Orb Sceptre
Throne by Ian C. Esslemont is the most recent book set in the
same universe of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven
Erikson, which Erikson and Esslemont created together, and
Esslemont's fourth book in that universe. It is set chronologically
after the eighth book in Erikson's series, Toll the Hounds,
and picks up on many plot threads from that book and other earlier
books, so I would strongly recommend familiarizing yourself with the
series before reading this one. Reading Esslemont's previous three
books before Orb Sceptre Throne would also be a good idea, but
isn't as essential.
As usual, the book
is split into a number of different plot threads. The story is set on
the continent of Genabackis, focusing on the city-state of
Darujhistan and its environs. The region has been wracked by
conflict, with much of the continent devastated by war and its
northern areas brought under the rule of the Malazan Empire. Moon's
Spawn, an ancient flying fortress that recently plummeted into the
sea, has become a hot spot for treasure hunters seeking to make their
fortunes-including Antsy, one of the deserters from the armies of the
Malazan Empire who settled in Darujhistan- and for those who would
prey upon them.
On an island to
the south, the army of the Seguleh- a mysterious, isolated people
whose warriors are swordsmen without compare- set out for the
mainland and Darujhistan, in response to a prophecy that they believe
is now being fulfilled. They are led by Jan, the Second, who is eager
to lead them to what he believes is their destiny and purpose as a
people after millennia of exile from their original homeland- not
realizing just what has summoned them back and what that destiny is.
Meanwhile, the
situation around Darujhistan remains precarious, with many of the
formerly independent cities of northern Genabackis and the nomadic
tribes of the continent's plains chafing against the continued
presence of the Malazans. Torvald Nom has been newly elevated to a
seat on Darujhistan's ruling council, and finds himself faced with
something far worse than the city's Byzantine and already frequently
deadly politics. The region will soon be thrown into turmoil by a
discovery made in the ruins outside Darujhistan, remnants of an
ancient era when the city was the seat of a great empire. Now the
evil that ruled over that empire thousands of years ago is returning,
seeking to regain its power, starting with Darujhistan itself.
Orb Sceptre
Throne is an enjoyable book that is worth reading for
Malazan fans, though I wouldn't place it in the top tier of that
series. The main story is quite interesting, though some of the
secondary plot threads drag early on.. There's some quite exciting
action sequences, including our first look at the Seguleh fighting as
an army- previously they've only appeared one or two at a time- and
some scenes involving the fully u unleashed power of the Malazan
Empire's mysterious allies, the Moranth. The story also ties up some
plot threads and answers some questions left by previous Malazan, in
what I thought was a very satisfactory way. Parts of the ending were
too abrupt and something of an anticlimax, though it didn't spoil my
enjoyment of the journey there, and there were also aspects of the
conclusion that I quite liked.
I liked the
characters, and especially Jan of the Seguleh- the ruler and greatest
warrior of an army of the deadliest swordsmen on the planet, and yet
trapped and paralyzed by what he believes his duty and the duty of
his people to be. The reborn Tyrant of Darujhistan is suitably
creepy and ominous, utterly silent behind a blank mask as he holds
court while another man speaks as his “voice.” The book also sees
the return of some old favorites including Antsy and the other former
Bridgeburners settled in Darujhistan, Torvald and Rallick Nom, the
mysterious Kruppe, and - my other personal favorite- Traveler, AKA
Dassem Ultor, trying to withdraw into quiet anonymity now that his
decades-long quest for revenge against Hood, god of death, was made
pointless after he was cheated of his chance for vengeance during the
events of toll the hounds.
As with his
previous book, Stonewielder, Orb Sceptre Throne shows a marked
improvement in Esslemont's writing style compared to his first two
books, Night of Knives and Return of the Crimson Guard,
moving the story smoothly and confidently along without the
occasional awkwardness seen in his earlier work. Esslemont's writing
style is once again more straightforward less prone to digression
than Steven Erikson's; whether that's good or bad is a matter of
taste, but for the most part I thought the story benefited from
Esslemont's approach.
While it's not at
the same level as his previous book, Stonewielder, Orb
Sceptre Throne is a solid effort by Ian C. Esslemont that I would
definitely recommend it for fans of the Malazan series.
