mort
4 Followers
3.0
3.5/5 stars
Aug 13, 2025
3.0
3.5/5 stars
Aug 13, 2025
About the book
The fourth book in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, the exhilarating fantasy series of epic proportions.
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.
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.
Editions (3)
ISBN9780553813135
PublisherPenguin
Publication Date09/01/03
Pages1040
FormatPaperback
LanguageEnglish
Price13.00 €
Reviews & Ratings
20 ratings
6 reviews
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itsqueue1 Followers
4.0House of Chains is not my favourite of the four Books of Malazan Book of the Fallen I have read yet. But I am not as critical of it as other reviewers have. One character that is highly discussed, Karsa Orlong, has been a favourite of mine from the very beginning of the book (even if he is not the best person) and his transformation throughout the book, I would even dare call it enlightenment, was a joy to behold. I particularly liked the insight into both sides of Rarakus deciding duel: Tavore vs. Shaikh. Although the decisive battle was a bit lackluster when compared with some similar battles in previous installments, the intrigue and backstabbing of the Whirlwind camp was nothing but spectacular. What I adore this book for is trekking a path that has been trekked before. Rarakus ghosts wandering beside those who wander to the concentration of power, of fates. The Chain of Dogs, Coltaine, The Bridgeburners. In some way all play a part in the battle for the fate of Raraku. But this book is also where said battle ends. The fate of the Seven Cities decided. Yes, I love House of Chains, but do I like it more than Eriksons previous work? I honestly cannot quite say. I just felt that something was missing and some conclusions were either rushed or somehow amiss. Kalam, Crokus & Apsalar, to a lesser extend Lostara Yil & Pearl, were all somewhat present, but no quite at the same time, which leaves a bit of a sour taste behind. I give House of Chains a tentative 4,0/5 and maybe one day, if or when I reread Malazan, I will see it in a different light.
Apr 30, 2025
4.0House of Chains is not my favourite of the four Books of Malazan Book of the Fallen I have read yet. But I am not as critical of it as other reviewers have. One character that is highly discussed, Karsa Orlong, has been a favourite of mine from the very beginning of the book (even if he is not the best person) and his transformation throughout the book, I would even dare call it enlightenment, was a joy to behold. I particularly liked the insight into both sides of Rarakus deciding duel: Tavore vs. Shaikh. Although the decisive battle was a bit lackluster when compared with some similar battles in previous installments, the intrigue and backstabbing of the Whirlwind camp was nothing but spectacular. What I adore this book for is trekking a path that has been trekked before. Rarakus ghosts wandering beside those who wander to the concentration of power, of fates. The Chain of Dogs, Coltaine, The Bridgeburners. In some way all play a part in the battle for the fate of Raraku. But this book is also where said battle ends. The fate of the Seven Cities decided. Yes, I love House of Chains, but do I like it more than Eriksons previous work? I honestly cannot quite say. I just felt that something was missing and some conclusions were either rushed or somehow amiss. Kalam, Crokus & Apsalar, to a lesser extend Lostara Yil & Pearl, were all somewhat present, but no quite at the same time, which leaves a bit of a sour taste behind. I give House of Chains a tentative 4,0/5 and maybe one day, if or when I reread Malazan, I will see it in a different light.
Apr 30, 2025
unexist1 Followers
5.0I cannot say for sure how many times I read this whole series or how many books I read between the last time and now, but nevertheless it never ceases to amaze me. So many different plots, so many different tales, just for the overall picture and the game of the gods.
Aug 13, 2023
5.0I cannot say for sure how many times I read this whole series or how many books I read between the last time and now, but nevertheless it never ceases to amaze me. So many different plots, so many different tales, just for the overall picture and the game of the gods.
Aug 13, 2023
3 of 6 reviews
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