Book Review: Night of Knives
- Series: Book #1 of the Novel of the Malazan Empire
- Author: Ian C. Esslemont
- Format: 304 pages Hardcover
- Published: July 24, 2007 by Bantam Press
- ISBN 9780593057810 (ISBN10: 0593057813)
- ASIN 0593057813
- Language: English
This is the story of a night where magic, mazes, worlds, and races collide. The creatures of Shadow go on the hunt, and the island of Malaz is bathed in blood. The narrative follows the struggle for a throne and a prophecy that many don’t want to come true. Hounds, ghosts, storm riders, and pilgrims roam the streets, and old scores are settled.
“Night of Knives”
Yes, this is the same Malazan world I adore. It takes place on a single island that gave its name to the Empire, and on a single, eventful night. The atmosphere is just as dark and bloody, and I found myself completely transported again. Esslemont perfectly complements what Erikson started years ago.
Night of Knives is a dynamic book. The action is fast-paced, and the volume is much shorter than what we are used to as Malazan fans. The story itself can be viewed as background lore. The mystery centers around the Emperor and his chief assassin, both familiar from The Malazan Book of the Fallen. The plot reveals the true aspirations of Kellanved and Dancer. If you want to dive deep into Malazan’s lore, I wouldn’t recommend starting with this book. In the Malazan reading guide, there are multiple suggested reading orders.
The Night of the Moon’s Shadow
This is the night we meet the veteran Temper. He is an interesting character. At first glance, he seems like an old, battle-weary soldier who has found a haven on Malaz Island and awaits retirement. He is seemingly indifferent to the Empire’s affairs and embodies the traits of the Bridgeburners.
The other main character is Kiska, a young girl aspiring to be a spy. Her dream is to leave the island and have her talents recognized. Repeated refusals to grant her a chance push her into the scariest night in generations.
These two characters become central to the most significant night for the Empire and, arguably, the world of Malazan. Through Temper, we learn about past conquests and the pivotal figure of Dassem, who also features prominently in Erikson’s work.
Kiska’s insatiable curiosity to uncover the mystery surrounding an Imperial official exposes us to the larger schemes behind the scenes. For seasoned readers of Erikson’s books, it’s evident that much of the overarching plot stems from that night. But if this is your first foray into the Malazan universe, don’t stop here. This is merely the prologue.
Rating
I don’t believe Esslemont and Erikson should be directly compared. While they both contribute to the epic Malazan world, their writing styles are distinct. Given that this is the first book in A Novel of the Malazan Empire series, I’d rate it 4 stars. I appreciated the revelations about the past, but I wished for more detail. I was particularly eager to learn about the Riders, but their story was left unresolved.
Erikson set a high standard. Nevertheless, the book’s atmosphere was highly satisfying. Esslemont effectively conveyed the dread enveloping the island on that bloody night. The hounds’ howls were palpable, making me shiver in anticipation of their arrival.
I’m excited to continue the series and fill in the gaps of this epic, expansive world.
Drawing on events touched on in the prologue of Steven Erikson’s landmark fantasy Gardens of the Moon: A Malazan Book of the Fallen, Night of Knives is the first in Ian C. Esslemont’s Novels of the Malazn Empire series–a momentous chapter in the unfolding story of the extraordinarily imagined world of Malaz.
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…
