2008-09-05 A great prequel to the Malazan series.

This is the very first of Esslemont's prequel Malazan novels, and here is a bi of the story.

This story tells how Kellanved and Dancer came about becoming the rulers of house Shadow and how Surly usurped Kellanved to become the ruler of the Malazan Empire, there are some other great characters with different stories, my favourite is Temper who served as a bodyguard to Daseem during the nemours they fought together we also have Kiska, a young woman with dreams of becoming a Claw and mage.

All of these characters find themselves pitted against each other on the night of shadows, a night where the realm of shadow is let loose on the people in Malaz City, anyone caught outside faces certain death from other worldly forces or from the assassins of the Claw who will try anything to stop Kellanved and Dancer from ascending to the throne of shadows.

I really enjoyed this book, it is well written and has a great story, however it just doesn't have the skill and writing style that Erikson's books have, but this book are still well worth reading and will be an able prequel in the Malazan series.

I hope this review was of some help to you.