Midnight Tides

Plot summary

The Tiste Edur tribes are set to meet with a delegation from the Kingdom of Lether to negotiate a treaty. Meanwhile, the city of Lether is preparing for the fulfilment of a prophecy that declares the King will become Emperor at the Seventh Closure.

To consolidate his power, the Warlock King sends Trull Sengar and his brothers—Fear, Binadas, and Rhulad—on a quest to recover a sword. When they locate the sword, they are attacked by a tribe of Soletaken. During the skirmish, Rhulad takes up the sword and is killed while wielding it. The Sengar brothers return with Rhulad's corpse, but the body refuses to relinquish the sword, sparking a feud between the Warlock King and the Sengar family.

As Rhulad's body is prepared for its funeral, he is resurrected through the machinations of the Crippled God. Regaining his sanity, Rhulad seizes control over the Edur, expels the Letherii delegation, and begins preparing for war. Meanwhile, Hull Beddict remains behind and swears allegiance to Rhulad.

Tehol Beddict evacuates non-citizens from Lether, outmanoeuvres Gerun Eberict, and consistently outwits his partners. Meanwhile, his brother Brys Beddict strives to maintain order in the city and forms an alliance with an ancient god.

King Diskanar crowns himself Emperor, but Letherii forces under the Queen and Prince are routed and destroyed in battle. The Azath House is dying and entrusts an undead child named Kettle with feeding it blood to sustain its life. Kettle is approached by Bugg, whose knowledge far exceeds what one might expect from a mere manservant. He offers her guidance. Later, several beings escape from the Azath House, only to be dealt with by the enigmatic Bugg.

Simultaneously, the Edur enter the city and seize the palace, despite resistance from the Ceda and Brys Beddict. Trull Sengar kills the Ceda, and Brys challenges Rhulad. Brys incapacitates Rhulad without killing him, but the other Edur cannot bring themselves to end their emperor's life, leaving him lying on the ground, screaming in agony.

The newly crowned Emperor Diskanar, anticipating defeat, commits suicide by drinking poisoned wine. After maiming Rhulad, Brys is forced to drink from a poisoned chalice and dies as a result. His body is claimed by his forgotten god.

Within the Azath House, amidst a fierce battle, Udinaas arrives and frees Silchas Ruin. Ruin assists in destroying the other creatures. Despite having the chance to escape, Trull chooses to return to Rhulad, determined to help him regain his sanity.

Meanwhile, Tehol is attacked and nearly killed. His brother Hull is murdered for betraying the Letherii, leaving only the seemingly lowly Bugg to protect him. However, Bugg reveals himself as Mael, the Elder God of the Seas, and saves Tehol. As the book concludes, Bugg/Mael departs to confront the Crippled God.

Critical reception

Reviewers have praised Erikson's world-building and character development, describing the series as the most significant work of epic fantasy since Stephen R. Donaldson's The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Erikson revisits several themes explored in his earlier novels.

Publishers Weekly remarked, ".. readers with a taste for massive high fantasy epics will welcome Erikson's fifth entry in his Malazan Book of the Fallen saga, though it largely deals with the calm between storms."

References

References

1. (2 April 2007). "Midnight Tides: A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen". [[Publishers Weekly]].
2. Thompson, William. (2004). "The SF Site Featured Review: Midnight Tides". The SF Site.
3. (20 April 2014). "Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson".
4. (8 January 2008). "Steven Erikson - Midnight Tides (Book Review)". Realms of Speculative fiction.