Night of Knives
Introduction by Steven Erikson.
The small island of Malaz and its city gave the great empire its name, but now it is little more than a sleepy, backwater port. This night, however, things are a little different. This night the city is on edge and a hive of activity, its citizens bustle about, barring doors, shuttering windows, avoiding any stranger's stare. Because this night there is to be a convergence, the once-in-a-generation appearance of a Shadow Moon – an occasion that threatens the good people of Malaz with demon hounds and other, darker things...
It was also prophesied that this night would witness the return of Emperor Kellanved, and there are those prepared to do anything to prevent this happening. As factions within the greater Empire draw battle lines over the imperial throne, the Shadow Moon draws a far more ancient and potent presence for an all-out assault upon the island. Witnessing these cataclysmic events are Kiska, a young girl who yearns to flee the constraints of the city, and Temper, a grizzled, battle-weary veteran who seeks simply to escape his past. And this night each is to play a part in a conflict that will not only determine the fate of Malaz City, but also of the world beyond...
Drawing on events touched on in the prologue of Steven Erikson’s landmark fantasy Gardens of the Moon, Night of Knives is a momentous chapter in the unfolding story of the extraordinarily imagined world of Malaz.
"Telling a story set largely over just one terrifying night, it pulverizes you with an economy that's rare in fantasy... whether it's Erikson or Esslemont at the controls, it's in safe hands." – SFX
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Ian C. Esslemont
Ian C. Esslemont is a name that echoes through the halls of epic fantasy, often found alongside fellow author Steven Erikson as a co-creator of the vast, intricate world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. But Esslemont’s journey began long before he joined forces with Erikson—his passion for storytelling and rich, complex worlds stretches back to his early years, when he first explored the realms of imagination.
Born in Canada, Esslemont’s deep love for fantasy literature was forged through his voracious reading and his fascination with history and mythology. His stories delve into the complexities of power, the murky ethics of war, and the human experience amidst chaos. This passion for storytelling eventually led him to co-create the Malazan Empire, a sprawling, multi-layered universe that became the foundation for his own novels. Esslemont's contribution to the Malazan saga is indispensable, as his books expand on the history and peoples of this monumental world, breathing new life into characters and landscapes first introduced in Erikson’s works.
The Malazan Empire
Ian C. Esslemont co-created the world of Malaz with his friend Steven Erikson, and Esslemont’s novels of the Malazan Empire are set in the same world as Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen.
The Malazan Empire consists of six books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series Malazan World
Book Reviews
Night of Knives is the first book of The Malazan Empire series. I enjoyed reading this book. It was entertaining and well written. This book isn't as good as Steven Erikson's magnificent books, but it's worth reading. If you like Steven Erikson's books, you might want to try this book.