Download Assail by Ian C. Esslemont in Epub Format and Discover the Secrets and Mysteries of the Malazan World
Ian Esslemont Assail Epub Download: A Review of the Final Novel of the Malazan Empire Series
If you are a fan of epic fantasy, you have probably heard of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson, a ten-volume masterpiece that spans thousands of years, hundreds of characters, dozens of races and cultures, and a rich and complex mythology. But did you know that there is another series set in the same world, written by Erikson's friend and co-creator of the Malazan world, Ian Cameron Esslemont? The Novels of the Malazan Empire series consists of six books that explore different aspects and regions of the Malazan world, filling in some gaps and adding new layers to the overall story. The final book of this series is called Assail, and it was published in 2014. In this article, we will review Assail and tell you why it is a must-read for any Malazan fan. We will also tell you how you can download Assail in epub format for free or at a low cost.
Ian Esslemont Assail Epub Download
What is Assail and why is it important?
Assail is a continent located in the far north of the Malazan world. It is known for being covered by ice for most of its history, making it inaccessible and mysterious to outsiders. It is also known for being home to some ancient races and powers that have been dormant or hidden for millennia. In Assail, these races and powers awaken and clash with each other and with newcomers who seek to explore or exploit the continent.
Assail is important because it concludes some major storylines that have been running throughout both Erikson's and Esslemont's series. For example, it wraps up the saga of the Crimson Guard, a legendary mercenary company that has been fighting against the Malazan Empire for centuries. It also reveals the fate of Fisher kel Tath, a bard who has witnessed many pivotal events in the history of the Malazan world. It also shows the final confrontation between Silverfox, the summoner of the undead army of the T'lan Imass, and the renegade Imass who have been pursuing her for a long time. In addition, Assail sheds light on some of the mysteries and secrets of the Malazan world, such as the origin and nature of the Crippled God, the role and identity of the Watcher, and the true purpose and destiny of the Forkrul Assail, a race of fanatical judges who seek to impose their will on all life.
Who is Ian Cameron Esslemont and how did he co-create the Malazan world with Steven Erikson?
Ian Cameron Esslemont is a Canadian author who was born in 1962 in Winnipeg. He has a degree in Creative Writing, studied and worked as an archaeologist, travelled extensively in South East Asia, and lived in Thailand and Japan for several years. He now lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, with his wife and children and is currently working on his PhD in English Literature.
Esslemont and Erikson met at the University of Manitoba in the 1980s, where they were both studying anthropology. They became friends and shared a passion for fantasy literature and role-playing games. They decided to create their own fantasy world as a backdrop for their games, and thus the Malazan world was born. They developed a rich and detailed history, geography, magic system, pantheon, and cosmology for their world, drawing inspiration from various sources such as history, mythology, philosophy, sociology, psychology, and literature. They also created many characters and stories that they played out in their games.
In 1991, they collaborated on a feature film script set in their world, entitled Gardens of the Moon. When the script did not sell, Erikson decided to expand it into a novel. He then continued to write nine more novels that formed the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, which was published between 1999 and 2011. Esslemont also started to write novels set in the same world, focusing on different aspects and regions that Erikson did not cover in his series. He published his first novel, Night of Knives, in 2004, followed by five more novels that formed the Novels of the Malazan Empire series, which was completed with Assail in 2014. Esslemont has also written a prequel trilogy called Path to Ascendancy, which tells the story of how Kellanved and Dancer founded the Malazan Empire.
What are the main themes and characters of Assail?
Assail is a complex and multi-layered novel that explores various themes such as identity, memory, loyalty, justice, freedom, faith, power, sacrifice, redemption, and destiny. It also features a large and diverse cast of characters that represent different races, cultures, factions, and perspectives. Some of the main characters are:
Shimmer: The second-in-command of the Crimson Guard. She is a skilled warrior and leader who has been loyal to her company for decades. She is also curious about her past and seeks answers to some questions that have been haunting her.
Kyle: A young swordsman who joined the Crimson Guard after being rescued by them from slavery. He wields a sword called Coot's Grasp that has a connection to an ancient power. He is also drawn to Assail by a mysterious force that he does not understand.
Stalker: A veteran scout of the Crimson Guard who has a knack for survival and stealth. He is also a friend and mentor to Kyle.
Badlands: A mage of the Crimson Guard who specializes in earth magic. He is also an expert on ancient lore and history.
Cowl: The leader of the Avowed, a group of elite members of the Crimson Guard who have sworn an unbreakable vow of loyalty to each other. He is a powerful mage who can manipulate time and space.
Fisher kel Tath: A bard who has travelled across the Malazan world and witnessed many important events. He is also a poet who can influence reality with his words.
Jethiss: A Tiste Andii who was found washed ashore on an island with no memory of his past. He is also a mage who can wield dark magic.
Silverfox: The summoner of the T'lan Imass, an undead army that once served the Malazan Empire but rebelled against it. She is also a soul-shifter who can inhabit different bodies.
Orman: A young warrior of the Iceblood clan, a native tribe of Assail. He is also a descendant of the legendary Whiteblade, a hero who once fought for the Malazans.
Reuth: A sailor who joins an expedition to Assail led by a Malazan admiral and a Letherii general. He is also a mapmaker who records his observations and experiences.
Cartheron Crust: A Malazan admiral who commands a fleet of ships that sails to Assail. He is also a renegade who has a history with the Malazan Empire and the Crimson Guard.
Ussü: A Letherii general who leads a force of soldiers and mercenaries to Assail. He is also a pragmatist who seeks to profit from the situation.
The Watcher: A mysterious figure who observes and manipulates events on Assail. He is also an ancient being who has a connection to the Crippled God and the Forkrul Assail.
The Forkrul Assail: A race of fanatical judges who seek to impose their will on all life. They are also an ancient enemy of the T'lan Imass and the Crippled God.
Summary of the plot
The plot of Assail is divided into four parts, each consisting of several chapters. The parts are titled as follows:
The Icebloods
The Crimson Guard
The Letherii-Malazan Expedition
The Watcher
In the first part, we follow Orman and his clan as they journey to the heart of Assail, where they hope to find their ancestral homeland and the tomb of Whiteblade. Along the way, they encounter various dangers and allies, such as a group of Jaghut, a race of tusked giants who have a long history with Assail; a band of T'lan Imass, led by Silverfox, who are pursuing a renegade faction of their own kind; and a horde of Barghast, a race of nomadic warriors who have invaded Assail from another continent.
In the second part, we follow Shimmer and her company as they sail to Assail, where they hope to find answers to some questions that have been haunting them. Along the way, they encounter various challenges and enemies, such as a storm that wrecks their ships; a group of Avowed, led by Cowl, who have a different agenda than Shimmer; and a force of Forkrul Assail, who have awakened from their slumber and seek to destroy all intruders.
In the third part, we follow Reuth and his expedition as they land on Assail, where they hope to find riches and glory. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and opportunities, such as a hostile coast that blocks their access; a field of ice that hides secrets and treasures; and an impassable barrier that separates them from their goal.
In the fourth part, we follow the Watcher as he orchestrates and influences events on Assail. Along the way, we learn more about his identity and motives, as well as his relationship with the Crippled God and the Forkrul Assail. We also witness the final confrontation between the various forces that have converged on Assail, and the ultimate fate of the continent and its inhabitants.
Analysis of the style and structure
Assail is written in a third-person omniscient point of view, which allows Esslemont to switch between different characters and perspectives throughout the novel. He also uses flashbacks and interludes to provide background information and context for some of the characters and events. The novel is structured in a nonlinear way, with multiple timelines and parallel narratives that converge at certain points. Esslemont uses this technique to create suspense and mystery, as well as to show how different actions and decisions affect different outcomes.
Esslemont's writing style is descriptive and detailed, creating vivid images and scenes that immerse the reader in the world of Assail. He also uses dialogue and exposition to convey information and character development, balancing them with action and emotion. Esslemont incorporates humor, irony, foreshadowing and symbolism in his writing, adding layers of meaning and nuance to the story. For example, he uses humor to lighten the mood and contrast the seriousness of some situations; he uses irony to show how expectations and reality differ; he uses foreshadowing to hint at future events and consequences; and he uses symbolism to represent themes and ideas.
Evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses
Assail is a strong and satisfying conclusion to the Novels of the Malazan Empire series, as well as a valuable addition to the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. Some of its strengths are:
It ties up loose ends and resolves major storylines that have been running throughout both series. Esslemont does a good job of wrapping up the saga of the Crimson Guard, Fisher kel Tath, Silverfox and others, giving them closure and resolution. He also reveals the secrets and mysteries of Assail and its ancient inhabitants, answering some questions that have been raised by Erikson and himself in previous books.
It expands and enriches the Malazan world, adding new layers and dimensions to it. Esslemont does a good job of exploring different aspects and regions of the Malazan world, such as the history, culture, magic, religion, politics, and ecology of Assail and its native races. He also introduces new characters and concepts that add diversity and complexity to the world.
It delivers an epic and thrilling story that engages and entertains the reader. Esslemont does a good job of creating a compelling and exciting plot that keeps the reader hooked and invested. He also writes vivid and dynamic action scenes that showcase the skills and powers of the characters, as well as the stakes and consequences of their actions. He also writes emotional and touching scenes that show the relationships and feelings of the characters, as well as the impact and meaning of their choices.
Assail is not without its flaws, however. Some of its weaknesses are:
It can be confusing and overwhelming for readers who are not familiar with the Malazan world and its previous books. Esslemont does not provide much explanation or recap for some of the characters, events, terms, and concepts that he references or introduces in Assail. He assumes that the reader has read and remembered all of Erikson's and his own books, which can be challenging given the size and complexity of both series. He also jumps between different perspectives and timelines without much warning or transition, which can make it hard to follow the plot and keep track of the characters.
It can be disappointing and unsatisfying for readers who have high expectations or preferences for some of the characters, events, or outcomes. Esslemont does not give equal attention or development to all of the characters and storylines that he features in Assail. He focuses more on some than others, which can make some feel underdeveloped or underutilized. He also makes some choices and decisions that may not align with what some readers want or hope for some of the characters, events, or outcomes. He may also leave some questions unanswered or some possibilities unexplored, which can make some feel frustrated or dissatisfied.
Conclusion
Assail is a worthy finale to the Novels of the Malazan Empire series, as well as a valuable companion to the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. It is a complex and multi-layered novel that explores various themes and characters in the Malazan world, as well as delivers an epic and thrilling story that engages and entertains the reader. It is not a perfect novel, however, as it can be confusing and overwhelming for some readers, as well as disappointing and unsatisfying for others. Nevertheless, it is a must-read for any Malazan fan who wants to experience more of this amazing world and its amazing stories.
If you are interested in reading Assail, you can download it in epub format for free or at a low cost from various online sources. Epub is a popular and convenient format for ebooks, as it allows you to adjust the font size, style, and layout of the text according to your preferences. It also supports images, hyperlinks, bookmarks, annotations, and other features that enhance your reading experience. You can read epub files on various devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, and web browsers. You can also convert epub files to other formats such as pdf or mobi if you prefer.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Ian Cameron Esslemont Assail epub download:
What is epub and why is it a good format for ebooks?
Epub is a short form for electronic publication. It is a standard and open format for ebooks that was developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). It is a good format for ebooks because it allows you to adjust the font size, style, and layout of the text according to your preferences. It also supports images, hyperlinks, bookmarks, annotations, and other features that enhance your reading experience. It also has a small file size compared to other formats such as pdf or mobi.
How can readers convert epub files to other formats such as pdf or mobi?
There are various online tools and software that can help you convert epub files to other formats such as pdf or mobi. Some examples are Calibre, Zamzar, Online-Convert.com, EPUB Converter, etc. You just need to upload your epub file to these tools or software and choose your desired output format. Then you can download your converted file to your device or cloud storage.
Where can readers find more information about Ian Cameron Esslemont and his other works?
You can find more information about Ian Cameron Esslemont and his other works on his official website, his Wikipedia page, his Goodreads page, his Amazon page, his Facebook page, his Twitter page, etc. You can also read interviews, reviews, articles, and blogs about him and his works on various online platforms.
Where can readers find more information about Steven Erikson and his other works?
You can find more information about Steven Erikson and his other works on his official website, his Wikipedia page, his Goodreads page, his Amazon page, his Facebook page, his Twitter page, etc. You can also read interviews, reviews, articles, and blogs about him and his works on various online platforms.
Where can readers find more information about the Malazan world and its history?
You can find more information about the Malazan world and its history on the Malazan Wiki, the Tor.com Malazan Reread of the Fallen, the Malazan Empire Forum, the r/Malazan subreddit, etc. You can also read books, essays, maps, glossaries, appendices, and other materials that are related to the Malazan world and its history.
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