Book of the Fallen
Detailed Ratings
Plot 3.5/5
Characters 4.0/5
World-building 4.5/5
Writing Style 2.5/5

Book of the Fallen

+6
Balance
+6 -0
Score weighted by each hero's level: a recommendation from a level 3 hero counts for 3.
4.0/5
2
Reviews
Ranking among books: #11 Fantasy
Tome
From the editors, by Tome Updated on 13/04/2026

Unleashing the Chaos of an Epic Universe

A sprawling battlefield stained with the echoes of past conquests, where towering warlords command legions and ancient gods loom in ominous silence. Steven Erikson and Ian Esslemont, architects of a vast fantasy cosmos, revel in crafting worlds that teeter on the brink of chaos. Their "Book of the Fallen," originally penned in English, doesn't just invite you to read,it demands you witness.

The Story

The saga unfolds across a realm where empires rise and crumble like sandcastles at high tide. At its heart is the Malazan Empire, caught in an intricate web of magic and political intrigue. Warriors, sorcerers, and thieves dance on the knife edge between survival and doom. The stakes? Nothing less than the fate of entire civilizations. In this gritty narrative tapestry, every shadow hides an unsettling secret, every ally wears a mask.

What Makes This Book Unique

Their writing style isn't for the faint-hearted. It's as dense as it is rich, weaving together multiple plotlines with surgical precision. Themes such as betrayal, sacrifice, and power aren't merely explored,they're dissected under a relentless lens. Unlike your typical fantasy fare, this series carves out its own niche alongside works like George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire," but with a darker twist that leaves no stone unturned.

Who Should Read This

This book is tailored for readers who crave epic narratives brimming with complexity and gravitas. A taste for dark fantasy or an appreciation for labyrinthine plots will serve you well here; patience is essential to truly savor its depth. Be forewarned,this journey isn't light reading or escapism; it confronts themes that can be both challenging and rewarding for those willing to embrace its formidable scope.

+6
Balance
+6 -0
Score weighted by each hero's level: a recommendation from a level 3 hero counts for 3.
4.0/5
2
Reviews
Ranking among books: #11 Fantasy
Detailed Ratings
Plot 3.5/5
Characters 4.0/5
World-building 4.5/5
Writing Style 2.5/5
Tome
From the editors, by Tome Updated on 13/04/2026

Unleashing the Chaos of an Epic Universe

A sprawling battlefield stained with the echoes of past conquests, where towering warlords command legions and ancient gods loom in ominous silence. Steven Erikson and Ian Esslemont, architects of a vast fantasy cosmos, revel in crafting worlds that teeter on the brink of chaos. Their "Book of the Fallen," originally penned in English, doesn't just invite you to read,it demands you witness.

The Story

The saga unfolds across a realm where empires rise and crumble like sandcastles at high tide. At its heart is the Malazan Empire, caught in an intricate web of magic and political intrigue. Warriors, sorcerers, and thieves dance on the knife edge between survival and doom. The stakes? Nothing less than the fate of entire civilizations. In this gritty narrative tapestry, every shadow hides an unsettling secret, every ally wears a mask.

What Makes This Book Unique

Their writing style isn't for the faint-hearted. It's as dense as it is rich, weaving together multiple plotlines with surgical precision. Themes such as betrayal, sacrifice, and power aren't merely explored,they're dissected under a relentless lens. Unlike your typical fantasy fare, this series carves out its own niche alongside works like George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire," but with a darker twist that leaves no stone unturned.

Who Should Read This

This book is tailored for readers who crave epic narratives brimming with complexity and gravitas. A taste for dark fantasy or an appreciation for labyrinthine plots will serve you well here; patience is essential to truly savor its depth. Be forewarned,this journey isn't light reading or escapism; it confronts themes that can be both challenging and rewarding for those willing to embrace its formidable scope.

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon
Status: Completed
Publication: 1999 - 2014
Country of origin: Canada
Original language: English
Age rating: Mature (18+)
ISBN: 9780765348789
Genres: Fantasy Epic Fantasy Dark Fantasy

Tomes

10
1
Gardens of the Moon
1999 · 672 p. · Bantam UK
2
Deadhouse Gates
2000 · 784 p. · Bantam UK
3
Memories of Ice
2001 · 1120 p. · Bantam UK
4
House of Chains
2002 · 832 p. · Bantam UK
5
Midnight Tides
2004 · 864 p. · Bantam UK
6
The Bonehunters
2006 · 1168 p. · Bantam UK
7
Reaper's Gale
2007 · 992 p. · Bantam UK
8
Toll the Hounds
2008 · 1184 p. · Bantam UK
9
Dust of Dreams
2009 · 1232 p. · Bantam UK
10
The Crippled God
2011 · 1344 p. · Bantam UK

Reviews

K
Translated from French

A Demanding and Almost Intimidating Tale...

Malazan Book of the Fallen is a fantasy saga, veering into dark fantasy, that pulls no punches. The world is vast, the plots are numerous, and the characters are intricate. Some scenes are unforgettable: the desert crossing in Deadhouse Gates is both thrilling and exhausting, while the siege of Capustan in Memories of Ice is a masterclass in tension and chaos.

But let's be real: the narrative is dense, labyrinthine, and sometimes tough to follow. The prose is rich, the narrative arcs proliferate, and it’s easy to get lost amid parallel quests, divine manipulations, and political machinations. Yet that’s precisely what makes it so immersive. Every detail matters; every character has their place, and the human depth beneath battles and magic is astounding.

The complexity even raises the notion of a second reading. Now that you know the story with all its pieces in hand, the idea of revisiting the saga to better grasp its world is tempting... yet also daunting. The narrative density makes this exercise almost as challenging as diving into it for the first time.

In summary, Malazan isn’t an easy read. But for those who embark on this journey, it offers an epic experience that’s intense and profoundly impactful. It's a world where patience pays off, particularly with its unpredictable and grand finale.
Recommends:
+1 The value of a recommendation depends on its author's level.
Overall
Plot
Characters
World-building
Writing Style
48
Bill
Translated from French

A Saga That Fluctuates Between Sublime and Snooze

This sprawling saga is quite perplexing; it feels like different authors penned stories in isolation and then pieced them together as best they could.

I adored some volumes: what a thrill when Karsa Orlong bursts onto the scene! And above all, the epic "flight" of General Coltaine across an entire continent in turmoil is nothing short of breathtaking!

But other volumes? Not so much. There are glaring inconsistencies in the decisions made by supposed "master strategists," and pointless digressions abound... I skipped several chapters of the last book and still didn't miss a beat leading up to the final conclusion...

Lastly, huge thanks to @LaHuss for recommending and lending me the books 😘
Recommends:
+5 The value of a recommendation depends on its author's level.
Overall
Plot
Characters
World-building
Writing Style
39
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