Steven Erikson’sMalazan Book of the Fallenis one of the most sprawling fantasy sagas ever written. The plot unfolds over thousands of years, documenting the expansive and turbulent history of the Malazan Empire through the perspectives of a vast cast of rich characters.
As you can probably tell, theMalazanseries has a gigantic scope, making it tricky for new readers to know which book to read first. Fortunately, the saga is broken into five sub-series, making it slightly easier to decipher where each book falls on the timeline.
Malazan Book of the Fallen release order
Malazan Book of the Fallenchronicles the triumphs and tribulations of the titular empire, following the deeply interwoven tales of those caught in the vicious cycle of violent expansion and near-disastrous decline that defines Malazan’s history. The primaryMalazanseries includes twenty books and six novellas collected into two anthologies.
What is the definitive Malazan reading order?
I don’t think there’s any reason not to read theMalazanbooks in the official reading order. SomeMalazanfans argue that new readers should read the books in theMalazan Books of the Fallenset first, as they tell what could be considered the “main” story of the series. Others argue that you should read the book chronologically, which gives you a clear picture of how the Malazan Empire and the world around it came to be.
As aMalazanfan, I’d recommend sticking with the publication order. While you won’t know all the details about some of the characters who pop up for a while, reading the books in the order they were released gives you the clearest picture of the three major plotlines that tie the series together. Once you get to later books, you’ll receive new information about certain characters that will reframe their role in the series in fun and unexpected ways.
If you want to follow the tales of the Malazan Empire as they happened, here’s the chronological order of theMalazanseries.
Where to purchase the Malazan books
Malazon Book of the Fallenis fairly popular, and most book retailers have the whole series in stock.
Amazonhas the whole series for a reasonable price, but you’ll still need to part with over $100 dollars if you want to read the entire series.
Barnes and NobleandBooks a Millionalso carry the series, albeit for a slightly higher price. Personally, I’d rather support a walk-in bookstore, but at the end of the day, it’s up to you.
