I found the writing for this noticeably better than Knight Of Knives; action was clearer and it just felt more like a malazan book. Saying that, given the large cast, people going under multiple names, and the number of different locations, I did find myself flicking back or checking names on the malazan wiki just to keep track of things.

Seeing the empire from a different viewpoint is really interesting, and encountering some familiar characters in a different light does feel like it adds to the whole malazan tale.

Overall, thoroughly enjoyable and I'm looking forward to continuing Esslemont's Malazan stories.