The Bonehunters is much better than the last book. Less confusing. More straightforward. And equally, action-packed.
More of the threads are finally coming together. The author generously drops a few much-needed spoilers to ease the massed confusion that is Midnight Tides. The scale of the conflict is gradually being revealed, much larger than previously assumed. Battle lines are drawn, but there are more than two sides. The gods are even more involved this time.
There's a mad scramble for godly champions and representatives among the mortals. But the strings aren't pulled by the gods as you'd expect. The conflict is well beyond the total control of the gods. There are far too many players now as virtually everyone is involved. Malazan soldiers. Claws. Priests and priestesses. Tribal warriors. Gods and goddesses. Ascendants. All of the races, in fact: mortal, undead, and immortal. Entire continents. It's conflict on a scale never before seen in fantasy. The sheer scope is staggering.
The dialogue is more enjoyable now as I now understand much of what's happening on the surface as well as behind the scenes. There's a lot of character development going on, especially among the soldiers of the Fourteenth. And the fighting remains as badass as ever.
Six books in, with another series, the end would be clearer now. But with this one, it's only murkier. Absolutely unpredictable. I suppose it's what sets this series apart.
4/5 stars
