Listen free for 30 days

  • Blood and Bone

  • Malazan Empire, Book 5
  • Written by: Ian C Esslemont
  • Narrated by: John Banks
  • Length: 26 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (17 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Blood and Bone cover art

Blood and Bone

Written by: Ian C Esslemont
Narrated by: John Banks
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $38.26

Buy Now for $38.26

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

In the western sky, the bright emerald banner of the Visitor descends like a portent of annihilation. On the continent of Jacuruku, the Thaumaturgs have mounted another expedition in a bid to tame the neighbouring wild jungle. Yet this is no normal wilderness.

It is called Himatan, and it is said to be half of the spirit realm and half of the earth. And it is said to be ruled by a powerful entity whom some name the Queen of Witches and some a goddess: the ancient Ardata.

Saeng grew up knowing only the rule of the magus Thaumaturgs - but it was the voices from that land's forgotten past that she listened to. And when her rulers launch their invasion of this jungle, those voices send her and her brother on a desperate mission.

To the south the desert tribes are united by the arrival of a foreign warleader, a veteran commander in battered ashen mail men call the Grey Ghost. This warrior leads these tribes on a raid unlike any other, deep into the heart of Thaumaturg lands, while word comes to K'azz and mercenary company the Crimson Guard of a contract in Jacuruku. And their employer? Could it be the goddess herself?

©2016 Ian C. Esslemont (P)2016 Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about Blood and Bone

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good Stories, but pales in comparison

This book is pretty ok. The stories are fun, and the new characters are interesting. But compared to what you normally expect from Malazan at this point, it just is kind of there. A lot of the plotlines almost feel like filler, and I think the themes and stories spin their wheels a little too much at times. Overall it’s still an enjoyable book, but don’t come into it expecting too many massive Malazan moments.

If you’re reading these alongside the Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson, I would suggest reading this before Dust of Dreams. It doesn’t really interact with those much, but it is a bit of a bummer going from the epic story of The Crippled God to this one. The next novel, Assail, should for sure be read after all others.

Narration is as good as ever. By this point, you know what to expect from the narrator.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Decent Novel. Not Esselmont's Best

Very good writing, interesting characters. Set in the Malazan world.. related to the previous stories, but reads pretty independently.

The reader is unfortunately overly dramatic. John Banks delivers injudicious snorts and barks.. actually growling some of the bestial characters. It's straight-up annoying - taking somewhat from the enjoyability of the book.

This is a 7/10- star novel.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!