The flourishing continent of Genabakis is drawn into a devastating war. The hostile Malazan Empire has long been trying unsuccessfully to conquer its rich lands. The troops of Empress Lasena are opposed by an army where warriors of other, non-human races fight alongside humans. Among her primary plans is the capture of Darujistan: the richest city, called the “pearl of Genabakis.” In the sky above the city, as a threatening warning to the enemy, hangs the Child of the Moon - the flying fortress of the Tisteandii, an ancient powerful race, famous for its art of magic. Also among the Rulers, a host of gods and demigods who share power over the world, Lasena has many opponents. But the empress is accustomed to achieving the fulfillment of her plans at any cost... The book series Malazan Book of Fallen, which opens with this novel, is Erikson’s first and so far only fantasy series. Readers, critics and publishers note, first of all, the author’s very difficult to perceive writing style and the unusual gloom and realism of the world he describes, which would allow the series to be classified as “dark fantasy” if not for the assurances of the writer himself that his books are very funny in places . Of the works similar to this series, the ones most often remembered are “The Black Company” by Glen Cook and “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George Martin, although it is noted that in terms of cruelty and naturalism, Erickson went much further. Steven Erickson has already signed a contract with publishers for 10 novels in the series, so to be continued...