Night of Knives: A Novel of the Malazan Empire

Ian C. Esslemont

May 2009 · Novels of the Malazan Empire Book 1 · Sold by Macmillan

About this ebook

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.

Ratings and reviews

Such a great way to take a step back through time to really learn about the back story from book of the fallen. I loved this story, really great, just wish there was not! It takes place in one night, and it's one of the most important nights in the history of the saga, but it leaves you wanting more.

It just didn't hold me quite the same way but I have hope

A great introduction to the world of the Malazan Empire, not many can write a whole book about a single night and keep your attention

About the author

Ian Cameron Esslemont was born in Winnipeg, Canada. He has a degree in Creative Writing, 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 and is currently working on his PhD in English Literature and writing another novel set in the world of the Malaz, a world he co-created with his friend Steven Erikson.