This is a terrific addition to the Malazan series. It's action packed, full of information fans have been waiting for for years, and Kruppe!
In this book more than any of his previous ones, Esslemont is writing directly on the heels of Erikson. This is, essentially, a sequel to Erikson's Toll the Hounds, and it has been pined for almost as much as that novel about *hushed whisper*Assail*hushed whisper*. Fans ought not to be disappointed, but fantasy fans are like metal fans. They're a bunch of arrogant assholes.
That rant aside, there's a perfect balance of suspense, mystery, horror, and humour throughout the book. The battle scenes themselves, which I've always though Esslemont did better than Erikson, are just amazing, even more so since a few involve Seguleh... and the Malazan trope of having 'stronger' races get owned by weaker ones is not used in those cases.
There are, of course, still the standard "I must do this" "Noooo! Ok, I understand..." Reader:"What the bloody-hell is going on?" fare that one should expect with Esslemont novels... developments that ought to keep the fan busy until the next installment that may be released this year!