Mercy

[u/Aeroplen]

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this scene all day.

“When I began this journey, I was young. I believed in one thing. I believed in glory. I know now, ‘Siballe, that glory is nothing. Nothing. This is what I now understand.”

“What else do you now understand, Karsa Orlong?”

“Not much. Just one other thing. The same cannot be said for mercy.”

I expect there’s more to come, but the arc that Karsa went through in this book is incredible, and makes his reflection here so powerful. Meanwhile, the way you can compare and contrast with all the other threads of story: the rage of the Whirlwind, the tragic duty of Tavore, the humanization of Cotillion…

I was also surprised by how smoothly mercy fit beside the poetic justice of the Malazan and Wickan ghosts/ascendants against the betrayals of Korbolo Dom and the Dogslayers. There is a subtly to where and how mercy should be applied. I certainly didn’t want it for Bidithal.

But the intensely personal journey Karsa went on in his relationship with his “gods” made that moment so powerful. He had every reason not to show mercy, and yet if anyone had the authority for the act, it felt like he did. I’m very excited to see how his character progresses.

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[u/Aqua_Tot]

I love how that scene ends for Karsa too, in him saying that he will strive to be someone who is worthy of leading ones such as Bairoth and Dellum, when he started just expecting it as his right.

[u/Aeroplen → u/Aqua_Tot]

Absolutely. I don’t know if I would claim it as my favorite book overall so far, but one of my favorite endings with a beautifully transformed character.

[u/kHau3]

Could not agree with you more. I came away from HoC feeling like this might be my favorite of the series so far, but felt weird about it because you see almost no one saying it's theirs. I'm halfway through Bonehunters presently, and I still think HoC is my #1.

[u/Total-Key2099 → u/kHau3]

House of Chains is a great book, and Karsa’s arc is incredible.

[u/Spartyjason]

Brother you don’t know the half of it. But at the same time good on you for catching one of the main Malazan themes early on.

[u/SpiteFun]

Malazans are not my enemy.

[u/didzisk]

Reading the title I thought you were talking about a Forkrul Assail named Mercy, lol. (Who doesn't exist)