Posted 25 October 2019 - 06:37 AM
Though there are many great story lines and groups of people, grey swords, Envy/Toc/Tool/Seguleh, Gruntle and crew, for me this book is all about the Bridgeburners and the aliance. The amount of information we learn about the BB's throughout this book have always been my favorite moments. The fact that the information often comes shared with such other bad ass characters is awesome too. I think the first scene that stood out was at the original parlay of the alliance when Silverfox mentions Fiddler and Hedge cheating at their card game and learning that Fiddler is adept at the DoD. My favorite scene might be Whiskeyjack and Rake sharing a drink and WJ describing the trek through Raraku following QB. Trotts using the Malazan style of fighting to win his duel in the White Face camp. Blend being a natural talent. Quick Ben, Quick Ben, Quick Ben, everything about him (as a mortal) being so absolutely arrogant that he was going to stop the Crippled God. The BB's being interned in Moon's Spawn... When Dujek is questioning Korlat on Whiskeyjack fighting Kallor and mentioning that he used to spar with Dassem Ultor and hold his own.
Deadhouse Gates did a jaw dropping job of building the Wickans, Duiker, the Chain of Dogs, and it was amazing. Memories of Ice absolutely delivered on all of the previous talk of the Bridgeburners being such a legendary company. The interaction of this military unit is the main example that I very poorly try to describe when I try to explain just how amazing this series is. There has never been a unit of characters that I have so connected with, or have given me so much laughter, grins, holy shits, or tears.
First in, last out.