Toll the Hounds
Tor 2nd Cover
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| Author | Steven Erikson |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Malazan Book of the Fallen |
| Genre | High Fantasy |
| Publisher |
Bantam (UK & Canada) Tor Books (USA) |
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Publication date
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30 June 2008 (UK & Canada) 16 September 2008 (USA) |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) Audiobook Ebook |
| Pages | 1,296 pp (Bantam paperback) |
| ISBN | (Bantam paperback) |
| Preceded by | Reaper's Gale |
| Followed by | Dust of Dreams (novel) |
Toll the Hounds is the eighth novel in Canadian author Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen. It was first published on June 30, 2008 in the UK and Canada, and on September 16, 2008 in the USA.
Toll the Hounds centers around the legacy of Anomander Rake, Lord of the Tiste Andii, and the convergence of various powers in the city of Darujhistan.
In an interview, Erikson has stated that he found it a bit difficult to write the novel because of personal issues. The issue, from subsequent Q&A's and interviews, was revealed to be the death of his father.
When asked about the unique and divisive tone and style of the novel, Steven Erikson stated that he had planned to write the novel with Kruppe's voice "from very early on in the series".
Many of the characters from Gardens of the Moon and Memories of Ice, make a return in this novel.
The prologue is divided into four separate scenes.
The first is in a "necropolis of sorts", where two people, who are revealed to be dead, witness a meeting between Hood, Edgewalker, Shadowthrone and Anomander Rake, though they are not privy to what is discussed.
The second is set in the realm of Dragnipur, where it is suggested that the Wagon is becoming very difficult to pull, as more souls keep dying. While on the horizon, Chaos steadily advances on the Gate of Kurald Galain.
The third scene plays out in a village, where two girls notice the departure of a dog, and decide to follow.
And the last scene is by a fire on an empty plain (likely in Kruppe's dream world), where Kruppe asks K'rul to witness him dance.
The retired Bridgeburners are enjoying their retirement when Assassins from the Assassins' Guild suddenly come after them, though the assassins soon discover that the Bridgeburners aren't easy marks.
Spite and her companions arrive in Darujhistan, and go their separate ways. Crokus, who is Cutter, is anxious at the thought of being reunited with his old friends of the Phoenix Inn, while Barathol seeks anonymity in the city.
Mappo Runt is anxious to find Icarium, who is on the Letheri continent. He hires the Trygalle Trade Guild to take him to that distant continent and is accompanied by Gruntle, who does this because he is irritated by all the attention from the acolytes and priestess of Trake, the new God of War.
Itkovian's sacrifice (in Memories of Ice gave birth to a new cult (the cult of the Redeemer), propelling him to godhood. But another god is out there to bend and corrupt the cult. And only a former Seerdomin appears to stand in that god's path.
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