Rating:
I really enjoyed this foray into the jungles of the Malazan world. The characters, beginning with Murk and Sour, were all enjoyable though for some, specifically the Warlord, I was rather confused for most of the book as to who it should really be. T’riss was enigmatic and Osserc’s journey here was odd though mostly enjoyable. But it can’t be denied that the main events in the jungles of Jacuruku were the important stuff.
To be fair, when Murk and Sour were introduced to the reader, I didn’t think much of them, as no doubt is the intention behind their entrance. Yet, in time their slow progress made for an interesting pathway between a Malazan cadre and random criminals. Sour’s take of the jungle was also thoroughly interesting, to see him adapt so well when previously he’d been not the brightest spark, made for a very interesting character overall.
The Guard are the second faction to feature strongly here. K’azz was a quiet enigmatic leader, but much like in the other titles of this series, other members of the Guard step up to fill the gaps, giving us both a history of the Guard as well as insights into the large number of members in it. Though the Crimson Guard is in opposition to the Malazan force, at least nominally, this made for an educating lesson in who those people actually were and what their backgrounds had been.
The jungle girl Saeng, her brother Hanu, and Pon’Lor completed the avalanche of new characters beyond the Thaumaturg general whose unfortunate command’s fate was adequately detailed. Saeng’s chapters were generally enjoyable, Hanu a good side-kick to her. Pon’Lor actually went through a journey of understanding, however, which made him much more interesting than Saeng.
The others, mostly elder powers at work here, what to make of them? A lot of grumble for very little gain, as is their wont. I’ll continue!
