The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson Book Review & Reaction | Everything I Hoped Malazan Could Become!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Even if I didn’t already love Malazan, I would feel inspired by the Mike’s Book Reviews epic treatment we get here!

[@mikesbookreviews]

As always, you're far too kind.

[@Johanna_reads]

Excellent pacing, cinematic battle scenes, cruel character returns, exciting convergences, incredible character arcs since Gardens of the Moon, and Karsa. You explained all these things so well, and I’m so happy you loved the book!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I mean, I'm still mad at Laseen for letting that return happen, but yeah...

[@coolty545]

Hey Mike, another Malazan vet here. I'm so glad you enjoyed The Bonehunters. The first time I read it, it absolutely blew my mind. Y'ghatan remains one of my favorite moments, both in the series and in fantasy in general. I'm sorry that you aren't vibing with the Fourteenth Army - they're my favorite element of the series. What you experienced for Corabb and Bottle in this book, I experienced for that entire army. I hope you'll come around on them. I just wanted to thank you for continuing with the series. I introduced a good friend of mine to Malazan and he dropped out after Bonehunters. How anyone could read Y'ghatan and not want to continue, I'll never understand. I'm excited to read Reaper's Gale along with you - it's my favorite in the series, and I think it'll be my sixth or seventh read of that book. See you in December!

[@highwayharry]

The only part of Y’ghatan that I slightly enjoyed was the part where they are following a rat underground and eat the spiked honey lol. Everything else was just words on paper. So it is possible not to enjoy this siege. Maybe if I studied the wiki for all these different 14th company names I would have enjoyed it more. I actually enjoy reading about Y’ghatan on the wiki more than the book.

[@ryanoneal8480]

Agree, Reapers Gale is so good.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I can't see anyone making it this far and quitting.

[@Matt-sl1wg]

I'm one that checked out after Y'Ghatan... literally. I got stuck on the honey-induced acid trip and put the book down for almost 10 years. It was because after that huge mind-blowing battle of Y'Ghatan, it felt like the book had come to a screeching halt. I just couldn't get the inertia moving forward again. I still think that's a problem in how this book is paced, but heck if I have any solution to offer, Y'Ghatan has to happen first before the book can complete its arc so... Hey, it is what it is.

[@pabloalfredomorelos8553]

I'm reading the las chapter. So far this is my favorite Malazan book. The siege and the last couple of chapters were the fastest I ever read something Malazan related.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Indeed.

[@EricMcLuen]

Great to hear. It does get 'easier' as the scope starts getting smaller and the number of new characters starts to shrink. Now you just have to remember them from three books ago.

[@patrickvose2536]

You continue to have the best intros on KZbin. It’s a talent my man

[@mikesbookreviews]

You think so? Thanks a ton!

[@trueharrypotterfan]

While some readers may be tapping out, some others (like me) are catching up as well. I finished Midnight Tides a couple of days back, and would start Bonehunters this weekend. Hopefully, I'll be able to join the read-along in December. Really excited for it, since your reviews and Ten Very Big Books podcast have been the companions that I've kept through this journey across the Malazan world.

[@mikesbookreviews]

The videos will always be there for when folks catch up or decide to finish.

[@meris8486]

I really like your intros with the weaving of epic art, music and prominent quotes

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks!

[@reaper2r]

Wow this opening is especially sick. Gardens of the Moon, here I come.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@robpaul7544]

Karsa has one gear, and that gear is Badass. 😂 So glad you're still enjoying the series Mike - and although the read-along army might have shrunk, I think it's still the biggest one out there. Head high! You have your own 14th army of noobs to lead to victory 🤗

[@mikesbookreviews]

Karsa Crush!

[@becoolthisisarobbery]

that was awesome said and so true

[@swisswatermethod1781]

Still here Mike 🙌🏼

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to have you. You're probably a Sergeant by default at this point.

[@swisswatermethod1781]

@@mikesbookreviews I’ve loved all of it so far! I’m so glad that I’m taking part in this read along so thank you for doing it

[@ACriticalDragon]

That veterancy is creeping ever closer. You must be at least a sergeant now, right? Always fantastic to hear your thoughts. You always make me think about the books from a different perspective. Great video as always.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Is that a good thing?

[@ACriticalDragon]

@@mikesbookreviews The pay is worse, there is more work and responsibility, and the food isn't any better... so it depends on your definition of good.

[@SpartnMarine823]

I’ve been meaning to start the series for months, your reviews definitely move it up on the tbr

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@supernorry3847]

That reading Excerpt is awesome and the art that you use in the back ground shows the scale of the world and the story. I really gotta read this sometimes

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's a challenge, but when it clicks it's amazing.

[@naturescreed]

Silent participant here. Love your insights & like yourself very much lost most the time but still loving it. I've tried to hop into the discord a couple times but have no idea how to navigate that place lol...

[@azulsimmons1040]

Anomander Rake is my favorite character in the series. Gruntle was awesome. When he stacked bodies filling an entire building, that imagery made that character for me. He was so brutal. Icarium was very cool too.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Loved that moment.

[@tiananesbitt7156]

Gosh all these illustrations feels like you made a few!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I can't even draw a stick figure.

[@WordsinTime]

I appreciate the spoiler-free reviews as I am interested in the series but have no plans to read it in the near future, so until then I enjoy experiencing them vicariously through Mike's videos.

[@mikesbookreviews]

They'll always be here in case you decide to give it a go later.

[@WordsinTime]

@@mikesbookreviews Thanks Mike! I’m mostly reading sci-fi at the moment, but look forward to starting some more fantasy series in the future!

[@Mr.books17]

Your always my “Go to” guy before I read the book! Thank you! You have my readers trust!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy the trip!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Great review! I completely agree about both Karsa and Y'ghatan. It was probably my favorite battle of the whole series!

[@briancooke1134]

Not sure if this is the book that introduces Hellion or not, but she’s one of my favourite characters in all of fiction. Touchy-Breathless is also a great soldier, he does the work of two men!

[@mikesbookreviews]

It is. Though she is drunk for most of it.

[@briancooke1134]

@@mikesbookreviews She’ll grow on you. She’s not a very good person, but she’s a great character. Lots of fun. Keep an eye on Kindly and List, too. They have an amazing/hilarious story arc. Thanks for the reply, Mike. Been watching your channel for a while now and you do great work!

[@KalleVilenius]

Love them intros. Once you finish the series, put all the intros into one video, please. The cover to Reaper's Gale does not lie.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I had flirted with something like that for Wheel of Time.

[@colburn0004]

I've been in a real reading slump and haven't read anything after finishing Midnight tides, but this definitely encouraged me to move ahead and get back to Bonehunters.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@djsuth7727]

Mike : Kalam or Ganoes are the MVP in this book - they just get s**t done ! Apsalar : Hold my beer !

[@mikesbookreviews]

All 3 showed out in this one.

[@judewakefield7213]

Just finished Midnight Tides and Night of Knives. Loved the review and I'm ready to start Bonehunters

[@zn12914]

I can't wait to read this book over winter break (it's way too hard to read malazan during the semester lol)!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I get that. There's a reason I waited until I graduated business school to begin.

[@alfredodepesto5020]

Top 10 moments in the first 6 books. Would love to hear about it Mike

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll probably just do one at the end.

[@alfredodepesto5020]

@@mikesbookreviews maybe a books 6-10 aswell as an all 10 books? Love all your Malazan content so the more the merrier!

[@Chris_Traylor]

Just finished MT, about to start Bonehunters later today and this is exactly what I needed to hear! Trying to catch up to ya but these books definitely take me some time to get through.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's definitely not a race. But I think this will be the book you've been waiting for.

[@angelaholmes8888]

I'm almost done with the bonehunters I'm really am enjoying it it's one of my favorite books in the series right next to deadhouse gates 🌟

[@mikesbookreviews]

Same here!

[@Stewart000]

I am looking forward to starting the next book in December

[@carlagrubbs6392]

Morning Mike

[@StoryLoreStudio]

For some reason I’m able to be intrigued by any character introduced in the series, unlike I was in Robert Jordan Wheel of Time series.

[@ReallyGoodandKind]

Yeah you out some respect on The Name of Corrabb Binad Thenualis.

[@jeremiahlaust304]

Bonehunters was my favorite as well, at that point in the series.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've heard this a lot.

[@markb3534]

Agreed on the pacing. Spoiler talks were great, too!

[@feral7523]

K-chain action on a massive scale in last two books!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Awesome to hear!

[@theskyisteal8346]

Silent warband member represent! I'm still a book and a half behind but I figure if I skip TtH since I read it in 2019 and jump right to where I left off in DoD in December 2019, I could be caught up (maybe even a little ahead)

[@allanwidner9276]

Last in, looking around.

[@mvandenheuvel2175]

fucking love the intros great work dude

[@kaianthony8077]

Sorry Mike, KZbin only let's me click the thumbs up once.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha. I appreciate that.

[@shawngillogly6873]

Yes, the Isolation of Tavore by SE is intentional. Much as he isolated Anomander Rake from the reader. But I think for a different reason. With Tavore, she is The Adjunct. She is the Voice and Hand of the Empress. She is the Empire. That's all anyone knows of her...and to their eyes all anyone needs to know... *until* the end of the Bonehunters. Suddenly, she has to be human. She loses her armor. And if she doesn't cease to be guarded. She can no longer claim a title beyond being a Bonehunter. She loses the two things she found comfort in. One that shielded her humanity, the other that was her only human outlet. I'm not going to say we dwell in her head from here on out. But we definitely see her as more human. She's not one of my top 10 characters of the series. But she definitely grew on me from Bonehunters forward.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I figured it was intentional.

[@rickhammer7204]

Tavore is my favorite character of the series! Interested to see if your opinion changes as you go on

[@mikesbookreviews]

Seeing how well he develops his characters over time, I'm sure I will.

[@nevaidos]

Mike will the character rankings return for the individual books or not? I really miss them, especially because I love to see the character art and I am scared to search for it myself because of possible spoilers.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sadly, probably not. Malazan just wasn't getting the interest from the majority of my audience after the first couple books. So I took the videos for each book down from 5 to 3.

[@nevaidos]

@@mikesbookreviews Too bad, but I fully understand it. It was always fun to see how our character rankings differed. Thanks for replying though!

[@raswartz]

The Bonehunters SLAPS.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Absolutely.

[@SonOfSeth]

I hate these books less every time I watch you review one of them.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks...I think?

[@treboreimaj3274]

Where is reapers gale??? Waiting for your thoughts!

[@dipinbk8852]

Would you still call Deadhouse your favourite?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I answer that question in this video.

[@channingdeadnight]

Start stocking up on valium before you make it to the last book. You will need lots of em.

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Hey Mike, sorry if you’ve been asked this already but did you ever finish the Poppy War series or did you quit? I recently finished it and want to read Malazan soon. I’m just curious on your thoughts for that series. I have mixed feelings about the story, but I love what an insane edgelord Rin is lol.

[@Rogue_VI]

He said he put it down for the time being but was planning on picking it back up at some point.

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

@@Rogue_VI Thanks for the response!

[@jakebishop7822]

that intro was so fire that it could burn a city

[@mikesbookreviews]

Too soon.

[@masaheimoi]

I am a bit sad that you didn't put My favorite quote in the beginning: "If I your wife told you I was pregnant what would you do?" "I would kill the donkey."

[@JamesI88]

Witness

[@---rm8do]

Next book: 😔 🕯🕯🕯

[@raswartz]

In medias "res" = "race" :)

[@cabrademora1]

:D

[@channingdeadnight]

KARSA ORLONG has the best super power of all. Super Stubbornness. And oh boy should those who annoy him, need to GTF away.

[@shawnturpin197]

Don't like the 14th Army? Read the next book. That will change.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I wouldn't say I don't like them as much as I'm indifferent on the majority. I'm sure Steven will get me there.

[@kevinrutledge7565]

In the main ten, you WILL get more K'chain

[@mikesbookreviews]

Love me some sword arm dinos.

[@opedits-ar8920]

Berserk

[@mikesbookreviews]

This won't make it happen sooner. I still haven't read it.

[@atomicbaby-w4e]

Let him read what he wants to and enjoys :>

[@opedits-ar8920]

@@atomicbaby-w4e facts

[@brianl6151]

@@atomicbaby-w4e exactly, let him read or consume what he wants and this way we get great content as he is passionate about it.