The first in a new Ascendancy series: Forge of the High Mage

Ian C. Esslemont is very pleased to announce the release of the first in a new Ascendancy series: Forge of the High Mage.

From inside jacket:

After decades of warfare, Malazan forces are poised to consolidate the Quon Tali mainland. Yet it is at this moment that Emperor Kellanved orders a new, some believe foolhardy, campaign: the invasion of Falar that lies to the north …

And to fight on this new front, a rag-tag army raised from orphaned units and broken squads has been brought together under Fist Dujek, and joined by a similarly motley fleet under the command of the Emperor himself.

So the Malazans head north, only to encounter an unlooked-for and most unwelcome threat.  Something unspeakable and born of legend has awoken and will destroy all who stand in its way. Most appalled by this is the Emperor’s trusted High Mage, Tayschrenn. All too aware of the true nature of this ancient horror, he fears his own inadequacies when the time comes to confront it. Yet confront it he must.

Falar itself is far from defenceless. Its priests possess a weapon – rumoured to be a gift from the sea god, Mael – a weapon so terrifying it has not been unleashed for centuries. But two can play that game, for the Emperor’s flagship is also believed to be not entirely of this world.

These are turbulent, treacherous and bloody times for all caught up in the forging of an Empire and so, amongst the Ice Wastes and in the archipelago of Falar, the Malazans must face two seemingly insurmountable tests, each one potentially the origin of their destruction …