Page Burners: The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson - Prologue, Chapters 1 & 2

About this episode

The episode explores the prologue and first two chapters of The Bonehunters, delving into its dark themes and character introductions.

In this episode, we dive into the opening chapters of The Bonehunters , the sixth installment in Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. Covering the prologue through Chapter 2, we unpack a dense and chaotic start that reminds us just how wild this series can get. From the eerie, spider-infested streets of Kartool to the unsettling rituals of the Nameless Ones, the episode explores the darker tone and shifting stakes that define this point in the series. We break down the chilling release of Dejim Nebrahl, speculate on the motives of the Nameless Ones, and question whether they’re agents of balance—or something far more dangerous. We also spend time with standout character introductions and returns, including the unforgettable Hellian (who somehow steals every scene), the mysterious Barathol Mekhar, and a surprisingly emotional look at Apsalar’s current state. Along the way, we discuss how The Bonehunters begins to pull together threads from across the series, signaling a turning point where everything starts to converge. If you’re reading along, next episode will cover Chapters 3 and 4—so get ready, because things are only getting more intense from here.

People in this episode

Host: Steve

Topics covered

• Malazan Book of the Fallen
• character analysis
• plot discussion
• thematic exploration
• series convergence

Keywords

• The Bonehunters
• Steven Erikson
• Malazan
• character introductions
• plot analysis
• dark themes
• Nameless Ones

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Bonehunters

Places: Kartool

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