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Forge of Darkness

Epic Fantasy: Kharkanas Trilogy 1

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Forge of Darkness

By: Steven Erikson
Narrated by: Daniel Philpott
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Volume 1 of Forge of Darkness.

Now is the time to tell the story of an ancient realm, a tragic tale that sets the stage for all the tales yet to come and all those already told...

It's a conflicted time in Kurald Galain, the realm of Darkness, where Mother Dark reigns. But this ancient land was once home to many a power... and even death is not quite eternal. The commoners' great hero, Vatha Urusander, is being promoted by his followers to take Mother Dark's hand in marriage, but her Consort, Lord Draconus, stands in the way of such ambitions. The impending clash sends fissures throughout the realm, and as the rumors of civil war burn through the masses, an ancient power emerges from the long dead seas. Caught in the middle of it all are the First Sons of Darkness, Anomander, Andarist, and Silchas Ruin of the Purake Hold...

Steven Erikson entered the pantheon of great fantasy writers with his debut Gardens of the Moon. Now he returns with the first novel in a trilogy that takes place millennia before the events of the Malazan Book of the Fallen and introduces readers to Kurald Galain, the warren of Darkness. It is the epic story of a realm whose fate plays a crucial role in shaping the world of the Malazan Empire.

Forge of Darkness continues with Volume 2.


© Steven Erikson 2012 (P) Penguin Audio 2012

 Epic Fantasy
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Critic reviews

Forge of Darkness is brilliant and far exceeds any and all expectations that readers of 'The Malazan Book of the Fallen' could possibly harbour...I think we all wondered how Erikson could possibly follow up arguably the best fantasy series of all time. Forge of Darkness will dispel any and all doubters (if any do indeed still exist out there) that Steven Erikson is the best writer on the planet.
Forge of Darkness is, quite frankly, remarkable...Erikson should be raised up as a standadrd bearer, representing the best of the best of those books we would love to be more loved - those that are intellctually nutritious as well as artistically delicious.
All stars
Most relevant
I find that I cannot listen to this slow enough to not be distracted by interpreting the form of English used. At times I have found the narrative to have excessive details and leaving me bewildered by what I should be remembering versus that which is just trying to paint a picture. I will persevere with it till the end of this book and see if it becomes clearer.

The English is too Larney

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Fantastic story complemented by excellent narration. Couldn't stop listening and already have the next volume!

As always amazing

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Erikson is the modern Shakespeare of fantasy. The kharkanas trilogy is arguably the greatest of them all, but not anyones favourite. The prose can be challenging but very rewarding. The discourse continuously exquisite. If you make it to the end you will need your wits about you, but you will come through stronger, wiser. Changed.

Hear ye a story of tragic proportion

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Really enjoyed this book as it gives great insight into the origins of the Tiste and others of the original novels but it is a dense complicated story with a lot of philosophical musings and political machinations so not everyone’s cup of tea, that said if you are a fan of the malaz series then this is a must.

Great if your are a fan of the Malazan world

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I love Malazan Book of the Fallen, and had some hopes this book to be of the same quality, however the author has those to tell large parts of the story and lore through thoughts of his characters. This results in it being incredibly hard to keep track of who's rambling thoughts were following and how things are connected with a large plethora of characters through whom we get to try and follow.

At the same time the performance of the audio narration is sub par to the other Malazan books, wich means theres little help at times differenting between characters when theres more in one scene.

Nor impossible to follow and understand, but I lost large parts of the story since at times I couldn't help zoning out and ind during listening.

Hard to enjoy as an audiobook.

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