tehols_blanket's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
fallaciouscake's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
novoaust's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
The Bonehunters continues off from where House of Chains left the readers at and what a story it was. The more Malazan I read, the more I struggle to review the books. With the exception of Memories of Ice, this one has been my favorite of the series, largely due to the structure of the story and many climaxes we found throughout.
The opening had me hooked as within the first few hundred pages, all of my favorite characters were present. Where MoI felt like a sequel to GotM and HoC felt like a DHG sequel, The Bonehunters felt like the most "complete" Malazan book in the sense that so many storylines were brought together in this one. This may be a difficult transition for some readers, as there were way more character and plot lines to follow in this one than the previous books, but this was a highlight for me.
To keep this review spoiler free for those who have yet to pick up the series, I won't mention any character names, but this book featured some fantastic arcs. It also solidifies the idea that no character is safe so don't get attached to anyone, as Erikson has no issues killing off characters at the most random of times. I also love how there is no clear cut "good" versus "bad" in Malazan. This is such a nice change from other epic fantasties of this scale because usually the main plot line is good characters fighting against evil. Erikson weaves so many threads and encorporates morality based themes expertly into the story that you could read the story and pick up on none of it.
As mentioned before, this story doesn't follow the standard Malazan structure of a slow start, slightly faster middle section, all of which builds to an epic battle as a climax. This book felt much more action packed than the predecessors, and I enjoyed the overall pacing. Unfortunately, the half star lost comes from the way the last quarter of the book was paced, as the story did lose me a few times. I read the first 700 pages in the same span of time as the last 500 pages. This book was the longest Malazan book yet, and towards the end, it really did feel it's length to me.
I really don't know what to say other than the fact that Malazan has solidified itself as one of the best series I have ever read, if not the very best. It is complex and it is daunting, but it is just amazing and so unique. Truly feels like we are reading history of a world that once did exist.
The opening had me hooked as within the first few hundred pages, all of my favorite characters were present. Where MoI felt like a sequel to GotM and HoC felt like a DHG sequel, The Bonehunters felt like the most "complete" Malazan book in the sense that so many storylines were brought together in this one. This may be a difficult transition for some readers, as there were way more character and plot lines to follow in this one than the previous books, but this was a highlight for me.
To keep this review spoiler free for those who have yet to pick up the series, I won't mention any character names, but this book featured some fantastic arcs. It also solidifies the idea that no character is safe so don't get attached to anyone, as Erikson has no issues killing off characters at the most random of times. I also love how there is no clear cut "good" versus "bad" in Malazan. This is such a nice change from other epic fantasties of this scale because usually the main plot line is good characters fighting against evil. Erikson weaves so many threads and encorporates morality based themes expertly into the story that you could read the story and pick up on none of it.
As mentioned before, this story doesn't follow the standard Malazan structure of a slow start, slightly faster middle section, all of which builds to an epic battle as a climax. This book felt much more action packed than the predecessors, and I enjoyed the overall pacing. Unfortunately, the half star lost comes from the way the last quarter of the book was paced, as the story did lose me a few times. I read the first 700 pages in the same span of time as the last 500 pages. This book was the longest Malazan book yet, and towards the end, it really did feel it's length to me.
I really don't know what to say other than the fact that Malazan has solidified itself as one of the best series I have ever read, if not the very best. It is complex and it is daunting, but it is just amazing and so unique. Truly feels like we are reading history of a world that once did exist.
ariaslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
The Battle of Y'Ghatan was one of the most disturbing, nausea-inducing fights I’ve ever read. The whole chapter is etched in my mind.
i still hate karsa with every inch of me
matias_sierralta's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
5.0
Clearly, I was out of my mind when I rated this 3 stars on my first read. Thank goodness I've come to my senses and now recognize the excellence of The Bonehunters. The battles! The Claws! Drunken Hellian! Marvellous stuff.
moosta2112's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.75
reeeeder's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
bookswithnate's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
syinhui's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Before diving into Gardens of the Moon, I had come across reviews from people saying that after Malazan they could not read "average" fantasy anymore or something along those lines and I thought they're exaggerating, right? I mean just how good can this be to warrant such a high praise?
Exaggeration or not, that particular comment left a more lasting impression on me than perhaps the branding of "Best Fantasy series of all time." After all, "best" is largely subjective. But to claim that nothing compares to this - to any others of its genre, well, that's one powerful statement.
I don't even know how to review The Bonehunters without sounding like a blabbering, chaotic mess and I'm certainly not in the right mental space to analyse anything. The content within this book is staggeringly vast, to the point where it could constitute an entire trilogy on its own. The scale is absolutely mindblowing if not mindnumbing. The pacing...*chefs kiss* perfect. There are multitude of characters that in any other book I'd easily forget but somehow Erikson made everyone here memorable. If I were to find fault in this book, it would lie in some parts that tend to drag on, and of course there's the extensive explorations of philosophy surrounding war and peace, life and death, ethics, and morality etc., which can be very exhausting. Additionally, there are moments when attempts at humor feel forced, more precisely; it's a bit hit or miss, at least for me. Nonetheless, on the grand view of things, these are negligible, forgivable.
I thought I could stretch this over a span of two weeks at least, but, gods how this book consumed me! That said, I'm not trusting myself ever again in setting reading deadlines. And I have nothing but excitement for the last 4 books. If I finish this series by the end of the year or even earlier, so be it.
Exaggeration or not, that particular comment left a more lasting impression on me than perhaps the branding of "Best Fantasy series of all time." After all, "best" is largely subjective. But to claim that nothing compares to this - to any others of its genre, well, that's one powerful statement.
I don't even know how to review The Bonehunters without sounding like a blabbering, chaotic mess and I'm certainly not in the right mental space to analyse anything. The content within this book is staggeringly vast, to the point where it could constitute an entire trilogy on its own. The scale is absolutely mindblowing if not mindnumbing. The pacing...*chefs kiss* perfect. There are multitude of characters that in any other book I'd easily forget but somehow Erikson made everyone here memorable. If I were to find fault in this book, it would lie in some parts that tend to drag on, and of course there's the extensive explorations of philosophy surrounding war and peace, life and death, ethics, and morality etc., which can be very exhausting. Additionally, there are moments when attempts at humor feel forced, more precisely; it's a bit hit or miss, at least for me. Nonetheless, on the grand view of things, these are negligible, forgivable.
I thought I could stretch this over a span of two weeks at least, but, gods how this book consumed me! That said, I'm not trusting myself ever again in setting reading deadlines. And I have nothing but excitement for the last 4 books. If I finish this series by the end of the year or even earlier, so be it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Blood, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Moderate: Grief, Child death, Genocide, Slavery, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Pregnancy and Sexual assault