In What Order Should Malazan Book Of The Fallen And Kharkanas Be Read?

Saw Erikson announced his Witness sequel; trying to figure out my pre-Kharkanas reading order for the main Malazan books first. This whole two-trilogy timeline is confusing.
2026-08-02 14:42:46
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8 Réponses

IvyHill
IvyHill
Frequent Answerer Electrician
A simple rule of thumb: Kharkanas answers 'why?' and the Book of the Fallen shows 'what now?'.

You need to see the 'what now'—the current state of the world, the consequences of ancient actions—to fully appreciate the 'why.' The tragic inevitability of the Kharkanas story only hits home when you've witnessed its fallout across millennia.

Read for the present-day consequences first. The ancient causes will hit so much harder afterward.
2026-08-03 10:29:29
2
EliKnight
EliKnight
Expert Editor
Here's a practical compromise I haven't seen mentioned much: read the first five Malazan books, then 'Forge of Darkness', then the last five Malazan books.

Why? By 'Midnight Tides', you've been introduced to a crucial Tiste Andii character and gotten deep into the lore of the warrens. 'Forge of Darkness' will then illuminate that character's origins in a profound way, which might enhance your reading of the back half of the main series.

It's a middle-ground approach. You get some foundational knowledge from the first half, then the prequel deep dive, which can make the concluding volumes resonate more. It's not for everyone, but it's a structured alternative to pure publication or chronological order.
2026-08-03 21:26:38
2
AuroraLee
AuroraLee
Careful Explainer Teacher
I'm just sitting here waiting for 'Walk in Shadow' to finally come out. Once the Kharkanas trilogy is complete, maybe we can have a proper discussion about integrated reading orders. Right now, it's a bit moot to start an unfinished prequel series before a finished main series.

Just my pragmatic take. Don't start an unfinished story when you have a complete, satisfying one right there.
2026-08-03 22:51:25
4
AvaWilson
AvaWilson
Responder Sales
I view Kharkanas as a 'director's cut' or 'extended lore' section. You don't watch the director's cut of a film trilogy before seeing the theatrical releases. You watch the polished, released narrative first, then delve into the extended scenes and deeper backstory if you're a fan.

The Book of the Fallen is the theatrical release. Kharkanas is the deep-cut lore for superfans. Engage with the core story in its most streamlined form (again, 'streamlined' is relative here!) before deciding if you want the even more expansive, philosophical version of history.
2026-08-03 23:11:53
2
EdenMason
EdenMason
Library Roamer Veterinarian
Honestly, just ask yourself: do you prefer linear stories or mosaic puzzles? Malazan is already a mosaic. Adding Kharkanas pieces before completing the main picture makes the puzzle even more chaotic and piecemeal.

If you love putting fragments together over thousands of pages, go publication order. You'll get Kharkanas fragments as rumors and myths in the main series, then get the full picture later. If you prefer a more linear, cause-to-effect understanding, you'll probably enjoy Kharkanas first, even if it flattens some mysteries.

Neither is 'wrong,' but they cater to different reading pleasures.
2026-08-04 00:54:39
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Autres questions liées

How do I combine Malazan Book of the Fallen with Kharkanas in order?

6 Réponses2026-08-02 17:05:18
Honestly, the discussion itself is part of the fun. The fact that we can debate reading orders for a series this complex is a testament to its depth. My contribution: your reading order might depend on what you love most. Love the Tiste Andii and Rake? Kharkanas becomes more appealing earlier. Love the Bridgeburners and Malazan marines? Stick to the main and ICE books. There's no one-size-fits-all. Know what hooks you about the world, and let that guide your deep dives.

What is the correct Malazan Book of the Fallen reading order?

7 Réponses2026-08-02 03:30:44
Can we take a second to laugh at the Dramatis Personae lists? You'll be referring to those constantly, regardless of order. My copy of 'Memories of Ice' has more highlighted names and scribbled notes than a textbook. That's the Malazan experience. The 'correct' order is the one where you have access to those lists, a notepad, and maybe a fan-made map. It's an active reading experience. You're not just consuming a story; you're reconstructing a history. That's why it's so rewarding, and why getting the sequence right provides the necessary scaffolding for that reconstruction.

In what order should I read Malazan Book of the Fallen and its spinoffs?

4 Réponses2026-08-02 02:51:27
I treat the Malazan Book of the Fallen as the holy text, and everything else as apocrypha. Essential for completists, fascinating for scholars, but not required for salvation. The ten-book journey from 'Gardens' to 'Crippled God' is a self-contained, thematic masterpiece about compassion, history, and suffering. The spin-offs expand, explain, and explore, but they don't change the core message. Read the apocrypha if you fall in love with the world and need more. If the main series satisfies you completely, you haven't missed out.

Should you read Malazan Book of the Fallen in chronological order?

4 Réponses2026-08-02 18:11:08
A friend of mine tried the chronological route. He gave up halfway through the second novel in that sequence because, in his words, 'it felt like reading a wiki summary, not a story.' The pacing was shot, and characters he'd just met would be referenced as if he should already care about them. The publication order builds connections and investment gradually. Save the chronological analysis for the wiki after you've read the books. Experience the story first.

What is the reading order for The Complete Malazan Book of the Fallen?

4 Réponses2025-12-18 19:20:36
Man, the Malazan series is a beast to tackle, but oh-so-rewarding! The core reading order is straightforward: start with 'Gardens of the Moon' and follow the publication sequence—'Deadhouse Gates', 'Memories of Ice', and so on, all the way to 'The Crippled God'. But here's where it gets juicy. If you want the full experience, weave in Ian Esslemont's companion novels like 'Night of Knives' after 'House of Chains'. The world feels even richer when you see both authors' perspectives. Some fans swear by chronological order, but I wouldn't recommend that for first-timers—Erikson's writing assumes you'll piece things together gradually. The confusion is part of the charm! Personally, I took breaks between books to digest the lore, and it made those 'aha!' moments hit harder when connections finally clicked.

What is the correct Malazan Book of the Fallen series order?

3 Réponses2026-08-02 17:25:35
I annotated my first read with a notebook, and even I didn't mess with the order. It's: GotM, DG, MoI, HoC, MT, TBH, RG, TtH, DoD, tCG. (We use acronyms to save time). That's the sacred sequence. 'Midnight Tides' (MT) is the great filter. If you can embrace its new setting and characters, you have what it takes to finish the series. The order is a rite of passage.

What is the correct reading order for the Malazan Book of the Fallen complete set?

7 Réponses2026-08-02 00:34:11
The philosophy can get heavy, especially in the later books. 'Toll the Hounds' is practically a philosophical treatise disguised as a fantasy novel. The order prepares you for this. The early books are more action-oriented (though still deep). By the time you reach the denser, more reflective later books, you're so invested in the world and characters that you're willing to wrestle with the bigger ideas. If you started with a later book's philosophizing, you might not have the patient investment needed.

How do Malazan Book of the Fallen novels connect in reading order?

3 Réponses2026-08-02 19:37:42
Looking for a romantic through-line? Good luck. But if you want to see how a single character's journey weaves through, take Fiddler. He starts as a sapper in the Bridgeburners in 'Gardens', goes on a hellish trek in 'Deadhouse', becomes a pivotal figure in 'The Bonehunters', and his story is a key thread all the way to the end. You won't get that if you jump around. The connection is in following these anchors—Fiddler, Kalam, Quick Ben, Tavore—as they navigate the chaos. Their growth and endurance is the spine the sprawling lore hangs on. Publication order is the only way to walk that path with them.

Should I follow publication order for Malazan Book of the Fallen?

7 Réponses2026-08-02 00:03:59
Honestly, I bounced off 'Gardens' twice before it clicked. The third time, I used a fan-made guide chapter by chapter. It was the only way I could get through. So my take is: follow publication order, but use every resource you need to stay afloat. There’s no prize for suffering in silence.

In what order should I listen to Malazan Book of the Fallen audiobooks?

5 Réponses2026-08-02 12:45:56
There is a 'chronological' order floating around fan forums, but it's a trap for new listeners. It involves jumping between Erikson and Esslemont's books and is meant for rereads. For your first time, the simplicity of 1-10 is your best friend. 'Gardens of the Moon' sets a tone, 'Deadhouse Gates' expands the emotional range, and 'Memories of Ice' proves the scale is limitless. That arc only works in that order. Audiobook-wise, they're all reliably produced. No abridged versions or weird skips. The length is daunting, but if you like immersive world-building, it's a feature. Think of each book as a season of an incredibly dense TV show. You wouldn't watch season 5 before season 1. Same principle here, but with even more interconnected plotlines.
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