Assail: inventive and original. A compelling frontier fantasy epic (Malazan Empire)

It has been an eventful journey of over 15 years with these characters. The book was not what I expected. I wanted more of the Forkrul Assail in it, but still it was satisfying. Spoiler Alert- the Andii is who you think he is. Let us see what Karsa does in the next series.

The book was priced at Rs 1400 for months! I bought this book and then immediately the price comes down to Rs 400!!!! I have literally ordered the same edition as this, but why was I made to pay Rs 1000 extra?

Delivered early - Amazon delivery services are top-class.The book was frayed on an edge - which I wasn't expecting.. Not too bad, but noticeable. Hence the lower rating.

Another phenomenally written, deep and broad Malazan work of art, each installment seems to eclipse the last, if possible. Brilliant.

Die vorherigen Bücher zeigten ein auf und ab, einige waren sehr gut geschrieben, anderen fehlte der ote Faden. Dieses Buch stellt einen guten Abschluss dar, die Story wird sinnvoll zuende geführt, die Charakter- und Storyentwicklung ist in sich stimig und sinnvoll,der Erzählstil spannend. Habe mich über den Kauf gefreut.

Since 1999 I've read the Malazan's, every one. That's got to be over a 100,000 pages and spans a fair piece of my own time. This is a fantastical story written in a unique style that pulls the reader into the account. It is an incredibly complex world building. The timeline is through ages from creation, tectonic drift, celestial change, ice ages and then narrowly focuses on the deepest thoughts of any one of a huge cast of characters thinking about meaning around a campfire or just as easily as a battlefield. The story ranges freely among temporal points. The 'now' merges with visions of the past and future. It's complex in total and detail that it defies a book review accounting. Even at this point into the mega-story, secrets are elusive and left with the reader to consider.This is not the book to begin the reading. You have to start at the beginning. The beginning is as always in this epic, deeply woven into the underlying detail of past volumes. This installment has come after a drought of installments so it becomes a reader recall exercise. Esslemont does gradually succeed in bringing back some of major themes and characters.I consider the Malazan Epic as fantasy unique in the genre and a certainly a must read. I don't know of a comparable tale in its authorial quality and relentless length and depth. The authors have mastered a method of telling that puts the reader squarely within the story ... the reader becomes part of the story.I don't think I expect finality to the epic. At one point in the massive read, maybe I did. I've come to simply enjoy the entertainment of just another small peek. This is a gem. Now the wait ... the wait for the authors next telling.

Assail is written in the same style as other books in the Malazan world; not one but several protagonists and the threads of their tales are gradually woven together towards the conclusion of the book. This lends the story a perspective and scope that really makes it seem epic, and really helps the reader understand the interactions between the characters and see both sides to each conflict. You can identify with the compulsive, dogged persistence of the Imass, while feeling compassion for the plight of the harried Jaghut. While some elements of the story are wholly contained in this book, it also sheds light on the origins of characters seen in other books, as well as weaving in characters you might not have expected to see again.As always, it's an excellent read, and leaves you hoping there will be more.

Still well written and some important milestones in the Malazan universe are reached by the end of the book.A gripping read and wodering what could happen next to some of the characters.