Page Burners: Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson - Chapters 18, 19 & 20

In this episode of Page Chewing, the crew dives into Midnight Tides Chapters 18–20, where the tension escalates and the cracks in both empires, and characters, begin to widen.

We unpack the haunting mystery of the Nerek and the strange sanctification that shields them, questioning whether divine power, belief, or something far older is at play. From there, the conversation turns toward one of the most compelling emotional cores of the book: the fractured relationship between Fear and Trull Sengar. Is Fear acting out of loyalty… or cowardice? And what does “treason” even mean in a world already unraveling?

Rhulad’s descent continues, and with it comes one of the most fascinating dynamics in the series—his uneasy, almost tragic bond with Udinaas. As madness tightens its grip, we explore the blurred line between manipulation, guidance, and survival.

Meanwhile, Seren Pedac’s arc deepens in powerful ways. Her grief, guilt, and emerging connection to something more—whether magical or psychological—add another layer to an already complex narrative. Her journey raises questions about agency, trauma, and transformation in a brutal world.

And of course, we couldn’t resist diving into the lore—death, forgotten gods, Tiste Edur mythology, and the ever-expanding puzzle that is Malazan. Erikson continues to weave a narrative where belief shapes reality, power comes at a cost, and no character is ever as simple as they seem.

This is a dense, emotional, and lore-heavy section of Midnight Tides—and we’re here to chew through every bit of it.

Next week: Chapters 21–24.