Four out four five star ratings...I'm pretty sure no other author or series has caused this sort of reaction from me. I don't even know where to start with this review. Just wow. To start just when I thought I had a handle on the world of Malazan Erikson throws a curve ball with Karsa Orlong. Who is he? What is he? Where is he? When is he? The mystery of it had me scratching my head in a way that I haven't since Lost was on. And what could have been an Ana Lucia, or worse a Nicki and Paulo, moment never was. I enjoyed reading about Karsa from begining to end. In parts it reminded me of some of my favorite pulp fantasy, like Fritz Leiber's Grey Mouser or Moorcock's Elric. One little thing....(view spoiler)[the section in Deadhouse Gates with the Tiste Andii trade ship remains one of my favorites and I loved seeing the other end to it. Who, or what, found the Tiste Edurs and how the heads became covered. Not what I would have thought....but good. (hide spoiler)]

Quick Ben. Kalam. Cotillion. Anomander Rake. Caladan Brood. With all of these flashy, mysterious, cool characters I'm not sure how it happened but my favorite character, in atleast two books now, might just be Fiddler. At first his transformation into Strings was odd to me. From Gardens of the Moon...well let's face it he's not the sharpest tool in the shed. And here he's supposed to be a leader? It seemed like Erikson was writing for Whiskeyjack. But then the character became something different and human with all of the fear and nervousness. Instead of Erikson writing as though he needed another Whiskeyjack it became more like the character would copy how to lead from the greatest leader he knew. (view spoiler)[And the scene where he found out about the Bridgeburners death was one of the most touching scenes I have read from Erikson, although not the last in this book (hide spoiler)]

I just loved this book. So many scenes...(view spoiler)[Karsa's gods...Karsa's revenge on Bidithal...Adjunct Tavore unknowingly killing her sister...the Tanno Spiritwalker's song...the Crows' ghosts following the Chain of Dogs with Tavore's army (loved loved loved)...and Hedge coming for Fiddler...the remaining Bridgeburners reunion... (hide spoiler)]

I think I am in danger of becoming a Malazan fanatic. I could not be happier though. Now to start Midnight Tides.