Night of Knives Audiobook By Ian C. Esslemont cover art

Night of Knives

Novels of the Malazan Empire, Book 1

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Night of Knives

By: Ian C. Esslemont
Narrated by: John Banks
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About this listen

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....

Drawing on events touched on in the prologue of Steven Erikson's landmark fantasy Gardens of the Moon, Night of Knives is a momentous chapter in the unfolding story of the extraordinarily imagined world of Malaz.

©2005 Ian Cameron Esslemont (P)2005 Random House Audiobooks, all rights reserved. Introduction © 2005 by Steven Erikson.
Action & Adventure Epic Fantasy Military
Masterful Storytelling • Immersive Worldbuilding • Gripping Narration • Important Context • Expertly Paced
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I read Steven Erikson’s world and I was so happy to know that Ian Esslemont would be writing of the that world too. I happily picked this book up only to realize it was 4th in the chronological order of Malazan Empire and I enjoyed it immensely and totally recommend it.

Love the Malazan World

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I’ve heard bad things about this book so after finishing the Book of the Fallen I came here with low expectations. I enjoyed it but it’s short and not on the same level as the main series

Not too bad

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the Narrator did a wonderful job with characters. this is a great bridge between the Kellanved and Dancer Trilogy and the Malazan books.

Good Story and a great start to the Malazan series

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I keep trying to listen to his books but they continue to make me not want to.

Hard to keep track of what is going on.

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This book is a good entry point in the Malazan World, it has a horror vibe and 2 POV characters

Entry point in the Malazan World

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This book was so worth the wait. As an avid listener of all things Malazan, I was thoroughly entranced through the whole story. To hear how seamlessly the story has been woven into the story I am so familiar with was a real treat. Can't wait to listen to book 2(starting in 5 minutes).

Worth the wait

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Ggguuuuhhhhh fuuuuhhhhh theghdhduuhhhhhhhfuuuuuuuhhhhh soooo goooooodddddddd xjnn djjjfb jdkdk wijwiwisj a. A. A. A. A. PLUS BOOK

Aaggghhh

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excellent! performance was fantastic! the story though was incredible! Highly recommended! Beautiful and magical! thanks

awesome

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it was nice to get a little backstory into the old empire. Dancer, Kellenved, and Dassam.

solid...

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Another great entry into the malazan world I've come to adore. What a treat to have both these writers creating such a grand fantasy for us. many thanks

Gripping

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