The Crippled God (novel)

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The Crippled God
The Crippled God novel.jpg
Author Steven Erikson
Cover artistSteve Stone [1]
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Series Malazan Book of the Fallen
Genre High fantasy
Publisher Bantam (UK & Canada) & Tor Books (USA)
Publication date
15 February 2011
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages944 (UK Hardcover edition)
ISBN 0-593-04635-8
Preceded by Dust of Dreams  

The Crippled God is the tenth and final volume of Canadian author Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen . [2]

Contents


Development

In a 2014 Q&A with Tor, Erikson says he considers Dust of Dreams and The Crippled God to be two halves of a single, concluding book. [3]

Plot

Immediately following the events of Dust of Dreams, Adjunct Tavore leads the Bonehunters further into the Letherii wastelands.

Critical Reception

The Crippled God debuted at #12 on The New York Times best sellers list. [4]

Bill Capossere described the novel as "the closing chapter of a work that I believe stands as the preeminent fantasy of the past 20 years and belongs high up on the short list of best ever." [5]

The British Fantasy Society praises the novel, describing it as "heroic fantasy that’s been dragged through the mud and kicked a few times [...] and it’s all the better for it." [6]

SFFWorld calls it "action-packed, compelling and full of wonderful scenes for the fans" but is critical of the lack of resolution in some plot threads. [7]

Fantasy Book Review gave it a 10 out of 10, calling it "the perfect finale to one of the greatest literary achievements of the last hundred years." [8]

Related Research Articles

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Steve Rune Lundin, known by his pseudonym Steven Erikson, is a Canadian novelist who was educated and trained as both an archaeologist and anthropologist.

<i>Gardens of the Moon</i> Book One of Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steve Erikson

Gardens of the Moon is the first of ten novels in Canadian author Steven Erikson's high fantasy series the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

<i>Malazan Book of the Fallen</i> Fantasy book series by Steven Erikson

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<i>Dust of Dreams</i> (novel)

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, with The Crippled God forming the second half, and being the tenth and final novel in the series.

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.

<i>Stonewielder</i>

Stonewielder is the third 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. Stonewielder is the third of six novels by Esslemont to take place in the Malazan world.

<i>Orb Sceptre Throne</i>

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.

<i>Blood and Bone</i> (novel)

Blood and Bone is the fifth 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. Blood and Bone is the fifth of six novels in Esslemont’s Novels of the Malazan Empire series.

<i>Assail</i> (novel)

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<i>Forge of Darkness</i>

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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 2019. 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.

<i>Fall of Light</i>

Fall of Light is the second novel in the Kharkanas Trilogy written by Canadian author Steven Erikson. The story is divided into three main plot threads told from major and minor character POVs. The first tells the story of the Tiste race as they struggle to find their place in a society now divided into three factions — Andii, Liosan and Deniers — and which is on the brink of civil war. The second tells the story of the Jaghut who have now declared war against Death itself, and of various groups and races who have answered this call to arms. And the last tells the story of the Azathanai K'rul who has gifted the world sorcery, yet now finds himself vulnerable against his own kin.

<i>Dancers Lament</i>

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.

<i>Toll the Hounds</i> Eighth book of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series

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<i>Deadhouse Landing</i>

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.

<i>The God is Not Willing</i>

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.

<i>Kellanveds Reach</i>

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.

References

  1. Speakman, Shawn (20 October 2010). "Cover: The Crippled God by Steven Erikson". Suvudu.com. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  2. "The Crippled God". Steven Erikson. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  3. "Steven Erikson Answers Your Dust of Dreams Questions!". Tor Books. 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  4. "Paperback Trade Fiction Books - Best Sellers - Books". The New York Times . Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  5. Capossere, Bill (2011). "More Complicated Than Imagined: A Spoiler-Free Review of The Crippled God by Steven Erikson". Tor. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  6. Stevens, Karen (2011). "The Crippled God by Steven Erikson". The British Fantasy Society. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  7. Jones, Owen (2011). "The Crippled God by Steven Erikson". SFFWorld. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  8. Hill, Joshua S (2011). "The Crippled God by Steven Erikson (A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen: Book 10)". Fantasy Book Review. Retrieved 26 July 2022.