The enthralling, exciting fifth chapter – a narrative full of adventure, blood and magic – in Ian C. Esslemont's acclaimed epic fantasy sequence 'Paths to Ascendancy' that takes readers back to the turbulent and troubled early history of what would become the Malazan Empire.
The Seven Holy Cities were founded by an ancient and proud race in a time and an age lost to memory. They have endured so long they have given their name to the entire region.
For many centuries they warred openly among themselves, each certain of its claim to the title of primary city, the First of the Holies. After much bloodshed and destruction they finally settled into a custom of resolving their disputes by duels of City Champions.
Time and again foreign armies have invaded and attempted to conquer them but none have ever succeeded. Now, new foreign invaders have appeared from the south. They have established a small foothold in the far east. Yet none are concerned for soon enough one city or another will trouble itself to assemble an army and sweep these Malazans into the sea.
Witnessing the arrival of these foreigners is a youth, native born but not entirely native; his mother a stranded sailor of these invaders. Impressed as he is by the might of these foreigners, he has also befriended a penniless wandering Priestess and agreed to serve as her disciple.
We follow the travels of this youth as war engulfs the lands and cities fall to the invaders. Chameleon-like, the youth shifts between worlds and cultures; at one time training under a legendary soldier of the invaders; at another time serving a foreign scholar on a mysterious expedition deep into the Odhan deserts. But it is to the Priestess that he gave his heart and to whom he always returns to help her in her lifelong search for a profound secret of the land. A secret some say best kept hidden deep beneath the sands that swallowed it.
As to these invaders, the Seven are not troubled, for do they not have their Champions? Yet these Malazans advance like a relentless tide – and they have brought their own Champion...
So begins another tale of war, intrigue, betrayal, magic and empires, set within the fully-realized world of Malaz.
The series
Path to Ascendancy is an unflinching journey into the depths of the Malazan Empire, exploring the rise of one of its most pivotal figures—Empress Laseen. Set against the backdrop of a fractured empire, this prequel series invites readers into a world where power is not simply inherited, but forged through blood, betrayal, and ambition.
Read full series description
In these gripping novels, Esslemont delves into the complex webs of politics and warfare that shape the empire, bringing to life the characters who will come to define its future. Through the eyes of rising generals, spies, and schemers, readers witness the brutal machinations that pave the way for the empire's ultimate ascension—and its eventual unraveling.
What makes Path to Ascendancy so compelling is its blend of intimate character studies with epic world-building. Esslemont doesn’t just tell the story of the Malazan Empire’s foundations; he unearths the hidden struggles, the alliances built on fragile trust, and the ever-present threat of betrayal that saturates every corner of this brutal world. The series offers a deeper understanding of the political dynamics at play, shedding light on the ruthless minds behind the empire's rise, while also exploring the often-flawed human beings caught in the gears of power.
Esslemont’s writing captures the stark complexity of life in an empire where loyalty is tenuous, where wars rage on distant shores, and where the future is never guaranteed. Each book adds another layer to the grand Malazan mythos, delving into the origins of key factions, characters, and pivotal events that will resonate across the broader Malazan saga.
In Path to Ascendancy, Esslemont invites readers to experience a world of turmoil and ambition, where no one is safe from the deadly politics that swirl around the throne. Fans of the Malazan series and newcomers alike will be drawn to the dark, enthralling tale of power and ascendancy that will leave them questioning: at what cost does greatness come?
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