Book Review: Malazan Book of the Fallen Books 7-10

After finishing the review of  “The Bonehunters” which was the fifth book of the “Malazan Book of the Fallen” series, I decided to finish the remaining books and write one final review for all of them in the end. I guess it’s just my inherent laziness. But it’s hard to do justice to this series in a mere review. This now takes the top spot in my list of favorite fantasy books. Compared to all the others, the “Malazan Book of the Fallen” is the most profound, grand, and engrossing I have ever read.

The predictions of this series were all true. Never have I read one with more characters. But far from making it confused, Steven Erikson merely adds to its depth. Whether we’re talking about the powerful Karsa Orlong or the enigmatic and tragic Anomander Rake, this book brims memorable people. Most other stories revolve around a single character with several auxiliary players. For many series’, you know where the story is going by the end of the first book. The “Wheel of Time” was like this. We knew Rand was the hero. The same was true of “Runelords” as well. But Steven Erikson doesn’t allow us to get complacent.

In fact it wasn’t until the very last book that I knew where this was going! And in the end all the storylines tie together for the final climax. Erikson refuses to see things in terms of black and white. Villains turn out to not be villains at all. Heroes whom we initially thought would form the center of the story end up taking a backseat. In fact all of this seems to be a part of Erikson’s grand scheme. We all die. In the end we are all… unwitnessed.

If this book could be said to have a “core” at all, it would undoubtedly be the marines of the Malazan empire. They are the spine of the books and without them it is soulless. But Erikson repeatedly demonstrates that he has a contemptuous attitude towards war. No matter how noble the cause, he always draws attention to the fact that war makes no sense. Ever.

If this book had a failing at all, it was manifested towards the end when characters began talking in their heads too much. But even this is something of a strength. Erickson’s philosophy is so powerful and so touching that this might be the only series which I had ever considered rereading! As a rule, I never read anything twice.

Looking back at my history, I see that I started reading this in June. It’s been six months. Six months where I’ve been engrossed in a world not of my own making. A world which I I’m loath to leave. My heart is breaking. I can’t believe I’m leaving the “Malazan Book of the Fallen” behind. Thank you Steven Erikson. Thank you for letting me see your world and allowing me to fall in love. Thank you for introducing me… to the best fantasy series I have ever read.