''The Bonehunters'' is the sixth volume in Canadian author

Steven Erikson Steve Rune Lundin (born October 7, 1959), known by his pseudonym Steven Erikson, is a Canadian novelist who was educated and trained as both an archaeologist and anthropologist. He is best known for his ten-volume spanning epic fantasy series ...

epic fantasy High fantasy, or epic fantasy, is a subgenre of fantasy defined by the epic nature of its setting or by the epic stature of its characters, themes, or plot.Brian Stableford, ''The A to Z of Fantasy Literature'', (p. 198), Scarecrow Press, Pl ...

series, the ''

Malazan Book of the Fallen ''Malazan Book of the Fallen'' is a series of epic fantasy novels written by the Canadian author Steven Erikson. The series, published by Bantam Books Bantam Books is an American publishing house owned entirely by parent company Random Ho ...

''. ''The Bonehunters'' is a direct sequel to the fourth volume, ''

House of Chains ''House of Chains'' is an epic fantasy novel by Canadian author Steven Erikson, the fourth volume of his series the ''Malazan Book of the Fallen''. It is a direct sequel to the second volume in the series, ''Deadhouse Gates''. The novel was th ...

'', and alludes to events in the fifth, ''

Midnight Tides ''Midnight Tides'' is the fifth volume of Canadian author Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, the ''Malazan Book of the Fallen''. Although it is part of the larger series, it has only limited references to the previous books. However, it is not ...

''. The novel was first published in the United Kingdom as a hardcover on 1 March 2006. The first mass-market paperback edition appeared in April 2007. The first United States edition was published in September 2007.

Plot summary

''The Bonehunters'' begins two months after the events of ''

''. The Malazan Fourteenth Army has destroyed the army of the Whirlwind, and Adjunct Tavore Paran has executed Sha'ik. The Fourteenth is now pressing westward, pursuing the remnants of the Whirlwind rebellion (under Leoman of the Flails), as it seeks refuge in the fortress city of Y'Ghatan, where the Malazan Empire had previously faced its greatest defeat. When the Malazan forces attempt to take the city, Leoman unleashes a destructive fire that tears the city apart. Those few Malazans that escape are re-christened The Bonehunters. Meanwhile, Onearm's Host, restored to the favour of Empress Laseen, has landed on Seven Cities' north coast to complete the task of subduing the rebellion, but a deadly plague has been unleashed. Ganoes Paran, the new Master of the

Deck of Dragons ''Malazan Book of the Fallen'' is a series of epic fantasy novels written by the Canadian author Steven Erikson. The series, published by Bantam Books in the U.K. and Tor Books in the U.S., consists of ten volumes, beginning with ''Gardens of ...

, arrives from

Genabackis ''Malazan Book of the Fallen'' is a series of epic fantasy novels written by the Canadian author Steven Erikson. The series, published by Bantam Books in the U.K. and Tor Books in the U.S., consists of ten volumes, beginning with ''Gardens of t ...

to help deal with the chaos. With the assistance of the god Shadowthrone, Paran is able to contain the plague by outwitting the goddess Poliel - now an ally of the Crippled God - but is too late to save Dujek, who succumbs to the disease. Paran is declared the new leader of the Host. Elsewhere, Mappo is separated from Icarium due to the machinations of the mysterious Nameless Ones. The manipulative Taralack Veed is instated as Icarium's new companion, who leads him into the clutches of the Letherii Empire. The Letherii are seeking challengers to fight the Emperor Rhulad, and this call is also answered by Karsa Orlong. The Letherii clash at sea with the Bonehunters, who are able to escape due to a display of magic by Quick Ben. The Bonehunters return to the heart of the Malazan Empire, where a confrontation between Tavore and the Empress Laseen results in a fraught flight from the city. Laseen's endless scheming has trapped her in an allegiance with the ruthless Mallick Rel. The escape seemingly claims the life of the assassin Kalam, while Quick Ben is spirited away by Shadowthrone to join a defense of the First Throne against the Letherii. There, Icarium unleashes his full power, placing Taralack Veed in a state of permanent terror. As the Bonehunters depart the Malazan Empire, they are joined by a group of Tiste Andii, among which is Anomander Rake's son Nimander.

Reception

''Publishers Weekly'' called the book "weighty and grim" and that Erikson manages to "keep fans engaged as myriad plot lines tangle and sprawl."

References

External links

* * Malazan Book of the Fallen Canadian fantasy novels Novels by Steven Erikson Bantam Books books {{Canada-novel-stub