The Malazan Book of the Fallen series, authored by Steven Erikson, is a cornerstone story in the modern epic fantasy genre. With its sprawling narrative, expansive world-building, and a vast ensemble of complex characters, Erikson crafted a masterpiece that beautifully challenges conventional fantasy norms.
From the heart of the Malazan Empire to distant realms, readers are thrust into a whirlwind of sorcery, military might, and existential exploration. For those enraptured by the sweeping scale and depth of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, the Prince of Nothing, the Five Warrior Angels, and The Wheel of Time are all series which offer similarly expansive worlds, cultures, and stories.
Prince of Nothing by R. Scott Bakker
The Prince of Nothing starts with a trilogy composed of The Darkness That Comes Before, The Warrior Prophet, and the Thousandfold Thought with additional series within the same world as well. R. Scott Bakker writes with an eloquent, historical style that immediately tells the reader that they are in an entirely new world. If you enjoy the depth of culture, politics, and world events in Malazan you will quickly find the Prince of Nothing up to your standard.
I love the random philosophical quotes and musings that infuse the story and add depth to everything that happens. If you want to have to work to figure out who is saying what and how the different nations interact with each other this book is a great fit, but I wouldn’t recommend going into this story unless you are prepared for a deeper read.
How do you fight an enemy who defines victory as the conversion of your soul?
R. Scott Bakker
This is a dark story with a cast of characters that can at times to be hard to like. I found that despite that, the characters are memorable and well written. The darkness of the story pairs perfectly with the descent into violence that a holy war brings.
The Five Warrior Angels
The Five Warrior Angels series by Brian Lee Durfee is a dark story of religious war and conquest. Durfee creates a compelling network of prophecy, the return of past evils, and political intrigue to keep you on the edge of your seat. The battle at the end of the Blackest Heart is one of my all time favorite battle’s in all of fantasy. Malazan has a grander scope and more ambitious vision but The Five Warrior Angels will almost certainly interest Malazan’s fans.
My favorite part of the series are the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter. Depending on the primary character within the chapter you get a verse from that characters religious text. With the entire story built around a religious war the religious quotes add an incredible flavor and anticipation. Durfee communicates prophecies that are relevant to the main characters within the quotes and I loved the puzzle that they create.
Therefore, I prophesy to you with an eye toward truth: the return of Laijon, as Laijon of old, will be born and raised by the sea. He will become like a torch unto mine path, leading all toward that Fiery Absolution.
The Forgetting Moon
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
If you loved diving into the deep and intricate world of Malazan Book of the Fallen, you’ll likely enjoy The Wheel of Time too. The Wheel of Time is another massive fantasy series that’s all about a big, complex world with tons of magic, politics, and fascinating characters. Just like Malazan, it explores themes like destiny, power, and the fight between good and evil. The Wheel of Time will feel less dark than Malazan and less grand in scale. It is equally ambitious at creating a world filled with history, magic, and thousands of named characters.
The Wheel of Time is a book I typically struggle to recommend due to its long stretches of slow, plodding storyline. The books in the middle of the series known as “the slog” are notorious for being hard to get through. However, I found that even the slower books have momentous climaxes that kept me hooked. If you have the patience to work your way through a longer, more wandering story the Wheel of Time features excellent worldbuilding, dynamic characters, and cool magic.
Conclusion
In the realm of epic fantasy, Malazan Book of the Fallen stands unmatched with its intricate tapestry of war, magic, and complex characters. For readers seeking more journeys into sprawling worlds and grandeur, the Prince of Nothing and The Five Warrior Angels offer captivating narratives, while The Wheel of Time beckons with its vast, albeit occasionally plodding, adventure and a rich magic-laden puzzle. With these captivating series, fantasy enthusiasts can continue to explore intricate realms and epic sagas beyond the gripping expanse of Malazan.
