“Dust of Dreams”, the penultimate installment in The Malazan Book of the Fallen, feels like riding the most terrifying roller coaster imaginable.
Book Review: “Dust of Dreams”
- Series: Malazan Book of the Fallen #9
- Author: Steven Erikson
- 1280 pages, Hardcover, Tor Books
- First published August 18, 2009
- ISBN 9780765348869 (ISBN10: 0765348861)
- ASIN 0765348861
- Language English
- Available for e-readers in ePub, PDF, Audiobook
Plot
There’s so much I want to share about this book, yet it’s incredibly hard to do so without spoiling anything. Still, I’ll try to rein in my excitement so you can read this review in peace.
In this ninth tale, Erikson delves deeply into the history of the K’Chain Che’Malle and their desperate search for purpose and survival. He vividly depicts their technological fortresses, rigid hierarchy, and ancient origins. I found it fascinating to explore their world — one that even involves humans, which was quite a surprise to me.
Another major focus of Dust of Dreams are Tavore’s Bonehunters, who, after long months of drinking and debauchery, finally march east toward Kolanse, crossing desolate lands. The plan is for them to join forces with the Perish Grey Helms and The Burned Tears of the Khundryl. In my mind, I imagined this would form an unstoppable army… but will it?
The Letherii Emperor Tehol Beddict provides every possible support to the Bonehunters for their long and grueling campaign, even sending his brother Brys Beddict to lead a Letherii army alongside them.
In this volume, we once again meet cunning Ascendants and mischievous gods — yet Erikson doesn’t stop there. We also witness the awakening of ancient deities and powers that bode nothing good.
“Is Icarium Jarack not a worthy leader?”
“He is,” came the chorus of rough voices.
“And what did he tell us before sending us here?”
Thirteen Jaghut voices replied:
“Imagine they are T’lan Imass.”
In short, everyone seems to be heading east — toward Kolanse, across the wastelands.
What will they find there? How much blood will be spilled? Which army will prevail? Of course, you won’t find answers to all those questions — but to some. And trust me, some of those answers will leave you stunned.
My Thoughts
I know I say this often, but Steven Erikson is a genius, and Dust of Dreams proves it once again. The book forms part of the grand finale of the series, alongside the tenth and final volume, The Crippled God. Erikson couldn’t fit the ending into 1,024 pages — and that’s why this book has no prologue. For readers who have made it this far, it’s no surprise that such an epic tale couldn’t possibly conclude in a single volume.
Dust of Dreams shattered my dreams — quite literally. Erikson managed to build such unbearable tension that, during the last two nights of reading, I was gripping the book with white knuckles. His twists are masterful; as usual, I couldn’t predict a single one. No matter how certain you are that two races or nations are sworn enemies, Erikson can twist the narrative so completely that you’re left staring blankly at the page, unable to decide what to feel.
And to build a bit of suspense myself, here’s a quote from the very end that made me open the next book immediately:
“I am ready to unleash the bitch. My beloved son, is it time to end the world?”
He turned away and closed his eyes. Then he replied:
“Why not?”
In short — Dust of Dreams is every bit as worthy of the series as its predecessors. You’ll miss out on a whirlwind of emotions if you skip it.
If you’re interested in exploring the world of Malazan further, you can find a comprehensive Malazan World Guide on Reading Trolls.
In war everyone loses. This brutal truth can be seen in the eyes of every soldier in every world…
In Letherii, the exiled Malazan army commanded by Adjunct Tavore begins its march into the eastern Wastelands, to fight for an unknown cause against an enemy it has never seen.
This last great army of the Malazan Empire is resolved to make one final defiant, heroic stand in the name of redemption. But can deeds be heroic when there is no one to witness them? And can that which is not witnessed forever change the world? Destinies are rarely simple, truths never clear but one certainty is that time is on no one’s side. For the Deck of Dragons has been read, unleashing a dread power that none can comprehend…
