It's clear why Steven Erikson can write such intricate stories; he is the God of Story Telling. 
 The Malazan series gets better and the story richer with each book. The story is heart wrenching in many chapters that concern (view spoiler)[Felisin, Onrack's past and the realization of who the Whirlwind Goddess is, Bairoth Gild and Delum Thord and the Jaghut encounter. (hide spoiler)]There are so many memorable characters here that it would be hard to write about all of them. But by far, my favorite has been Karsa Orlong. 
 It's becoming very clear that he is going to play a major role in the future books and this book has spent a good amount of pages developing his character. He is unlike any other character in the book. He already feels like an Ascendant, though he is not one. I really really loved his part towards the end of the book where he completely (view spoiler)[pissed on the House of Chains plan. He squashed every possible gambit from Bidithal to the Deragoth. (hide spoiler)] 
 Strings is yet another fantastic character in this book who is becoming a personal favorite. There were a few surprise characters in the book that are a mystery till now. Traveller and Grub were two of them early on. Now (view spoiler)[Scillara (hide spoiler)] and Greyfrog have joined those ranks. One of the happiest moments in the book was when (view spoiler)[Quick tells Kalam that the Bridgeburners, all of them, have ascended! And then Hedge saves Fiddler's life! I love the Bridgeburners and want them back now! (hide spoiler)] 
 I'm very excited for book 5!