This is the second book in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series and it is just as good as the first one. The plot, setting, and characters are flawlessly executed and, in my opinion, this series is shaping up as one of the best epic fantasies I have ever read. Good guys and bad guys are blurred, as they are in [a:George R.R. Martin|346732|George R.R. Martin|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1195658637p2/346732.jpg]'s A Song of Ice and Fire. The story is also similarly violent (if perhaps a bit less) and I was surprised when some good guys died; it's like no one is truly safe here. However, unlike A Song of Ice and Fire magic plays an important role in the story and worldbuilding. There are plenty of gods or Ascendants that mess up mortal's lives and serve to increase the scope of the story.
Overall, I would highly recommend this series for any fan of epic fantasy.

For a longer review, see my blog: here