I finished it a couple of nights ago - I must admit that I choked up a couple of times at the end.
I'm going to assume the anyone who's made it this far down the thread has read the book (or, at least, has seen the warnings for spoilers) so I'm not going to blank these out:
- I expected Tayschrenn to appear at some point! I can't quite remember what happened to him in
Stonewielder, but I guess he now belongs solely to the realm of ICE.
- On the subject of ICE, I guess that at least his next book, if not two, or all three, deals with something before/during TCG. For example, I remember Skinner stealing something important to do with Old Fally at the end of Stonewielder, yet the only mention of him in TCG was that he had gone rogue.
- I was very disappointed with Mappo's end. He was a good character, but his role has really petered out and become more of a footnote since the first half of the series (and what exactly happened with Ardata? After she healed him in HoC, I think it was, I've been expecting things from her, but she's not even featured properly...).
- Karsa's role, I assume, will be explained in ICE's Darujhistan book.
- It was wonderful to see Paran and Kalam again, after huge absences, and it was particularly nice to see Tavore and Paran re-united at the end, though I can't quite guess how much both of them know of Felisin's demise.
- Quick Ben, the cheeky devil... I don't know about you guys, but I still have little to no idea about him! My guess is he'll return to the Empire and we'll see him in an ICE book (along with cameos from the remaining Bonehunters).
- Did I miss something about Grub? He's still a mystery to me.
- Did Seren manage to lead Udinaas and the Imass to a safe place?
- Apsalar and Crokus meeting again was disappointing as I'd hoped to see more of Apsalar. I guess I've forgotten something from a previous book about that.
- I've got a vague idea who Edgewalker is, but nothing past what Silcahs Ruin's conversation with Tulas Shorn seemed to imply.
Argh. When you really think about it, the loose ends come thick and fast. I suppose one can only hope that ICE deals with them - whilst a lot aren't directly involved with the Empire, I can see them entering in at some point or other, even if it is simply as part of Shadowthrone and Cotillion's schemes.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed the book and I loved the series. I honestly doubt that I'll ever read anything quite like it in my lifetime. Which reminds me that I'm all set for an entire read-through, now, accompanied by totally re-evaluated positions on characters like The Crippled God.
But do I read it chronologically, or in order of publication? Choices!
Oh, and I think I ought to mention that my prediction from a few years back of everything being linked, somehow, to the moon didn't come to pass.
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EDIT: And that's another thing - Felash's maid being a Seguleh, and one that talks! I couldn't help but think that the fact that there were seven sisters (well, six) was of some importance. Probably me looking too deeply, though.
EDIT2: Can anyone remind me exactly what Quick Ben's vow to do with healing Burn was in GotM? I guess it was something to do with ridding her of TCG's poison, but I can't remember. Been niggling at me ever since he decided he'd take all the credit.
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EDIT3: Last edit.
Favourite part of the entire book was the first three or four pages of Chapter 18. Four in the morning, and I think I might have woken at least one family member up with my "Squeee!": the return of Kalam.
I've been waiting for that moment for years, even to the point of despair.
