Night of Knives
A Novel of the Malazan Empire
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4.4 • 74 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Drawing on events touched on in the prologue of Steven Erikson's landmark fantasy Gardens of the Moon: A Malazan Book of the Fallen, Night of Knives is the first in Ian C. Esslemont's Novels of the Malazn Empire series--a momentous chapter in the unfolding story of the extraordinarily imagined world of Malaz.
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. Tonight, however, things are different. Tonight the city is on edge, a hive of hurried, sometimes violent activity; its citizens bustle about, barring doors, shuttering windows, avoiding any stranger's stare. Because tonight 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 up battle lines over the imperial throne, the Shadow Moon summons 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. 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…
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Steven Erickson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series only hints at the empire's distant history, which Esslemont, cocreator of the original world, explores in this dark, powerful novel (first published in the U.K. in 2004) and its planned sequels. On a Shadow Moon night on the Isle of Malaz, dead souls rise and demonlike hounds attack any who dare to leave their homes. Knowing that Emperor Kellanved is prophesied to use the Shadow Moon for his own ends, the emperor's enemies gather on the small island for their own nefarious purposes, starting a plot that spirals into bloody violence. Esslemont nails the feel and flavor of Erickson's books and brings the historical characters to life with a dexterity that will win over even the most skeptical fans.
Customer Reviews
NOT the same as the Malazan Book of the Fallen
Esslemont and Erickson, while they co-created the World of Malaz, they're different people with different styles. The one writing trait they share is the ability to create characters of extreme depth.
Where they differ - Esslemont is more terse and concise in his setup of scenery, the places and the things.
They're both excellent authors and for all of those who loved the Malazan Book of the Fallen, this is a must read. But, this isn't a prologue or epilogue to the Malazan Book of the Fallen; it's an entirely new story with new characters and new points of view from some of the "older" characters.
The Malazan story continues...
I first thought this author would distract from the main story with his own style and devices, but he is able to blend his own flavors into Erikson's already amazing world without detracting or causing inconsistencies. I recommend this story after you have read the full Malazan series. This story takes place smack in the middle of it all and gave me more insight into the events I had already been aware of. Such a fun read, makes me want to read the whole set of books over to keep it all fresh in my head!