“Mess with mortals, and you pay.”
The Master of the Deck begins to reveal some of his hand (not to mention his cunning), the Ascendant gods show themselves to be even more potent (and also more vulnerable) than ever before, and the deities begin to truly choose sides.
Elder Races, demons, mortals, and everyone else in between, continue to be caught in what is surely only the lead-up to a final apocalyptic conflagration.
The battle for the First Throne we see in this installment, appears to be terrifyingly portentous of what cataclysm Erikson teases is coming.
“Show me a god that does not demand mortal suffering.
Show me a god that celebrates diversity, a celebration that embraces even non-believers, and is not threatened by them.
Show me a god that understands the meaning of peace. In life, not in death.”
Show me a god that celebrates diversity, a celebration that embraces even non-believers, and is not threatened by them.
Show me a god that understands the meaning of peace. In life, not in death.”
Welcome to ‘The Bonehunters’, Book #6, ‘Malazan Book of the Fallen’.
After a unique and fascinating tale in Book #5 ‘Midnight Tides’, yet one which felt almost, to me, like a standalone novel detached from the main storyline, while I loved ‘Midnight Tides’, I was ecstatic to return to ALMOST all of my favourite characters in the series (missing you Kruppe and Rake) in ‘The Bonehunters’!
Headlining this list of my favs, of course, was the intransigent, indefatigable Karsa Orlong.
Witness.
Karsa is back! He’s off questing again, though the nature of his quest seems, at first glance, rather obscure and unfocussed for part of the book. In fact, the same can be said of several of the wanderings of primary characters in ‘The Bonehunters’.
Still, it’s KARSA ORLONG! So I really don’t care precisely what he’s up to, as long as he’s on the pages. But Karsa never really does anything without purpose, and when he’s set on a purpose, it’s not wise to get in his way. IF you enjoy breathing, that is.
With the intelligence, wit, and sarcasm of enchanting witch Samar Dev by his side, everyone’s favourite ‘savage’ Karsa, per usual, takes on all comers, with the ferocity of a true titan. Then, in the quieter moments of his chapters (in between leaving a bloody trail of victims), Karsa dispenses his unique brand of ‘barbarian’ philosophy and pragmatism.
I adored this pairing of Karsa and Samar Dev. The humour, the subtle yet palpable sexual tension, the burgeoning mutual respect, as Samar becomes more and more fascinated with the obdurate yet compelling Karsa, and Karsa becomes more intrigued and appreciative of the sharp-witted, courageous, and alluring Samar, was great. I loved their banter, and what it revealed about both of them, how they view the world they inhabit.
“’Sorcery, Karsa Orlong, that is the heart of the problem.’
‘What problem now, woman?’
‘Magic obviates the need for invention, beyond certain basic requirements. And so we remain eternally stifled-’
‘To the Faces with stifled, witch. There is nothing wrong with where we are now, how we are. You spit on satisfaction, leaving you always unsettled and miserable. I am a Teblor – we live simply enough, and we see the cruelty of your so-called progress. Slaves, children in chains, a thousand lies to make one person better than the next, a thousand lies telling you this is how things should be. Madness called sanity, slavery called freedom. I’m done talking now.’
‘Well, I’m not. You’re no different, calling ignorance wisdom, savagery noble. Without striving to make things better, we’re doomed to repeat our litany of injustice.’
‘Better is never what you think it is, Samar Dev.’”
‘What problem now, woman?’
‘Magic obviates the need for invention, beyond certain basic requirements. And so we remain eternally stifled-’
‘To the Faces with stifled, witch. There is nothing wrong with where we are now, how we are. You spit on satisfaction, leaving you always unsettled and miserable. I am a Teblor – we live simply enough, and we see the cruelty of your so-called progress. Slaves, children in chains, a thousand lies to make one person better than the next, a thousand lies telling you this is how things should be. Madness called sanity, slavery called freedom. I’m done talking now.’
‘Well, I’m not. You’re no different, calling ignorance wisdom, savagery noble. Without striving to make things better, we’re doomed to repeat our litany of injustice.’
‘Better is never what you think it is, Samar Dev.’”
We also return to our beloved Malazans such as Fiddler, Kalam and Quick Ben, (this is such an amazing trio), the absolutely intimidating Apsalar (who picks up some amusing but malevolent companions in this book), the staunch Adjunct Tavore, and many, many more well-known players such as tough-as-nails Lostara coming back to the narrative’s fore.
Quick Ben is lovable, tricky, and VERY dangerous. More and more, I am seeing just HOW dangerous. As formidable as Fiddler in battle, it’s his leadership skills and his moral centre, functioning as a kind of conscience and father-figure for many of the military characters, that make him one of my favs. As for Kalam, the killer with a code, integrity, and a lion’s heart…well, all I will say is, just read what part he plays in this book, and be amazed.
We are also introduced to a plethora of new lower-ranking Malazan soldiers (the drunkard young Sergeant Hellian, perhaps the stand-out amongst this group), along with some familiar ones. Their stunning and tragic front-line heroics, as they track down the remnants of the Seven City Rebels led by the dogged Leoman, and his devoted subordinates Dunsparrow and Corabb, are truly the stuff of sagas. It is from the legendary bravery of the Malazan soldiers, that the creation of the eponymous Bonehunters will come to fruition.
These soldiers (while some of them are essentially ‘red-shirts’) with their messy flaws, idiosyncrasies, squabbling, camaraderie and, ultimately, altruism and devotion to each other, and to duty, are awe-inspiring. They strive against impossible odds, in the face of all the horrors of wars that don’t just involve swords or spears, but appalling magic too.
The body count among them will be high, and the survivors remaining will be changed, forever.
“And so we weep for the fallen. We weep for those yet to fall. And in war the screams are loud and harsh and in peace the wail is so drawn-out we tell ourselves we hear nothing.”
Cutter, Heboric, Felisin Younger, Scillara, and the hilarious demon Greyfrog have their own journeys in this novel. For some of them, their fates will be definitively decided (as decided as they can be in a universe where some of those killed ascend to godhood).
Trull Sengar is here too. Trull was a feature character from the preceding book, who always seems to be in the fight of his life, that is until his very next fight. Once more, Trull gets to show off his incredible spear-skills. But it doesn’t look favourable that even Trull’s martial prowess, or the loyal companions who fight alongside him, will be enough to save him against the threats he faces in ‘The Bonehunters’.
We also have the adventure of ancient warriors, and inseparable comrades, Icarium and Mappo. Icarium continues to pursue the truths of his past and who he really is. Mappo continues to strive to protect Icarium from himself.
Also featured are the machinations of Empress Laseen, and her underlings, such as Mallick and Pearl, who have their own distinct, malignant schemes.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, in terms of main characters (if they exist in this series) we have Ganoes Paran, upon whose decisions the fate of the universe now seems to rest.
Part-military commander, part avatar, Paran seems more Cotillion (also loved Cotillion exposing his ‘softer’ side in this book) than Dujek.
How will Paran balance all the responsibilities that are heaped upon him going forward (if he can even survive)?
Yet, in the end, as I have clearly turned the corner of the half-way mark in my reading of this stupendous series, while I am thankfully spending more time with the humans and monsters I’ve come to know and love, it’s all about the Ascendant houses.
Who is in, who is out, who might ascend, who are they aligned with, how many hidden agendas do they have, and just how powerful are they?
But Erikson seems to tell the reader, not everything surrounding godhead is glorious, not just for the penitents and those beings trapped by the whims and conflicts of the greater cosmos, but also for the gods themselves.
“Wouldn’t surprise me if all the Gods are just aspects of one God, and all this fighting is just proof that one God is insane. Or maybe just confused.
The gentler and kinder the God, the more harsher and cruel its worshipers, for they hold to their conviction with taut certainty, febrile in its extremity, and so cannot abide dissenters.
They will kill, they will torture, in that God’s name. And see in themselves no conflict, no matter how bloodstained their hands.
Who wouldn’t be driven mad by all that?”
The gentler and kinder the God, the more harsher and cruel its worshipers, for they hold to their conviction with taut certainty, febrile in its extremity, and so cannot abide dissenters.
They will kill, they will torture, in that God’s name. And see in themselves no conflict, no matter how bloodstained their hands.
Who wouldn’t be driven mad by all that?”
This quote also stood out to me, about this theme:
“All those bickering worshippers, each one convinced their version is the right one. Imagine getting prayers from ten million believers, not one of them believing the same thing as the one kneeling beside him or her. Imagine all those Holy Books, not one of them agreeing on anything, yet all of them purporting to be the word of that one god. Imagine two armies annihilating each other, both in that god’s name. Who wouldn’t be driven mad by that?”
If by this point of the series, you haven’t felt overwhelmed by the massive amount of characters to keep track of, Erikson decides: you’re ready to handle MANY multiple POVs within each chapter. The action of this book gallops breathlessly, breakneck pace, bouncing from one perspective to another, and one seemingly insurmountable peril to another.
It was quite the rush, and the last portion of this book was the most frenetic, phenomenal running fight montage I’ve ever read in fantasy. A pulse-pounding, brutal battle, with magic weapons, blade slashing assassins, and a refusal to quit until death, no matter how many wounds one takes, and what kind of carnage one leaves in one’s wake. Jaw-dropping.
The weaving together of all the tremulous endeavours of the various characters, into a central, connected, cohesive story that could have felt just like a bunch of side quests; the colossal worldbuilding; the political maneuvering on the macro god-level and the micro mortal level; the considerable character and plot development accomplished simultaneously, are all indicative of the giddy genius of Erikson.
This is a book about massive transformations and consequential moments for both characters and plot, and it certainly does not disappoint.
‘The Bonehunters’ is not my favourite ‘Malazan’ book (currently still very close between ‘Memories of Ice’ & ‘House of Chains’ jockeying for my personal contenders for the top of what I’ve read so far in the series). Periodically in my reading of the novel, though I enjoyed the varying perspectives, sometimes I just wanted more concentrated time with my favourite players. That’s a personal quibble of course, and nothing that robbed me of my overall reading enjoyment. After all, it is the sprawling nature of the Malazan universe, and the enormous scope of setting and characters, that is one of the strengths of the series, and makes it so worthy of praise. Blame me, not the author, for simply wanting more of Karsa, Quick Ben, etc. than some of the other characters in the book, wonderful though they are.
Still, I feel ‘The Bonehunters’ will solidly be in the top 5 of my personal ranking of all the ‘Malazan’ novels, when I finish reading the series. An amazing book.
But of course, this is all very speculative, as I have 4 entries remaining in the sumptuous, iconic ‘Malazan Book of the Fallen’!
What on earth awaits me, after the mind-blowing events of ‘The Bonehunters’?
I shall find out in ‘Reaper’s Gale’!
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