The Crippled God Spoiler Review | Malazan Book 10

I review the book "The Crippled God," the tenth and final novel in the Epic Fantasy series by Steven Erikson, The Malazan Book of the Fallen.
This review contains spoilers for the book The Crippled God, as well as the previous 9 books in the Malazan world.
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[@Akuma60]

Actually I believe that the Paran family is the main characters. It begins with Ganoes and ends with a flashback to him. And Tavore herself said that her whole plan was started when House Paran lost their son. Aka the beginning of Gardens of the Moon

[@Kruppes_Mule]

Corabb got his glorious death over the body of the Crippled god. One of the great "secondary" characters in this story.

[@awallerfamily]

Loved Corabb. Never liked how Leoman did him. That entire Leiman arc is a strange one. Though i enjoyed that character aswell

[@ReallyGoodandKind]

Fun fact: the cripple who Karsa comforts is the artist who drew the house of chains in Memories of Ice.

[@eleintblood]

My man Munug is part of one of the best exchanges with TCG. That scene where he "loses" the pain in his legs along with his ability to feel them lives rent free in my mind

[@parcaleste]

I cried so much when Stormy and Gesler died... what an arch those two numb skulls had. I love(d) them so much. And the respect that the K'Chain Che'Malle gave them after... heartbreaking on so many levels. Loved it so much. "The joke" that you were referring to at the final battle where all the Malazans started laughing, was SMILES cracking a smile/a grin after so many books where she was just remorseless and serious. I'll never forget this moment cause I was howling with laughter myself. For an absolute peripheral character as her, Smiles' arch was so detrimental for the outcome at the end but SO WELL DONE. A mark of a genius writing, right there.

[@jonathanflynn7446]

This was actually the first fantasy series I ever read. Finished it back in June. My thought process and how I feel about books has forever changed. This was a masterpiece of a series and the final book did more than I could have hoped to wrap it up perfectly.

[@ivanjelenic5627]

Love the emotions and enthusiasm. The details, the whole review! One of my favorite moments is Nefarias Bredd possibly manifesting in reality.

[@Lordanolyn]

This is the review that Erikson deserves.

[@TheMovingEye]

Just hearing the summary makes me tear up all over again, remembering so many details. And the concept of radical compassion is what truly elevates Malazan to the top of the genre. Also, Erikson made me feel like a woman because I never expected to experience multiple climaxes. Thanks Steve.

[@sneezydeezymcdeluxe7015]

This book was a real page turner. The battles were massive and epic. The ending is not what I was expecting at all, but it was fantastic. The stuff with Heboric, TCG, Shadowthrone, Cotillion etc was just beautiful. Korabas. Silchas. Yeden Derryg. I mean, how did Erikson stuff this much awesome shit into this last book. Masterpiece. Edit: and to add, I think Tavore might be one of the best fantasy characters ever written.

[@awallerfamily]

YEDAN DERRYG!!!!!!

[@DebunktheFunkwithDrWilson]

Cotillion did stab the Crippled God in order to free him to go back to his world. I believe there is a line from K'rul where he says that the Crippled God wouldn't have survived the journey with a solid body. But my understanding is that the scattered pieces of his body needed to be restored back into one vessel before this happened. Awesome review, I love the themes and the depth you go into. Andy Smith >>> Daniel Greene

[@DebunktheFunkwithDrWilson]

@@AndySmithMN Hey man subs aren't always an indicator of quality, you're putting out great reviews, to me.

[@ryanoneal8480]

Daniel is a good youtuber, but I have always been disappointed by his Malazan reviews. I love the depth you go in to.

[@kaianthony8077]

Spoiler........ ....... ...... ...... Bent protecting Gesler's body from Hood was such a great "small" scene amid the backdrop of world-changing events

[@jacobvardy]

Just a comment for the algorithm. Love the emphasis on radical compassion.

[@OneMoreMeme_INeedYou]

Lovely review, appreciate the enthusiasm. Tavore and Ganoes reuniting, and her emotional release is so unbelievably touching and cathartic. As you say, this series makes you a better person, and I’m glad you really hammered that home.

[@oxylus7223]

I love your passion for this book (and all the Malazan books). As much as I love the plotting, characters and setting of Malazan, it's always the themes that pack a punch. You're right in that after reading this book my whole world-view shifted, though I sadly feel like I have more often been on the side of inaction rather than sacrifice. Thank you for mentioning that scene with Badelle and Fiddler - her line “This father, Rutt, is a good father” for me is the most powerful in the whole series. I first read The Crippled God a few months after we had our first son, and that scene just tore at me. Erikson is an amazing, under appreciated writer.

[@FranzBinder20]

This video was awesome. Not only as a review but also you summarized the plot really well where for me not all of it was clear all the time while reading.

[@AndySmithMN]

Thanks!

[@bomtradym4027]

i just finished it, such a good book. The last 200 pages or so were exhausting (in a good way). So intense and cathartic as fuck

[@awallerfamily]

Forge of Darkness and Fall of Light spoilers: The way Erickson uses the battle on the first shore in the Kharkanas series is brilliant and so much fun to read. It really brings so much meaning to that entire plotline in the Crippled God.

[@Anthony-gh5yu]

I'm on my second read thru of this series SO EPIC!

[@chrismillett]

What a great recap!

[@tnagel88]

My goal was to finish the series before the end of the year, and I'm happy to say I did that with a little over a week to spare (finished on Dec 21). I think I understood around tBH or RG that the story wasn't about individuals in (say) the Bonehunters, but how the group is composed of all of the individuals. (I'm thinking something like how my desk is made of atoms, but I only ever think of it as a desk and never think of the individual atoms...Erikson wants us to think about the atoms). With that in mind, Tavore's speech about the unwitnessed is a genius way of tying the form of storytelling to the purpose of storytelling. In this case, the form shows us every individual and how each individual coheres with other individuals to create the group, and Tavore's point is that history will only care about the group (if even that, it's really a point about great man history, I think) but it's the individuals that do the deeds unwitnessed. I don't know if I've made sense, but I thought that particular piece of form was brilliant. And, ironically, I think it's what causes a lot of disconnect with first time readers of GotM. Erikson uses characters for a different purpose than other authors (at least in this story), and if you're expecting him to write for the same purposes as other authors, then it will be frustrating. Unfortunately, you can't see the ultimate effect until you get to the end of this 3.5 million word journey!

[@Kruppes_Mule]

Your discussion about how this series could/should break down your views on so many issues hits home. I read this series while also reading "Creating Freedom: The Lottery of Birth". Talk about turning every view you thought you held upside down..... there's a 1 hr documentary by the same name that hits the high points of the themes of the book.... highly recommended to everyone.

[@ryanoneal8480]

Radical compassion....we all want it, we all have trouble giving it...

[@theriddler2277]

very good review, but you get a few minor things wrong - not both of stormy and gesler die defeating sinn - one dies saving bent, he was a good boi... and a few other minor things. but overall you get it spot on.

[@Ashencrowe]

One other way the world will die if the Crippled God is not freed: He is lethally poisoning Bern, the Earth Goddess. It would have been a good, final touch if Erikson had provided a small look at Bern's recovery somewhere on Wu.

[@berserker8884]

Yeah maybe just Caladan Brood having a monologue and a "dialogue" with his deciesed friend Rake and maybe a thought about Malazans, which would be a nice callback to MoI.

[@mich7008]

The answer is “Radical Compassion”, if I may say Amen!! And I totally agree with you about Fiddler being the main character or at least part of the heart of the story along with Tavore. So fitting that he was on the last pages of the story. I was totally spent upon finishing these books yesterday but incredibly satisfied by how it all ended. Wonderful summary Andy and thank you so much for your insights.

[@NKopp714]

Great video. So much goes on during the end of this book that I was still fairly confused after my second reading, and that i did as a read-through with a friend. Even with our discussions there was a lot I just couldn't wrap my head around, but you do a great job of explaining it. Thanks much!

[@zan8152]

Welcome to the end! Now you're ready to go back to the beginning and read it for the first time.

[@SpitfireStoryboards]

I have just finished tcg. Your reactions and emotions here are so in line with my own . What a finale. Thanks for empassioned review

[@BrantMarcksson]

Listening to it on audiobook, SGT Hellion is the best character lol

[@kaizacorp]

Excellent review Andy! I've been looking forward to watching this video for so long, and now I can since I've finally finished the main 10. Absolutely loved it, with the finale of the The Crippled God it's cemented it's place as my favourite fantasy series of all-time.

[@bryson2662]

I finished TCG last week. The moments that touched me the most were Tool's Happy Ending, Fid and Hedge making up, Ges and Storm's End, Tavore's words to Ganoes, Sacrifice of the Bonehunters for the Children. Karsa with the Old man (whom is a character we know from another book if you remember) Really too many to count.

[@FranzBinder20]

I have the feeling that most of the KZbinrs who talk about Malazan have finished the series around these years 2020/2021. The series seems to get a lot of traction in recent years.

[@ljamesretuya]

I really wish erikson would explore the chaos of the eleint more in future books. Especially korabas. Would love to know how she came to be and how rake's elaborate trap was conceived and applied.

[@MrLiltiz]

The greatest of all time. Simple as that. On my 4th re-read.

[@stankokoszka4284]

Great review! Glad to hear many of my feelings echoed about this amazing series I have been recommending for years. To split hairs for a second, for me it was primarily about sacrifice. I believe that sacrifice is a culmination of things like compassion, understanding, Will, determination and selflessness. Compassion doesn't necessitate action but sacrifice I believe does. As you noted in-action can be our down fall. I kept hearing you say compassion over and over and I was like please say sacrifice lol! You did though, thanks! I don't know that I would agree that sacrifice and compassion need to change the structure of our political and social establishments to a radical degree. I think it is important for views centered on compassion and selflessness to exist but as balance within a construct. Utopia is a never obtainable state because nature and to an extent human nature is too chaotic. Laws exist to protect life and freedoms and as such, grant individuals the choice to live and act morally. (Subjectively so anyway) Those choices have such a profound meaning because humans experience the good and the bad. I think the series calls for individual self reflection. Just as in the series, good can and will come from, enough people making the hard choice to do better. That doesn't mean injustice, tragedy and violence disappear, but it mitigates it and better equips humanity to deal with it. This was a lot to type on the fly, so I hope my points were clear enough. One of my favorite things about this series revolved around how much Philosophy and Religion Erikson embedded into this world or maybe just my wishful thinking!

[@feral7523]

That moment of confusion and anger when Cotillion appeared behind the Crippled God and stabbed/killed him! overwhelming emotions unleashed.

[@SpectrumDT]

These videos were great! It would be terrific if you would go back and also do spoiler reviews of book 7 and earlier. 🙂

[@SpectrumDT]

@@AndySmithMN : Your summaries are very useful when preparing for a re-read. 🙂

[@paulinetayloe9988]

I. Going to reread it again in the future I stoped at it at chapter 20 skipped to the end read the end, and start to read the fall of light. Because I think iv been reading the books and not takeing any of it in.

[@paulinetayloe9988]

I’ll be keeping the main ten books I did like the but some things about this review on the crippled god didn’t click with me, I’ll be rereading them again in the future so by then I should be even more familure with fantasy withought jumping in the deep end alo I am familure about the crippled god book now but I think it’s time I moved onto fall of light.

[@Sebulr]

Great review, I read this when it first came out, and had forgotten most of the details. If you like the ending to this, the ending to the unholy consult (no spoilers) is even better. Has a few similar themes too.

[@jiminy300]

Excellent analysis!!

[@JD-td8kl]

I spent from the end of May until early September reading the entire Book of the Fallen back to back. I feel that the series reached its zenith with Toll the Hounds, and DoD and TCG were unnecessarily lengthy. Although there were moments within DoD and TCG that were riveting, I grew very, very tired of many of the marine walking scenes. Perhaps I was experiencing Malazan Fatigue by the time DoD rolled around? I thought TCG was a satisfactory end for an ultimately wonderful series of books (the final scene with Karsa was particularly beautiful, and I eventually became interested in the Shake storyline with its conclusion). The final epigraph (Remember Us) hasn't left me alone for several days since finishing the series. The mad thing is, I am already itching for a reread -- I am particularly curious to reread Gardens of the Moon, due to my now familiarity with the world. Perhaps this is an unjustified snobbishness on my behalf, but I don't anticipate another fantasy literature series having as much moral import or emotional heft as the Book of the Fallen. I have spent the last few years basically reading theory, because it is important for my work (psychoanalysis). With his series, Erikson has very much reignited my love of literature, and for that I am forever indebted to him. PS - Favourite books in the series were Toll the Hounds, Midnight Tides, House of Chains (controversial I know, but the storyline between Tavore and Felisin resonated deeply).

[@Cyriax71]

Where is the vlog for The Crippled God you mentioned here and in your discussion on The Fantasy Nutwork? I can’t find a playlist section for your channel and a search didn’t bring it up. I’m reading it now and wanted to watch your videos after the chapters to help catch the things I missed.

[@AndySmithMN]

Thank you for asking! I put them on private a little while ago, but I just changed them to public again, so should be showing up soon. The playlist should also show up on the channel again now. Thanks for following!

[@Cyriax71]

I can see them now. Thank you for making them visible again 😁.

[@paulinetayloe9988]

I’m not into spoilers but I just wanted to know something about it before I read it but now I hear something about the ending I’m not spoiled it for me anaway iv got a memory like a dead squirrel anaway lol, so now I think I should read the 10 books main series then Steven erikson two short stories then path of ascendancy, Malazan empire and then forge of darkness fall of light and then the witness Trillogy because I have all the Malazan series and i think I’ll reread the house of chains and continue there, because hopesfully by the time I get throught the main 10 book series, path to ascendancy series and Malazan empire series the 3 book in the kharkans trilogy and the last two books of the witness trilogy will be out because I don’t actually like rereading books, or if I read forge of darkness fall of light after the crippled god might work better if I get a series I like the whole series.

[@ariakashaylo1810]

Its been a year since i read the malazan series.. and I'm still had a post series depression..

[@ReallyGoodandKind]

44 minutes? TCG is LONGER than Dust of Dreams. Smh.

[@TOM-os9rk]

Just an fyi that it was gesler who saved grub. Stormy went down simultaneously with Sinn (the crazy bitch!)

[@paulinetayloe9988]

Is the forge of darkness and fall of light any good before or after the crippled god or the forge of darkness?

[@xcBlackDiamond]

Khark spoilers: Do we think that the god that the FA killed was Grizzin Farl?

[@blablah6958]

i think so.

[@blablah6958]

There is one thing about thing mentioned about the K'chain Che'Malle in this Book that i find kind of interesting. Because this video is a spoiler review i think a spoiler warning isn't realy necessary, but anyways: SPOILER WARNING: In a conversation with Stormy and Gesler Kalyth mentioned, that the K'Chain Che'Malle shared thier memories with her. And she says she doesn't understand the "time between the stars". does this mean the K'Chain Che'Malle are Aliens?

[@Paul_van_Doleweerd]

That would make Moon's Spawn a spaceship.

[@blablah6958]

@@Paul_van_Doleweerd Considering Eriksons love for Sci Fi this would make total sense. And wouldn't it be cool to describe Anomander as an ancient immortal with a soul devouring sword living in a spaceship built by reptiloids?

[@Paul_van_Doleweerd]

@@blablah6958 I'm not sure if SE has hinted at it directly, or in the BotF, but yes, I think they are aliens.

[@scabbytattoo9989]

On one hand I'm happy someone else enjoyed this book as much as me, on the other I can't stand the way he is pronouncing most of the people's and gods lol

[@jimave]

Radical compassion is exactly what Jesus did by a real God becoming a real Man, living a perfect sin-free life, to pay mankind’s sin debt. Then resurrecting from the dead to prove He is God. All truly great stories reflects God’s love and compassion that He has for His people. The difference between fantasy like Malazan and the Bible is that the Bible is a true story that can radically change a person’s life forever.