A review of Steven Erikson's Crack'd Pot Trail

Steven Erikson's Crack'd Pot Trail will be published in late 2009 by PS Publishing.

Steven Erikson

Steven Erikson's writing is an intricate tapestry of history, mythology, and human experience, woven into the fabric of his expansive fantasy worlds. Born in Canada and trained as an archaeologist and anthropologist, his background in these fields lends a rich texture to his novels. His stories are not just escapist adventures—they are philosophical explorations into the nature of conflict, morality, and the intricate societies that shape human lives.

Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen series stands as a towering achievement in epic fantasy. Its labyrinthine plots, vast world-building, and morally complex characters have garnered a loyal following, with each novel revealing new layers of depth. The series kicks off with Gardens of the Moon, a work that redefined the scope of fantasy with its mature themes and unflinching exploration of power, war, and the price of immortality. Recognized with critical acclaim and shortlisted for the World Fantasy Award, this series catapulted Erikson into the pantheon of modern fantasy giants.

Read more ...

Yet Erikson's creative voice is not confined to the Malazan universe. With works like The Kharkanas Trilogy and Willful Child, he proves himself an author who’s never afraid to experiment. The Kharkanas Trilogy explores the ancient origins of his Malazan world, offering a deeper dive into the history of gods and men, while Willful Child showcases his talent for satirical humor, skewering space opera tropes with razor-sharp wit.

At the heart of Erikson's writing is a deep exploration of the human condition. Whether he’s examining the brutalities of war or the fallibility of those in power, his stories don’t offer simple answers—they challenge readers to think, question, and reflect. His characters are often flawed, their journeys laden with sacrifice and loss, making their triumphs all the more hard-earned and meaningful.

Erikson’s work resonates with fans who crave stories that don’t just entertain but also provoke thought. It’s a world where every decision carries weight, where the cost of defiance is often measured in blood. But for all its darkness, Erikson’s writing also glimmers with moments of hope and redemption, making his stories as emotionally rich as they are intellectually challenging.

As he continues to write, Steven Erikson remains an ever-evolving voice in fantasy, proving that the genre is as much a medium for philosophical inquiry as it is for epic battles and world-shattering events. Whether you’re discovering Malazan for the first time or revisiting its pages, Erikson’s narratives offer an experience unlike any other—complex, multifaceted, and unafraid to ask the hard questions.

Crack'd Pot Trail
by Steven Erikson

A novella. Cover and interior art by Dirk Berger.

It is an undeniable truth: give evil a name and everyone's happy. Give it two names and... why, they're even happier.

The intrepid necromancers Bauchelain and Korbal Broach, scourges of civilization, raisers of the dead, reapers of the souls of the living, devourers of hope, betrayers of faith, slayers of the innocent and modest personifications of evil, have a lot to answer for and answer they will. Known as the Nehemoth, they are pursued by countless self-professed defenders of decency, sanity and civilization. After all, since when does evil thrive unchallenged? Well, often: but not this time.

Read more ...

Hot on their heels are the Nehemothanai, avowed hunters of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach. In the company of a gaggle of artists and pilgrims, stalwart Mortal Sword Tulgord Vise, pious Well Knight Arpo Relent, stern Huntsman Steck Marynd, and three of the redoubtable Chanter brothers (and their lone sister) find themselves faced with the cruelest of choices. The legendary Cracked Pot Trail, a stretch of harsh wasteland between the Gates of Nowhere and the Shrine of the Indifferent God, has become a tortured path of deprivation.

Will honour, moral probity and virtue prove champions in the face of brutal necessity? No, of course not. Don't be silly.

Amazon: Check Availability

A REVIEW OF STEVEN ERIKSON'S CRACK'D POT TRAIL

Here's a short review of Crack'd Pot Trail:

I've been a big fan of Steven Erikson's Malazan books for a long time, because they're excellent fantasy books. I've enjoyed them and I've recommended to my friends and colleagues. That's why I couldn't wait to get my hands on this new novella. Because I enjoyed reading the previous novellas, I had to read Crack'd Pot Trail as soon as possible – I began to read it last night after midnight and I finished reading it around 2am.

I won't say anything about the plot of this novella, because I don't want to spoil anybody's reading experience by revealing too many things about the story. I'll focus on other things in this review. In my opinion it's good not to know too much about this novella, because it would spoil the fun of reading it.

I know that some people don't like Steven Erikson's novellas, but I love them. I think that readers who are used to reading big and complicated books don't know how to appreciate novellas and that's a shame, because they don't know what they're missing. These novellas are very entertaining and enjoyable – they're fun to read and the prose is good. In other words, they're quality novellas. In my opinion the adventures of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach are wickedly funny and very entertaining.

When I read this novella I couldn't help but wonder how Steven Erikson can write this kind of entertaining stories. I think he has a good imagination and he knows how to keep his readers happy (he sure knows how to write good stuff and this novella is a great example of his writing skills). The characters were (as always) interesting and the story was fascinating. I liked the way Erikson wrote and moved the plot forward. I hope he continues to write more novellas like this.

I can highly recommend Crack'd Pot Trail to fans of Steven Erikson. If you're a fan of Malazan books and you like Steven Erikson's previous novellas, you should read Crack'd Pot Trail. I'm sure you'll enjoy it very much. By the way, if you haven't read any Malazan books by Steven Erikson, you should read them before you begin to read his novellas (or you should at least read the previous novellas).

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.