Steven Erikson

Erikson's newest release - Midnight Tides - Book 5 - in paperback on August 28, 2007.

To be followed by The Bonehunters - Book 6 in hardback on September 18, 2007.

Canadian fantasy author Steven Erikson is now being published here in the US, and we highly recommend his Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series.

While the Malazan Book of the Fallen series is projected to run 10 books (the first several of which had already been written and published in the UK long before making their American debut), each novel is designed as a stand alone read. You will want to read them in order, however, as they do follow a chronological path that will ultimately tie everything together.

The Malazan Empire, in its greed, seeks ever to add to its holdings and is often sorely tasked with both consolidating and expanding its rule when faced with rebel armies, religious zealots, and immortal Ascendants opposed to its ambition. But Malazan is not an evil empire, particularly, no more so than any, and like the Romans, often brings order, peace and uniform administrative rule under law to its conquered lands.

Excellent writing, a well-drawn and fascinating cast of characters, and an intricate and unusual magical cosmology mark Erikson's novels as something out of the ordinary.

Erikson's books are most definitely for mature audiences. It's not just that his books are bloody and relate many war-time atrocities, or that his writing is on a level that may be over the head of younger readers, but rather that his themes require a body of life experience sufficient to fully empathize with the characters and understand the depth of human suffering and the subtleties of such suffering that Erikson seeks to portray.

Books one through six are now available in their new American editions. Reaper's Gale is available in the UK edition, but the US publication schedule is catching up fast.

Buy Malazan Empire Books by Steven Erickson
Get More Info	Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen Gardens of the Moon, Volume 1 "The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins. For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, surviving cadre mage of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, yet holds out. It is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze. However, it would appear that the Empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister, shadowbound forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand..." book description. We are introduced in this book to many of the main characters and to a bewildering array of secondary characters, geographical locations, gods, ascendants, races, and all the intricacies of an ancient, sorcery-laden world. If you stick it out, all begins to come a bit clearer by Book 3. Frankly, while I admired Erikson's writing, I did not particularly connect with this book or any of the characters (as I knew them then). The atrocities and very mature subject matter made other "hard-bitten" fantasy series seem almost tame. After reading Gardens of the Moon, I waited a year before picking up Deadhouse Gates. Very glad I finally did.
Get More Info	Deadhouse Gates (Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 2) "In the vast dominion of Seven Cities, in the Holy Desert Raraku, the seer Sha’ik and her followers prepare for the long-prophesied uprising named the Whirlwind. Unprecedented in its size and savagery, this maelstrom of fanaticism and bloodlust will embroil the Malazan Empire in one of the bloodiest conflicts it has ever known, shaping destinies and giving birth to legends. Set in a brilliantly realized world ravaged by dark, uncontrollable magic, this thrilling novel of war, intrigue and betrayal confirms Steven Erikson as a storyteller of breathtaking skill, imagination and originality, a new master of epic fantasy." book description. Deadhouse Gates follows some of the characters from the first book as they pursue a secret mission for the Empire on another continent. There are three main story lines here, each with its own group of characters, that tie in together (more or less) by the end. The best story tells the tale of a military retreat spanning more than a thousand miles - Coltaine seeks to escort thousands of Malazan refugees to safety while constantly beseiged by larger forces, in rebellion against the Empire. This is a book about honor, courage and the sheer will of the human spirit to survive. A fantastic book that stayed with me a very, very long time. Again, I suggest pausing between reads to fully digest each book before moving on to the next.
Get More Info	Memories of Ice (Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 3) "The ravaged continent of Genabackis has given birth to a terrifying new empire: the Pannion Domin. A boiling tale of corrupted blood, it seethes across the land, devouring all who fail to heed the Word of its elusive prophet. In its path stands an uneasy alliance: Dujek Onearm’s Host and Whiskeyjack’s veteran Bridgeburners – each now outlawed by the Empress – alongside the enemies of old, including the grim forces of warlord Caladan Brood, Anomander Rake, Son of Darkness, and his Tiste Andii, and the Rhivi people of the Plains. Outnumbered by the Seer’s army of zealots and struggling to put aside their differences, it is vital they get word to potential allies, including an unknown mercenary brotherhood, the Grey Swords, who have been contracted to defend the city of Capustan against these fanatic hordes. But more ancient clans too are gathering. In answer to some primal summons, the massed ranks of the undead T’Ian Imass have risen. For it would appear something altogether darker and even more malign threatens the very substance of this world. The Warrens are poisoned, and rumours abound of the Crippled God, now unchained and intent on a terrible revenge." book description. Memories of Ice returns us to the Bridgeburners and Whiskeyjack in their war on Genabackis. Much is made clearer about the history of the world, the various races and the pantheon. While not quite as edgy as Deadhouse Gates, this book presents an opportunity to finally feel comfortable with the characters and form stronger emotional attachments to them. This book is also a "bridge" that ties together prior events and presages the world-wide battles to come. Again, we have themes of moral victory under seige and indomitable will, linked with the finest of human compassion and empathy. As is needed with books this heavy, there is enough humor to break the tension, and Erikson's humor is well done.
Get More Info	House of Chains (Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 4) “In Northern Genabackis, before the events recounted in Gardens of the Moon, a raiding party of savage tribal warriors descend from the mountains into the flat lands. For one among them, 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 is dead. And now the untried new Adjunct, Tavore, must urgently raise an army able to withstand the forces of the Sha’ik’s Whirlwind that are massing in Raraku, the few remaining veterans from Coltaine’s march her only hope.” book description. The book description here is misleading. While the book may give background information before digging into the story, this is not a prequel, but rather picks up with the characters followed in Book 2, Deadhouse Gates, and continues with the story lines begun there. We begin to come to know Tavore Paran and the new Malazan 14th Army, particularly their marines and sappers, as well as other new characters we will follow into later books. As is the case with all of Erikson's novels, many we loved and/or hated fall in battles of one sort or the other. That's why the series is named as it is. Another excellent read.
Get More Info	Midnight Tides (Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 5) "After decades of warfare, the five tribes of the Tiste Edur have finally united under the implacable rule of the Warlock King of the Hiroth. But peace has been exacted at a terrible price - a pact made with a hidden power whose motives are at best suspect, at worst deadly. To the south, the expansionist kingdom of Lether has devoured all of its less-civilised neighbours with rapacious, cold-blooded hunger. All, that is, save one - the Tiste Edur. For Lether is approaching a long-prophesied renaissance - from kingdom and lost colony of the First Empire to Empire reborn. And so its people have fixed their avid gazes northward, to the rich and abundant lands and coasts of the Tiste Edur. And beneath the suffocating weight of gold, or by slaughter at the edge of a sword, it seems the Tiste Edur must fall. Or so Destiny has decreed..." book description. I found this one weaker than the others. At first, I thought it was because it takes place on a different continent with unfamiliar characters (aside from Trull Sengar and a god or two). But I think it's really because Erikson uses this story as an opportunity to beat us over the head a bit with the general nastiness of unbridled capitalism and economic imperialism. Views should always be implicit in the stories and the characters - not good writing when they are explicitly narrated. Nonetheless, this prequel (taking place in 1159 Burns Sleep) is an important thread in the overall story and part of Erikson's plan to slowly, but surely, make us all well acquainted with the characters and events that will play pivotal roles in the coming showdown of the gods.
Get More Info	The Bonehunters (Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 6) "There’s nothing like sweeping up tag-ends to change the world. The Seven Cities Rebellion has been crushed. Sha’ik slain by Tavore, the Malazan forces pacifying city after city on the troubled subcontinent, and one last rebel army, under the reluctant, embittered command of Leoman of the Flails, is pursued to the ancient and infamous city of Y’Ghatan by Tavore and the Fourteenth Army. Dogged by self-doubt and ill omens, the 14th must lay siege to the city, and Adjunct Tavore must seek to outwit Leoman of the Flails, the deadliest foe she has ever faced. Into this fraught scenario come both new and familiar characters. Among the latter, Heboric Ghost Hands, journeying to redress an old wrong. Apsalar, haunted by possession and now the principal agent of Cotillion, Patron of Assassins, marking a trail with blood and dripping daggers. Cutter, the killer who had once been a thief in Darujhistan, fleeing a shattered heart. Karsa Orlong, a warrior hunting his destiny. And two old friends, traveling companions, Mappo and Icarium, wandering once more the ravaged wastelands, Icarium seeking the ancient truths of his own life, Mappo seeking to keep those truths from him, at all costs. All, searching for such fates as they might fashion with their own hands, guided by their own will. If only the gods would leave them alone. Alas, the gods are disinclined to be kind, now that knives have been unsheathed, and there shall be war, war in the heavens." from the trade paper description. The Bonehunters follows the characters and events of House of Chains, as well as the current activites of everyone presently in Seven Cities, and brings us up-to-date with what has occured in Lether under Rhulad's rule. New nations and important characters are also introduced, as we begin to see the emergence of yet another new House in the Deck under the wolf god and goddess. Truly, this book marks the turning point in the series as the focus shifts from the narrower machinations of Laseen and the Malazan Empire to the world-wide conflict with the Crippled God. A great read, Erikson is back to form here after the very slight slip in Midnight Tides. Fans (or me at least) are feverishly reviewing their own personal Decks of Dragons as new clues are revealed, but who is ascendant and who is not, and where they fit in the Deck (or in the Holds) is still mostly a mystery.
	Reaper's Gale (Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 7)
	Projected titles for the final three books in Steven Erikson's series: Toll the Hounds (8) Dust of Dreams (9) The Crippled God (10)
Get More Info	Blood Follows : A Tale of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach by Steven Erikson First in a series of novellas taking place in the Malazan Empire. "All is not well in Lamentable Moll. A sinister, diabolical killer stalks the port city's narrow, barrow-humped streets, and panic grips the citizens like a fever. Emancipor Reese is no exception, and indeed, with his legendary ill luck, it's worse for him than for most. Not only was his previous employer the unknown killer's latest victim, but Emancipor is out of work. And, with his dearest wife terminally comfortable with the manner of life to which she asserts she has become accustomed (or at least to which she aspires) -- for her and their two whelps -- all other terrors grow limp and pale for poor Emancipor. But perhaps his luck has finally changed, for two strangers have come to Lamentable Moll... and they have nailed to the centre post in Fishmonger's Round a note requesting the services of a manservant. This is surely a remarkable opportunity for the hapless Emancipor Reese... no matter that the note reeks with death-warded magic; no matter that the barrow ghosts themselves howl with fear every night; and certainly no matter that Lamentable Moll itself is about to erupt in a frenzy of terror-inspired anarchy.... After all, it's work... and working is better than not working. Isn't it?" We first meet these nefarious gentlemen in Memories of Ice - for those with a taste for macabre humor, Erikson has provided a novella of their exploits. Not attractive figures, yet not without humor.