Product Description

The second book in Steven Erikson's thrilling epic fantasy series chronicling the ill-fated Malazan Empire.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10170 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 959 pages

Synopsis
In the vast dominion of Seven Cities, in the holly desert of 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 whole Malazan Empire.

From the Back Cover
A TALE OF THE MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN

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...

Embittered and enslaved, Felisin, youngest daughter of the disgraced House of Paran, dreams of escape from the horrors of the Otataral mines. However, freedom and revenge have their price: her soul. The outlawed Bridgeburners Fiddler and Kalam had vowed to rid the world of the Empress Laseen but it appears the gods have other plans. And Coltaine, the charismatic but untried commander of the Malaz 7th Army, will lead his war-weary troops in a last, valiant running battle to save the lives of thirty thousand refugees and, in so doing, secure an illustrious place in the Empire's chequered history. Then into this blighted land come two ancient wanderers, Mappo the Trell and his half-Jaghut companion Icarium, bearers of a devastating secret about to let slip its chains.

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.

About the Author
Steven Erikson
An archaeologist and anthropologist, and a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, Steven Erikson recently returned to Canada after a number of years in the UK and now lives in Winnipeg. His first fantasy novel, GARDENS OF THE MOON, was shortlisted for a World Fantasy Award and the second, DEADHOUSE GATES, was voted 'one of the 10 best fantasy novels of the year'.

Customer Reviews

People need to read them ALL!
I can understand some of the other reviews about complexity and you dont get any feeling for the characters (so far) im on toll of the hounds the latest and i love all the characters. After reading through them, so MUCH about each character is spread out over all the books you cant understand the characters properly until you have read at least the first 7 books. By house of chains i was thinking "aahhhh so thats why he behaves like that" or "i see, thats what happened to them all those years ago" ive found that fantasy series like this one are impossible to review properly until you have read the series, yes 1 book might be better than another and yes 1 of the books might wander of in a different direction, you have to take the story in as a Whole. for those that have given up i pity you because you will miss out on in my opinion the greatest fantasy books EVER to be written. As for the deadhouse gates i also agree that the felisin bit was abit rubbish and boring mainly because i dont like girly weak characters and also im not to keen on women characters in fantasy books, their always made out to be weak moaning useless wenches (with the exception of felisins sister Tavore, but shes a lesbian so thats probably why she isnt like the normal female Characters :P ) plus when it comes to swords and shields i just cant take female characters seriously (sorry i just cant, they dont go together in my opinion). But the Chain of dogs section in this book is quite simply amazing one of the best bits of the whole series so far if you ask me, brilliant!(i actually threw the book across the room in outrage at the end of it).

All in all if you buy this book buy them ALL dont judge the WHOLE series from one book, its not fair.(look at lord of the rings, the first book is boring but the second two are MILES better!)

A candidate for best fantasy ever
Erikson has produced an all time masterpiece work with this book.

Buy it, read it and never think of being put off by people who criticise its "slow" start.

There is nothing else that need be said.

A Stunning Epic
This book is the second in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series and it deffinatly lives up to the standards set by the first book, however if you are looking to experience a book along the same story line as the first you will be disssapointed. The story changes view to a different part of the Malazan empire this time, however it retains several of the great characters from before. It does start off a little slowly, but in all fairness it contains very few drab chapters and many that will keep you thirsting for more.
You will find yourself challenged by this book and the outcome of the story. Many times you find yourself waiting for something more to happen, a cliche twist in the tail, when Erikson has allready finished the chapter in manner both suprising and inspiring.