Reaper's Gale (Malazan Book 7) [Mass Market Paperback]

If I could sum it all up in two words, it would have to be "hot damn!"

As Malazan fans, we all know how Steven Erikson enjoys using misdirection to fool us. Every single thread of this convoluted, multilayered plot seems to be twisted upon itself, and nowhere is it more apparent then in this novel. One piece of advice: Expect the unexpected. You think you know where the tale is headed? The author will rapidly disabuse you of that notion! There are more surprises in Reaper's Gale than in the rest of the series, it seems. On several occasions, I found myself closing the book, shaking my head, unable to believe that this had just happened.

Although titanic in size (910 pages), the pace throughout Reaper's Gale keeps you turning those pages, eager to discover more and more. There is no sluggish plotline akin to the Mhybe in Memories of Ice, making this one a veritable page-turner. Still, a few storylines at the very end were, at least in my opinion, a little rushed. It doesn't take anything away from the tale, mind you, yet I would have liked for Erikson to maintain the same rhythm from start to finish, as the pace in this one was more or less perfect. After all, when a book weighs in at over 900 pages, what's 10 or 20 extra pages thrown into the mix!?!

The worldbuilding is, once more, grandiose. No other fantasy series, past or present, can match The Malazan Book of the Fallen in vision, ambition and scope. Steven Erikson seems to delight in making us squirm, offering us tantalizing glimpses that make us beg for more. In a series that already resounds with more depth than anything ever written in the genre, the author still raises the bar even higher.

Most storylines grab hold of you and won't let go. In addition, I felt that many scenes bring a new emotional level that had yet to be seen in the series.

Much like The Bonehunters, this novel contains its share of cliffhangers. With so many different threads interwoven together, I don't believe that it's humanly possible for Erikson to write self-contained installments anymore, not with the action occurring on various continents and realms of existence. Having said that, even though the ending doesn't offer resolution of every single plotline, Reaper's Gale is brought to a satisfying conclusion. Unlike The Bonehunters, which ended with a series of cliffhangers, this one does provide readers with closure.

The characterizations play a major role in this one. Erikson has the damnable ability to introduce us to characters on which very little is known and who somehow become fan favorites. Redmask and Silchas Ruin are two such characters. As for the rest of this immense cast, I must admit that character development made me like Quick Ben, Seren Pedac and Trull Sengar even more. A lot has already been said about the bodycount. As the title implies (Hood is the Reaper of Souls), no on is safe in this novel. There are a lot of casualties in Reaper's Gale, especially toward the end, when several important characters die. I think even George R. R. Martin would be impressed by the number of deaths! Now, everyone is dying (no pun intended) to discover who will live and who will die. Please don't ask me, for I won't say. I'll tell you that one death in particular is as important -- at least to me -- as the one that shocked readers in Memories of Ice. For the rest, you'll have to find out for yourself!

Steven Erikson's broadness of vision fills me with awe. Reaper's Gale is one of the best Malazan volumes, second only to Memories of Ice and Deadhouse Gates. It is definitely one of the fantasy books to read this year. If you only have money to buy a single book this spring, this is the one to purchase!

Call me crazy, but for my money The Malazan Book of the Fallen is the best fantasy series around! I know it's early yet, but unless Jordan and/or Martin release something before the end of 2007, Reaper's Gale could well be the fantasy book of the year.

[...]

The scope of the Malazan series is breathtaking. This 7th tale weaves together a number of storylines that had previously operated independently. With these convergences, both of characters and plots, readers can see how stories once held continents apart now play together and seem to be working towards some kind of grand convergence. Icarium interacts with Karsa Orlong again and more...

Although ascendants and gods have always played a part in each book, their acts and direct intervention now play out daily across the Empire and through the involved warrens.

Rulhad's teetering Letherii Empire plays host to considerable segments of the story. Vast internal strife and powerplays, as well as inter-race strife threaten to tear apart the cobbled together government of Tiste Edur and Letherii. Several familiar characters reemerge in Tehole and Bugg and new ones are introduced. Some of the new characters' importance are not immediately apparent... Featherwitch and the Errant are two that come to mind - based upon this tome alone... However, the Errant's role in an act against the Elder God Mael certainly hint at a history of interference that may play out, in interaction or in precognition of future events.

The now homeless, seemingly cast adrift Bonehunters find themselves at odds with the Empire, attacked or provoked on all sides and ordered to, while broken into small camps challenged at taking the capital. Will they succeed?

Steven Erikson has once again delivered another 900 page chapter in a sweeping saga that hooks you in and brings you along for the ride. He delivers time & time again. Personally, I can't wait another year (or more unless he can find a smoking patio) for the next installment!

Unfortunately this is book seven... of ten. Fortunately, there are six previously issued, and all are easily available.

And as someone who is waiting for 'Toll the Hounds', I envy those who have not yet begun this extended series. It is a pleasure to read a fantasy series whose author seems intent on completing all ten before he himself gets reaped.

If you haven't read the first six, you have enough time to get through them all before getting to this one. None are simple reads, all are quite long, and there are a great many characters to keep track of (though each book is quite restrictive on who actually appears). I strongly suggest starting from the beginning.

This particular book sees the usual number of creatures introduced, the usual number of nasty deaths, and an unusual number of laughs. Even the single most evocative statement in this book brings a smile to my face when I picture the situation.