The longer this series continues, the more difficult it is to write any sort of review without revealing major spoilers. I can say this: Dust of Dreams is book 9/10 in the series, but in reality, it’s the first half of the final novel that spans two volumes. As such the build is more epic than an former book and the ending, while stunning, is less satisfying.

We’ve traversed continents in this series, from Genabakis to Seven Cities to Lether. Add Quon Tali and Fist if you include Esslemont’s contributions. The finale of the series returns to Lether.

This book is the most disturbing to date, with the atrocities of the Barghast described in uncomfortable detail. Those who have read the book will know exactly what I’m talking about. On the other hand, the most satisfying element of Dust of Dreams is the window Erikson provides into various races we have only seen from the outside. The final confluence is coming, and it’s all-encompassing!

While I’ve been reading Erickson and Esslemont in their published order, I have to break now. I can’t detour to Orb, Sceptre, Throne until I know what’s happened in Kolanse!

Erikson, Steven. Dust of Dreams. Narrated by Michael Page, audiobook ed., unabridged ed., Transworld, 2019. Malazan Book of the Fallen 9.