Dancer's Lament - (Path to Ascendancy) by Ian C Esslemont (Paperback)

About the Book

For ages warfare has crippled the continent as minor city states, baronies, and principates fought in an endless round of hostilities. Only the alliance of the rival Tali and Quon cities could field the resources to mount a hegemony from coast to coast -- and thus become known as Quon Taili. It is a generation since the collapse of this dynasty and regional powers are once more rousing themselves. Into this arena of renewed border wars come two youths to the powerful central city state that is LiHeng. One is named Dorin, and he comes determined to prove himself the most skilled assassin of his age; he is chasing the other youth -- a Dal Hon mage who has proven himself annoyingly difficult to kill. Li Heng has been guided and warded for centuries by the powerful sorceress known as the Protectress and she allows no rivals. She and her cabal of five mage servants were enough to repel the Quon Tali Iron Legions -- what could two youths hope to accomplish under their stifling rule? Yet under the new and ambitious King Chulalorn the Third, Itko Kan is on the march from the south. He sends his own assassin servants, the Nightblades, against the city, and there are hints that he also commands inhuman forces out of legend. While above all, shadows swirl oddly about Li Heng, and monstrous slathering beasts seem to appear from nowhere to run howling through the street. It is a time of chaos and upheaval, and in chaos, as the young Dal Hon mage would say, there is opportunity.

Book Synopsis

Ian C. Esslemont's prequel trilogy takes readers deeper into the politics and intrigue of the New York Times bestselling Malazan Empire.

The first book of the Path to Ascendancy trilogy, Dancer's Lament, focuses on the genesis of the empire and features Dancer, the skilled assassin, who, alongside the mage Kellanved, would found the Malazan empire.

Review Quotes

"Esslemont nails the feel and flavor of Erikson's books and brings the historical characters to life with a dexterity that will win over even the most skeptical fans." --Publishers Weekly on Night of Knives

"Whether it's Erikson or Esslemont at the controls, it's in safe hands." --SFX on Night of Knives

"Esslemont evokes the gore and grit of the battlefield while cannily expanding the labyrinthine Malazan world and untangling the wickedly intertwined stories just enough to keep readers from feeling lost." --Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Return of the Crimson Guard

"A contained, concise romp that's also dense with fan-pleasing information" --Death Ray on Night of Knives

About the Author

IAN C. ESSLEMONT grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has studied archaeology and creative writing, has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia, and lived in Thailand and Japan for several years. His books include Orb Sceptre Throne, Blood and Bone, Assail, and others. He now lives in Alaska with his wife and children and is currently working on another novel set in the world of Malaz, a world he co-created with Steven Erikson.