to-read
(565)
currently-reading (4)
read (211)
did-not-finish (8)
reference (8)
fantasy (108)
software-all (76)
philosophy (67)
currently-own (62)
epic-fantasy (62)
sci-fi (59)
psychology (40)
currently-reading (4)
read (211)
did-not-finish (8)
reference (8)
fantasy (108)
software-all (76)
philosophy (67)
currently-own (62)
epic-fantasy (62)
sci-fi (59)
psychology (40)
history
(38)
science (36)
drizzt (35)
classics (27)
assassins (25)
dystopia (25)
religion (25)
malazan (24)
humor (23)
software-dev-programming (23)
politics (21)
space (19)
science (36)
drizzt (35)
classics (27)
assassins (25)
dystopia (25)
religion (25)
malazan (24)
humor (23)
software-dev-programming (23)
politics (21)
space (19)
“To see a dead body was to recoil, mind spinning a dust-devil of thoughts - that is not me - see the difference between us? That is not me, that is not me. No one I know, no one I have ever known. That is not me . . . but . . . it could be.
So easily it could be.”
― Toll the Hounds
So easily it could be.”
― Toll the Hounds
“To stand in the heart of Dragnipur, to stand above the very Gate of Darkness, this was, for Anomander Rake, a most final act. Perhaps it was desperation. Or a sacrifice beyond all mortal measure.”
― Toll the Hounds
― Toll the Hounds
“There is nothing just in death. When the moment arrives, it is always too soon. The curse of incompletion, the loss that can never be filled. Before too long, rising like jagged rocks from the flood, there was anger.”
― Toll the Hounds
― Toll the Hounds
“The cascade of sudden deaths, inexplicable and outrageous accidents, miserable ends and terrible murders filled every abode, every corner and every hovel in a spreading tide, a most fatal flood creeping out through the hapless city on all sides. No age was spared, no weight of injustice tipped these scales. Death took them all: well born and destitute, the ill and the healthy, criminal and victim, the unloved and the cherished.
So many last breaths: coughed out, sighed, whimpered, bellowed in defiance, in disbelief, in numbed wonder. And if such breaths could coalesce, could form a think, dry, pungent, fugue of dismay, in the city on this night not a single globe of blue fire could be seen.
There were survivors. Many, many survivors - indeed, more survived than died - but alas, it was a close run thing, this measure, this fell harvest.
The god walked eastward, out from Gadrobi District and into Lakefront, and, from there, up into the Estates.
This night was not done. My, not done at all.”
― Toll the Hounds
So many last breaths: coughed out, sighed, whimpered, bellowed in defiance, in disbelief, in numbed wonder. And if such breaths could coalesce, could form a think, dry, pungent, fugue of dismay, in the city on this night not a single globe of blue fire could be seen.
There were survivors. Many, many survivors - indeed, more survived than died - but alas, it was a close run thing, this measure, this fell harvest.
The god walked eastward, out from Gadrobi District and into Lakefront, and, from there, up into the Estates.
This night was not done. My, not done at all.”
― Toll the Hounds
“Draconus staggered up. 'Pearl, my friend, I have come to say goodbye. And to tell you I am sorry.'
'What saddens you?' the demon asked.
'I am sorry, Pearl, for all of this. For Dragnipur. For the horror forged by my own hands. It was fitting, was it not, that the weapon claimed its maker? I think, yes, it was. It was.' He paused, and then brought both hands up to his face. For a moment it seemed he would begin clawing his beard from the skin beneath it. Instead, the shackled hands fell away, down, dragged by the weight of the chains.
'I too am sorry,' said Pearl. 'To see the end of this.'
'What?'
'So many enemies, all here and not one by choice. Enemies, and yet working together for so long. It was a wonderous thing, was it not, Draconus? When necessity forced each hand to clasp, to work as one. A wonderous thing.'
The warrior stared at the demon. He seemed unable to speak.”
― Toll the Hounds
'What saddens you?' the demon asked.
'I am sorry, Pearl, for all of this. For Dragnipur. For the horror forged by my own hands. It was fitting, was it not, that the weapon claimed its maker? I think, yes, it was. It was.' He paused, and then brought both hands up to his face. For a moment it seemed he would begin clawing his beard from the skin beneath it. Instead, the shackled hands fell away, down, dragged by the weight of the chains.
'I too am sorry,' said Pearl. 'To see the end of this.'
'What?'
'So many enemies, all here and not one by choice. Enemies, and yet working together for so long. It was a wonderous thing, was it not, Draconus? When necessity forced each hand to clasp, to work as one. A wonderous thing.'
The warrior stared at the demon. He seemed unable to speak.”
― Toll the Hounds
Bill’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Bill’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by Bill
Lists liked by Bill


























