Return of the Crimson Guard

Novels of the Malazan Empire, Book 2

By: Ian C. Esslemont

Narrated by: John Banks

The return of the mercenary company, the Crimson Guard, could not have come at a worse time for a Malazan Empire exhausted by warfare and weakened by betrayals and rivalries. Indeed, there are those who wonder whether the Empress Laseen might not be losing her grip on power as she faces increasing unrest as conquered kingdoms and principalities sense freedom once more.

Into the seething cauldron of Quon Tali - the Empire's heartland - marches the Guard. With their return comes the memory of the Empire - and yet all is not well with the Guard itself. Elements within its elite, the Avowed, have set their sights on far greater power. There are ancient entities who also seek to further their own arcane ends. And what of the swordsman called Traveller who, with his companion Ereko, has gone in search of a confrontation from which none have ever returned?

As the Guard prepares to wage war, so Laseen's own generals and mages, the "Old Hands," grow impatient at what they see as her mismanagement of the Empire. But could Laseen have outwitted them all? Could she be using the uprisings to draw out and finally eliminate these last irksome survivors from the days of her illustrious predecessor, Kellanved?

©2008 Ian Cameron Esslemont (P)2016 Random House Audiobooks, all rights reserved.

Getting better

The narrator is really getting better, I appreciate his voice more than the previous one.

Great read

This a one of the best books from the malazan world. Definitely in my top 5 of the series

Well written story

The pacing was good for me
The characters are well written as well much recommended

One of the Best stories in the Malazan universe.

as good if not better than the Best of Erickson's work. I had my doubts about another writer building in this world but those doubts have been dismantled with the skill of Dassem himself.

Utterly Amazing

While the style is different, Mr. Esslemont stays true to the Malazan series I love so much. I was entranced through the entire story, and am left bereft that it has ended. I can not wait until the next book in his series is released.