort back in Midnight Tides, content to be in the background and pull the strings. Then, he got involved with that female slave (don't remember her name), but eventually she used him to kill some people. So, is his intention purely on remaining the sort of hidden ruler of the Letherii or there's something more?

Obviously in his role as Master of Tiles, he may feel usurped by Master of the Deck (Ganoes Paran) and eventually oppose him and the Bonehunters, as a way to get back at him through his sister? But, does that mean he's aligning himself with TCG for the final confrontation?

In that case, then he should also be on the opposite side of Mael. But, those two have basically co-existed in Letheras, as Mael is still masquerading as Tehol's assistant without significant battles between the two. I guess, we'll see some sort of confrontation between the two elder gods sooner or later. (hide spoiler)]

Choko wrote: "Then I will read it too... But first I need to read a smutty fluffy maybe historical romance:-):-):-)"
Maybe after TCG, Choko. Definitely not anytime soon.

Scott wrote: "Veronica wrote: "Scott wrote: "There's a lot of people you'll have a bad taste for in this one."

I'm also finishing up River of Stars and Kay always goes for the bittersweet ending..."

It's been on my TBR list. I know you and Petrik have sung its praises and all the rest of my GR friends who have read it have rated it four stars or better.

Ch 3

Gotta write this down, otherwise I'll forget ...
(view spoiler)[Finally the reading. We already knew the role of a few characters (Brys, QB and Hedge). Quite a number of new reveals such as Lostara Yil as Champion of Life (well, I actually I thought that was Brys' role), Sinn (Virgin of Death) and even Grub has a role (Sceptre).

Some I have no idea what their roles are. For example Grub as Sceptre, Gesler as Orb, Bottle - Obelisk, Stormy - Throne. But, I'll expect the Orb-Sceptre-Throne, which we'll read next, will explain these roles.

Banaschar in the HoC.

Tavore Paran has no role ... indicating what exactly? That her role is done? That she won't lead the Bonehunters in the near future to the final conflict?

An unknown role for Seren Pedac's unborn son. Knight of Shadow or Spinner of Death ... only those two roles remain "unfilled" at the time of the casting. I'm guessing Knight of Shadow considering that Trull was a Tiste Edur of the Shadow realm.

The Adjunct planning to go east of the Wastelands ... the map isn't clear so I dunno where's the Wastelands or what's east of it ...

Herald of Life ... Tartheno Toblakai ... so Ublala Pung. Surely not Karsa as Herald of Life.

Somebody important in the Bonehunter is an agent of TCG/HoC ... (hide spoiler)]