Bauchelain and Korbal Broach are back—and things are as dark, grotesque, and hilarious as ever. In this episode, I review The Second Collected Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach by Steven Erikson, which bundles together three novellas: The Crack’d Pot Trail (2009), The Wurms of Blearmouth (2012), and The Fiends of Nightmaria (2016).
Join me for a spoiler-lite look at each tale, plus my thoughts on why this collection is such a bizarrely fun romp through the Malazan world—even if it doesn’t connect directly to the larger series. From cannibal poets to corrupt coastal despots to religious fanatics, these stories are less about the infamous necromantic duo themselves and more about the chaos they leave in their wake. And of course, long-suffering Emancipor Reese is along for the ride.
Whether you’re a Malazan veteran or just curious about Erikson’s twisted sense of humor, this collection might be for you.
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The Second Collected Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach: https://t.ly/wkeA0
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0:00 - Opening
1:01 - Basic Book Details
1:58 - Spoiler-Lite Summary
3:21 - Jim’s Take
4:32 - 8 Reasons You Might Enjoy This Book
6:10 - Conclusion & Wrap-up
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