The God Is Not Willing

The First Tale of Witness

By: Steven Erikson

Narrated by: Emma Gregory

Brought to you by Penguin.

Many years have passed since three Teblor warriors brought carnage and chaos to the small lakeside settlement of Silver Lake. While the town has recovered, the legacy of that past horror remains, even if the Teblor tribes of the north no longer venture into the southlands. One of those three, Karsa Orlong, is now deemed to be a god, albeit an indifferent one. In truth, many new cults and religions have emerged across the Malazan world, including those who worship Coltaine, the Black-Winged God, and - popular among the Empire's soldiery - followers of the cult of Iskar Jarak, Guardian of the Dead.

A legion of Malazan marines is on the march towards Silver Lake, responding to intelligence that indicates the tribes beyond the border are stirring. The marines aren't quite sure what they're going to be facing, but, while the Malazan military has evolved and these are not the marines of old, one thing hasn't changed: they'll handle whatever comes at them. Or die trying.

Meanwhile, in the high mountains, where dwell the tribes of the Teblor, a new warleader has risen. Scarred by the deeds of Karsa Orlong, he intends to confront his god, even if he has to cut a bloody path through the Malazan Empire to do it. Higher in the mountains, a new threat has emerged, and now the Teblor are running out of time.

The long feared invasion is about to begin. And this time it won't be three simple warriors. This time thousands are poised to flood the lands of the south. And in their way, a single legion of Malazan marines....

It seems the past is about to revisit Silver Lake, and that is never a good thing....

©2021 Steven Erikson (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A master of lost and forgotten epochs, a weaver of ancient epics." (salon.com)

"Erikson is an extraordinary writer...treat yourself." (Stephen R. Donaldson)

another great Malazan epic

The narrator elevated this already great story into a 5.5 star work. High quality voices really breathed a lot of life into every moment. And as always Erikson delivers on top notch writing.

An amazing continuation with an amazing narrator

This is probably as good a continuation of the Malazan world as one could hope for. I'm not here to talk about the book as much as the narrator. Emma Gregory is hands down the most talented audiobook narrator I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Her unique voices are unmatched, and her emotional inflection is humbling. I'd be severely disappointed if the rest of the trilogy was not narrated by her. I finished this book some time ago and still think about what a stellar job Emma did.

incredible

Fantastic book and narrator. I really loved Michael Page's narration of books 4-10 but I found myself really enjoying Emma Gregory's performance as well.

wanting more

at first I thought a female narrator was an unbelievable mistake ... by Emma Gregory is brilliant!
I liked this so much I listen to it again straight away ....
eagerly waiting the next ...

Well worth the wait

I have been waiting for this for a long time. so worth it. Good to be back home with some Bridgeburners. Can't wait for the next one!!

Erickson still at his best!

Emma does a fantastic job of bringing another of Erikson‘s fantastic tales, glorious characters and detailed fantasy world of the Malazan empire!

The empire lives!

It was such a pleasure to plunge back into the world of Malazan! Plus, amazing character building by the narrator! <3

Brilliant!

Steven Erikson is the master of this genre. Narration right up there with the best.

Amazing

A return to the deep character driven story weaving fans learned to love in the Book of the Fallen.

excellent narration

I don't review books but when a narrator is as good as Emma Gregory then it is always worth mentioning. fantastic narration hopefully she'll continue in future Malazan books!!