Active Users:210 Time:28/03/2024 09:28:21 PM
Good review, thanks! *major spoilers* John Send a noteboard - 01/07/2010 05:34:59 AM
This was the second Erikson book that I nearly threw across the room (the first being Deadhouse Gates). For DG it was the end of the Chain of Dogs story that I found so frustrating. For this book it was the Tool storyline. For me, the brightest part of the whole series was Tool becoming mortal again. It was a rare glimpse of almost pure joy in an otherwise rather depressing series. To have him killed again, so senselessly, really got to me. Then, just to turn the knife we have what happens to his wife directly afterward. Ugh.

You're right that this book was not overly preachy. One of the themes I got from this book is a question of whether or not a race or culture is wholly evil or beyond redemption. This was presented through the Barghast and the K'chain Ch'maile (sp). For the latter, they have up until this book, been presented as nothing but a menace. But the way this story unfolds, the world may not be a better place if they moved on towards extinction. With the Barghast however, as shown through Tool's story, we see very few redeeming qualities. I feel like I ought to have had some pity for the outright slaughter of the Barghast by the end of the book, but there really wasn't much. In fact, the pity was more for the added burden on Tool's soul for more death by his hand.

Overall though, I agree that this one was better than the last couple.
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Erikson's Dust of Dreams (no real spoilers) - 01/07/2010 12:21:07 AM 5565 Views
Excellent review. Strengthens my resolve to reread at least part of TtH before starting. Thanks. *NM* - 01/07/2010 02:08:40 AM 1108 Views
You don't need to reread TtH, actually. Reaper's Gale is much more relevant. - 01/07/2010 09:44:43 AM 1513 Views
But I didn't like Reaper's Gale. *NM* - 02/07/2010 02:30:01 AM 837 Views
I feel your pain, then. *NM* - 02/07/2010 09:46:24 AM 817 Views
Good review, thanks! *major spoilers* - 01/07/2010 05:34:59 AM 1854 Views
What enraged me was the blatantly sexist treatment of... (Spoilers!) - 01/07/2010 06:09:21 AM 2135 Views
Yes, that was the main thing I was getting at with the "strong stomach" comment. - 01/07/2010 09:58:14 AM 2058 Views
The thing is... - 01/07/2010 04:51:22 PM 1628 Views
I keep hearing about this 'Hobbling of Hetan'. - 01/07/2010 12:16:39 PM 2396 Views
Okay... (spoilers, obviously, and yes it is gruesome). - 01/07/2010 12:30:28 PM 1889 Views
OK I see. *edited for spelling* - 01/07/2010 12:41:16 PM 1579 Views
Re: OK I see. - 01/07/2010 12:52:27 PM 1644 Views
Re: OK I see. - 01/07/2010 01:09:30 PM 1586 Views
Maybe your thesis is just a little too simple, then. - 01/07/2010 01:20:01 PM 1653 Views
It's not really a thesis statement. - 01/07/2010 01:33:03 PM 1583 Views
I knew I was forgetting something... - 01/07/2010 04:57:16 PM 1601 Views
Yeah, agreed. - 02/07/2010 09:50:57 AM 1599 Views
It'll be re-reading that starting in the next couple of days - 01/07/2010 10:11:42 AM 1485 Views
Waiting for Part Two - 28/07/2010 02:47:00 AM 1567 Views

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