Novels of the Malazan Empire Reading Order#
| # |
Title |
Year |
Buy on Amazon |
| 1 |
Night of Knives |
2005 |
Buy |
| 2 |
Return of the Crimson Guard |
2008 |
Buy |
| 3 |
Stonewielder |
2010 |
Buy |
| 4 |
Orb, Sceptre, Throne |
2012 |
Buy |
| 5 |
Blood and Bone |
2014 |
Buy |
| 6 |
Assail |
2014 |
Buy |
Ian C. Esslemont, born in 1962, is a Canadian author and physician who co-created the Malazan world with Steven Erikson. The two met in Winnipeg in 1986, bonding over shared interests in anthropology, history, and roleplaying games. They spent hundreds of hours developing a detailed world with religions, cultures, magic systems, and a thousand-year history.
While Erikson wrote the core Malazan Book of the Fallen series, Esslemont began publishing his Novels of the Malazan Empire series in 2005 with Night of Knives. The books focus on different aspects of the Malazan world, often expanding on characters and locations mentioned in Erikson’s work. Night of Knives is a prequel set during a critical moment in the empire’s history. Return of the Crimson Guard returns to a mercenary company introduced in Gardens of the Moon. Other novels explore the edges of the empire, the aftermath of wars, and characters caught between gods and empires.
Esslemont brings a physician’s attention to detail and consequences. His books examine bureaucracy, colonial administration, and the personal costs of empire. Readers who enjoy Erikson’s world but want more detail or different perspectives find Esslemont’s novels rewarding. Together, Erikson and Esslemont created a fantasy world rivaling in scope and depth anything in the genre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ian C. Esslemont?
Ian C. Esslemont (born 1962) is a Canadian author who co-created the Malazan world with Steven Erikson. The two met in Winnipeg in 1986 and spent years playing in the setting through roleplaying games. Esslemont writes the Novels of the Malazan Empire series, which expands on events and characters hinted at in Erikson’s books.
Should I read Esslemont's books before finishing Erikson's?
No. Read Steven Erikson’s ten-book Malazan Book of the Fallen series first. Esslemont’s Novels of the Malazan Empire expand the world but aren’t required for understanding the main story. After finishing The Crippled God, you can explore Esslemont’s books for a deeper look at the Malazan universe.
Are Esslemont's books canon?
Yes, completely. Erikson and Esslemont together planned the Malazan world’s history, characters, and overarching plot. Their works are equally canonical. In fact, Esslemont often publishes first in some continuations of shared storylines.
How do Esslemont's books connect to Erikson's?
Night of Knives is a prequel set decades before the main series, showing the Malazan Empire during a key transition. Return of the Crimson Guard continues plot threads from Gardens of the Moon. Stonewielder, Orb, Sceptre, Throne, and Assail fill in other corners of the world. Together with Erikson’s books, they form a complete picture of the Malazan timeline.
How many Malazan books has Esslemont written?
Six novels in the Novels of the Malazan Empire series: Night of Knives, Return of the Crimson Guard, Stonewielder, Orb, Sceptre, Throne, Blood and Bone, and Assail. The series is ongoing. He also co-authored several prequel works with Erikson set in the Path to Ascendancy era.