Ratings7
Average rating4.4
The awesome - and acclaimed - fourth instalment in Steven Erikson's epic fantasy sequence THE MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN.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 flat lands. 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 Malazan 7th Army is dead. And now Tavore, elder sister of Ganoes Paran and Adjunct to the Empress, has arrived in the last remaining Malazan stronghold of the Seven Cities to take charge. 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, 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 sorceror - 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 the 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.
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Another fantastic installment of The Malazan Book of the Fallen. I did not like quite as much as Memories of Ice, but it's not far behind.
A thought on Karsa Orlong: I had heard of him before I read the book, and had heard from several people for whom he was a favourite character. I did not understand why at the beginning of the book. He seemed fairly despicable. However, his journey was fascinating, and he learned a lot.
”When I began this journey, I was young. I believed in one thing. I believed in glory. I know now, ‘Siballe that glory is nothing. Nothing. This is what I now understand.”
“What else do you now understand, Karsa Orlong?”
“Not much. Just one other thing. The same cannot be said for mercy.”
Featured Series
10 primary booksMalazan Book of the Fallen is a 11-book series with 11 primary works first released in 1999 with contributions by Steven Erikson and Michał Jakuszewski.
Series
15 primary books21 released booksMalazan is a 37-book series with 16 primary works first released in 1999 with contributions by Steven Erikson, Michał Jakuszewski, and 4 others.