Malazan Book of the Fallen
Reading Order.
Start with Gardens of the Moon (1999), and expect to be confused at first: it drops you in without explanation.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen is an epic fantasy series featuring a large cast of characters and complicated narratives spanning thousands of years across multiple continents within the world dominated by the Malazan Empire.
Where to start
Start with Gardens of the Moon (1999), and expect to be confused at first: it drops you in without explanation.
- •Deadhouse Gates follows different characters on another continent; the storylines come back together later.
- •Midnight Tides (book 5) is set before the earlier books and introduces a new cast.
- •Ian Cameron Esslemont's Novels of the Malazan Empire share the world and are optional.
Community Consensus
"Most commenters recommend that new readers prioritize completing the core 10-book series, 'Malazan Book of the Fallen,' written by Steven Erikson first, in publication order (Gardens of the Moon through The Crippled God). This approach is favored to maintain narrative momentum, avoid jarring stylistic shifts between authors, and minimize spoiler risk. After finishing the MBotF, readers should then proceed to the companion novels by Ian Cameron Esslemont (ICE), and finally the prequel trilogies (like Forge of Darkness) and novellas."
Start with the 10 books of the Malazan Book of the Fallen (MBotF) in order: Gardens of the Moon, Deadhouse Gates, Memories of Ice, House of Chains, Midnight Tides, The Bonehunters, Reaper's Gale, Toll the Hounds, Dust of Dreams, and The Crippled God.
At a Glance
- First Book:Gardens of the Moon
- Latest Book:The Crippled God
- Timeline:1999 - 2011
Complete Series Reading Order
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What order should I read Malazan Book of the Fallen in?
Start with Gardens of the Moon (1999), and expect to be confused at first: it drops you in without explanation.
How many books are in Malazan Book of the Fallen?
10 main books, published 1999–2011.
Can I read Malazan Book of the Fallen out of order?
It's best not to. The books build on each other, so reading out of order spoils earlier twists.