A new disaster has come to the lands of the Malazan Empire. It is threatened by the Pannion Dominus, a newly formed empire of religious fanatics, led by the mysterious Pannion Seer. This real tyrant intends to convert the whole world to the “true” faith. The warriors subordinate to him are particularly cruel, do not know pity and do not even disdain cannibalism. Cities are dying one after another under their furious onslaught. Empress Lasin, in order to resist the invaders, is forced to enter into an alliance with long-time enemies of the empire - Caladan Brud, commander of the liberation army of Genabakis, and Anomander Reik, lord of the Seed of the Moon, an impregnable stone fortress floating in the Malazan sky .At this time, the goddess Fire, Lady of the Earth, slowly dies in her sleep, the evil Crippled God filled her blood with poison. If she dies, all living things will die. Is anyone capable of stopping the universal destruction? Is there any hope that there will be peace in the world?.. Questions, questions, questions. And not a single answer.