Night Of Knives

Malazan Empire: 1

Ian C Esslemont

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Paperback

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English

Penguin (Transworld)
06 January 2026

Fantasy

With the action taking place over the space of a single night, the bestselling Night of Knives expands on events touched on in the prologue of Steven Erikson's landmark fantasy Gardens of the Moon, and is thrillingly momentous - and essential - chapter in the epic, unfolding story of the extraordinarily imagined world of Malaz and its empire.

The Malazan Empire - vast, omnipotent and unforgiving . . .

The small island of Malaz and its city may have given this great empire its name, but it is now little more than a sleepy, backwater. Or usually it is. Tonight, however, things are different. Tonight the city is on edge, a hive of desperate, sometimes violent, activity as its citizens hurry to and fro, barring doors, shuttering windows, avoiding any stranger's stare. Because tonight there is to be a convergence - the once-in-a-generation appearance of a Shadow Moon - an occasion that threatens the good people of Malaz with demon hounds and all manner of other, darker things.

It was also prophesied that this night would witness the return of Emperor Kellanved, and there are those prepared to do anything to prevent that happening. As factions within the empire draw up battle lines, a far more ancient and potent presence prepares for an all-out assault upon the island.

And there will be witnesses to these cataclysmic events, including Kiska, a young thief who yearns to flee the city, and the grizzled, battle-weary veteran Temper who simply wants to escape his past. It seems that each has a part to play in a confrontation that will not only determine the fate of Malaz City but also of the world beyond . . .

By: Ian C Esslemont
Imprint: Penguin (Transworld)
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 127mm, Spine: 35mm
Weight: 500g
ISBN: 9781804999196
ISBN 10: 1804999199
Pages: 480
Publication Date: 06 January 2026
Audience: General/trade , Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , ELT Advanced , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Born in Winnipeg in 1962, IAN CAMERON ESSLEMONT has studied and worked as an archaeologist, travelled extensively in South East Asia and lived in Thailand and Japan for several years. He now lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, with his wife and children. His novels - beginning with Night of Knives - are all set in the fantasy world of Malaz that he co-created with Steven Erikson. Dancer's Lament was the first book in the 'Paths to Ascendancy' sequence (which continues the story of the turbulent early history of this epic imagined world) while Forge of the High Mage is the fourth. To find out more, visit www.ian-esslemont.com and www.malazanempire.com