Reviews

Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson

projectmemo's review against another edition

3.5

This is the longest book in the Malazan series with a whopping 389k words; but more surprising is the fact that it is only 7k words longer than Reaper's Gale because this one felt like triple the lenght... in a bad way. 

Now, this is an extrememly hard book to rate, there are moments and whole storylines that I genuinely think are among the best in the series, but there are a couple that almost literally put me to sleep. And the book being 1200 pages only exacerbated this issue. There were times when I came dangerously close to dropping the book but thankfully, those other plotlines helped me power through it and thank god because the ending was soo worth it.

drollgorg's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I think that Erikson's writing has definitely improved over the course of my reading the Malazan books, with the direct correlates being that I can tell what the hell is going on in most scenes, and that the quality of the constant asides where characters start some heavy pondering has become much better and more tolerable. This entry in the series is a very long one, but I found it easier to follow given that it returns to a part of the world and cast of characters that have mostly already appeared, with some new additions. I wouldn't say my enjoyment was directly tied to that fact, as I don't feel particularly attached to Darujhistan or to most of the characters there- in the case of Cutter I feel passionately dis-attached- but it was helpful to be able to have a good chunk of the story that felt solidly comprehensible. Not always a given with these books. Conceptually, the most interesting part of the book was the plot to do with the Dying God, and that was also one of the first times when I felt I'd gained enough understanding of how this universe worked that when the nature of the Dying God was revealed it made sense, instead of requiring me to figure out what the hell anyone was talking about. 

So it's a strange experience- I wouldn't say the storylines here were generally my favorite among the series, and this book also didn't feature any of the characters that I'm more invested in, but I still enjoyed it a lot, definitely more than some other entries. I think the smaller scale (relatively speaking) brought me more into the world and the story, it let me get more of a footing and feel like I understood enough of the characters to be invested in their future. Even if I didn't like a lot of them. Especially Cutter and Iskaral Pust. The fact that those two are such prominent fixtures in this entire series is utterly bewildering and kind of infuriating. 

unlucky_lucas's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

5.0

teddibear98's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

erickibler4's review against another edition

4.0

Book eight of the series. A lot of it (the plots involving the human characters in Darujhistan) is very entertaining.

I’m sorry, but the Tiste Andii (Anomander Rake and all his ilk) are boring. I never felt as though I knew or cared what Rake’s intentions were.

Still, enough of it was good enough, and ambitious enough, to earn a four star rating from me.

Here’s hoping for a rousing two-book finale. As Van the Man said, it’s too late to stop now.

drought_season's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

unlucky_lucas's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

4.25

empoi's review against another edition

4.5

A new authorial voice gives this book a different perspective than previous installments. Equally well written, equally funny, equally large scope. 

This large scope makes this book just as confusing at times. Such a long book with such a build up to such a conclusion. Must be the most impactful ending so far yet I must say I preferred books such as the bonehunters where we get two high intensty story points.

kendylldrilling's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hueofgray's review

adventurous emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I can’t really think of a better way to say that I enjoyed this than to say I’m already eager to reread this. I want to experience just about everything over again. From the wonderfully insane prose of the narrator ,

Kruppe

, to just the beautifully tragic yet hopeful story itself. I want back in a way that permeates my soul. I can feel the desire to reread as if it’s a longing for something in my soul I can’t live without. A longing that I’m sure will dull with time but will never leave me. I quite literally can’t wait to read this again.