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zachreadsfantasy 's review for:
Reaper's Gale
by Steven Erikson
An often tedious, frustrating, confounding slog mostly redeemed by an unpredictable, unforgettable final act. While the last 200 pages pulled me back in, the 1,300-page journey was undoubtedly a grind that left me slightly jaded. In the end, the moments of brilliance balanced with the moments of boredom, confusion or irritation for a solid but middle-tier Malazan entry.
It’s not that it feels slow—Erikson keeps perspectives shifting constantly, maintaining a relentless pace. But with so many plot threads, I often found myself asking: to what end? Seven books into the series, some storylines feel unnecessary. The world-building, ambitious as ever, risks drowning in new cultures, histories, and characters that divert us from the heart of the story.
Lether’s setting, the Letherii’s political and economic scheming, and the tragic arc of Rhulad Sengar are intriguing, as are Karsa Orlong’s bold barbarism and Icarium’s story. But the thousand-page buildup to their convergence felt excessive, and the conclusion left me feeling let down, especially with Icarium.
There are other highlights: Beak’s beautifully executed moment (which I’ll admit may have made this grown-ass man get a little teary eyed), epic sorcery-fueled battles often showing off Quick Ben’s power, and Hellian’s hilarious gruesome pub crawl. Themes of friendship and brotherhood resonate throughout. In fact, there were so, so many different aspects of this story to like, there was just too much to list here. But some subplots felt unnecessary and anti-climactic, particularly the Awl and Redmask. Multiple times I was left scratching my head saying to myself “Really? After all that?!”
Erikson’s labyrinthine style wears on me, demanding constant vigilance and a slower reading pace. His steady dose of cryptic fever dream-like sequences or long-winded musings by characters we’ve never met on subjects we’re not supposed to fully understand yet, often leave me befuddled. The sheer number of characters and plots make it hard to stay invested, and the vastness of the world is beginning to drag down my enjoyment. While Erikson’s world-building is unparalleled, I can’t help but feel there is simply too much here; it’s over-the-top, bordering on exhausting.
Erikson’s ambition deserves immense respect, but I feel like he really needed an unapologetically ruthless editor to rein him in on this one. Reaper’s Gale could’ve been brilliant with a “less is more” approach—sharper editing would’ve amplified its impact. After persevering through the grind of it all, I still liked it, but can’t say I loved the whole. I’m cautiously optimistic for the next chonker Toll the Hounds and hopeful the final books, especially The Crippled God, live up to the hype.
Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson
Book 1: Gardens of the Moon – 4/5
Book 2: Deadhouse Gates – 5/5
Book 3: Memories of Ice – 5/5
Book 4: House of Chains – 4/5
Book 5: Midnight Tides – 5/5
Book 6: The Bonehunters – 4/5
Book 7: Reaper's Gale – 4/5
It’s not that it feels slow—Erikson keeps perspectives shifting constantly, maintaining a relentless pace. But with so many plot threads, I often found myself asking: to what end? Seven books into the series, some storylines feel unnecessary. The world-building, ambitious as ever, risks drowning in new cultures, histories, and characters that divert us from the heart of the story.
Lether’s setting, the Letherii’s political and economic scheming, and the tragic arc of Rhulad Sengar are intriguing, as are Karsa Orlong’s bold barbarism and Icarium’s story. But the thousand-page buildup to their convergence felt excessive, and the conclusion left me feeling let down, especially with Icarium.
There are other highlights: Beak’s beautifully executed moment (which I’ll admit may have made this grown-ass man get a little teary eyed), epic sorcery-fueled battles often showing off Quick Ben’s power, and Hellian’s hilarious gruesome pub crawl. Themes of friendship and brotherhood resonate throughout. In fact, there were so, so many different aspects of this story to like, there was just too much to list here. But some subplots felt unnecessary and anti-climactic, particularly the Awl and Redmask. Multiple times I was left scratching my head saying to myself “Really? After all that?!”
Erikson’s labyrinthine style wears on me, demanding constant vigilance and a slower reading pace. His steady dose of cryptic fever dream-like sequences or long-winded musings by characters we’ve never met on subjects we’re not supposed to fully understand yet, often leave me befuddled. The sheer number of characters and plots make it hard to stay invested, and the vastness of the world is beginning to drag down my enjoyment. While Erikson’s world-building is unparalleled, I can’t help but feel there is simply too much here; it’s over-the-top, bordering on exhausting.
Erikson’s ambition deserves immense respect, but I feel like he really needed an unapologetically ruthless editor to rein him in on this one. Reaper’s Gale could’ve been brilliant with a “less is more” approach—sharper editing would’ve amplified its impact. After persevering through the grind of it all, I still liked it, but can’t say I loved the whole. I’m cautiously optimistic for the next chonker Toll the Hounds and hopeful the final books, especially The Crippled God, live up to the hype.
Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson
Book 1: Gardens of the Moon – 4/5
Book 2: Deadhouse Gates – 5/5
Book 3: Memories of Ice – 5/5
Book 4: House of Chains – 4/5
Book 5: Midnight Tides – 5/5
Book 6: The Bonehunters – 4/5
Book 7: Reaper's Gale – 4/5