<p><b><i>From the pen of million copy seller Ian C Esslemont comes this breath-taking, thrilling and captivating epic fantasy - a must read for fans of Steven Erikson, David Gemmell and Brandon Sanderson.</i></b><br><b><br>"</b><b>Everything you expect of a Malazan story, being both epic and relevant... nail-biting and anything but obvious" - <i>SFFWORLD</i></b><br><b><i>"</i></b><b>The Malazan franchise is fighting fit in the hands of its co-creator" - <i>SFX</i></b><br><b>"A true Malazan tale to sink your teeth into" -- ***** Reader review</b><br><b>"Fast paced, truly involving, with characters who are not just realistic but who also seem to draw out the reader''s empathy." -- ***** Reader review</b><br><b>"Complex and engaging" -- ***** Reader review</b><br>******************************************************************************<br>The return of the <b>Crimson Guard</b> could not have come at a worse time for an empire exhausted by warfare and weakened by betrayals and rivalri