Forge of Darkness Steven Erikson is a fantasy book that brings together imagination, magic, and extraordinary worlds. It is a good fit for readers who enjoy imaginative settings, unusual characters, and stories that move beyond the ordinary.
Forge of Darkness by Steven Erikson is in the public domain, so you can read it online here in short, easy pages or save a copy for your phone, tablet or computer.
Now is the time to tell the story of an ancient realm, a tragic tale that sets the stage for all the tales yet to come and all those already told...
It's a conflicted time in Kurald Galain, the realm of Darkness, where Mother Dark reigns. But this ancient land was once home to many a power… and even death is not quite eternal. The commoners' great hero, Vatha Urusander, is being promoted by his followers to take Mother Dark's hand in marriage, but her Consort, Lord Draconus, stands in the way of such ambitions. The impending clash sends fissures throughout the realm, and as the rumors of civil war burn through the masses, an ancient power emerges from the long dead seas. Caught in the middle of it all are the First Sons of Darkness, Anomander, Andarist, and Silchas Ruin of the Purake Hold...
Steven Erikson entered the pantheon of great fantasy writers with his debut Gardens of the Moon. Now he returns with the first novel in a trilogy that takes place millennia before the events of the Malazan Book of the Fallen and introduces readers to Kurald Galain, the warren of Darkness. It is the epic story of a realm whose fate plays a crucial role in shaping the world of the Malazan Empire.
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From Booklist
The creator of the vast and vastly popular Malazan Book of the Fallen now launches a trilogy intended to provide the background for the original 10-volume epic. In Kurald Galain, the Warren of Darkness, Mother Dark herself is supposed to reign and, incidentally, keep all the various magical forces at least minimally under control. But she has married a foreigner, Lord Draconus--always a questionable move when there’s a rival for her hand. In this case, the rival is the hero of the people, Vatha Urusander, and this rivalry is generating tension and intrigues on an alarming scale. Not the least alarmed are the three Sons of Darkness, who wonder whether their heritage, Purake Hold, will survive the time of troubles. Readers who have survived the original saga (more than a few) will certainly jump into this one, and new readers may besiege the libraries because of Erikson’s epic’s resemblance to George R. R. Martin’s best-selling Game of Thrones. --Roland Green
Review
"Readers may besiege the libraries because of Erikson’s epic’s resemblance to George R. R. Martin’s bestselling Game of Thrones." ―Booklist
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About Steven Erikson
Steven Erikson is a Canadian novelist best known for the Malazan Book of the Fallen, an ambitious epic fantasy series renowned for its vast fictional universe, intricate mythology, morally complex characters, and exploration of war, compassion, history, and the nature of power. His work stands out for its extraordinary scale, bringing together ancient civilizations, powerful gods, military campaigns, supernatural beings, and ordinary people whose choices influence the fate of entire worlds. Unlike fantasy that follows a single hero along a straightforward path, Erikson's storytelling weaves together multiple perspectives and overlapping storylines, rewarding readers who enjoy challenging, richly layered narratives. His novels combine large-scale conflict with moments of dark humor, emotional tragedy, philosophical reflection, and unexpected kindness. Readers searching for Steven Erikson books will discover sophisticated epic fantasy that explores the consequences of empire, the burden of history, the persistence of suffering, and the importance of compassion in a world shaped by violence.
Early Life and Creative Background
Steven Erikson was born on October 7, 1959, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Before establishing himself as a successful novelist, he trained and worked in archaeology and anthropology, disciplines that influenced his approach to fictional history, ancient cultures, and the development of civilizations. His interest in human societies, material history, and cultural change is reflected in the depth of his invented worlds, where ruins, forgotten empires, religious traditions, and conflicting historical accounts shape the present. Erikson also studied creative writing and developed a literary approach that blends imaginative fantasy with an interest in human behavior and the long-term consequences of political and military decisions. His background helps explain why his fictional settings often feel ancient and inhabited, with histories extending far beyond the immediate events of a particular novel.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen
The Malazan Book of the Fallen is Steven Erikson's defining achievement and one of the most ambitious works in modern epic fantasy. The ten-book series begins with Gardens of the Moon and continues through a sweeping narrative involving the Malazan Empire, rival powers, ancient beings, military campaigns, and conflicts that span continents and generations. Other major installments include 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. The series is famous for beginning in the middle of a complex fictional history rather than explaining every detail immediately. Readers gradually learn about its magic systems, political conflicts,...Read More