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Malazan Book Order

Steven EriksonComplete10 books

Malazan is best read in publication order: all 10 Malazan books, from Gardens of the Moon (1999) to The Crippled God (2011). Open Gardens of the Moon and keep going. Publication order; do not start with the Kharkanas prequels.

Updated August 2026

Best read in publication order

  1. Cover of Gardens of the Moon

    Gardens of the Moon

    1999

    The Malazan Empire assaults the city of Darujhistan while gods and mages maneuver in shadow.

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  2. Cover of Deadhouse Gates

    Deadhouse Gates

    2000

    The Chain of Dogs flees across Seven Cities while a rebellion convulses the continent.

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  3. Cover of Memories of Ice

    Memories of Ice

    2001

    The Pannion War brings the Bridgeburners and new allies against a fanatical foe.

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  4. Cover of House of Chains

    House of Chains

    2002

    Karsa Orlong's rise intertwines with Adjunct Tavore's campaign against the Seven Cities rebellion.

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  5. Cover of Midnight Tides

    Midnight Tides

    2004

    Two brothers on the continent of Lether lead opposing sides toward civil war.

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  6. The Bonehunters

    2006

    Adjunct Tavore's army becomes the Bonehunters as survivors of Seven Cities face new threats.

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  7. Cover of Reaper's Gale

    Reaper's Gale

    2007

    The Malazan Empire invades the Letherii Empire as the Crippled God's plans advance.

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  8. Cover of Toll the Hounds

    Toll the Hounds

    2008

    In Darujhistan and beyond, converging paths approach the coming convergence.

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  9. Cover of Dust of Dreams

    Dust of Dreams

    2009

    The Bonehunters march toward a confrontation that will reshape the world.

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  10. Cover of The Crippled God

    The Crippled God

    2011

    The series culminates as armies, gods, and the fallen converge for a final reckoning.

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Before you start

The Malazan Book of the Fallen is Steven Erikson's ten-novel epic (1999–2011): gods ascending, ancient grudges, and soldiers chewed up by wars that span continents and centuries. Each book often feels like its own campaign, then the mosaic snaps together toward The Crippled God.

Erikson's ten novels in publication order are what you want for a first run. Ian C. Esslemont's Novels of the Malazan Empire and the Kharkanas trilogy are post-ten shelves in the same world. Do not start with Kharkanas. Path to Ascendancy and Tales of the Witness are later Erikson, not Book of the Fallen sequels for order purposes.

Expect a steep start no matter where you open. Gardens of the Moon is the usual door. If Gardens stalls you, commit to finishing it before Deadhouse Gates; Memories of Ice spoils Deadhouse Gates if reversed. Publication order is still the standard advice. The confusion is the apprenticeship. Patience through the early books is what most fans swear by.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Malazan books are there?

Ten in Book of the Fallen. Esslemont's Novels of the Malazan Empire, Kharkanas, Path to Ascendancy, and Witness are separate shelves.

Do I need Esslemont's novels?

Not for Erikson's ten. Same world; read after Book of the Fallen, or interleaved on a reread. First pass: Erikson only is fine.

Should I start with Kharkanas?

No. Ancient-history prequel; denser and incomplete. After Book of the Fallen, and usually after Esslemont.

Can I skip Gardens of the Moon?

Some bounce and try Deadhouse Gates. Prefer finish Gardens first; if you jump, return before Memories of Ice.

Publication vs chronological order?

Publication for a first run. Chronological lists that open with Kharkanas are for veterans, not starters.

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