Reaper's Gale

Reel back you tottering forests this nightthe black waves crash on the black shoreto steal the flesh from your bony rootsdeath comes, shouldering aside in cold legionin a marching wind this dread this bloodthis reaper's gale

“Reaper's Gale” is the seventh installment in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. It picks up the threads from both “Midnight Tides” and “The Bonehunters,” slowly intertwining their storylines. The convergence unfolds gradually, as Erikson takes his time in weaving them together. Despite the intricate build-up, a new storyline is introduced.

Managing a multitude of characters creates a complex situation, making it challenging to do justice to all points of view. The book's pacing is deliberate, and anticipated clashes take time to unfold. Nevertheless, “Reaper's Gale” delivers impactful and emotional moments that rise above mere spectacle.

Erikson delves into familiar themes like religion, power, possession, self-determination, and assimilation. Additionally, he subverts “The hero's journey.” Eventually, Erikson skillfully merges the plotlines in his unique way, opening the door to the series' final segment. The accomplishment, however, comes at the cost of a considerable number of pages.

I rate it just above 4 stars: 4.25.