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House of Chains

The Malazan Book of the Fallen #4 / 10
by Steven Erikson
House of Chains (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #4) by Steven Erikson
  ★ 8.66 / 26
1★12★3★4★15★16★27★58★29★1410★

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

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Standard Shelves
Updated 04/07/2025
Category: Fantasy, High Fantasy
Release date: December 2002

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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.

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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 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.

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Using mythology incarnate, vast legions of gods, mages, creatures, dragons, and humans play out the fate of the Malazan Empire, with action and battle scenes among the most brutal and exciting in fantasy, and the landscapes and cities among the most morose.


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

Gardens of the Moon (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #1)
  ★ 8.26 / 46
Deadhouse Gates (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #2)
  ★ 8.02 / 34
Memories of Ice (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #3)
  ★ 8.80 / 29
House of Chains (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #4)
  ★ 8.66 / 26
Midnight Tides (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #5)
  ★ 9.30 / 24
The Bonehunters (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #6)
  ★ 8.90 / 22
Reaper's Gale (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #7)
  ★ 9.04 / 22
Toll the Hounds (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #8)
  ★ 9.38 / 18
Dust of Dreams (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #9)
  ★ 9.62 / 18
The Crippled God (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #10)
  ★ 9.56 / 16
The Complete Malazan Book of the Fallen (The Malazan Book of the Fallen)
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Book Reviews

10/23/2007
Seregil of Rhiminee avatar
Seregil of Rhiminee
3707 books, 260 reviews, 15 posts
★★★★★★★★★★ 10 / 10

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.

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