The Kharkanas Trilogy Book 2: Fall of Light by Steven Erikson - What You Need to Know
The Kharkanas Trilogy: A Prequel to the Malazan Book of the Fallen
If you are a fan of epic fantasy, you may have heard of The Malazan Book of the Fallen, a ten-volume series by Canadian author Steven Erikson that has been hailed as one of the most ambitious and complex works in the genre. But did you know that Erikson has also written a prequel trilogy that explores the origins of some of the most important characters and events in the Malazan world? This trilogy is called The Kharkanas Trilogy, and it is a must-read for anyone who wants to dive deeper into the rich and fascinating history of Erikson's creation.
Steven Erikson The Kharkanas Trilogy 2 Fall of Light epub 21
In this article, we will give you an overview of what the Kharkanas Trilogy is about, how it differs from the main series in terms of themes and style, what books it consists of, how it has been received by critics and readers, and how it connects to the Malazan Book of the Fallen. By the end, you will have a better idea of whether this trilogy is for you, and how to approach it if you decide to give it a try.
The Plot of the Kharkanas Trilogy
The Kharkanas Trilogy is set more than 300,000 years before the events of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, and tells the story of three ancient races that have a profound impact on the future of the Malazan world: the Tiste, the Jaghut, and the Azathanai.
The Tiste and their civil war
The Tiste are a powerful and long-lived race that inhabit a realm called Kurald Galain, which is ruled by Mother Dark, a goddess who grants them access to a form of magic called Darkness. However, not all Tiste are happy with Mother Dark's rule, and some seek to overthrow her or rebel against her. This leads to a bloody civil war that splits the Tiste into three factions: those who remain loyal to Mother Dark become known as the Andii, those who follow her estranged consort Draconus become known as the Liosan, and those who ally with Mother Dark's wayward son Silchas Ruin become known as the Edur. These factions will eventually migrate to different realms and become associated with different forms of magic: Darkness, Light, and Shadow.
The Jaghut and their war on Death
The Jaghut are a solitary and stoic race that live in harmony with nature and have a strong sense of humor. They have access to a form of magic called Omtose Phellack, which allows them to manipulate ice and cold. However, they also have a problem: they are immortal, and they cannot die unless they are killed by violence or choose to give up their lives. This makes them bored and restless, and some of them decide to challenge the very concept of death itself. They declare war on Hood, the god of death, and seek to destroy his realm and free all the souls trapped there. This leads to a series of epic battles that will have dire consequences for the Jaghut and the world.
The Azathanai and their meddling
The Azathanai are a mysterious and ancient race that have the ability to shape reality and create new realms and beings. They are not bound by any rules or laws, and they act according to their whims and desires. Some of them are benevolent and generous, while others are selfish and malicious. They often interfere with the affairs of the other races, sometimes helping them, sometimes hindering them, and sometimes just observing them. Some of the most influential Azathanai are K'rul, who creates the Warrens of magic, Gothos, who writes the history of the world in his Folly, Olannon, who guides the Tiste, Arathan, who is Draconus' son, and Nightchill, who is Mother Dark's sister.
The Themes and Style of the Kharkanas Trilogy
The Kharkanas Trilogy is not just a prequel that fills in some gaps in the Malazan Book of the Fallen. It is also a standalone work that explores its own themes and style, which are different from those of the main series.
History and memory
One of the main themes of the Kharkanas Trilogy is the nature of history and memory, and how they are shaped by different perspectives and interpretations. The trilogy is framed as a story told by one poet to another, who may or may not be reliable narrators. The story also contradicts or challenges some of the revelations from the Malazan Book of the Fallen, showing that history is not a fixed or objective truth, but a fluid and subjective construct. The characters themselves struggle with their own memories, which are often incomplete or distorted by time and emotion. The trilogy questions how we can know the past, and how it affects our present and future.
Shakespearean influence
Another theme of the Kharkanas Trilogy is the influence of Shakespearean drama, which is evident in both the plot and the style of the trilogy. The plot is full of intrigue, betrayal, romance, tragedy, comedy, and violence, reminiscent of some of Shakespeare's most famous plays. The style is also influenced by Shakespeare's use of declamation, soliloquy, monologue, dialogue, and poetry, which give the trilogy a distinct rhythm and tone. Erikson has said that he wanted to emulate Shakespeare's way of writing sentences that are dictated by breath-length, rather than punctuation or grammar. He has also said that he wanted to pay homage to Shakespeare's ambition and genius as a writer.
Philosophical dialogues
A third theme of the Kharkanas Trilogy is the use of philosophical dialogues, which are common in both the Kharkanas Trilogy and the Malazan Book of the Fallen. The characters often engage in long and deep conversations about various topics, such as morality, justice, freedom, love, war, religion, art, and life. These dialogues reflect Erikson's background as an anthropologist and archaeologist, as well as his interest in exploring different ideas and viewpoints. They also challenge some of the assumptions and stereotypes that exist in fantasy literature, such as the notion that commoners are less intelligent or more ignorant than nobles or elites.
The Books of the Kharkanas Trilogy
The Kharkanas Trilogy consists of three books: Forge of Darkness, Fall of Light, and Walk in Shadow. The first two books have been published as of 2019, while the third book is still forthcoming.
Forge of Darkness: The first book
Forge of Darkness was published in 2012 by Bantam Books in the UK and Canada, and by Tor Books in the US. It is the first book in the Kharkanas Trilogy, and it introduces the main characters and conflicts that will shape the rest of the story. It focuses on the Tiste civil war that erupts after Mother Dark turns away from her people and Draconus creates a powerful sword called Continuing to write the article. Dragnipur, a sword that can trap the souls of those it slays in a realm of eternal darkness. The sword is a source of fear and awe for many, and a target of envy and greed for others.
Fall of Light: The second book
Fall of Light was published in 2016 by Bantam Books in the UK and Canada, and by Tor Books in the US. It is the second book in the Kharkanas Trilogy, and it continues the story of the Tiste civil war and its consequences. It focuses on the aftermath of Mother Dark's rejection of her people and her flight from Kurald Galain, which leaves the realm in chaos and despair. It also follows the journeys of some of the characters who leave Kurald Galain in search of new destinies, such as Anomander Rake, Silchas Ruin, and Arathan.
Walk in Shadow: The forthcoming book
Walk in Shadow is the third and final book in the Kharkanas Trilogy, and it has not been published yet. It is expected to conclude the story of the Kharkanas Trilogy, and reveal how the Tiste become divided into three separate races that will play a major role in the Malazan Book of the Fallen. It is also expected to show more of the Jaghut war on death, and the Azathanai's involvement in the creation of new realms and beings.
The Reception of the Kharkanas Trilogy
The Kharkanas Trilogy has been received positively by both critics and readers, who have praised Erikson's skill as a writer and his ability to create a compelling and complex prequel to his main series.
Critical acclaim
The Kharkanas Trilogy has received favorable reviews from various publications and websites, such as Tor.com, The Guardian, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, SFFWorld, and Fantasy Book Review. Some of the common praises for the trilogy are its rich worldbuilding, its intricate plot, its deep characterization, its poetic prose, its philosophical themes, its dark humor, and its homage to Shakespeare. Some of the common criticisms for the trilogy are its slow pace, its dense style, its large cast of characters, its frequent digressions, and its lack of action.
Reader response
The Kharkanas Trilogy has also received positive feedback from readers, who have rated it highly on platforms such as Goodreads and Amazon. Many readers have expressed their admiration for Erikson's vision and creativity, and their enjoyment of his storytelling and writing. Many readers have also commented on how the trilogy enhances their appreciation and understanding of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, and how it adds new layers and dimensions to some of their favorite characters and events. Some readers have also expressed their frustration with Erikson's delay in publishing the third book, and their eagerness to read it as soon as possible.
Awards and nominations
The Kharkanas Trilogy has not won any major awards yet, but it has been nominated for some prestigious ones. For example, Forge of Darkness was nominated for The David Gemmell Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 2013, while Fall of Light was nominated for The British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 2017.
The Connection to the Malazan Book of the Fallen
The Kharkanas Trilogy is not only a prequel to the Malazan Book of the Fallen, but also a companion piece that enriches and expands the Malazan world. It reveals some of the secrets and mysteries that were hinted at or left unresolved in the main series, such as:
How the Tiste became divided into three races
In the Malazan Book of the Fallen, we encounter three races of Tiste: Andii (Children of Darkness), Liosan (Children of Light), and Edur (Children Continuing to write the article. of Shadow). In the Kharkanas Trilogy, we learn how these races came to be, and what caused their separation and enmity. We also learn more about their culture, religion, magic, and politics, and how they differ from each other.
How the Warrens of magic were created
In the Malazan Book of the Fallen, we encounter a complex system of magic based on Warrens, which are realms of power that can be accessed by mages and ascendants. Each Warren has its own characteristics, rules, and inhabitants, and some are more ancient or powerful than others. In the Kharkanas Trilogy, we witness the birth of the Warrens, and how they are related to the Azathanai and their creations. We also see how some of the characters, such as K'rul, Draconus, and Hood, play a crucial role in shaping the Warrens and their users.
How some of the major characters became who they are
In the Malazan Book of the Fallen, we meet some of the most iconic and influential characters in the Malazan world, such as Anomander Rake, Hood, Silchas Ruin, Gothos, K'rul, and many others. These characters have long and complex histories that span thousands of years, and have shaped the fate of many realms and races. In the Kharkanas Trilogy, we see these characters in their younger days, and how they developed their personalities, relationships, motivations, and powers. We also see some of their most defining moments, such as Anomander's ascension to Son of Darkness, Hood's war on death, Silchas' betrayal by Scabandari Bloodeye, Gothos' writing of his Folly, and K'rul's sacrifice for magic.
Conclusion
The Kharkanas Trilogy is a prequel trilogy by Steven Erikson that tells the story of the Tiste, Jaghut, and Azathanai races in a time before the Malazan Book of the Fallen. It is a dark and epic fantasy series that explores themes such as history, memory, Shakespearean drama, and philosophical dialogues. It consists of three books: Forge of Darkness, Fall of Light, and Walk in Shadow. It has been received positively by critics and readers who appreciate Erikson's skill and creativity as a writer. It also connects to the Malazan Book of the Fallen by revealing some of the secrets and mysteries that were hinted at or left unresolved in the main series.
If you are a fan of epic fantasy, especially if you have read or plan to read the Malazan Book of the Fallen, you should definitely give the Kharkanas Trilogy a try. It will enrich your experience and understanding of the Malazan world, and it will also offer you a captivating and rewarding story on its own. However, be prepared for a challenging and demanding read that will require your attention and patience. The Kharkanas Trilogy is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy it, it is a masterpiece.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Kharkanas Trilogy:
Question
Answer
Do I need to read the Malazan Book of the Fallen before reading the Kharkanas Trilogy?
No. The Kharkanas Trilogy can be read as a standalone series without prior knowledge of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. However, reading the main series first will enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of the prequel trilogy.
What is the reading order for the Kharkanas Trilogy?
The reading order for the Kharkanas Trilogy is: Forge of Darkness (2012), Fall of Light (2016), Walk in Shadow (forthcoming).
When will Walk in Shadow be published?
There is no official release date for Walk in Shadow yet. Steven Erikson has said that he has put it on hold until he finishes another series called The Witness Trilogy. He has also said that he hopes to publish it by 2024.
Is there an audiobook version for the Kharkanas Trilogy?
Yes. There are audiobook versions for both Forge of Darkness and Fall of Light, narrated by Daniel Philpott. You can find them on Audible or other platforms.
Where can I find more information or discussion about the Kharkanas Trilogy?
You can find more information or discussion about the Kharkanas Trilogy on various websites and forums, such as: The Malazan Wiki
The Tor.com Malazan Reread of the Fallen
The Malazan Empire Forum
The r/Malazan Subreddit
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