“The Crippled God” — A Grand Finale to an Epic Saga
Book Review: “The Crippled God”
- Series: Malazan Book of the Fallen #10
- Author: Steven Erikson
- 921 pages, Hardcover, Bantam
- First published February 15, 2011
- ISBN 9780593046357 (ISBN10: 0593046358)
- ASIN 0593046358
- Language English
- Available for e-readers in ePub, PDF, Audiobook
Plot Summary of the Tenth and Final Tale in The Malazan Book of the Fallen
If you’ve made it this far, you probably already know what to expect — the scope is massive, the cast is endless, and every living creature, god, Ascendant, and not-so-living being imaginable is somehow involved.
They’re going to try to resurrect a god… but will they succeed?
Prepare for betrayal, stunning twists, and unexpected alliances with gods themselves.
The Bonehunters continue their march across the Glass Desert — but will they manage to cross the desert that no one has ever survived? Who will win — the desert or the Bonehunters? What do you think?
Meanwhile, the Master of the Deck plays his game — but will he emerge victorious when the cards are finally dealt?
You’re in for the climax of all climaxes, with battles so epic they redefine the word. Here’s a glimpse of one of my favorite (and most brutal) moments:
“His shriveled hands caught her. He lifted her from the ground, then opened his mouth and bit her across the face. The tusks drove beneath the cheekbone, tearing out the eye on that side. Half her face vanished in a bloody mess, then he bit again, beneath the sockets, the tusks punching into her brain.”
My Thoughts
So… what now? What do I read next? How do I fill this void?
Well, there are still twenty or so more books set in the Malazan world, so don’t worry about me just yet.
I’m sitting here at my keyboard, still processing everything. The Crippled God is worthy — more than worthy — as the conclusion to this monumental series by a truly remarkable author.
So many events, delivered with such artistry and emotional depth, that I often found myself holding my breath. And yes, I even shed a tear — I’ll admit it proudly.
One of my favorite parts was the story of the Snake’s children. Erikson captures emotion so vividly that it pulls you right back into your own childhood.
You’re reading grim, bloody epic fantasy — yet somehow, you feel six years old again, running with your friends to the train tracks to watch pebbles explode under the wheels… or rummaging through the cupboard to build something from your old metal toy set.
But what I’ll miss the most are the Bridgeburners — the funniest, wildest, and most foul-mouthed characters in the entire series. I truly hope I’ll run into them again somewhere else in the Malazan world. Here are a few of my favorite moments with them:
“I suppose we’re melting a block of chocolate in a pot — thought you might want some.”
“What? Oh, right. Balklo chocolate. Fine. Now get out of the tent so I can make myself presentable.”
“You’re not in your tent, Sergeant. You’re in our latrine trench.”
She looked around.
“Huh. That explains the smell.”
“No one’s used it yet, Sergeant. We were watching you lie there.”
“Oh.”
And then —
A deafening explosion tore through the tent, clouds of dust rising as everything shook. The mage’s face twisted in fury as he glared at Paran.
“You’re a bit late, High Fist! We were almost gone already!”
Paran waved a hand to clear the dust. He heard footsteps outside and called out,
“Everything’s fine!”
From outside, a soldier’s voice hissed,
“Hear that, Gebla? When the High Fist farts, the whole world trembles!”
“Shut up, you cursed idiot!”
Final Thoughts
Trying to unravel a Steven Erikson plot is like attempting to solve one of the world’s most complex theorems.
And now, as soon as I hit publish, I’m officially adding this to my résumé:
Read The Malazan Book of the Fallen.
The Bonehunters march for Kolanse, led by Adjunct Tavore. This woman with no gifts of magic, deemed plain, unprepossessing, displaying nothing to instill loyalty or confidence, will challenge the gods – if her own mutinous troops don’t kill her first.
Her enemy, the Forkrul Assail, seek to cleanse the world, to annihilate everything. In the realm of Kurald Galain, home to the long lost city of Kharkanas, a refugees commanded by Yedan Derryg, the Watch, await the breaching of Lightfall, and the coming of the Tiste Liosan. In this war they cannot win, they will die in the name of an empty city and a queen with no subjects.
Elsewhere, the three Elder Gods, Kilmandaros, Errastas and Sechul Lath, work to shatter the chains binding Korabas, the Otataral Dragon. Against her force of utter devastation, no mortal can stand. At the Gates of Starvald Demelain, the Azath House sealing the portal is dying. Soon will come the Eleint, dragons, and a final cataclysm.
