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Enter the Malazan universe

Enter the epicand everything around it.

The Book of the Fallen opens into parallel imperial campaigns, the empire’s founding, ancient Tiste tragedy and a new post-war age of Witness.

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Universe orientation

The Fallen are one history inside a much older world.

The quick answer

Start with Gardens of the Moon and commit to the ten-book main sequence before branching into Kharkanas, Path to Ascendancy or Esslemont’s companion novels.

Switch to release order or use Starter Mode for a shorter route.

Universe explored

The Malazan universe, story by story

Every mapped story, with adaptations and editions grouped together.

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Story chronology · Full mapped list

The list follows in-universe chronology. Era and continuity remain visible on each record.

Showing 24 of 24 released stories.

  1. BookCanon

    Gardens of the Moon

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    The first novel and the only sensible entry point to the ten-book main sequence.

    Story eraMain sequenceContinuityMalazan Book of the FallenIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release1999
  2. BookCanon

    Deadhouse Gates

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    Expands the world with a new setting and overlapping cast.

    Story eraMain sequenceContinuityMalazan Book of the FallenIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2000
  3. BookCanon

    Memories of Ice

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    Returns to the first novel’s central theatre with major continuity payoffs.

    Story eraMain sequenceContinuityMalazan Book of the FallenIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2001
  4. BookCanon

    House of Chains

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    The fourth main novel, best read after Memories of Ice.

    Story eraMain sequenceContinuityMalazan Book of the FallenIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2002
  5. BookCanon

    Midnight Tides

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    A major cast and geography shift that becomes essential later.

    Story eraMain sequenceContinuityMalazan Book of the FallenIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2004
  6. BookCanon

    The Bonehunters

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    Reconnects the series’ expanding military and divine threads.

    Story eraMain sequenceContinuityMalazan Book of the FallenIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2006
  7. BookCanon

    Reaper’s Gale

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    Continue after The Bonehunters.

    Story eraMain sequenceContinuityMalazan Book of the FallenIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2007
  8. BookCanon

    Toll the Hounds

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    A slower, emotionally concentrated return to Darujhistan.

    Story eraMain sequenceContinuityMalazan Book of the FallenIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2008
  9. BookCanon

    Dust of Dreams

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    The penultimate main novel.

    Story eraMain sequenceContinuityMalazan Book of the FallenIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2009
  10. BookCanon

    The Crippled God

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    Completes Steven Erikson’s ten-volume main arc.

    Story eraMain sequenceContinuityMalazan Book of the FallenIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2011
  11. BookCanon

    Night of Knives

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    Esslemont’s first Malazan novel revisits the Shadow Moon and the night the old emperor returns.

    Story eraEmpire novelsContinuityNovels of the Malazan EmpireIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2004
  12. BookCanon

    Return of the Crimson Guard

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    The Crimson Guard returns as the empire reels from war, rebellion and a contested throne.

    Story eraEmpire novelsContinuityNovels of the Malazan EmpireIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2008
  13. BookCanon

    Stonewielder

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    Greymane’s campaign on Korel expands events unfolding beside the Book of the Fallen.

    Story eraEmpire novelsContinuityNovels of the Malazan EmpireIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2010
  14. BookCanon

    Orb Sceptre Throne

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    Darujhistan and the Seguleh return in a companion novel that follows Toll the Hounds.

    Story eraEmpire novelsContinuityNovels of the Malazan EmpireIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2012
  15. BookCanon

    Blood and Bone

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    The Crimson Guard enters Jacuruku while several long-running powers converge there.

    Story eraEmpire novelsContinuityNovels of the Malazan EmpireIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2012
  16. BookCanon

    Assail

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    Esslemont’s six-book Empire sequence closes on the legendary and dangerous continent of Assail.

    Story eraEmpire novelsContinuityNovels of the Malazan EmpireIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2014
  17. BookCanon

    Forge of Darkness

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    A deep-prehistory tragedy about Mother Dark, Draconus and the Tiste before familiar Malazan divisions took shape.

    Story eraKharkanasContinuityKharkanas trilogyIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2012
  18. BookCanon

    Fall of Light

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    Civil war spreads through Kurald Galain in the second published Kharkanas novel.

    Story eraKharkanasContinuityKharkanas trilogyIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2016
  19. BookCanon

    Dancer’s Lament

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    The origin of Dancer and Kellanved’s partnership begins long before the Malazan Empire.

    Story eraPath to AscendancyContinuityPath to AscendancyIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2016
  20. BookCanon

    Deadhouse Landing

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    The future empire’s founders reach Malaz Island and take another step toward power.

    Story eraPath to AscendancyContinuityPath to AscendancyIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2017
  21. BookCanon

    Kellanved’s Reach

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    The first Path to Ascendancy movement culminates as Kellanved’s ambitions widen.

    Story eraPath to AscendancyContinuityPath to AscendancyIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2019
  22. BookCanon

    Forge of the High Mage

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    The empire consolidates while Tayschrenn faces a threat during the invasion of Falar.

    Story eraPath to AscendancyContinuityPath to AscendancyIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2023
  23. BookLegacy continuity

    The God Is Not Willing

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsLegacy continuityListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsLegacy continuity

    Years after the Book of the Fallen, a company of marines confronts the legacy of Karsa Orlong.

    Story eraWitnessContinuityTales of WitnessIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2021
  24. BookCanon

    No Life Forsaken

    ReadBook / comicSearch Open Library — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanonListenAudiobook / audioSearch Audible — edition not verified · Opens search resultsCanon

    The Witness sequence continues amid rebellion, exhausted legions and a newly awakened goddess.

    Story eraWitnessContinuityTales of WitnessIn-world placementNot yet fixedFirst release2025

Suggested routes

Choose a way in.

Use the full chronology or follow a shorter route.

01 · Main route

Gardens of the Moon

Read all ten Book of the Fallen novels in publication order.

02 · Deep route

Kharkanas later

Forge of Darkness belongs after the main sequence for most readers.

03 · Listener route

Follow the same ten

Audio editions preserve the main sequence without changing continuity.

Abstract branching map representing separate story continuities

Story versions

Choose how to experience it.

Researched editions and adaptations stay together under one story.

See how stories are organised

Sources

What anchors this order.

Official franchise, creator and publisher sources anchor the chronology. Conflicts and uncertain placements are labelled.

Macmillan Malazan collection ↗Steven Erikson official site ↗

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