Toll The Hounds (Book 8 of The Malazan Book of the Fallen)

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Blue Moranth, ocean-going clan of the Moranth - functioned as their Navy/Merchant Marines branch (Mentioned only) [13]

The day has begun. This walk, along this path... I will take pleasure in it, my friend. Knowing that you stand here to see me off.' And now it appears Hood is on stage (a cowled figure, one whom deaths summon, flies). What is this god up to? Why does he want Gaz to keep killing? Especially after telling us that “I do not demand sacrifices. There is no need . . . You drain a life . . . Nothing more is required . . . I am summoned, without end.” (hmm, and is that “without end” a reference to no goals/intent required, or is it another example of the ennui that permeates this novel?) From one man’s musings on civilization to another’s: The Malazan Empire, which has been in many ways presented as a boon to those it conquered (the outlawing of slavery for instance), still served Death, according to Traveller. Though if it’s merely that Death “waited” behind it all, it’s hard to see what doesn’t serve Death. The Homeward Journey: In a sense for Nimander and his companions, complete with Random Transportation (via Clip's gates) and Adventure Towns, although reluctantly, as Clip is basically dragging them along and they don't know what to do — it's not like they don't want to go home and meet Anomander Rake, but they are not sure if they'd even be welcome there.Serial Killer: Gaz is on a murder spree throughout the book. Turns out he actively contributed to Hood being able to manifest himself in Darujhistan with all the bloodshed. Down the Rabbit Hole: Alluded to and subverted. Harllo, while working at the mines, climbs down a seemingly endless chute, at the bottom of which he meets a T'lan Imass and helps him. However, after that, Dev'ad Anan Tol simply walks away, leaving Harllo behind, and the magic of the discovery dissipates. Especially because the T'lan Imass manages to get himself interred within the Azath grounds immediately. Grass Is Greener: A theme in Harllo's storyline. As he lives in the slums of Darujhistan, he dreams of the world beyond the city walls where there are pastures and endless possibilities. And when he ends up at the mines and befriends Bainisk, they dream together of the city and Harllo's real mother and a better world. Delum Thord, a young warrior of the Uryd Teblor Tribe, companion of Karsa Orlong (Mentioned only) [8]

And from there onto this uplifting moment: “There was no value in writing. No more effect than a babe’s fists battering at the silence that ignored every cry. History meant nothing, because the only continuity was human stupidity.” Boy, this is a dark, despair and ennui filled start to this novel (why we need those humor scenes so badly). What will turn it around? Anything? The Andii exits Gothos’ tower and Aranatha says she needs to talk to Gothos and goes in. Kallor calls her “uncanny” and wonders what she has to say to Gothos. Death Is a Sad Thing: Harllo's storyline, especially when he loses Bainisk, the only friend he'd made at the mines. He tries his best not to cry, but even when he finally meets his mother, his last thought is about Bainisk. One of the pilgrims asks her if their god is displeased by the atrocities of Gradithan, and if so why doesnt he smite them himself. She replies that whatever disturbance he felt had the flavour of Kurald Galain. An ex merchant cries that he has surrendered everything to an indifferent god. Salind goes on a tangent that any faith that offers perfect answers to every quesion is not a true one, since its only purpose it to satisfy. She asks if it is the duty of the faith to keep peace. And that ultimately such a faith would be unable to accept unbelievers. Hence, what would be the difference between them and the Pannion. To this, one woman comments that none of these things can offer ease to her daughter who was raped by Gradithan. Salind is asked to speak to the Benighted on their behalf. She wonders how is any of this fair. Where is her compassion when she questions and makes demands of the Seerdomin.Made a Slave: Young Harllo, after having been clubbed unconscious by Snell, finds himself sold to the mines.

Gothos, a Jaghut mage, often to be found in Azath Houses (First mentioned) [10] (First appearance) [8]The third scene plays out in a village, where two girls notice the departure of a dog, and decide to follow. This is a nicely efficient few lines to remind us of relationships and past events regarding Gruntle, Harllo, Stonny. Bellurdan, aka 'Skullcrusher', High Mage of the Malazan Empire, mate of Nightchill (Mentioned only) [14]

It seems to me that Traveller looks upon the rent that the K’Chain Che’Malle matron used to seal, near Morn: “All that bled from it now was pain, a sour, unyielding stench that seemed as thirsty as the ravaged landscape stretching out on all sides.” I also like the structure indicated here—that we’ll see each of those supposedly inconsequential people as we head through the chapter alongside our main characters. Such as Doruth here, who is the “Uncle.” Nudge nudge, wink wink. Desra thinks how there are strong people and weak people in the world and the weak were worthy of contempt, despite outnumbering the strong. Most of the strong are just as bad, bullies more often than not, but some are worthy—the quiet ones who often thought themselves weaker than they were but when push came to shove held out. Clip is not one such, Clip whom she will use as necessary. Nimander, however, is one of the worthy ones, she has decided. Welcome to the Malazan Re-read of the Fallen! Every post will start off with a summary of events, followed by reaction and commentary by your hosts Bill and Amanda (with Amanda, new to the series, going first), and finally comments from Tor.com readers. In this article, we’ll cover Part Two of Chapter Eight of Toll the Hounds (TtH).

The next two sections—the first featuring Thordy and then from Gaz’s viewpoint—are excellently done. They show two sides to the same story—Thordy feeling that Gaz is increasingly pathetic, knowing that she partially failed him because of her barren womb, knowing that she’d be happier were he dead. And then seeing Gaz, still desperately in love with his wife and realising that she no longer loves him.