The Crippled God

Steven Erikson's concluding installment in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series is a tour de force that delivers on all fronts. The intricate storytelling, rich character development, and breathtaking world-building continue to shine in this final chapter. The epic battles and magical confrontations in “The Crippled God” are nothing short of awe-inspiring, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

The characters in this series have become like old friends, and seeing their stories reach their culmination was both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Moreover, the thematic depth of the story, exploring concepts of redemption, sacrifice, and the consequences of power, left me pondering long after I finished the last page. The moral dilemmas faced by the characters were thought-provoking and added layers of complexity to the narrative.

Since this is going to be my review for the whole series, I can't give it anything less than five stars, but while I appreciate the depth of the world-building and intricate plotlines, there were times when the complexity became overwhelming. It's not the kind of series where you can casually skim through a chapter. I'm pretty sure I missed some important details that would help with understanding the story later in other books. The series assumes that you've been following along diligently, and it doesn't hold your hand when it comes to recaps or explanations. If you take breaks between books or aren't fully committed to the series, you might struggle to keep up with the intricate narrative.

Also, as I finished reading “The Crippled God,” I couldn't help but feel that some plot threads and character arcs were left somewhat unresolved. Given the vast number of characters and subplots in the series, it's challenging to tie up everything neatly, but it left me with some lingering questions and a sense of wanting more closure in certain areas.

Last, but not the least, the series, including “The Crippled God,” is emotionally heavy. The themes of loss, war, and tragedy are prevalent throughout, and it can be emotionally draining. While I appreciate the depth of these themes, it's not a series I would recommend if you're looking for a lighter or more uplifting fantasy read.

Ultimately, I can't help but be grateful for the (years-long) journey the Malazan Book of the Fallen series has taken me on. It's a series that has challenged, entertained, and enriched my reading experience in ways I couldn't have imagined. “The Crippled God” is a stunning conclusion to an epic tale, and I'm sure I'll be reading other books from the same universe in the future.