House of Chains (Malazan Book 4)

By Steven Erikson

Book Overview

In Northern Genabackis, just before the events recounted in GARDENS OF THE MOON, a raiding party of savage tribal warriors descends from the mountains into the southern flat lands. Their intention is to wreak havoc among the despised lowlanders, but for the one named Karsa Orlong it marks the beginning of what will prove an extraordinary destiny.

Some years later, it is the aftermath of the Chain of Dogs. Coltaine, revered commander of the Malazan 7th Army is dead. And now Tavore, elder sister of Ganoes Paran and Adjunct to the Empress, has arrived in the last remaining Malazan stronghold of the Seven Cities to take charge. Untested and new to command, she must hone a small army of twelve thousand soldiers, mostly raw recruits, into a viable fighting force and lead them into battle against the massed hordes of Sha'ik's Whirlwind. Her only hope lies in resurrecting the shattered faith of the few remaining survivors from Coltaine's legendary march, veterans one and all.

In distant Raraku, in the heart of the Holy Desert, the seer Sha'ik waits with her rebel army. But waiting is never easy. Her disparate collection of warlords - tribal chiefs, High Mages, a renegade Malazan Fist and his sorceror - is locked in a vicious power struggle that threatens to tear the rebellion apart from within. And Sha'ik herself suffers, haunted by the private knowledge of her nemesis, Tavore...her own sister.

So begins the awesome new chapter in Steven Erikson's MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN - an epic novel of war, intrigue, magic and betrayal from a writer regarded as one of the most original, imaginative and exciting storytellers in fantasy today.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553813137
• ISBN13: 9780553813135
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Bantam Press
• Length: 709 Pages
• Weight: 1.09 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 4.2" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

They just keep getting better

For those of you who have made it this far, you can't turn back now. The story grows more complex and tragic from here on out, but it is some of the best fantasy that I have ever read. The characters are interesting and much of what goes on is just fun to read about. If you are struggling keeping up with who everyone is and what they are about then you are normal, but isn't it so interesting? I am a huge fan of Fantasy and these books are definitely in my top 5 series.

Another excellent book that continues a fantastic series

This book continues the tale where it was left off in the second book and leads us through to the meeting of forces in the holy desert of Raraku. The pace is fast and the characters memorable. Although it can be read as an individual book I would strongly recommend reading the series in the published order:-1) Gardens of the Moon2) Deadhouse Gates3) Memories of Ice4) House of ChainsThe reason (apart from it being one of the best series I have ever read, see the reviews and ratings 4.5-5 stars each!) is that to gain the maximum enjoyment you need to understand the characters which have been built up over the previous 3 books into some of the most memorable I have the pleasure to experience. Fiddler and his love of explosive munitions, which he uses too close to allow his squad to feel comfortable.A number of new characters that played small rolls in the previous books are brought to the fore as we see the interlacing of stories that helps explain some of the previous unexplained questions from previous books but also raises new ones. The best thing is that the story lines are separate but interlaced in a way that actually closes some of your unanswered questions! Unlike some series.I am eagerly awaiting the 5th book, that I will undoubtedly buy as soon as it appears

Strange and excellent .

Fantasy writers tell usually tales about power , quests and the eternal struggle between good and evil .G.R.R Martin is not .S.Erikson is not either .There is a dark poesy in this series that takes you and carries you along .Every character is a world in itself .Let us not be mistaken , there is a lot of action and it IS an epic tale with a huge scope and a highly detailed world .But Erikson somehow succeeds to give to each and every character a unique greatness .There are no flat , mindless characters (like f.ex Goodkind's Rahl who is so stereotypical that it borders on parody) , the people you meet here are like nothing you have ever seen .By any means , read it and have an experience that will make you wanting much more of S.Erikson .