A review by syinhui
The Crippled God by Steven Erikson

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense

5.0

Malazan Book of the Fallen has set the bar too high for me, I’m quite sure there are very few series out there that come close to what Erikson had done here. That is not to say it is without its flaws, but to be able pull off a universe as expansive as this one is in itself an admirable feat. 

Malazan is relentlessly bleak, brutal, and ominous. Sometimes, I couldn’t help but wish (in vain) it was a little more hopeful, a little less unforgiving to its characters and perhaps the humor a little bit more palatable and not as dry as the Wastelands or the desert of Raraku. Speaking of these immensely harsh environs, I would never forget the literal thirst I felt during these legendary long and gruelling marches. I think I sobbed a few times while reading then weirdly felt bad when a character mentions how they couldn't even afford to spit or talk lest they lose precious water or something along those lines. Anyways...

Superb in every sense of the word but has one of the most depressing and devastating views on humanity and civilization. While I may have learned a great deal and resonated with some of Erikson's philosophical musings, I have to admit I’m done with the many lessons in futility sir, thank you. 

No doubt this deserves a re-read because the foreshadowing is insane. It will be so fun to discover or re-discover that lots of lines and pieces of dialogue that simply went over my head the first time around hold great implications and can be subjected to multiple interpretations. It's also a remarkable thing that after these 10 books, there are still mysteries and questions unanswered. Some of these we'll never know for sure. Some, we are free to formulate our own conjectures. Some, I've heard are given light in other series such as Ian C. Esselmont’s Novels of the Malazan Empire or the Kharkanas Trilogy, a prequel focusing on the Tiste people millenias before the events in Gardens of the Moon or Karsa Orlong's Witness Trilogy for a character arc resolution. Although for now, I’m yet of a mind to take up any of the side series. Maybe some time in the future when the Malazan itch comes back and nothing else on my tbr pile does it for me. 

On a last note, I feel the need to say how absolutely bonkers it is to have 4 (at least I could think of) immediate threats of existence and 1 sure way the Malazan world could end in the last two books.  At this point, I don't think this should be much of a spoiler but here you go.

1. Freeing of Korabas who is basically anathema to life triggers the manifestation of Tiam. Doesn't matter which side wins, either would've destroyed all life on earth. 2. The justice of the Assail via calling upon the full power of Ahkrast Korvalain. A world without gods and humans. Calm mentioned how the Fork'rul Assail and Eleint can share provided the Eleint can be negotiated with. 3. The Jade Strangers I imagine if released upon the world could be as castastrophic as asteroids crashing. That is why killing Kaminsod is off the table. 4. Awakening Icarium's rage. He  truly is a wild card. 5. Then of course, the Death of Burn. An inevitable thing that would happen in a couple of decades. Another way to release the Crippled God but also a cleansing of all life.

One mishap and there is no way it could've ended the way it did. I mean how crazy is that right?  How mad those two upstarts right? 

Final Ranking and Rating

1.  Memories of Ice – 5/5 

2. The Bonehunters – 5/5 

3. The Crippled God – 5/5 

4. Deadhouse Gates -5/5 

5. Dust of Dreams – 4.5/5 

6. Reaper’s Gale – 4.5/5 

7. Gardens of the Moon – 4.75/5 

8. Midnight Tides – 4.5/5 

9.  House of Chains – 4.5/5 

10. Toll the Hounds – 4/5 
 

'Why are we here? The truth is, we’re not even sure. But … we think we’re here to right an old wrong. Because it’s the thing to do, that’s all.’