Deadhouse Gates

'One of the best fantasy novels of the year.' SF SITESet in a brilliantly realized world ravaged by war and dark, uncontrollable magic, here is the thrilling, brutal second chapter in Steven Erikson's magnificent The Malazan Book of the Fallen.

The Malazan Empire teeters on the brink . . .

In the Holy Desert Raraku, a seer named Sha'ik gathers an army around her in preparation for a long-prophesied uprising named the Whirlwind. Unprecedented in its size and savagery, this maelstrom will shape destinies and giving birth to legends.In the Otataral mines, a young woman dreams of revenge against the sister who condemned her to a life of slavery. Escape leads Felisin to Raraku, where her soul will be reborn and her future made clear. Events will also overtake the outlawed Bridgeburners, Fiddler and the assassin Kalam. Their intention is to rid the world of the Empress Laseen, but it seems the gods would - as always - have it otherwise.

Into this blighted land come two ancient wanderers who carry with them a devastating secret. And then there is Coltaine, charismatic commander of the Malaz 7th Army, who will lead his war-weary troops in a last, valiant battle to save the lives of thirty thousand refugees, securing an illustrious place in the Empire's chequered history.'This is true myth in the making, a drawing upon fantasy to recreate histories and legends as rich as any found within our culture' INTERZONE'Arguably the best fantasy series ever written.' FANTASY BOOK REVIEW **Cover may vary**