Entertainment
 

Malazan Book of the Fallen

From Malazan Wiki

A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen is an epic fantasy series written by Canadian author Steven Erikson. The series is planned to have a total of ten books. The series is truly epic in scope, and features a massive cast of characters. Each book weaves a different chapter of the ongoing saga of the Malazan Empire and its wars (The exception being Midnight Tides which is a side story featuring the Letherii Empire). The first five books tell a story which is primarily self contained, with the smaller plots resolved within the novel. However, the primary story arc develops throughout all of the novels. The characters, events, and locations bind together story, and connect the various novels together.

The Malazan world was created by Steven Erikson and Ian Cameron Esslemont in 2005. Esslemont, who does not co-author Eriksons books, has planned five books which take place in the same world, with a different cast of characters.

Contents

[edit] Books in the Series

[edit] Author

The Malazan world were created by both Steven Erikson and Ian Cameron Esslemont in 1992 as a backdrop for a role-playing game using a modified version of the Dungeons and Dragons rule set. By 1986 the Malazan world had developed to a similar world as that found in the novels.

At this point Erikson and Esslemont developed a movie script titled "Gardens of the Moon", which was to play on the interactions of the patrons of a drinking establishment in the fictional city of Darujhistan. The script failed to be picked up. Erikson developed Gardens of the Moon into a novel around 1991 - 1992, though it was first published in 1999.

Esslement's first published Malazan story, "Night of Knives" was released in 2005, and it is currently planned to be followed by four additional novels.

Erikson has stated that he and Esslemont will eventually work together to bring "The Encyclopedia Malaz" to the masses. When interviewed Erikson indicated that he had maps, notes, scribblings, etc. in a similar way to Tolkien's Silmarillion.

[edit] Plot Lines

The Malazan series does not follow a linear plot, that is, the novels within the series are not produced in a chronological A then B then C fashion. Instead, the novels occour a semi-linear fashion, often having a novel cover one area of the world at a specific time, while the next novel overlaps the same time frame but in a different area of the world.

The first novel "Gardens of the Moon" introduces the main players in the series. Plot lines include the struggle for power within the city Darujhistan, the war on Genabackis, and the introduction of a new threat on Genabackis . . . The Pannion Domin.

The second novel, "Deadhouse Gates", takes place on the Seven Cities subcontinent and follows the Whirlwind Rebellion, focusing on a march across the continent called the Chain of Dogs, and the rising of Sha'ik.

The third novel "Memories of Ice" takes place back on Genabackis and follows the uneasy alliance of Caladan Brood and Onearms Host against the Pannion Domin. Memories of Ice takes place during the same time as Deadhosue Gates.

The fourth Novel "House of Chains" occours back in Seven Cities, and follows the Empress' Adjunct Tavore Paran and her quest to squash the Rebillion in Seven Cities. This novel also follows the quests and trials of Karsa Orlong, a Toblakai warrior setting out across the world.

The fifth Novel "Midnight Tides" follows the clash of the United Tiste Edur tribes and the Letherii Empire. This novel does not feature characters seen in other novels (with the exception of Trull Sengar).

The sixth novel "The Bonehunters" combines all of the previous strands and plots, with the armys converging on Seven Cities, and the Letherii setting out in search of warriors to battle their immortal emporer.

The seventh novel "Reapers Gale" (Currently the last published novel) takes the Malazan armies to the Letherii homeland.

[edit] Races

Main article: Races of the Malazan Book of the Fallen

There are a number of intelligent human, humanoid, and non-humanoid races in the Malaza world. References are made to races which walked the Malazan world hundreds of thousands of years prior to the events in the series.

[edit] Geography

The series takes place on a number of continents on a single planet, though scenes within the series often take place within the Warrens, or other planes of existance. Midnight Tides confirms six continents on the planet, though the series does use the term "subcontinent" which makes it unclear of which landmasses are full continents, and which are subcontinents.

The major landmasses are considered to be Seven Cities, Quon Tali, Genabackis, Jacuruku, Korelri, Assail and the Letherii continent. Quon Tali and Seven Cities are described as a single land mass though divided into two continents or subcontinents.

[edit] History

Erikson and Esselmont have created a world with a history of hundreds of thousands of years.

[edit] Imass Wars

The Imass Wars are frequently mentioned in the Malazan series. The Jaghut were generally a peaceful race, who believed in isolationism. However, a small number of Jaghut used their powerful magic to become Tyrants, enslaving entire populations. The Imass faught against the tyranny, waging a war of genocide on the Jaghut which lasted hundreds of thousands of years. The Imass underweant the Ritual of Telann to claim immortality for the singular purpose of the genocide.

[edit] Coming of the Tiste

During this time the Tiste Edur and the Tiste Andii came to the world through their respective warrens, waging war on the K'Chain Che'Malle. The Edur betrayed the Andii and wiped them out (with the exception of a small group of Andii existing elsewhere in the world).

[edit] The First Empire

The High King Kallor forged an empire, encompassing the continents of Jacuruku and Korelri. His High mages rebelled and summoned down the Crippled God, which was shackled during the summoning. Fearing that the Elder Gods would punish him, Kallor destroyed his own empire. The Elder gods eventually cursed Kallor with immortality and the inability to ascend.

[edit] Kellanved

A century before the beginning of Gardens of the Moon a group of bandits schemed and overthrew the Lord of Malaz, forging the heart of the newborn Malazan Empire. Under the leadership of Kellanved the empire spread across numerous continents, and waged war upon Seven Cities and Genabackis. The Malazan Empires military power was increased dramaticly when Kellanved discovered the First Throne, allowing him to control the T'lan Imass. Kellanved and his assassin companion Dancer disappeared for two years on an unknown mission, when they returned they were assassinated by their comrade Surly, who adopted the name Laseen and became the Empress of the Malazan Empire.

[edit] Laseen

Under the rule of Laseen the Malazan Empire has continued its policy of expansion. However, many see the empire as being too overstretched. It is at this point that the series of events that occour in Gardens of the Moon occur.

[edit] Magic

Magic within the Malazan series is accomplished by tapping the power of a Warren or Hold. Effects common from magic or enchantments or investments, energy blases, travel through Warren, and the manipulation of the power or element of the warren.

Most mages can only channel one or two warrens, however, the Bridgeburner mage Quick Ben is able to access twelve but can use 7 at the same time. This is because he has more than one soul sharing his body (seven souls?).

[edit] Readings

Throughout the novels a major theme is the divination of the future through readings. The Deck of Dragons is one such means of scry the future. It resembles a tarot card deck, which changes depending on the changes within the pantheon of acendants.

Another means of scrying is through the Tiles of the Hold, which is a more primative form of scrying. The tiles are cast and read. 

Category:Books
Retrieved from "http://malazan.wikia.com/wiki/Malazan_Book_of_the_Fallen"