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Author | Ian Cameron Esslemont |
---|---|
Cover artist | Steve Stone |
Language | English |
Series | Novels of the Malazan Empire |
Genre | High fantasy |
Publisher | Bantam Books (UK & Canada) & Tor Books (USA) |
Publication date | 3 July 2014 (UK & Canada), 5 August 2014 (USA) |
Publication place | United Kingdom |
Media type | Print (Hardback) |
Pages | 544 pp (Bantam UK hardcover edition) |
ISBN | 0-593-06448-8 (Bantam UK hardcover edition) |
Preceded by | Blood and Bone |
Assail is the sixth and final volume of the Novels of the Malazan Empire series by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont. The novel is set in the world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen , co-created with Esslemont's friend and colleague Steven Erikson. [1]
In a 2006 interview with sffworld.com, Esslemont already lays the groundwork for Assail. In the interview he discusses how he plans for the series to be five novels in total, where the final volume would cover "the mysteries of the Assail continent". [2] In a 2009 interview with Clarkesworld Magazine, Esslemont states he has a contract "for four more Malazan novels" and he will "finish up by revealing Assail". [3]
As the final volume of the Novels of the Malazan Empire, Assail also takes place after The Malazan Book of the Fallen and serves as an epilogue to both series. The novel takes place on the continent of the same name and continues plot threads that began in Return of the Crimson Guard.
Assail received mostly positive reviews.
Bill Capossere praised its "pace and smooth shifts in POV" and "several vividly exciting set scenes". However, he noted the "repetitive nature of some of the plot" and the "characterization has its ups and downs". Overall, he concluded "the novel’s positives easily outweighed its negatives". [4]
Fantasy Book Review gave it a 9 out of 10, calling it "one of my favourite books of the year". [5]
The Wertzone described it as a "mostly well-written, enjoyable novel" but criticized the lack of resolution by its conclusion. [6] [ unreliable source? ]
Steve Rune Lundin, known by his pseudonym Steven Erikson, is a Canadian novelist who was educated and trained as both an archaeologist and anthropologist.
Gardens of the Moon, published on April 1, 1999, is the first of ten novels in Canadian author Steven Erikson's high fantasy series the Malazan Book of the Fallen.
Malazan Book of the Fallen is a series of epic fantasy novels written by the Canadian author Steven Erikson. The series, published by Bantam Books in the U.K. and Tor Books in the U.S., consists of ten volumes, beginning with Gardens of the Moon (1999) and concluding with The Crippled God (2011). Erikson's series presents the narratives of a large cast of characters spanning thousands of years across multiple continents.
House of Chains is an epic fantasy novel by Canadian author Steven Erikson, the fourth volume of his series the Malazan Book of the Fallen. It is a direct sequel to the second volume in the series, Deadhouse Gates.
The Bonehunters is the sixth volume in Canadian author Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen. The Bonehunters is a direct sequel to the fourth volume, House of Chains, and alludes to events in the fifth, Midnight Tides.
Dust of Dreams is the ninth volume of Canadian author Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen. It is the first book in the series to end on a cliffhanger, dealing with the fallout from Reaper's Gale, and forms the first half of the series finale. The Crippled God forms the second half and is the tenth and final novel in the series.
The Crippled God is the tenth and final volume of Canadian author Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen.
Ian Cameron Esslemont is a Canadian writer. He was trained and has worked as an archaeologist. He is best known for his series Novels of the Malazan Empire, which is set in the same world as the Malazan Book of the Fallen epic fantasy series written by his friend and collaborator, Steven Erikson. Esslemont is the co-creator of the Malazan world.
Night of Knives is the first novel of the Novels of the Malazan Empire series by Canadian author Ian Esslemont, set after the prologue, but before the main body of Gardens of the Moon, the first novel in the Malazan Book of the Fallen.
Return of the Crimson Guard is a fantasy novel by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont, his second book set in the world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, co-created with friend and colleague Steven Erikson. Chronologically, Return of the Crimson Guard takes place after the events in Erikson's sixth Malazan novel, The Bonehunters. Return of the Crimson Guard is the second of six planned novels by Esslemont to take place in the Malazan world, starting with Night of Knives and followed by Stonewielder.
Orb Sceptre Throne is the fourth fantasy novel by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont set in the world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, co-created with Esslemont's friend and colleague Steven Erikson. Orb Sceptre Throne is the fourth of six novels by Esslemont to take place in the Malazan world.
Forge of Darkness is the first novel of The Kharkanas Trilogy by Canadian author Steven Erikson, set before the events of the Malazan Book of the Fallen.
The Kharkanas Trilogy is an epic fantasy series by the Canadian writer Steven Erikson. The series consists of three novels, two of which—Forge of Darkness and Fall of Light—have been published as of 2023. The series serves as a prequel to Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series, and tells the story of the Tiste, Jaghut and Azathanai, three hundred thousand years before the Malazan Empire began its conquest on Genabackis, with a focus on characters such as Anomander Rake, Draconus, Hood, Gothos and K'rul. The series draws inspiration from the Shakespearean declamation style, and is framed as being told by one poet to another. It was received positively by critics as well as readers.
Dancer's Lament is the first novel of the Path to Ascendancy trilogy by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont. Set in the world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Dancer's Lament tells the story of the founding of the Malazan empire.
Toll the Hounds is the eighth novel in Canadian author Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen. It was first published on June 30, 2008 in the UK and Canada, and on September 16, 2008 in the USA.
List of complete works by Canadian fantasy fiction author Steven Erikson.
Deadhouse Landing is the second novel of the Path to Ascendancy trilogy by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont. Set in the world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Deadhouse Landing tells the story of the founding of the Malazan empire.
The God is Not Willing is the first novel of The Witness Trilogy by Canadian author Steven Erikson, set after the events of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. Upon its release, the book was generally praised for its prose, narrative, and worldbuilding.
Kellanved's Reach is the third novel of the Path to Ascendancy series by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont. Set in the world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Kellanved's Reach tells the story of the founding of the Malazan empire.