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Here, then, is the tale. Between the swish of the tides, when giants knelt down and became mountains. When they fell scattered on the land like the ballast stones of the sky, yet could not hold fast against the rising dawn. Between the swish of the tides, we will speak of one such giant. Because the tale hides with his own.

And because it amuses.

The fifth part of the Malazan Book of the Fallen is rather different from the previous four. Set on a faraway continent years before the stories of the Bridgeburners and the Whirlwind, the book tells another story. One of the Tiste Edur and their struggles, internal as well as external.
Steven Erikson’s writing has vastly improved since the series began. It was certainly more than adequate even in Gardens of the Moon, but at this point his style has become a joy to read. The combination of crude, militaristic, Glen Cook-style writing with more fascinatingly flowery elements is both unique and deeply enjoyable, and I found myself saving and highlighting quote after quote, often several on the same page.

The most intriguing aspect of Midnight Tides is definitely its explanation and expansion of the Malazan lore. From the fantastic prologue onward, bits and pieces are added to the already quite astounding worldbuilding of Erikson and Esslemont. Here are the backstories, cultures and creation myths of various peoples new and old.

"You are ruled by greed, a monstrous tyrant lit gold with glory. It cannot be defeated, only annihilated."

Another remarkably interesting and also somewhat controversial aspect of this book is the political symbolism. The rising Letherii Empire, with its raw capitalist society and its conquest and subjugation of other peoples in the name of freedom, is a rather obvious metaphor.

"The Dark Times had come with the rivening of the Tiste Edur, the assault of sorceries and strange armies and the disappearence of Father Shadow himself. And although the magic of Kurald Emurlahn was not denied to the tribes, the warren was lost to them: shattered, the fragments ruled by false kings and gods."

Even more intriguing is the culture of the Tiste Edur. Midnight Tides arrives with virtually the entire history of this people. Its culture, its deities, its heroes and its empires.

It is no secret that the Malazan series is difficult to read; if you believe otherwise, you’re indulging in a self-deception that will come back to bite you as you progress with your reading. Because of that, this book is really helpful and makes you feel like you really get a grip on the setting and everything that’s going on.

Overall, Midnight Tides without a flicker of doubt the single book in this series that has impressed me the most. It does not contain any truly iconic heroes like the ones from the other books, but it is in my personal opinion vastly superior in both writing and worldbuilding. Not to mention that it was much easier to get truly immersed in the occurring events and actually experience them through the eyes of the central characters.

If I did not love the Malazan universe before, this book has changed that.

"That which was chained to the earth has twisted the walls of its prison. Beyond recognition. Its poison has spread out and infected the world and all who dwell upon it.�

Malazan Book of the Fallen reviews:
#1 Gardens of the Moon
#2 Deadhouse Gates
#3 Memories of Ice
#4 House of Chains
#5 Midnight Tides
#6 The Bonehunters
#7 Reaper's Gale
#8 Toll the Hounds
#9 Dust of Dreams
#10 The Crippled God