[a:Steven Erikson|31232|Steven Erikson|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1219169436p2/31232.jpg] is finally beginning to set the stage for the grande finale of this epic saga. And it's about time. The last two books were well written, but I had difficulty keeping track of all the new characters that appeared. Now things are beginning to make sense again, as new and old friends start preparing for the end (of the world, if one is to believe the abundant prophecies).

It's quick paced and intelligent. The only downer being the dialogue - especially when it's supposed to be funny. Its' not. And knowing that Erikson CAN be funny, it just makes it worse. There's some well executed slapstick, though.

There are lots of things happening and a lot of them pass over my head at a safe distance. Allegiances are shifted and it's damn near impossible to tell which ones (if any) are the heroes in this story. And wether the heroes are fighting on the right side or not. That too, is damn near impossible to tell.

I mean that as a good thing, by the way.

But. What began as a series of books with a distinct role playing feel to them, has now evolved into a more literary kind of story. And that's not entirely good, in my opinion. I actually think that can be part of why the dialogue has lost some of it's former sting.

Anyway. Four stars to the book for finding it's way back to the actual story, and for explaining why we had to take those detours in the fourth and fifth books. It was unexpectedly nice to meet Onrack and Trull again. Oh, and for a whole lot of great quotes on religion.