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Forge of Darkness

The Kharkanas Trilogy #1 / 3
by Steven Erikson
Forge of Darkness (The Kharkanas Trilogy #1) by Steven Erikson
  ★ 9.44 / 9
1★2★3★4★5★6★7★18★39★510★

Now is the time to tell a tragic tale that sets the stage for all the tales yet to come... and all those already told.

It is the Age of Darkness and the ancient land called Kurald Galain - home of the Tiste Andii and ruled over by Mother Dark from her citadel in Kharkanas - is in a perilous state. For the commoners' great warrior hero, Vatha Urusander, is being championed by his followers to take Mother Dark's hand in marriage but her Consort, Lord Draconus, stands in the way of such ambition.

As the impending clash between these two rival powers sends fissures rippling across the realm and rumours of civil war flare and take hold amongst the people, so an ancient power emerges from seas once thought to be long dead. None can fathom its true purpose nor comprehend its potential. And caught in the middle of this seemingly inevitable conflagration are the First Sons of Darkness - Anomander, Andarist and Silchas Ruin of the Purake Hold - and they are about reshape the world...

Here begins Steven Erikson's epic tale of bitter family rivalries, of jealousies and betrayals, of wild magic and unfettered power... and of the forging of a sword.

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Standard Shelves
Updated 04/13/2025
Category: Fantasy, High Fantasy
Release date: July 25, 2012

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Steven Erikson

Steven Erikson

Steven Erikson's writing is an intricate tapestry of history, mythology, and human experience, woven into the fabric of his expansive fantasy worlds. Born in Canada and trained as an archaeologist and anthropologist, his background in these fields lends a rich texture to his novels. His stories are not just escapist adventures—they are philosophical explorations into the nature of conflict, morality, and the intricate societies that shape human lives.

Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen series stands as a towering achievement in epic fantasy. Its labyrinthine plots, vast world-building, and morally complex characters have garnered a loyal following, with each novel revealing new layers of depth. The series kicks off with Gardens of the Moon, a work that redefined the scope of fantasy with its mature themes and unflinching exploration of power, war, and the price of immortality. Recognized with critical acclaim and shortlisted for the World Fantasy Award, this series catapulted Erikson into the pantheon of modern fantasy giants.

Read more ...

Yet Erikson's creative voice is not confined to the Malazan universe. With works like The Kharkanas Trilogy and Willful Child, he proves himself an author who’s never afraid to experiment. The Kharkanas Trilogy explores the ancient origins of his Malazan world, offering a deeper dive into the history of gods and men, while Willful Child showcases his talent for satirical humor, skewering space opera tropes with razor-sharp wit.

At the heart of Erikson's writing is a deep exploration of the human condition. Whether he’s examining the brutalities of war or the fallibility of those in power, his stories don’t offer simple answers—they challenge readers to think, question, and reflect. His characters are often flawed, their journeys laden with sacrifice and loss, making their triumphs all the more hard-earned and meaningful.

Erikson’s work resonates with fans who crave stories that don’t just entertain but also provoke thought. It’s a world where every decision carries weight, where the cost of defiance is often measured in blood. But for all its darkness, Erikson’s writing also glimmers with moments of hope and redemption, making his stories as emotionally rich as they are intellectually challenging.

As he continues to write, Steven Erikson remains an ever-evolving voice in fantasy, proving that the genre is as much a medium for philosophical inquiry as it is for epic battles and world-shattering events. Whether you’re discovering Malazan for the first time or revisiting its pages, Erikson’s narratives offer an experience unlike any other—complex, multifaceted, and unafraid to ask the hard questions.

Photo: LordofMoonSpawn / CC BY-SA 4.0

The Kharkanas Trilogy

Set against the vast and shadowed backdrop of a world that predates the Malazan Empire, The Kharkanas Trilogy invites readers into an epic tale of ancient gods, mortal aspirations, and the turmoil of divided realms. Millennia before the rise of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, the fate of an entire race is shaped within the warren of Darkness—Kurald Galain—where gods, mortals, and magic itself are in constant flux.

Read more ...

The story begins with Forge of Darkness, where the Tiste race, fractured into the Andii, Liosan, and Edur factions, are on the verge of an unraveling. At the heart of the story is Vatha Urusander, a warrior whose pursuit of glory threatens to tear apart not only his kin but the very fabric of his world. The tension between loyalty, ambition, and divine intervention is palpable as the gods themselves become players in a game that may lead to their downfall.

In Fall of Light, the trilogy deepens, unfolding into a brutal civil war among the Tiste as allegiances shift and power is claimed. The arrival of the Jaghut, with their dark declaration of war against Death, reveals another layer of conflict that spirals towards a reckoning that has been centuries in the making. Themes of betrayal, divine manipulation, and the cost of immortality haunt each page, making it clear that no one is free from the destructive forces that they set in motion.

As the trilogy approaches its final chapter with Walk in Shadow, the destinies of gods and mortals will collide, offering an intricate conclusion to this world-defining saga. Through the lens of Erikson's rich world-building, the series asks timeless questions about power, loyalty, and the consequences of ambition—exploring not just the battles between armies, but the wars within each soul.

The Kharkanas Trilogy is a dark, sprawling tale that delivers a complex tapestry of mythology, politics, and familial conflict. Its epic scope and intricate plots make it a compelling read for those drawn to stories of ancient worlds, divine manipulation, and the price of immortality. As the shadows of Kurald Galain loom large, Erikson's storytelling shines with complexity and depth, drawing readers into a mythic saga that will linger long after the final page is turned.


The Kharkanas Trilogy consists of two books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Main series Malazan World

Forge of Darkness (The Kharkanas Trilogy #1)
  ★ 9.44 / 9
Fall of Light (The Kharkanas Trilogy #2)
  ★ 8.34 / 3
Walk in Shadow (The Kharkanas Trilogy #3)
  ⧗ 10.00 / 8


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