The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson

The sixth volume in Steven Erikson's truly epic fantasy sequence, The Malazan Book of the Fallen. There's nothing like sweeping up tag-ends to change the world. The Seven Cities Rebellion has been crushed. Sha'ik slain by Tavore, the Malazan forces pacifying city after city on the troubled subcontinent, and one last rebel army, under the reluctant, embittered command of Leoman of the Flails, is pursued to the ancient and infamous city of Y'Ghatan by Tavore and the Fourteenth Army. Dogged by self-doubt and ill omens, the 14th must lay siege to the city, and Adjunct Tavore must seek to outwit Leoman of the Flails, the deadliest foe she has ever faced. Into this fraught scenario come both new and familiar characters. Among the latter, Heboric Ghost Hands, journeying to redress an old wrong. Apsalar, haunted by possession and now the principal agent of Cotillion, Patron of Assassins, marking a trail with blood and dripping daggers. Cutter, the killer who had once been a thief in Darujhistan, fleeing a shattered heart. Karsa Orlong, a warrior hunting his destiny. And two old friends, traveling companions, Mappo and Icarium, wandering once more the ravaged wastelands, Icarium seeking the ancient truths of his own life, Mappo seeking to keep those truths from him, at all costs. All, searching for such fates as they might fashion with their own hands, guided by their own will. If only the gods would leave them alone. Alas, the gods are disinclined to be kind, now that knives have been unsheathed, and there shall be war, war in the heavens. "From the Trade Paperback edition.

‘we went hunting...through the bones of the damned city. And then, with the captain's help, we crawled outa that grave.'
The Adjunct's gaze left the ragged man, travelled slowly along the line, the gaunt faces, the deathly eyes staring out from dust-caked faces, the naked, blistered skin. ‘Bonehunters in truth, then.'

“The Bonehunters,” part 6 in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, has been noted by Erikson himself in interviews and talks as essentially two books combined. This is evident in the structure of the novel.

While the first five books introduce various independent storylines, they converge one by one in this book. The initial part of the book culminates in a 120-page chapter, which could have been a novella on its own. This chapter vividly describes the siege of a city that captivates the reader. In this single chapter, Erikson showcases his writing prowess - a fantastic segment. Following this, the aftermath is detailed, setting the stage for the second half of the book.

The latter part involves a less focused storyline but a more tactical maneuvering of players on the Malazan chessboard. Erikson introduces new storylines and ensures that the resolution of the book provides an opening for the rest of the series. Personally, I find the conclusion very intriguing.

Despite containing fantastic chapters, the overall impression is somewhat messy, lacking the tight composition seen in Midnight Tides. Erikson also explores themes such as religion, fanaticism, progress, and civilization.

On religion and fanaticism, for instance:
“All those bickering worshippers, each one convinced their version is the right one. Imagine getting prayers from ten million believers, not one of them believing the same thing as the one kneeling beside him or her. Imagine all those Holy Books, not one of them agreeing on anything, yet all of them purporting to be the word of that one god. Imagine two armies annihilating each other, both in that god's name. Who wouldn't be driven mad by all that?”“Show me a god that does not demand mortal suffering. Show me a god that celebrates diversity, a celebration that embraces even non-believers and is not threatened by them. Show me a god who understands the meaning of peace.”

And regarding progress and civilization:
“And so you still do not comprehend the great gift of civilization—' ‘I comprehend it fine,' Karsa Orlong replied around a mouthful of meat. ‘The savage proceeds into civilization through improvements—' ‘Yes!' ‘Improvements in the manner and efficiency of killing people.' ‘Hold on—' ‘Improvements in the unassailable rules of degradation and misery.' ‘Karsa—' ‘Improvements in ways to humiliate, impose suffering and justify slaughtering those savages too stupid and too trusting to resist what you hold as inevitable. Namely, their extinction.”

In this context, he also casually touches on the theme of the assimilation of many indigenous cultures by colonial cultures. The commentary on these themes by various characters in the story adds relevance that goes beyond just being a good fantasy tale.

Rated 4.5 stars.

“The existence of many gods conveys true complexity of mortal life. Conversely, the assertion of but one god leads to a denial of complexity, and encourages the need to make the world simple.”

I'm not religious, so I don't necessarily agree with this, but there's something interesting about that quote.

I really liked this book! Continuing the journey through the Malazan Book of the Fallen, and as always that journey is difficult and exciting and gives me lots to think about. This had some very strong, dramatic events, and as usual lots of characters that are fascinating to follow. Quick Ben, Kalamazoo, Apsalar, Lostara Yil, Fiddler, Bottle, Hellian, Icarium, Tavore to mention a few.

This next quote made me laugh:

“Ignoring him, she stepped back out of the ellipse and began singing in the Woman's Language, which was, of course, unintelligible to Iskaral's ears. Just as the Man's Language - which Mogora called gibberish - was beyond her ability to understand. The reason for that, Iskaral Pust knew, was that the Man's Language was gibberish, designed specifically to confound women. It's a fact that men don't need words, but women do. We have penises after all. Who needs words when you have a penis?”