If you are a fan of the fantasy genre and love reading books, you most certainly would have heard of Steven Erikson and his Malazan Book of the Fallen series. It is considered one of the best epic fantasy series, and in this article, you’ll find the best Malazan reading order to get started with the books!
With over 30 books in the series, including the ten novels in the main series, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start and in what order to read them.
Fortunately, several suggested reading orders are available, each with advantages and disadvantages. Some readers prefer to read the books in the order they were published, while others prefer to read them in chronological order. There are also hybrid reading orders that combine elements of both approaches, but the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference!
Since the Malazan Book of the Fallen is an epic fantasy series, I recommend following the publication order and reading all the books from one series before focusing on the other.
In this article, we will explore the different Malazan reading orders so you can decide which reading order is correct for you. If you are a first-time reader, this guide will help you discover the best way to experience this epic fantasy masterpiece.
What is the Malazan Book of the Fallen Series About?
The Malazan Book of the Fallen is an epic fantasy series written by Steven Erikson. Ian C. Esslemont has also authored several books in the series, contributing to its ever-growing popularity, but Steven Erikson started it all.
Like the Cosmere books by Brandon Sanderson, this series is set in a sprawling world filled with magic, gods, and mythical creatures! The story follows a large cast of characters and spans across multiple continents.
As the series is known for its complex plotlines, intricate world-building, and philosophical themes, you need to pay close attention to all the details as it would enrich your reading experience,
One of the unique aspects of the Malazan Book of the Fallen is that it doesn’t follow a traditional linear narrative. Instead, Erikson employs a nonlinear storytelling technique that jumps back and forth in time. This can be confusing at first, but it adds to the story’s richness and depth.
The series deals with themes such as war, power, and morality. It’s a dark, gritty series that doesn’t shy away from violence or difficult subject matter. However, it also explores the human condition and the nature of existence.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen may be a challenging series to read, but it’s also rewarding and will keep you engaged from start to finish.
Malazan Reading Order By Publication:
This is the best order to read the Malazan Book of the Fallen series as it not only guides you to read the books in the order they were released but also separates them out by series.
This way, you can read all the books in one series before starting books in the other series set in the same world.
1. Malazan Book of the Fallen Series:
If you’re new to the Malazan series, the best place to start is with Steven Erikson’s core series. However, if you don’t want to read all the books connected to this series and only want to read the main series, that’s perfectly fine, too.
This original series consists of ten books listed below in the recommended reading order, and they tie up the core story quite nicely.
- Gardens of the Moon (1999)
- Deadhouse Gates (2000)
- Memories of Ice (2001)
- House of Chains (2002)
- Midnight Tides (2004)
- The Bonehunters (2006)
- Reaper’s Gale (2007)
- Toll the Hounds (2008)
- Dust of Dreams (2009)
- The Crippled God (2011)
The core series of Malazan Book of the Fallen is an epic journey that will take you through multiple continents, introduce you to many characters, and provide a rich and complex story that will keep you engaged from start to finish.
2. Novels of the Malazan Empire:
If you’re done with the core series and want to explore the world of Malazan a bit further, there are a few essential novels and novellas that you shouldn’t miss.
Ian C. Esslemont wrote these books, and the events in these books are chronologically aligned with the main Malazan Book of the Fallen series. They will give you a solid foundation for understanding the complex world and characters that Steven Erikson has created.
Since the books are chronologically aligned with the main series, some people recommend reading the two series in tandem. But how you read the books is up to you!
- Night of Knives (2004)
- Return of the Crimson Guard (2008)
- Stonewielder (2010)
- Orb Sceptre Throne (2012)
- Blood and Bone (2012)
- Assail (2014)
These novels and novellas are essential for anyone looking to explore the world of Malazan. If you liked the core series, you would definitely love these books, too, as they provide more detailed explanations of the events in the core series.
3. The Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach Series:
If you’re looking for a break from the main series, the Bauchelain and Korbal Broach novellas are a great place to start.
Steven Erikson wrote these darkly comic novellas, which follow the adventures of the titular necromancers and their long-suffering manservant, Emancipor Reese.
There are seven novellas in total, and they take place in the same universe as the Malazan Book of the Fallen and the Novels of the Malazan Empire. Bauchelain, Broach, and Reese briefly appear in Memories of Ice, but their story is mostly contained within these novellas.
Here is the complete list of the Bauchelain and Korbal Broach novellas:
- Blood Follows (2002)
- The Healthy Dead (2004)
- The Lees of Laughter’s End (2007)
- Crack’d Pot Trail (2009)
- The Wurms of Blearmouth (2012)
- The Fiends of Nightmaria (2016)
- Upon a Dark of Evil Overlords (2020)
4. The Kharkanas Trilogy:
The Kharkanas Trilogy is a prequel series to the Malazan Book of the Fallen. It consists of three novels written by Steven Erikson.
The trilogy is set a thousand years before the main series and tells the story of the Tiste and their tragic history, which led to the fracture of their race. The books delve into the events often hinted at in the core series, and several characters from the core series appear in this prequel series!
- Forge of Darkness (2012)
- Fall of Light (2016)
- Walk in Shadow (TBA)
The Kharkanas Trilogy may be a prequel to the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, but it is recommended that you read the main series before reading the prequels.
5. Path to Ascendancy Series:
If you want to read about the events leading to the foundation of the Malazan Empire, you should check out the Path to Ascendancy series.
This six-volume epic fantasy series, written by Ian C. Esslemont, serves as a prequel to Esslemont’s six-volume Novels of the Malazan Empire series and Erikson’s ten-volume Malazan Book of the Fallen series.
Here are the books in the Path to Ascendancy series:
- Dancer’s Lament (2016)
- Deadhouse Landing (2017)
- Kellanved’s Reach (2019)
- Forge of the High Mage (2023)
- Untitled Book 5 (TBA)
- Untitled Book 6 (TBA)
The series is set decades before the Malazan Book of the Fallen series and starts with the events leading to the foundation of the Malazan Empire and is expected to conclude in the time period just before the events of Gardens of the Moon, the first book in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series.
In this prequel series, you’ll learn more about the origins of the Malazan Empire, which was founded by Dancer, the skilled assassin, and the mage Kellanved.
6. The Witness Trilogy:
If you’re a fan of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, you’ll want to check out The Witness Trilogy. This three-volume epic fantasy series serves as a sequel to the Malazan Book of the Fallen and takes place about ten years after The Crippled God, the last book in the main series.
The series features Karsa Orlong and his legacy. Unlike the main Malazan series, Erikson says the trilogy “will be one giant novel in three volumes.”
Here is the complete list of books in the Witness Trilogy:
- The God is Not Willing (2021)
- No Life Forsaken (TBA)
- Untitled Book 3 (TBA)
If you’re looking to read The Witness Trilogy, you should first read the Malazan Book of the Fallen. The published order is the best for reading this series for the first time.
Also Read:
Throne of Glass Reading Order
Malazan Reading Order Considerations:
There are a few considerations to keep in mind when reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. In this section, we’ll explore some factors you should consider when deciding on a reading order.
Publication Order vs Chronological Order
The Malazan Book of the Fallen series consists of ten books, each with its own self-contained story but with overarching plotlines that span the entire series.
One of the main considerations when deciding on a reading order is whether to read the books in publication order or chronological order.
Publication order is the order in which the books were released, and it’s the order that the author, Steven Erikson, recommends. Reading the books in publication order allows you to experience the story as originally intended, with all the twists, turns, and surprises that Erikson intended.
Chronological order, however, is the order in which events occur within the story. This can be an interesting way to experience the series, as it shows how events unfold in a more linear fashion.
However, reading the books in chronological order can spoil some of Erikson’s intended surprises and plot twists.
It is my personal recommendation that you read the series in publication order, specifically in the order that I have mentioned above!
But if you have already read all the books in the Malazan series and are looking to reread them, you should definitely consider reading them in chronological order.
How to Read Malazan Books of the Fallen in Chronological Order?
This Malazan reading order may not be the best for those reading the series for the first time, but it is perfect for those who have already read the books and are planning on re-visiting the world of Malazan again!
With this reading order, you will experience the events as they happen on the timeline. This means that books that were released later might appear earlier on the list. That’s why this reading order is recommended for those who are doing a second read, as they are already familiar with the story and won’t be fazed by the spoilers.
So, here’s the chronological order to read the Malazan series:
- Forge of Darkness
- Fall of Light
- Walk in Shadow (TBA)
- Dancer’s Lament
- Deadhouse Landing
- Kellanved’s Reach
- Forge of the High Mage
- Night of Knives
- Gardens of the Moon
- Midnight Tides (Events happen parallel to/slightly before Gardens of the Moon)
- Deadhouse Gates
- Blood Follows (Novella)
- The Lees of Laughter’s End (Novella)
- The Wurms of Blearmouth (Novella)
- Memories of Ice
- House of Chains
- The Healthy Dead (Novella)
- The Bonehunters
- Reaper’s Gale
- Crack’d Pot Trail (Novella)
- The Fiends of Nightmaria (Novella)
- Upon a Dark of Evil Overlords (Novella)
- Return of the Crimson Guard
- Toll the Hounds
- Stonewielder
- Dust of Dreams
- Orb Sceptre Throne
- The Crippled God
- Blood and Bone
- Assail
- The God is Not Willing
- No Life Forsaken (TBA)
- Untitled Third Witness Trilogy Book (TBA)
Conclusion
That brings us to the end of the article, and I hope that you now have a good understanding of the different reading orders for the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. Whether you choose to read the books in the published order or the chronological order, make sure you enjoy the journey.
Remember, the Malazan Book of the Fallen is a complex and challenging series but also one of the most rewarding. Take your time, savor the characters, and immerse yourself in the world of Malazan. And make sure you share this Malazan reading order with your friends, too, so they can enjoy Steven Erikson’s epic fantasy world!
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