After decades of warfare Malazan forces are now close to consolidating the Quon Talian
mainland. Yet it is at this moment that Emperor Kellanved orders a new campaign far to the
north: the invasion of Falar. Since the main Malazan armies are otherwise engaged in Quon Tali
a collection of orphaned units and broken squads has been brought together under Fist Dujek -
himself recovering from the loss of an arm - to fight this new campaign. A somewhat rag-tag
army joined by a similarly motley fleet under the command of the Emperor himself. There are
however those who harbour doubts regarding the stewardship of Kellanved and his cohort Dancer
and as the Malazan force heads north it encounters an unlooked-for and most unwelcome threat -
unspeakable and born of legend it has woken and will destroy all who stand in its way. Most
appalled by this is Tayschrenn the untested High Mage of the Empire. He is all-too aware of
the true nature of this ancient horror - and his own inadequacy in having to confront it. Yet
confront it he must alongside the most unlikely of allies . . . And then the theocracy of
Falar is itself far from defenceless - its priests are in possession of a weapon so terrifying
it has not been unleashed for centuries. Named the Jhistal it was rumoured to be a gift from
the sea-god Mael. But two can play at that game for the Emperor sails towards Falar aboard his
flagship Twisted - a vessel that is itself thought to be not entirely of this world . . . Here
then in the tracts of the Ice Wastes and among the islands of Falar the Empire of Malaz faces
two seemingly insurmountable tests - each one potentially the origin of its destruction . . .
These are bloody turbulent and treacherous times for all caught up in the forging of the
Malazan Empire.
