Customer Reviews

The Crippled God: Book Ten of The Malazan Book of the Fallen

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

The Crippled God is the final novel in The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Steven Erikson's monumental epic fantasy series that began twelve years ago with Gardens of the Moon. In that time Erikson has reached the heights of writing two of the very finest fantasy novels of the last decade (Deadhouse Gates and Memories of Ice), but there has been some growing scepticism over later novels in the series, which have tended to open up more confusing storylines then closing down or clarifying old ones.

The Crippled God has been billed as the second half of Dust of Dreams, with Dreams described as all set-up and Crippled as all-resolution. That's an exaggeration: Erikson spends the first three hundred pages or so setting things up and clearing his throat rather than cutting to the chase, but at the same time that's less than some of the other books. We still get lengthy philosophical discussions between lowly grunts which are rather unconvincing, but frankly the people for whom that's a major problem will have dropped the series long ago. Fortunately Erikson is somewhat less obtuse in this novel than in any previous ones. On occasion he even resorts to - gasp! - actually telling us what the hell is going on. This new, more reader-friendly Erikson who respects traditional narrative techniques a bit more than previously takes a little getting used to.

The Crippled God is also the book that stands alone the least well out of the series, as it picks up after a huge cliffhanger ending. Erikson seems to enjoy the fact that he doesn't need to do as much set-up as normal and throws in everything including the kitchen sink into the mix. Previews and author interviews suggested that quite a few storylines and character arcs from previous novels would not be addressed here, which is mostly focused on the Crippled God and Bonehunter arcs, so it's a surprise that as many characters and events from previous novels (including some of Esslemont's) show up as they do, and most of the few who don't are at least mentioned.

There's also a growing circularity to events. This appears to be Erikson's way of showing the readers that the Malazan series wasn't as incoherent and chaotic as it has often appeared, but there was a masterplan all along. He mostly pulls this off very well, with some storylines and characters which initially appeared very random now being revealed to be integral to the series.

Erikson's biggest success in The Crippled God is with avoiding the nihilism that has occasionally crept into previous books by emphasising the overriding theme of the Malazan series, which has always been compassion. Heroism and self-sacrifice, amongst common soldiers and gods alike, abounds in this book. Erikson pushes forward the message that true heroism is reached when it is performed unwitnessed with no singers or writers to celebrate it later. There is tragedy here, as each victory only comes at a tremendous cost, but less so than in earlier volumes. With everything on the table - the warrens, the gods, the world, humanity and ever other sentient being on the planet - the Bonehunters and their allies simply cannot afford to fail, even if it means crossing a desert of burning glass, facing down betrayal or forging alliances with old enemies, and Erikson has the reader rooting for them every step of the way.

His prose skills are as strong as ever, and in fact are strengthened by not having as much time to pontificate. There's a clarity to Erikson's writing here which is refreshing. Erikson's battle mojo is also back in full swing, with the engagements described with an appropriate amount of chaos and desperation.

Character-wise, Erikson is back to being a mixed bag. Some of the soldiers are ciphers but others come through very strongly (Silchas Ruin's motives and actions are a lot more comprehensible now). The Shake in particular are much-improved. Ublala Pung serves as great comic relief, and, whilst they don't appear as such, the presence of both Tehol and Kruppe are felt, lending much-needed moments of sunshine amidst the darkness. Erikson's choice of which characters to build up in depth and which to skim over during the preceding nine books makes a lot more sense as well, as it's some of the best-realised and most intriguing that bite the dust here. Characters die, and, mostly, it hurts when they go. If one in particular doesn't trigger at least a lower-lip tremble amongst most readers, I'd be shocked.

There are weaknesses. After all the set-up, the actual grand finale is appropriately epic (eclipsing even the gonzoid-insane conclusion to Dust of Dreams), but at the same time a number of other side-stories are still not fully resolved. Depending on the reader, this will be either okay or infuriating. More problematic is that we go from the grand convergence though multiple epilogues to the final page in a very short space of time: there is little time spent on the aftermath and a few more mundane questions about what happened to certain characters are left unanswered. There is also the problem that, at two key points in the narrative, Erikson reaches outside the scope of The Crippled God to basically tap other characters from several books to do something vitally important to the resolution. It's not deus ex machina - it's all been set up quite well, in one case from nine books back - but it does feel a bit odd that everything comes down to relying on a character who is only in the novel for two pages.

There's also a fair amount of scene-setting for Esslemont's next few books (particularly the next one due later this year, set in Darujhistan) which is a little incongruous, though it does feel good to know that the world and the saga will continue. Erikson resolves enough that a primary fear - that this is merely Book 10 in a 22-book series rather than a grand finale - is averted, but not enough so that there won't be some grumbling.

Particularly well-handled are the final events in the book. Some may accuse Erikson of sentimentality here - though he's never been as dark and nihilistic as say Bakker - as he gives a few characters some happy endings and closes the vast circle that began so long ago, but it is a fitting and affecting ending.

The Crippled God (****½) marks the end of this crazy, awesome, infuriating, awe-inspiring, frustrating series, but fortunately not the end of this crazy, awesome, infuriating, awe-inspiring but frustrating author's career. The Malazan Book of the Fallen bows out in fine style. The novel is available now in the UK and USA.

Book 10 of TMBOTF series is essentially the story of the largest convergence in the history of Erikson's created world, which picks the impossibly desolate Glass Desert for the final battle. Every race, every civilization that we've met thus far, lead by the T'lan Imass, Jaghut, K'Chain Che'Malle, and the Forkrul Assail, are brought together in a writhing, tumultuous broil of destruction and carnage. The Letherii, Malazans, Tiste Andii, Barghast, Tiste Liosan, Kolansii, the Hounds, Tiste Edur, Toblakai, Genabackans, Awl, and Wickans are all present. The Elder Gods, Eleint, and even the dead (whom Erikson has always been reluctant to leave ... well, dead) are also critical pillars of this phenomenal tale.

Basically, if you had a favorite character(s) from the first 9 books, then they're in this book, to some extent!

Erikson's capstone story is a frantic maelstrom that I feel is best read with the first 9 books firmly in recent memory. I started the series in October of 2010 and timed it so that I finished Dust of Dreams early last month. The weekend before the March 1st release date, I skimmed all the books again. I don't think I would have been able to appreciate the contributions of the lesser-known characters to the tale had I not experienced their own stories in the recent past. There were simply too many people (many of which switched names at least twice!) and similarly-spelled locales to keep straight for long, at least in my middle-aged memory.

I'm typically critical on the final book of a series. It's hard to find the fine line between knotting up loose ends & large story arcs, but leaving something to the imagination of hungry fans. However, I rate this book a solid "5 stars", because Erikson does just that. For context, my favorite books were 2 (Deadhouse Gates), 3 (Memories of Ice), and 8 (Toll the Hounds). I was disappointed by book 9 (Dust of Dreams), but now I know why Erikson had to write it. If there was one book I would have re-read before book 10, it would be this one. There was so much foundation laid for the newcomers to the series, and for the convergence to actually occur.

The paperback book is 910 pages long. WARNING!! When you're about 2/3 of the way through, you simply will not be able to put this book down. Read late at night at your own peril, for you will be a zombie the next day at work because you slept about 45 minutes (don't ask me how I know this) ...

Turning the last page was a somber moment. However, for the timely closure you've brought to your tale, Mr. Erikson, I (on behalf of all fans waiting for authors to finish their respective series'), thank you!!

This will be short and to the point, Erikson needs an editor. Somewhere about halfway through this series it devolved into a mess lacking flow and coherence. I kept waiting for him to recover and match the magic of the first few books, he never did. He clearly had too many ideas floating through his head and no way to whittle them down into a story so instead we get bits on pieces of different stories mashed together.

The series likely should have ended with Memories of Ice. In terms of narrative and emotional payoff, I think it's fair to say the series never hit those heights again. The fourth, fifth and sixth books comprised a decent plateau, but it had that feeling of length and plot merely for the sake of more.

With The Crippled God, Erikson seems to be content with the narrative rock bottom he hit in books eight and nine. That mass of underdeveloped and under thought characters, The Malazan Marines continue to bore, having turned from a few interesting characters into a cast of 20-30 names that all speak with the same salt-of-the-earth country sounding accent. He also continues with the pages shallow philosophical insights that any of us could have inferred through competent plot development. But the worst of it is that he's lost track of the characters people cared about, tossing them aside for new, half baked ones. Spread so thin, there is little he can do in this final book to really satisfy the reader.

It feels like a case of writer burnout. A work that started as something different, a remedy in fact, seems to have lost itself in demands of length. You will, of course, read the book. But know that you don't have to, and that in reading it you'll likely look back with nostalgia on those early books, wondering, with each passing page, where it all went so wrong.

I have been reading this series for years and rating them on Amazon. This final novel is what epic heroic tales are made from. 10 books of battles, living, and betrayal and the final book tied it all up so great! I don't need to tell you to get this book. If you've made it to the 10th book you already know the tale needs to be finished; and this finish is spectacular! Bravo, Mr. Erikson! You have impressed.

After reading Deadhouse Gates, Memories of Ice, and again after reading Reaper's Gale (my personal favorite entry in the Malazan series) I thought that the Book of the Fallen might turn out to be the best fantasy series of all time. My feelings have cooled somewhat...it's still ONE of the best, but not in the top two or three of all time. The last few books showed a fall-off in quality and an increase in Erikson's ego and (as one reviewer put it) pontification. Believability soars out the window whenever a nameless grunt spouts off some high-minded, philosophical drivel. The entire series is also fiercely anti-religious, being a transparent window to the author's secular humanist athiest belief system. Not a huge flaw, but Erikson slaps you in the face with it, page after page. Finally, the unresolved storylines (Karsa, Errastas, etc) and the terrible resolutions of others (Korabas, Mappo, Icarium) frustrate.

Four out of five Stars.

Also, though not a real part of the review, let me add a personal thought. Exactly when did the Crippled God become a GOOD GUY? And, WHY? Bizarre and puzzling plot choice, there, but I respect Erikson's right to choose it.

This is one of the best series of books I have read to date. This last book left me laughing and crying (more crying...) and was a fitting end to the epic. I find it interesting that some people say that they "enjoyed the book but...", If you have stayed with Erikson for the entire series you should know what you are in for and not be surprised by his style, these books were never easy to read but well worth the effort. I am going to now go cry again while I think of Tools ending.

Well, here we are. At the very end. Obviously this is a very long series of books and it has taken a great investment of time to read them all. I've been reading about these characters for so long that I feel like I'm losing some members of my own family after finishing The Crippled God.

Steven Erikson did the impossible, he tied up all his loose ends. *grins* I was worried that he'd forget at least one character or story line. But they all came together to make up an ending that was satisfying and brilliant. As far as getting into actual events, I don't want to ruin anything by giving it away.

From what I've heard, people either love Erikson or hate him. I am on the love side of that debate. These books are not a light read, for sure, but that being said, I feel like they really mean something. Erikson's insight into human nature is mind-blowing. He seamlessly weaves his commentary into the voices, thoughts and actions of his characters. Dust of Dreams and The Cripple God have given me a window into the author's head, into the things that he thinks are important, and he does it in a way that is not preachy or annoying.

Now let's talk `dramatis personae', as Erikson likes to call them. Rich. The people in these books are so real to me. I realized a few books into this series that I was never given a direct description of a lot of the characters, but I knew what they looked like just by how they were written, and I don't think that is easy to do as a writer. When it comes to dialogue Steven Erikson is Boss. He can make you laugh, cry, get angry, whatever with one simple statement. The dialogue and banter amongst his characters is what really makes this series special. He doesn't just give you a 'good' or 'bad' guy, he gives you every piece of that person. They are flawed, and I love that.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. Great book. Amazing series. Genius author.

Same comments as many above: Love the whole series, Maps inadequate but helpful at times, Erikson needed an editor for the last few books, story hard to follow at times, etc. We all know the drill. Same goes for me too.

As for the Crippled God, this last book was almost painful until you hit page 600. Then everything comes together and things start happening. Unfortunately, you have to read the first 600 pages to understand the ending.

Good ending, epic battles, good twists and turns, lots of Gods and characters crying, left some things unresolved, like it would be in real life. CG helped make sense of the whole series. The whole secondary story in the Tiste Andii city would have been better as a separate story. Had little to do with stuff on Burn's sleep world main story.

Expect tons of commentary of the meaningless of life, of self interest of the "gods", of arbitrary rules and the lack of purpose behind various systems of belief. Not sure if this is Erikson's personal belief system or something he adds in to give realism to the hopelessness of the situation. These internal diatribes go on and on and on. Got old really fast.

Other wise, after page 600-ish, got really fun. Before 600 or so, felt like I was walking through the glass desert myself.

Erikson was the first one to bring a huge fantasy series to an ... end ?
During decades trilogies or largely independent volumes sharing the main hero were the frame chosen for the best fantasy - most famous being of course The Lord of the Rings .
Jordan was the first with an ambition to create a vast world with a unique story and a large set of characters covering a total volume of 10 - 20 books .
After him Erikson and Martin started on a similar path .

We , the readers , have been trained by our readings to expect a beginning , a developpment and an end .
But I have always been wondering what can an "end" look like in the case of 10-20 books trying to interpolate a narrative structure of a trilogy to a volume 5 times or more larger .
Jordan died before answering my question .
Martin lost inspiration , interest or both somewhere along the road .
Erikson was the first to get there .

Well , not quite unexpected , the "end" is not an end and probably cannot be .
This makes the question of rating rather hard because for such a large work it becomes impossible to distinguish clearly the whole series and a small (less than 10%) part which just happens to be the the last one .
I gave 4 stars mainly because the series as a whole is worth 4.5 stars .
Memories of Ice and Deadhouse Gates are jewels (in that order) while Toll the Hounds is weak .

As for the Crippled God it fits well in the overall quality of Erikson's storytelling that began 12 years ago .
Obviously we don't get a real "end" closing all story arcs and coming back to every important character that we met on the journey because it is materially impossible within a single volume .
Like many reviewers I could not but feel a certain frustration to see how casually or not at all were treated : Anomander Rake (my preferred character on a par with Whiskeyjack) , Kruppe , Icarium , Cutter , Draconus , Hood , Karsa , Laseen , Apsalar , Ossric , Errant , Mael , Kalam , Caladan Brood , Herboric , Pust , Scabandari , Withal - some of them being in the past main characters of whole books .

But on the other hand it was deeply satisfying to find in central position those who have been central to the whole story - the Malazans .
Gesler , Stormy , Hedge , Quick Ben and of course Fiddler . The Adjunct with her unruly officers Blistig and Kindly in the core of it all .
I have always considered that the description of the ambivalent relationships and motivations among the soldiers culminating with the Ascension of the Bridgeburners belonged to the best inspired pieces of Erikson's writing .
The Malazans will not disappoint you in the Crippled God .

So the Crippled God is definitely to be recommended for all who liked the Malazan Book of the Fallen and who will understand at last why it was a book of the Fallen .
But it is clearly not an end by any means .
Perhaps an end of the beginning ...