The Malazan Book of the Fallen juggernaut rolls onwards relentlessly, and for the first time Erikson starts to combine elements and characters from all 5 preceding books, suggesting that the remainder of the series will continue in an episodic vein that will require a strong degree of familiarity from the reader (a la George R.R. Martin, perhaps).

In The Bonehunters we enjoy the company of a number of Bridgeburners (Kalam, Quick Ben, Apsalar and Fiddler), Cutter (Crokus) and Ganoes and Tavore Paran; Toblakai and Leoman of the Flails; Herboric Ghost Hands; Trull Sengar; Cotillion and Shadowthrone; Icarium and Mappo Runt; Lostara Yill and Pearl, and many other previous characters. Needless to say, Erikson also introduces many new faces both corporeal and ethereal.

The Malazan Empire begins to interact for the first time with the Tiste Edur / Letherii Empire, new nations are introduced and we start to get a better sense of the whole map of this extremely well-realised world.

The war among the gods is escalating – all of the characters and nations in this book are involved in some way, whether they like it or not, and by the end there is a powerful sense of destiny, making you truly feel and understand the interconnectedness of Erkison’s myriad plotlines. While I can’t say I followed every single thing that was happening (especially with the time that’s elapsed since I read the early novels), it did all start to click in to place, and the experience was an enjoyable once overall. If only I had the time to go back and read the series through from the start, I think I might pick up a lot of subtle connections that currently elude me!

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