Right then…
You just can’t review a Malazan book in a specific way. You simply just can’t. I’ve tried it, as I usually do with my reviews, but yet, I couldn’t do justice in any possible way (at least not on my first read-through of the series anyway).
So, I believe the way to do that would be to compile my raw emotions and thoughts as I went along with this incredibly EPIC journey, one book at a time…
Well, I always post the aforementioned on the r/Malazan sub, as usual and as is the “ritual” for me and many fellow Mezla/Bonehunters. So the following are my thoughts and opinions on book 6 of the Malazan Book of the Fallen – THE BONEHUNTERS.
POST: – 1
Marching onwards with THE BONEHUNTERS…
No long breaks this time. MT finished a few days ago. LOVED IT. And honestly, I just couldn’t wait to dive into BH. One of the most beloved entries. Heard and seen nothing but massive praise. It’s time to upgrade (ascend!?) from BBs to BHs…
POST: – 2
Spoilers ahead…!!!
I witnessed the night where Hood didn’t look away…
NOTE: – I have to start with this – MY BAD. The adrenaline rush, the excitement, and the insane event that I had just finished experiencing last night was just too much. So much so that I ended up putting up the spoiler in the title itself – the Siege of Y’ghatan.
My sincere apologies to fellow Bonehunters and the mods. I’m sure you can understand that my feelings and emotions at that time were a “bit” high lol!
Anyways, here are my thoughts for the same from yesterday’s OG post –
I’m seriously running out of words to describe (praise, rather) the series; Erikson included. That was flippin’ AWESOME reading! The longest chapter SE’s ever written (you guys + the Malazan Wiki trivia coming through on this!), and it sure packs a punch… and HOW!
The first half was pure action; fast-paced, non-stop, constant adrenaline rush. SE not pulling any punches either with all those deaths. But more importantly wrt the brutality/nature of it all. Absolutely wasn’t expecting that. But that war for you. The pages just flew by; I simply couldn’t stop reading!
Whereas in the second half, the foot was off the pedal just a little bit. Still very engrossing tho.
All in all, that was just pure wonderful writing imo. Took me over 3 hours to finish it in one go, but totally worth it by all means. The added banter in the right places was just great (classic Erikson!). Loved the constant POV changes. The drama was literally un-ceasing!
Very much comparable to the likes of Capustan, Black Coral, etc. And BH in general is off to an AMAZING start! If it goes on like this, it’s gonna end up only the 2nd 10/10 of the series so far… the other one being DG!
Will be back shortly with a “half-way through” post on BH regarding my thoughts and opinions.
Till then… off Bonehunting some more lol.
POST: – 3
Spoilers ahead…!!!
75% through BONEHUNTERS… and it somehow ends up even better!?
Hood’s b*alls… what a ride it has been so far! And I’m not only talking about BH, but the series as a whole! It’s all beginning to shape up nicely now… and a convergence is soon to be upon us…
What did I like? (More like what I didn’t lol)
- Got to start with the Siege of Y’ghatan. I.N.S.A.N.E. And even that would be an understatement. Absolutely loved the whole big a*s chp!
- The next best sequence imo was the whole Djenim Nebrahal/Hounds/Deragoth/Poliel one, starting right from when Paran joins Onearm’s Host. Adding Kalam, QB, Bottle, and Apsalar was such a chad move.
- The various sub-plots were all pretty good in their own way (I do have some gripes with a few of them; addressed below). I really would’ve loved to see more of the Kartool City plot at the start, but it did get me intrigued instantly with the whole “mystery”.
- Telorast, Curdle, and not-Apsalar trio was such fun! And ofc, Greyfrog was a cherry on top of the cake wrt that plotline.
- The Djenim Nebrahal one was also very, very good. Loved it. The whole Poliel/disease spreading rapidly across Seven Cities was a great addition.
- Now, the whole of the Fourteenth segment was just pure and utter BRILLIANT! Loved every second of it. Same with Onearms’s Host, although I would have liked to see their pov against Poliel in some way. And also, Dujek being no more for a forgone conclusion I guess once it was clear his condition wasn’t improving.
- The most impressive sub-plot would be the whole Trygalle Trade Guild stuff for me. Even Paran’s one was pretty solid. I honestly didn’t expect to have him such a big role in BH. Man is just too OP now!
Some “criticisms”
- The main one would be certain sub-plots, if any. For instance, I didn’t wholly enjoy the Karsa-Samar Dev, and the Mappo-Icarium ones in all honesty. The rest were much more engaging imo. I have had the same problem with the Myhbe and the “Lady Envy-Toc and them man” plotlines in MOI as well (and hence it wasn’t a 10/10 read, but instead a 9.5). And that’s about it really.
Well, seems like the gods are well and truly at war now. A notion that’s been reiterated again and again in BH, unlike the previous ones. And blood indeed shall be spilled in mortal lands (which it already has done).
I’M NOT READY FOR WHAT’S COMING, YA’LL! The excitement is through the roof! And book 4 of BH gets even better? HOW!? Oh I can’t wait. I’m just screaming internally with pure joy and intrigue!
Onwards into Malaz City I guess, then.
See you on the other side. Hood have mercy for what’s about to unfold…
POST: – 4
Sorry ya’ll, but THE BONEHUNTERS is totally “bonehunting” right now like CRAZY. 1000 pages in. 200 more to go. I AM NOT YET DONE. Am I ready, tho? I guess time will tell. Good thing it’s a weekend, eh? Hood’s hairy b*lls have mercy…
Saw a post a few days back where a fellow Bonehunter was on the last stretch, and how excited he was about it. I’m now in the same boat. And I couldn’t be any more hyped, excited, and nervous about it all.
And that’s it.
Back to reading; at a sprint. There’s no time for a breather. Sh*t’s about to go down. I can feel it in my gut, and I ain’t ready for it.
See ya’ll in a bit.
POST: – 5
THE BONEHUNTERS is a MASTERPIECE. Never before have I ever been more enthralled as those last 200 pages. WOWZERS. Not in the mood to say anything more atm. Speechless and reeling. To conclude – Erikson and Malazan need to be put on the same pedestal as the all-time greats (if they weren’t already).
That’s it.
[350+ upvotes; 50+ comments on this one… CRAZY!]
And that’s where I’m at as of October 2025.
Honestly, can’t wait to dive back into the series…
Up next – REAPER’S GALE!
