Cover of Gardens of the Moon
Cover of Deadhouse Gates
Cover of Memories of Ice
Cover of House of Chains
Cover of Midnight Tides
Cover of The Bonehunters
Series

Malazan Book of the Fallen

10 books

The Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson has 10 books. Start with Gardens of the Moon (1999), then read the rest in the order below.

Malazan Book of the Fallen reading order

1
Cover of Gardens of the Moon

Gardens of the Moon

Steven Erikson

In a vast empire fractured by war and internal strife, the legendary Bridgeburners and the surviving cadre mage of the Second Legion find themselves embroiled in the machinations of Empress Laseen. As the empire's grip tightens, the ancient city of Darujhistan becomes the focal point of a deadly struggle for power. Yet, the ambitions of mortals are not the only forces at play, as ancient gods and shadowy powers begin to stir, preparing to intervene in the fate of the world. This epic tale unfolds with a sweeping scope, weaving together complex characters and a richly detailed world into a compelling narrative of conflict, magic, and destiny.

FantasyEpic FantasyAdventure Fiction
2
Cover of Deadhouse Gates

Deadhouse Gates

Steven Erikson

In the vast dominion of Seven Cities, a prophesied uprising known as the Whirlwind is about to ignite, led by the seer Sha'ik and her devoted followers in the unforgiving Holy Desert Raraku. This unprecedented rebellion—driven by fanaticism and raw brutality—will plunge the Malazan Empire into one of its most devastating conflicts, reshaping the political landscape and forging the legends of those caught in its path. Steven Erikson weaves an epic tale of war, destiny, and the terrible cost of revolution, where the clash between empire and faith will determine the fate of nations. With intricate worldbuilding and complex characters, this installment in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series delivers a sweeping narrative that explores the human cost of ambition and the power of belief. Prepare for a maelstrom of action, intrigue, and transformation that will leave no character—or reader—unchanged.

FantasyEpic FantasyWar Fiction
3
Cover of Memories of Ice

Memories of Ice

Steven Erikson

In the harsh northern reaches of Genabackis, a formidable warrior named Karsa Orlong embarks on a journey that will shape his extraordinary destiny. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the devastating Chain of Dogs, Empress Adjunct Tavore faces the daunting task of forging a raw, untested army into a force capable of confronting the relentless Whirlwind rebellion. As political intrigue and a desperate struggle for survival unfold, the fate of the Seven Cities hangs precariously in the balance. This epic installment delves into themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the brutal realities of war, continuing Erikson's masterful exploration of a vast and complex world.

FantasyEpic FantasyAdventure Fiction
4
Cover of House of Chains

House of Chains

Steven Erikson

In the war-scarred expanses of Northern Genabackis, a brutal tribal raiding party surges from the mountains into the flatlands, setting off a chain of violence that draws empires, gods, and mortals into the same widening conflict. As shifting loyalties and hard-won survival collide, the story follows multiple threads of vengeance and endurance, revealing how power is earned, traded, and sometimes stolen from the very people who think they control it. With Steven Erikson’s signature epic scope and uncompromising character work, the novel explores themes of identity, brutality, and the thin line between freedom and captivity. Blending relentless momentum with startling revelations, it delivers a high-stakes continuation of the Malazan Book of the Fallen that rewards readers who can endure its early turbulence and embrace its vast, interconnected world.

FantasyFictionEpic Fantasy
5
Cover of Midnight Tides

Midnight Tides

Steven Erikson

In a world teetering on the brink of war, the Tiste Edur tribes have achieved a fragile unity under a powerful Warlock King, but this peace is shadowed by a dangerous pact with an unknown entity. Meanwhile, the ambitious kingdom of Lether, poised for a grand renaissance, casts its covetous gaze upon the Tiste Edur's fertile lands, setting the stage for an inevitable clash. As destiny looms, the Tiste Edur face the grim prospect of subjugation, either through overwhelming force or the insidious weight of gold. This installment in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series masterfully weaves together themes of war, betrayal, magic, and myth, delivering an epic narrative that solidifies its place as a fantasy classic.

FantasyEpic FantasyAdventure Fiction
6
Cover of The Bonehunters

The Bonehunters

Steven Erikson

The sixth installment in Steven Erikson's acclaimed Malazan Book of the Fallen series, The Bonehunters follows the battered 14th army under Tavore's command as they are cast adrift by the Malazan Empire and land on a mysterious, hostile continent. Facing their greatest challenge yet, the army must confront the Tiste Edur—a nightmarish empire bound in service to the Crippled God—while navigating treacherous political intrigue and wielding dangerous, unpredictable magic. Erikson delivers a brutal and harrowing tale of warfare and survival that deepens the epic scope of his masterwork, which critics have hailed as the most significant work of epic fantasy in decades. Combining imaginative worldbuilding with visceral storytelling, this novel showcases why the Malazan series has captivated readers and established itself as a benchmark for the genre. A gripping continuation that proves neither Erikson's vision nor the intensity of his saga shows any sign of diminishing.

FantasyEpic FantasyWar Fiction
7
Cover of Reaper's Gale

Reaper's Gale

Steven Erikson

Steven Erikson's epic Malazan Book of the Fallen series continues with Reaper's Gale, a brutal and thrilling installment that plunges readers into a world of war, intrigue, and dark magic. As Tavore's 14th army finds itself stranded on an unknown continent, they face a terrifying new enemy in the Tiste Edur, an empire bound to the will of the Crippled God. This novel explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the devastating consequences of conflict, showcasing Erikson's masterful storytelling and imaginative world-building. Prepare for a harrowing journey where the lines between ally and enemy blur and the fate of empires hangs in the balance.

FantasyEpic FantasyHigh Fantasy
8
Cover of Toll the Hounds

Toll the Hounds

Steven Erikson

In the sweltering city of Darujhistan, where shadows lengthen and dire portents fill the air, a small, unassuming man finds himself at the center of a brewing storm. Assassins stalk the streets, but the hunt has turned, and the hunters are now the prey. As hidden forces manipulate events and ancient crimes stir in distant lands, the ominous baying of Hounds echoes closer. This harrowing novel plunges into a maelstrom of war, intrigue, and uncontrollable magic, continuing an epic saga of imaginative storytelling and thrilling fantasy.

FantasyEpic FantasyAdventure Fiction
9
Cover of Dust of Dreams

Dust of Dreams

Steven Erikson

The final chapter of a monumental epic unfolds as the exiled Malazan army embarks on a perilous march into the eastern Wastelands, their mission shrouded in mystery and their enemy unknown. Across this desolate landscape, diverse factions—from the vengeful Barghast to the embattled White Face clan and the desperate Perish Grey Helms—converge, each facing their own trials and destinies. As ancient races seek unlikely salvation and a forgotten enemy stirs, the Malazan Empire prepares for a last, defiant stand, questioning the nature of heroism and the impact of unseen deeds. With the Deck of Dragons read and a dread power unleashed, the fate of worlds hangs precariously in the balance.

FantasyEpic FantasyAdventure Fiction
10
Cover of The Crippled God

The Crippled God

Steven Erikson

The Bonehunters march toward Kolanse and an uncertain destiny, their exhausted ranks teetering on the edge of mutiny as Adjunct Tavore refuses to yield. Facing impossible odds, Tavore prepares for an audacious final act—a direct challenge to the gods themselves. Arrayed against her are the Fokrul Assail, who wield a catastrophic power to cleanse the world of all civilization and humanity, and the Elder Gods, who seek to break free from their ancient chains and unleash a force of absolute devastation upon the realm. As dragons stir once more in the world, the fate of all existence hangs in the balance, dependent on whether Tavore's fragile alliances can hold and whether one woman's will can stand against the divine. This epic conclusion to the Malazan Book of the Fallen delivers a sweeping convergence of armies, gods, and cosmic forces in a battle that will determine the very future of the world.

FantasyEpic FantasyHigh Fantasy