Well, I know that some folks didn't find Orb Sceptre Throne all that satisfying, but I sure as hell did! This book slots right into the Malazan world and more than holds its own. Esslemont's writing just continues to improve with each offering, and this one is a dandy. Esslemont returns us to one of my favorite stages in the whole series--Darujhistan. There's just something about this city and its denizens that I love. We get to rub elbows again with Picker, Blend, Duiker, Rallick and Torvald Nom, Antsy, Scorch, Leff, Barathol Mekhar and Scillara, Baruk and his demon Chillbais, and even good old lovable Kruppe. There are some great plot threads in this novel that actually shed a lot of light on events from Steven Erikson's Toll the Hounds, and some events even as far back as Gardens of the Moon and Memories of Ice; and Esslemont can sure write battle scenes (Oh, and did I mention that you learn a whole lot more about the Seguleh? Yup! Great stuff!). At some point I've simply got to settle back in my easy chair and and spend a few months and just reread the entire series in the order that Erikson and Esslemont intended. I just gotta believe that it'd be a really special experience. Anyway, I enjoyed Orb Sceptre Throne so much that I am now going to reread Toll the Hounds. Like I said, I love Darujhistan! Good work Ian, keep 'em coming!