I didn’t expect this volume to be so Tayschrenn centric, but it does such a fantastic job revealing the underpinnings of this enigmatic man. But we love this world and the characters so it gets by, even though not that much actually happens. Here in the Ice Wastes and among the islands of Falar, the Empire of Malaz faces two seemingly insurmountable tests - each one potentially the origin of its destruction. I do have a few major gripes with the plot as a whole, mostly the fact a lot of key elements I was most looking forward to in the prequels have been skipped in the time jump ie the formation of the Malazan legions, the first clash against the crimson guard, Topper meeting Surly etc but mostly it is that major characters don't. Some observers noted that cover artist Steve Stone's work appeared at least partially as if created by an AI art-generator.

One such occasion, unfortunately, left me feeling frustrated as it was a blink-and-you-will-miss-it, over-in-a-page encounter. He'll never reach the heights of Steven Erikson but not all Malazan books have to be 1000-page tomes full of philosophy.These present a varied mix of interesting characters whose thoughts and feelings we are given witness to. I have read every single book that has been released to date in the Malazan universe from both Ian C Esslement and Steven Erikson (well except Upon a Dark of Evil Overlords which in all his eccentricity Erikson decided to release just his handwritten notes and at the moment is not available as an actual book). When I got the book and accidentally opened it to a page where this is happening, I let out the mother of all squeals.

I understand that this segment was at a heightened stage in the book with regards to pacing, yet, even so, I think the breakneck speed wasted the potential of what should have been a legendary confrontation. It is still very enjoyable, especially because we have all of the old guard (Kellanved, Dancer, Dassem, Tayschrenn etc) and we get to see them in action. But two can play at that game, for the Emperor sails towards Falar aboard his flagship Twisted - a vessel that is itself thought to be not entirely of this world. Never the less, it is still a very enjoyable book, and a fun look back at some of the series' best characters. loaded with set pieces, contains wonderful dialogue, witty exchanges, explosive showdowns, unlikely alliances, and features some of the finest character creations that the genre has to offer.There are however those who harbour doubts regarding the stewardship of Kellanved and his cohort Dancer, and as the Malazan force heads north, it encounters an unlooked-for and most unwelcome threat - unspeakable and born of legend, it has woken and will destroy all who stand in its way. While I love maps and often scoured the map at the beginning as to where PoVs are are are referring to I laughed when I found the much more detailed map at the end of the book. I can't give away too much due to spoilers, but let's just say I was hoping for some serious land and ship battles but again they all happened mostly off page. The one good thing I can say about the book is that it reads well and is almost a page-turner so despite some misgivings, it didn't turn into a slog at all and is relatively short for a Malazan novel.