''Assail'' is the sixth and final volume of the

Novels of the Malazan Empire Ian Cameron Esslemont (born 1962) is a Canadian writer. He was trained and has worked as an archaeologist. He is best known for his series ''Novels of the Malazan Empire'', which is set in the same world as the ''Malazan Book of the Fallen'' epi ...

series by

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

author

Ian Cameron Esslemont Ian Cameron Esslemont (born 1962) is a Canadian writer. He was trained and has worked as an archaeologist. He is best known for his series ''Novels of the Malazan Empire'', which is set in the same world as the ''Malazan Book of the Fallen'' ep ...

. The novel is set in the world of the ''

Malazan Book of the Fallen ''Malazan Book of the Fallen'' is a series of epic fantasy novels written by the Canadian author Steven Erikson. The series, published by Bantam Books in the U.K. and Tor Books in the U.S., consists of ten volumes, beginning with '' Gardens of ...

'', co-created with Esslemont's friend and colleague Steven Erikson.

Development

In a 2006 interview with ''sffworld.com'', Esslemont already lays the groundwork for ''Assail''. In the interview he discusses how he plans for the series to be five novels in total, where the final volume would cover "the mysteries of the Assail continent". In a 2009 interview with

Clarkesworld Magazine ''Clarkesworld Magazine'' (ISSN 1937-7843) is an American online fantasy and science fiction magazine. It released its first issue October 1, 2006 and has maintained a regular monthly schedule since, publishing fiction by authors such as Elizabe ...

, Esslemont states he has a contract "for four more Malazan novels" and he will "finish up by revealing Assail".

Plot

As the final volume of the ''Novels of the Malazan Empire'', ''Assail'' also takes place after The Malazan Book of the Fallen and serves as an epilogue to both series. The novel takes place on the continent of the same name and continues plot threads that began in

Return of the Crimson Guard ''Return of the Crimson Guard'' is a fantasy novel by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont, his second book set in the world of the ''Malazan Book of the Fallen'', co-created with friend and colleague Steven Erikson. Chronologically, ''Return ...

Critical reception

''Assail'' received mostly positive reviews. Bill Capossere praised its "pace and smooth shifts in POV" and "several vividly exciting set scenes". However, he noted the "repetitive nature of some of the plot" and the "characterization has its ups and downs". Overall, he concluded "the novel’s positives easily outweighed its negatives". ''Fantasy Book Review'' gave it a 9 out of 10, calling it "one of my favourite books of the year". ''The Wertzone'' described it as a "mostly well-written, enjoyable novel" but criticized the lack of resolution by its conclusion.

Other reviews

* Review by A. P. Canavan (2014) in ''The New York Review of Science Fiction'', October 2014

References

2014 Canadian novels High fantasy novels Malazan Book of the Fallen Bantam Books books Tor Books books {{2010s-fantasy-novel-stub