Published on: Tue Aug 05
The end of Midnight Tides was goddamn beautiful. While I have spoiled myself on it a bit because I’m weak (mainly the twist about Mael), the rest came out as a beautiful tragedy that heavily affected me.
Rhulad in particular grew a lot as a character by the end. Rhulad post revival was always mad, screaming in pain and agony as his body forced itself to function again. He was seen as a monster by everyone around him, skin buried in gold coins, a symbol of the empire the Edur were invading. Not without blame, Rhulad hears the whispers of the Crippled God at all times. The only person who saw this mess, who felt as if could befriend this lonely child struck by circumstances no one should go through was Udinaas. The conversation these two had near the start of the 4th part of the book was the start of Rhulad becoming better. He needed someone to see him as an equal to talk to. Despite the anger Rhulad had, Udinaas wouldn’t back down. The next time we see Rhulad, it’s as if he realized all of his wrong doings. Fear, Rhulad, and Trull all having drinks and really talking to each other. Despite everything, they’re sibling bond still existed, and it only took 1 brave slave to get Rhulad to that point.
Until he gets killed again. And again.
Every death more and more suffering. Can Rhulad live a normal life? Can Rhulad exist without the voice of the Crippled God? Why does the sword specifically revive him?
The most soul crushing scene came by at the end of the book, when Brys and Rhulad fought at the Eternal Domicile. Brys, the greatest swordsman on the Letharii side, and Rhulad, the Emperor of the new Edur empire, and it was the most exhilirating fight in the entire series. Intiially confused at what Brys is doing, you can eventually pick up that Brys isn’t trying to kill Rhulad, but instead cripple him to the point where he can never do anything again.
As they hear their brother bag for death, Fear and Trull both panic. This would be the chance to finally free their brother from this curse. A chance for him to to not go through the pain of a death again. And they freeze. This is their brother, screaming in pain, and the only thing they can do is watch. Nothing else. It’s an utter tragedy. I’m an easy crier when I read books, but this was on a whole other level. I didn’t neccesarily cry but I was deeply upset. I wanted Rhulad to stay that way, even with all of that pain. As an act of “compassion” a spirit eventually ends up putting him out of his misery, only for Rhulad to come back with none of the progress he made in his previous life and double the cruelty.
In another part of Letharii, Tehol was murdered. Beaten to death by Tiste Edur soldiers, simply kicked to death. And this is where Erikson shows you who Bugg really is. The embodiment of the sea, the Elder God Mael. I adore this character revelation. Considering that the lifespan of Mael at this point has been eternal, the fact that he essentially lives life as a regular human with Tehol is beautiful. Mael could do anything, live as anyone, but he chooses to be right at the bottom of the barrel with Tehol. The two’s humor worked so well throughout the book. There is a ungodly amount of foreshadowing for this too. Scenes switching between a Mael worshipper and Bugg seemingly doing something unrelated, but noticing something. Bugg somehow having a construction company completely deflood a chamber, which honeslty made very little sense at the moment but I took it as a Malazan thing I’d understand later in the moment.
Mael fully revealing himself in keeping Tehol alive is the most affection he shows for Tehol all book. On the other side of Lethar, Toblakai locked up for generations trying to crawl out of the Azath Tower grounds, stop mattering to Bugg as soon as he realizes what was happening to his other half. There is something so distinct to me about a immortal choosing a mortal in fiction. Knowing that this person they care for will not last forever but still choosing to care. In a a way it works as a foil to Rhulad and Udinaas’s relationship. Udinaas chooses to treat Rhulad well despite what he has seen Rhulad do, and Mael chooses to treat Tehol well despite his mortality. Choosing to care despite the flaws they’re all too aware of.
This whole book was made to lead to a tragedy. The focal point being Lethar at the end, primarily the throne room confrontation. And while the book did end in tragedy, it also had the most laughs in the Malazan series so far. There is a certain style Erikson has in his writing that absolutely decimates my emotional core. I love the way this story played out and I can’t wait to get to Bonehunters when my buddy read gets to it!
🏶