Tehol, Bugg, and their friends were the only reason I made it through "Midnight Tides." The entire story of the Edur-- three stinking books worth-- was pure garbage. Were it not for the Malazans finally showing up in later books, I would have given up on the entire series. I actually rejoiced at the Edur's demise, just knowing that I wouldn't have to slog through their miserable crap any longer. I skipped or crudely skimmed whole Edur chapters through the books. Yep-- dude's still a crazy, undead tyrant, the rest are wallowing in pity... next chapter-- AHHHHH! Tehol and Bugg and Shirq Elal!

I think the entire Toblakai (sp) plot thread was terrible, too. Of all the races and groups that Erikson wants to "color in," I have no desire to buy any of the Toblakai books. I see nothing interesting or useful, or even compelling about the Toblakai. Karsa Orlong holds absolutely no interest to me. Chest-thumping egomaniacal killer for his own pride's sake. Nothing more. YAWN.


I'm deeper into the book now. Tehol and bugg are still carrying the book for me. Shurq is also interesting. The edur are still meh IMO. the plot is starting to pick up but still half boring (edur).

The toblakai I like better than edur. Erikson tapped into the arnie conan fanboy in me. edur are like a a wannabe alien honor based culture. The mix puts me off especially because I can't visualize them. Oh well..

But, hang in there-- because there are some really spectacular moments involving Bugg, the Eddict Brothers' circle of friends, and all of the Edur tripe sets up the arrival of the Malazans.

Erikson wastes a LOT of ink-- entire books-- on a couple of cultures that are simply too boring and screwed-up for a reader to care about, but the rest of the series is well worth the few long slogs.