Night of Knives

Novels of the Malazan Empire, Book 1

By: Ian C. Esslemont

Narrated by: John Banks

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

The small island of Malaz and its city gave the great empire its name, but now it is little more than a sleepy, backwater port. Tonight, however, things are different. Tonight the city is on edge, a hive of hurried, sometimes violent activity; its citizens bustle about, barring doors, shuttering windows, avoiding any stranger's stare. Because tonight there is to be a convergence, the once-in-a-generation appearance of a Shadow Moon - an occasion that threatens the good people of Malaz with demon hounds and other, darker things....

It was also prophesied that this night would witness the return of Emperor Kellanved, and there are those prepared to do anything to prevent this happening. As factions within the greater Empire draw up battle lines over the imperial throne, the Shadow Moon summons a far more ancient and potent presence for an all-out assault upon the island. Witnessing these cataclysmic events are Kiska, a young girl who yearns to flee the constraints of the city, and Temper, a grizzled, battle-weary veteran who seeks simply to escape his past. Each is to play a part in a conflict that will not only determine the fate of Malaz City, but also of the world beyond....

Drawing on events touched on in the prologue of Steven Erikson's landmark fantasy Gardens of the Moon, Night of Knives is a momentous chapter in the unfolding story of the extraordinarily imagined world of Malaz.

©2005 Ian Cameron Esslemont (P)2005 Random House Audiobooks, all rights reserved. Introduction © 2005 by Steven Erikson.

Worth the wait

This book was so worth the wait. As an avid listener of all things Malazan, I was thoroughly entranced through the whole story. To hear how seamlessly the story has been woven into the story I am so familiar with was a real treat. Can't wait to listen to book 2(starting in 5 minutes).

Good Companion Kick starter to Malazan saga

Pretty good initial "companion" story to the world of Malazan not yet explored. I like the idea of Esslemont and Erikson going at this endeavor together; truly makes for epic story telling. Esslemont doesn't disappoint as this is fast paced action and intrigue in a very digestible format (I sometime get worn ragged trying to plow through 700+page books). Not here, well done.

Actually okay

I was afraid of moving to Ian after reading Erickson, but dude is actually a good writer, Banks got all the names right and the move from books of the fallen was not too harsh

Good Story and a great start to the Malazan series

the Narrator did a wonderful job with characters. this is a great bridge between the Kellanved and Dancer Trilogy and the Malazan books.

Action without substance. Difficult to finish.

I was extremely disappointed with this title. I loved the main Malazan series and I was hoping for a similar experience here. It is not. The characters ring hollow and it contains none of the wit or charm that made the original Malazan series so great. Even at less than 10 hours long it was a struggle to finish.

The book does get slightly better towards the end but in my opinion it still ranks dead last in the Malazan series. Hopefully book two will be better.

Gripping

Another great entry into the malazan world I've come to adore. What a treat to have both these writers creating such a grand fantasy for us. many thanks

solid...

it was nice to get a little backstory into the old empire. Dancer, Kellenved, and Dassam.

fantastic

great story and characters, gripping details and great job of John Banks on the telling of this story

So close to being a good book but sadly hollow

Just enough relationship and context to stick together scenes of violence, without the satisfaction of knowing WHY anybody was acting. The writing itself is fairly well executed but this book lacks clarity of motivation, depth, and much in the way of connection, leaving me feeling frustrated.

The world building would be good with some context. Like his characters, who largely lack empathy, the author has too little for his reader. Action unfolds like a video game without grounding in the things that provide humanity and meaning. People are injured seriously and get up to fight again with little consequence. Without grounding in meaning the magic elements take on a flimsy aspect that detracts as much as it would otherwise contribute. Immature.

Such a treat 4 a Malazan tooth

I can't begin to describe just how perfect Erickson's Malazan Book of the Fallen scratched that itch I've been trying to get at for the last year,book after book after trilogy after bleh & finally the jewel MBOF went thru my ears and WOW! All while knowing I have this beautiful series in my library just waiting for me to finish the Crippled God.. Yessss! More Malazan & from another great writer who helped to dream up this amazing world. All I can say is Thank You!