Reaper's Gale

In the seventh installment of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, the mad Emperor of a Thousand Deaths is cut off from his Letherii empire while the secret police sow terror among the populace. Barbarian tribes are on the attack, fugitives seek a means to escape, the fleet returns with champions to challenge the Rhulad, and the Malazans set foot on Letherii shores with the intention of bringing the empire to its knees. On top of that, agents are conspiring to destroy the economy once and for all.
I finally got through Reaper’s Gale. Part of it is that I’ve been reading less lately so it takes more time to get through 820 pages. The other reason is that, frankly, I’m starting to get burned out on the Malazan books. Erikson really needs to learn the meaning of brevity and succinct. There are just too many characters, plotlines, and world-changing events to truly enjoy the series. The good news is that with Reaper’s Gale we finally begin to see the various plotlines coming together, the end is in sight with three more books to go. This book was better than Midnight Tides, yet I can’t give it a higher rating.
Still recommended but hopefully Erikson will finish the series soon.
Rating: 7.5/10.

The Bonehunters

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The story returns to the Seven Cities continent in the sixth book of the Malazan series. The rebels are holed up in Y’Ghatan and the Malazan army under the command of Tavore march toward the city for a final showdown. Tiste Edur ships show up on the high seas, conflict engulfs the heartland of the Malazan Empire, and the Nameless Ones enact desperate measures for their own ends. And there is still the mystery of the jade statutes on Otataral Island and the imprisoned souls. The Crippled God has been granted a place in the pantheon and now both gods and mortals alike must choose sides as the ultimate showdown begins.
I was glad to see the storyline continued and to see many of the characters return. I was also glad that the events from Midnight Tides were tied into the broader plot. Frankly I think Midnight Tides could have been condensed a bit and included in another book. At least Bonehunters didn't have the half-hearted economic philosophy of the previous book, and while Bonehunters was certainly big, nothing seemed overtly superfluous. The plot is really starting to pick up now and I can't wait to see how the series ends.
Final Rating: 8.5/10

Midnight Tides

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Midnight Tides completely changes locations in this fifth book of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. The story takes readers clear to the far eastern part of the world to the Tiste Edur and the Human empire of Lether. The Tiste Edur tribes have been united and are finally at peace while in the south expansionist Lether is eager to fulfill and long-awaited prophecy of a renaissance. As the two sides prepare for a clash, ancient forces are awakening and are preparing for a battle for supremacy.
This book was the least satisfying of the Malazan series since Gardens of the Moon. It was nice having a completely different setting and characters for a change of pace, however, plotting and characterization are not Erikson’s strong points and it was hard to see how events are tied to what is happening elsewhere. I’ve heard that The Bonehunters is supposed to start bringing all the disparate parts together so I’m moving on with anticipation.
Final Rating: 7.5/10.

House of Chains

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House of Chains is the fourth book in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. It picks up soon after the end of Deadhouse Gates, albeit opening with a tale of Karsa Orlong, also known as Toblakai and Sha’ik’s bodyguard, who now becomes a major player. Tavore, Adjunct of the Empress, trains several thousand soldiers for the upcoming battle with the rebellion while Sha’ik waits in Raraku. However, things are not at all serene in the desert those in Sha’ik’s own camp conspire to separate ends. Aspalar and Crokus, as well as Kalam and Fiddler, continue their adventures begun earlier while far away a T’lam Imass comes across a lone Tiste Edur. Once again power and convergence, soldiers and mages, shape events as the Crippled God makes a play for power behind the scenes.
Lacking the timbre and emotion of Deadhouse Gates and Memories of Ice, House of Chains suffers from being a middle book. It continues events from the earlier books as well as setting the stage for further stories without anything really happening. The climax had a nice buildup but ultimately dropped a little flat. Nevertheless I did enjoy this book and, as always, the world building was superb. The next book supposedly features a whole new setting and characters which should be fun to read even if it means leaving the “main” body of the tale.
Final rating: 8/10.