Return Of The Crimson Guard: a compelling, evocative and action-packed epic fantasy that will keep you gripped

Ian C Esslemont

Dec 2010 · Malazan Empire Book 2 · Random House

About this ebook

From the pen of million copy seller Ian C Esslemont comes this breath-taking, thrilling and captivating epic fantasy - a must read for fans of Steven Erikson, David Gemmell and Brandon Sanderson.

"Everything you expect of a Malazan story, being both epic and relevant... nail-biting and anything but obvious" - SFFWORLD
"The Malazan franchise is fighting fit in the hands of its co-creator" - SFX
"A true Malazan tale to sink your teeth into" -- ***** Reader review
"Fast paced, truly involving, with characters who are not just realistic but who also seem to draw out the reader's empathy." -- ***** Reader review
"Complex and engaging" -- ***** Reader review
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The return of the Crimson Guard could not have come at a worse time for an empire exhausted by warfare and weakened by betrayals and rivalries.

Into the seething cauldron of Quon Tali - the Malazan Empire's heartland - they march, and with their return comes the memory of their vow: undying opposition to the Empire. Yet, elements within the Guard's élite, the Avowed, have set their sights on far greater power.

As the Guard prepare to wage war, the Empress Laseen's generals and mages grow impatient at what they perceive as her mismanagement of the Empire.

Is she losing her grip on power or has she outwitted them all? Could she be using the uprisings to draw out and finally eliminate the last irksome survivors from the days of Kellanved, her illustrious predecessor?

The Malazan Empire series continues in Stonewielder...

Ratings and reviews

Been reading the Malazan Empire series for a while now and still enjoying it. Do miss some of the characters built in earlier novels of the series. But still this book does well. Will move on to another book in the series.

There are parts that's just hard to read and grasp what is happening because it failed to make characters, especially the Malazan soldiers interesting.

Strong story line, solid build up and an amazing dive right into all the characters that you still wanted to read about. I've really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

About the author

Born in Winnipeg in 1962, IAN CAMERON ESSLEMONT has studied and worked as an archaeologist, travelled extensively in South East Asia and lived in Thailand and Japan for several years. He now lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, with his wife and children. His novels - beginning with Night of Knives - are all set in the fantasy world of Malaz that he co-created with Steven Erikson. Dancer's Lament was the first book in the 'Paths to Ascendancy' sequence (which continues the story of the turbulent early history of this epic imagined world) while Forge of the High Mage is the fourth.
To find out more, visit www.ian-esslemont.com and www.malazanempire.com