House of Chains
In Northern Genabackis, just before the events recounted in Gardens of the Moon,
a raiding party of savage tribal warriors descends from the mountains
into the southern flatlands. Their intention is to wreak havoc among
the despised lowlanders, but for the one named Karsa Orlong it marks
the beginning of what will prove an extraordinary destiny.
Some years later, it is the aftermath of the Chain of Dogs. Coltaine,
revered commander of the Malaz 7th Army, is dead. And now Tavore,
eldest sister to Ganoes Paran and Adjunct to the Empress, has arrived
in the last remaining Malazan stronghold of Seven Cities. Untested and
new to command, she must hone a small army of twelve thousand soldiers,
mostly raw recruits, into a viable fighting force and lead them into
battle against the massed hordes of Sha´ik's Whirlwind. Her only hope
lies in resurrecting the shattered faith of the few remaining survivors
from Coltaine's legendary march, now veterans one and all.
In distant Raraku, in the heart of the Holy Desert, the seer Sha´ik
waits with her rebel army. But waiting is never easy. Her disparate
collection of warlords – tribal chiefs, High Mages, a renegade Malazan
Fist and his sorcerer – is locked in a vicious power struggle that
threatens to tear the rebellion apart from within. And Sha´ik herself
suffers, haunted by the private knowledge of her nemesis, Tavore...
her own sister.
So begins this awesome new chapter in Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen – an epic novel of war, intrigue, magic and betrayal from a writer
regarded as one of the most original, imaginative and exciting
storytellers in fantasy today.
"This is true myth in the making, a drawing upon fantasy to to recreate histories and legends as rich as any found within our culture" – Interzone
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.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen
A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen is a ten books epic fantasy series written by author Steven Erikson. The scope and breadth of this series is so truly vast as to be unrivaled in the fantasy field today, mostly thanks to Erikson's finely crafted storytelling and his twenty years of experience in anthropology and archaeology.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen consists of ten primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series Malazan World
Book Reviews
House of Chains if the fourth book of Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. It's amazing how good a writer Steven Erikson is. This book is just as good as the previous three books. I loved this book. If you haven't read House of Chains, you should read it as soon as possible.