Ratings13
Average rating4.5
'Awe-inspiring. Prepare to fall in love with epic fantasy all over again.' ANNA SMITH SPARK, author of The Court of Broken Knives The thrilling opening chapter in an epic new fantasy from the author of The Malazan Book of the Fallen... Many years have passed since three Teblor warriors brought carnage and chaos to Silver Lake. Now the tribes of the north no longer venture into the southlands. The town has recovered and yet the legacy remains. Indeed, one of the three, Karsa Orlong, is now revered as a god, albeit an indifferent one. In truth, many new religions have emerged and been embraced across the Malazan world. There are those who worship Coltaine, the Black-Winged Lord, and the cult of Iskar Jarak, Guardian of the Dead, is popular among the Empire's soldiery. Responding to reports of a growing unease among the tribes beyond the border, a legion of Malazan marines marches towards Silver Lake. They aren't quite sure what they're going to be facing, but, while the Malazan military has evolved and these are not the marines of old, one thing hasn't changed: they'll handle whatever comes at them. Or die trying. And in those high mountains, a new warleader has risen amongst the Teblor. Scarred by the deeds of Karsa Orlong, he intends to confront his god even if he has to cut a bloody swathe through the Malazan Empire to do so. But further north, a new threat has emerged and now it seems it is the Teblor who are running out of time. Another long-feared migration is about to begin and this time it won't just be three warriors. No, this time tens of thousands are poised to pour into the lands to the south. And in their way, a single company of Malazan marines . . . It seems the past is about to revisit Silver Lake, and that is never a good thing . . .
Series
1 primary bookWitness is a 1-book series first released in 2004 with contributions by Steven Erikson.
Series
21 primary booksMalazan Authors’ Suggested Reading Order is a 21-book series with 24 primary works first released in 2001 with contributions by Steven Erikson, Ian Cameron Esslemont, and Ian C. Esslemont.
Series
16 primary books39 released booksMalazan is a 39-book series with 16 primary works first released in 1999 with contributions by Steven Erikson, Ian Cameron Esslemont, and Ian C. Esslemont.
Reviews with the most likes.
For the most part, this a new cast characters doing things in a Malazan that is not the same Malazan but it is Malazan for sure. So, things have changed but not so much as to be unrecognizable. Compassion is still the big theme and many of the characters are complex so not perfectly this or that for the most part. Characterization has never been a problem for Erikson so far as I am concerned and there are some real gems in this book to fall in love with. So, this is about the impact of Karsa Orlong and I know that character is divisive, but it is about him indirectly here. The language of the book is pretty straightforward and yes, the characters are chatty. It is an Erikson thing and your mileage will vary. Overall recommended and while being familiar with the overall Malazan story is helpful it is not essential.
Came for the epic fantasy barbarian style rough housing. Stayed for the generational trauma, compassion, and healing.