Being the second novel in Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, "The Malazan Book of the fallen", this novel follows on where the first novel "Gardens of the Moon" left.
There are several threads of tale happening in parallel
being narrated in this book. The Seven cities is in the brink of rebellion, .
The Malazan Empress Laseen had ordered a cull in nobility, with many nobles being sent
to Otataral mines.
Spoiler Alert...
Felisin Paran of the House of Paran, Baudin
and Heboric are being sent to Otataral mines. Baudin, a talon assassin is sent
by Adjunct Tavore (Felisin’s sister) to
protect Felisin. Felisin doesn’t know and blames her sister for the murder of
their parents.
The seven cities rebellion, known as the whirlwind led by
the prophetess Sha'ik from the Holy Desert of Raraku.
Fist Coltaine, the takes command of Malazan 7th
army against the seven cities rebellion and orders to escort the Malazan
refugees to Aren. He starts the long
journey with refugees and rebel armies tailing him.
Fiddler, Kalam, Crokus, and Apsalar (formerly Sorry),
following the events of Gardens of the Moon, land in one of the seven
cities, to return Apsalar to her village. Kalam makes a contact with one of the
rebels and agrees to delivers Dryjhna’s Holy Book, which will unleash the
rebellion’s Apocalypse, to Sha’ik in Raraku. Kalam is tailed by a Red Blade
captain, Lostara Yil, who kills the Sha’ik
after Kalam leaves.
Meanwhile Felisin, Baudin and Heboric escape from Otataral
mines. Baudin sacrifices his life while saving Felisin. Hood takes Baudin in
flesh? Felisin and Heboric reaches the oasis where Shai’k is murdered. Felisin
opens Dryjhna’s holy book taking the goddess into her body. Felisin becomes the
Shai’k reborn.
Lostara Yil tailing Kalam meets Pearl, mage in Claw. Kalam
plots to kill the empress, but changes his mind, after having an audience with
Empress Laseen. Kalam escapes from a claw onslaught, Shadow throne takes Kalam
and Minala (one whom Kalam rescues) to his new warren - The warren of the Shawdow
What happens next ... is in "Memories of Ice".
