Done. Finally. This one took me awhile. I learned a few things with this book. Number one, I didn't have the stamina for a marathon Malazan reading. I think I sprained something in my brain in the attempt. I also learned that while Steven Erikson is a master of writing tragedy I don't care for his over the top humor. With a few exceptions, I do love Tehol and Bugg. And that hidden beneath this dark tale hides the heart of a romantic. And an author who can write male friendships like no one else I have ever read.

I spent the first half of this book in frustrating confusion. Too many characters. Too many plot points to keep track of. I stopped reading a few times. The only thing that kept me going was my love for the previous books and my nearness to the end of the series.

And then somewhere I couldn't put it down. I spent the second half in dreadful anticipation of what was going to happen from page to page. So much tragedy in one book. No one character is "safe". And that knowledge makes for a nail biting read.

Some high points for me were Beak, Toc the younger, and Trull story lines. I also liked getting back to the characters from Midnight Tides.

I couldn't decide between a four or five star rating. The last half was an easy five for me. But I struggled in the first half. So a very high four. Days after reading this the end is still haunting my thoughts. (view spoiler)[Just when Trull was becoming my favorite character.... (hide spoiler)]

Can't wait to see where this series is going next.