Toll the Hounds

Steven Erikson's masterpiece series continues with Toll the Hounds. Characters from the first and third book reappear in this eighth installment, which tells stories of inner struggles, triumphs and sacrifices.

There are two main stories in this book. One is centered in Darujhistan and the other in Black Coral. Although this can be read as a stand-alone novel, some of the events leading to the convergence might be a bit confusing for anyone who has not read the previous books in this series. It's heavy on character introspection and most of the action can be found in the later chapters. Overall, the mood is dark and most of the characters contemplate about past failures. However, they are all talking about many variations of one theme - freedom.

For some characters, freedom means privileges. These people believe they should have the things they want simply because they deserve it. For them it's freedom. They try to take advantage of every opportunity given to them and would try to rise up from everybody else because they know they're smarter and more capable. By taking advantage of things, they could free themselves from the ignorance and poverty that surround them. This is the kind of freedom the bullies and Gorlas Vidikas enjoys.

The others are longing to have the liberty to make decisions and actions without the influence of other people. Challice is the best example of this. But even when she somehow achieved that in the end, it was a freedom that was tainted.

For most of the characters, freedom means exemption or release from obligations, burdens and ties. Seerdomin's resolve to not use murder again to serve justice is one. An extreme example is the death that the Dying God offers.

In that sense, redemption can also be called freedom. In this book, a young god emerges. He is called the Redeemer because he's willing to take the sufferings of other people. But the name Redeemer doesn't seem to fit him according to Salind. She said so because he just takes the burden off other people and he's the one who has to pay as well. But that does not make the people become more responsible for their actions. There is no retribution on redemption. He releases them but does not change them in any significant way. Anomander Rake can also be considered the redeemer of his Tiste Andii. I'll just let the book provide all the details for that.

The reader might also notice the constant shifts in the POV. Some of the passages are told through Kruppes point-of-view.

Although the book seemed kinda dragging, it's worth reading 'til the last page because of the awesome finish. The arrival of Hood and Anomander Rake in Darujhistan and the events that would follow is something that you wouldn't forget (I won't provide spoilers this time). Some characters who are only mentioned in the other books will appear too.

I admit one death in particular saddened me but it was already foreshadowed in the first few chapters. It has also resolved some of the complications that were presented in the series.

It's still a great read. It was getting boring towards the middle but at least the last three chapters were worth it.