Reaper's Gale

Did You Know?

• Publishers Weekly described the book as 'bloody and dour.'
• The novel was published in the United States on 4 March 2008.
• Publishers Weekly stated that the book will mostly appeal to serious fans of brutal and complex epics.

Synopsis

A Tiste Edur fleet brings together champions from different cultures to face Rhulad Sengar, the emperor of Letheras. These challengers include Icarium accompanied by Taralack Veed, Karsa Orlong with Samar Dev, an unconscious Seguleh girl discovered near MoI, and a monk from Cabal. Icarium’s behavior grows odd, and Taralack Veed begins to question whether Icarium can defeat Rhulad. Despite Karsa’s confidence, Samar Dev expects him to die. Only Karsa and Icarium survive the challenges. In their fight, Karsa severs Rhulad’s sword arm, then uses his own ghosts and those in Samar’s knife to harness the sword’s power and travel to the Crippled God’s island. There, he overturns the Crippled God’s tent, kills Rhulad, slaps Withal, and steps into a portal aimed roughly toward his home, refusing to take the sword for himself—a plan the Crippled God apparently had since Karsa left Laederon. Withal and the Nachts destroy the sword. Varat Taun warns Twilight about Icarium’s potential, prompting her to flee up the coast. She is revealed as a princess of the Shake. On Maiden Island, she confronts Brullyg, who had declared himself king, and makes herself queen. Deadsmell notes the Shake’s descent from the original Tiste Andii guardians of the Shore, mixed with Tiste Edur blood. Redmask unites the Awl and initially beats the Letherii army he meets, but the Letherii soon gain ground. During the ensuing clash, Redmask’s two K’chain Che’Malle guardians decide he is unfit and execute him mid-battle. The Letherii prevail, and the Awl are massacred. Toc the Younger sacrifices himself to save about a dozen Awl children, witnessed by Tool. The Barghast, who had observed the battle, slaughter the Letherii forces in retaliation for Toc’s death.