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There shall be none to witness. If existence itself can be said to be poetic, we stand in that silence, unyielding servants to anonymity. None to see, none to even know. Not a single grave, nor stone lifted to cast shade upon our scattered bones. Neither hill nor tomb. We shall rest in emptiness, not forgotten –for forgetting follows remembrance, and there shall be no remembrance.

The Bonehunters are on the march.

Dust of Dreams provides a new set of the philosophical musings which Erikson has set out before the reader particularly in the second half of the series. The nature of history, remembrance and heroism are spoken about, as in the quote above. What do heroic acts matter if nobody is there to seem them and remember their importance? Similarly, the nature of humanity is dealt with to some extent, our fragility and the temporary nature of our lives being mused about to some extent.

Similarly, the atrocity of war gets to centre stage again, particularly in the long descriptions surrounding the absolutely horrific battle in the Wastelands towards the end of the book. Using an exceptionally militaristic series as a critique of war is an interesting narrative choice, but Erikson pulls it off.

I was nearly put off by the absolutely disgustingly graphic violence in the book, particularly centred in the Barghast story arc. Ritualised, systemic rape and mutilation, constant descriptions of barbarism and overall depravity that the readers if forced to go through. I must admit I despise the use of violence for the purpose of shocking the reader. It is a cheap literary tactic, and one Erikson would do well to refrain from, as it diminishes the overall quality of the books. Erikson himself defended it as an act of homage to victims of such vile actions, in a forum post which gave a stronger impression of just not being able to handle criticism.

Aside from that, however, Erikson is of course a brilliant writer. The scenes involving diplomacy, are extremely interesting and sometimes downright amusing. The way Erikson deals with the intricacies of political negotiation on the Letherii continent are quite a highlight of Dust of Dreams, as it also provides some fascinating insights into the inner working of various cultures, civilised and tribal alike.

There are two particular highlights; one is the masterful depiction of the great battle at the end.

The other, however, is the journey of the Shake. There are some wonderful things to be experienced and learned as the Shake go on their pilgrimage to the lost city of Darkness, Kharkanas.

The sea is blind to the road
And the road is blind to the rain
The road welcomes no footfalls
The blind are an ocean’s flood
On the road’s shore
Walk then unseeing
Like children with hands outstretched
Down to valleys of blinding darkness
The road leads down through shadows
Of weeping gods
This sea knows but one tide flowing
Into sorrow’s depthless chambers
The sea is shore to the road
And the road is the sea’s river
To the blind
When I hear the first footfalls
I know the end has come
And the rain shall rise
Like children with hands
Outstretched
I am the road fleeing the sun
And the road is blind to the sea
And the sea is blind to the shore
And the shore is blind
To the sea
The sea is blind�
RIDDLE OF THE ROAD OF GALLAN
SHAKE CHANT


Onwards to the very end...

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