Return of the Crimson Guard

This book follows "The Bone Hunters" in the time line. You need to have read that book and "Dead House Gates" to be able to follow the characters. "Night of Knives" is also useful. This is a good book in that it fits right in the series. Style and pacing are very close to Steve Erikson work. It is almost a perfect fit in all respects. We learn what happens to several characters from previous works. The book itself deals mainly with events on the continent of Quon Tali. Though there are some parts where participants are show traveling there from across the seas. Saying much more would give too much away.

Hey, I get the criticism of Erikson - I mean, how could anyone avoid a comparison when two authors share such a well developed fantasy world? Erikson's background surfaces in his writing, the details, the complexity, the layers upon layers of plotting. Please, Please would they hire someone to start building a concordance! Humble readers of the world, face facts - Tolkein would be toasting the success of such an incomparable fantasy universe. Think just for a second - these two guys are writing in the same universe, at the same time, jumping back and forth in the literal timeline with hundreds if not thousands of characters. I know the plotline with Dassem, returning in Esslemont's "Knives," carrying over to Erikson's "Hounds", and finishing in Esslemont's "Crimson Guard," could be criticized as little more than a gimmick - but my friends, even putting aside what this simple feat foreshadows for the future, imagine what is says about the future of collaborative fiction, did they just invent it, did I just coin the term? Since I am no literature major - I have to ask - has this been done before in Literature, and on this scale? Absolutely, "Crimson Guard" is a fine addition to an incredible line of novels. The pacing is fast without being foolish, the characters are developed in a demonstrable manner and not but summary and conclusion. Everything we have come to love about the Malaz and its environs is there in its requisite depth. A damn fine novel - to compare them to the others is to do each a disservice - they are all fantastic. And YES, I do feel that those who think Erikson has drifted a little is like a group of sommeliers who argue about whether a particular ecru of wine from the same vineyard deserves an 89 rating or lives up to a previous 90 or 91 - OMG, at that level of quality, they are all good, if not great. Some of these haters should maybe rather try to write and get published 3.5 million plus words over eight double size novels and all the while try to successfully resist the urge to explore a few different writing styles, themes, devices or twenty so of 'em. It ain't gonna happen. The comedy of Erikson's latest two works was a breath of fresh air - fantastic and on target. Compare that to Coltane's March of Tears (was that in Bonehunters?)- I was flabbergasted at his genius - and I have never before then cried when reading a work of fiction. Go ahead call me a girl, I can hear Braven Tooth yelling at me wondering if this "little girl" needs a Bra and Panties to go with my skirt. Look, I know this review is mostly about Erikson, when it should be about Esslemont and Crimson Guard - but that's the point - these two, they are firing on all cylinders - together. Writing a work of fiction that is well on its way to redefining fantasy for the next several generations. Any conceivable criticism, constructive or otherwise, should not deter anyone from reading these novels - they are that good. Errrr . . . GREAT!

This novel, by the co-creator of the malazan world, may be the best novel in that series by either author I have read. Some familiarity with events up through The Bonehunters in the main sequence, as well as Night of Knives by this author, would be very helpful in understanding some of the situations/persons in this story. Additionally, this novel advances major plot threads of the main sequence, and will be necessary reading for readers wishing to follow the main series. My review will contain spoilers. The reader is warned. If you have not read this book and intend to, do not continue unless you want major plot threads at least partly revealed. This novel is a very tightly written book, and as others have commented, it reminds me of the style erikson used to write with. The author brings in a few characters he introduced in Night of Knives, others from various Erikson books, and with this book essentially picks up the series after The Bonehunters, following events in the Malazan empire (which the 2 books following bonehunters did not cover). I am unclear at the time of this review on the time-line as far as Toll the Hounds, for example did Traveller's sequence here occur before or after that novel? The author, despite having so many potent participants in the story, seems to avoid any obvious deus ex machina devices. One is left wondering about a few items (how does traveller arrive at the perfect moment for a major plot event; were we ever told before about Laseen's talents beyond being empress?; What was Kallor doing in the place he was located when he entered this book?) The author's style is a great pleasure to read, there are none of the introspective, metaphysical, or philisophical or otherwise unintelligible monologues we are treated to in Toll the Hounds, but instead an amazingly thick plot in I hope this author continues to produce work like this, because this is the best military fantasy book I have read in at least a year.

'The Return of the Crimson Guard' by Ian C Esslemont, is the second book revolving around Steven Erikson's original 'Malazan Book of the Fallen' series. It is my understanding that both Erikson and Esslemont are good friends and are co-operative co-authors of the Malazan world, and both are agreeable to and welcome each other contributions. I'd like to comment on two different facets... First, this book... I was enthralled with this story right from the very beginning. It was well written, fast moving and exciting. There were the usual assortment of Malazan characters both good and evil who are forever plotting against one another, or someone or something. There was magic, treachery and betrayal, interesting event filled treks and voyages and some incredibly exciting battles. Also present was the witty and bantering camaraderie of the Malazan army regulars; a special group of mercenaries reminiscent of the 'bridgeburners' or the 'bonehunters' of previous novels. This book, simply had it all. In traditional Erikson fashion, Esslemont starts off with several short glimpses involving many different persons or groups, however these stories progressed quickly, resulting in a tale that grabs you and just doesn't let go. The individuals' tales were told serially, but because each tale was so well written and interesting, you hated to see one segment come to an end, only to begin an account of someone else's adventure. Also, there was an extensive list of the characters' names with their locations and 'occupations'; this was really helpful as there were a tremendous number of individuals from various geographic locales. The only minor negative: While there is an good general-overview map of the entire area where a lot (but not all) of the action takes place, it would have be so helpful to have had a detailed map of the area where a lot of the fighting took place, particularly for the last third of the book. There are so many groups fighting in so many place, and even though these areas are fairly close together, I found it very confusing to try to keep locales and geographic distances in perspective. Second, Erikson and Esslemont... This book, 'Return of the Crimson Guard' recaptures the style of writing that made the Malazan series SO great; it's the type of writing that Erikson needs to get back to. I'm not sure what's going on with Steven Erikson, but, to me, the last book, 'Toll the Hounds' was at times quite confusing; especially some of the dialogue and also certain events and occurrences. I actually found myself skimming areas because it was difficult to follow OR I just got bored with the protracted mundane situations. A few more novels of this quality and Esslemont may well become the preeminent writer of the future works in the Malazan series. Conclusion: A true Malazan tale to sink your teeth into; any Malazan fan/addict will be thrilled with this effort. It's got that quality of writing coupled with an intriguing story line

Wow, what can I say? I am a huge fan of the Malazan Tales of the Fallen series, having read all of Erikson's books (including the novellas), and this book ranks up there with Erikson's finest. The pacing, the characters, the action, the dialogue--all handled extremely well for Esslemont's second book ever. In all fairness, he have a slam-dunk subject to deal with, as Steven Erikson has been building the tension and curiousity about the Crimson Guard virtually since Gardens of the Moon. For those wondering, this book is about three times the size of Night of Knives. I had to purchase it off of fleabay to get it sooner, and it was worth every penny. I am going to leave it for a few days and then read it again. As compared to Toll the Hounds, I liked this book much better--Toll the Hounds seemed to wander a bit and lose focus--Erikson was clearly experimenting a little with his style. In short, this was an amazing book. I cannot wait for more from either Esslemont or Erikson. Buy this book! You will not be disappointed!