Crimson Guard

Lore & Background

The Malazan Empire is in deep crisis following the catastrophic war in Seven Cities and a devastating plague that has severely disrupted food supplies to Quon Tali. In an attempt to divert public anger, Empress Laseen blames the Wickan contingents for these disasters, launching a brutal pogrom into their homelands. This political bluff fails to stabilize the situation; instead, civil war threatens to tear the Empire apart. Amidst this chaos, the mercenary group known as the Crimson Guard is summoned back to Quon Tali. Their return is driven by a century-old vow to liberate their homeland from occupiers, aiming to take advantage of the Empire's fragility.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across the ridge, carrying the scent of ozone and old blood. Sergeant Fiddler adjusted the strap on his red breastplate, checking the fit one last time before the order to advance. Around him, the Guard stood silent, a sea of crimson steel against the grey sky. They did not cheer; they did not pray. They simply waited for the contract to be fulfilled.

Reader's Guide

This novel is set shortly after The Bonehunters and explores the consequences of war and plague in Seven Cities. Readers should note that the plot hinges on Empress Laseen's failed attempt to scapegoat the Wickan people, leading to a pogrom and imminent civil war. The Crimson Guard returns not just for profit but to honor a century-old vow of liberation. Characters and locations from both Esslemont's Night of Knives and Erikson's Malazan series converge here. For publication details, note the distinct release dates: PS Publishing released a two-volume limited hardcover in May 2008, Bantam UK followed on August 15, 2008, and North America received it via Bantam on September 16, 2008.

Did You Know?

• The novel is the second of six planned books by Ian Cameron Esslemont set in the Malazan world.
• It takes place chronologically after Erikson's sixth novel, The Bonehunters.
• Empress Laseen attempted to blame the Wickan contingents for the plague and war disasters to divert public anger.
• The Crimson Guard returns driven by a century-old vow to liberate their homeland.
• A two-volume limited edition was released by PS Publishing in May 2008 before the standard hardcover.

Narrative Context and Setting

Set in the immediate aftermath of The Bonehunters, this novel finds the Malazan Empire teetering on the brink of collapse. The catastrophic war in Seven Cities has left a trail of devastation, compounded by a plague that severely disrupted food supplies to the home continent of Quon Tali. In a desperate bid to divert public anger, Empress Laseen scapegoats the Wickan contingents, sparking a brutal pogrom against their homelands. This political maneuver fails to quell unrest, instead threatening to tear the Empire apart through civil war. Amidst this turmoil, the mercenary group known as the Crimson Guard is summoned back to Quon Tali. Their return is not merely for profit but driven by a century-old vow to liberate their homeland from occupiers, exploiting the chaos to fulfill their ancient promise.

Authorship and Series Placement

Return of the Crimson Guard stands as the second novel written by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont within the expansive Malazan Book of the Fallen universe. Co-created with his friend Steven Erikson, this work serves as a direct sequel chronologically following Erikson's sixth entry in the main series. It marks the second installment in Esslemont's own planned six-novel arc set in this world, which began with Night of Knives and would later continue with Stonewielder. The narrative deeply integrates characters and locations previously established in both Erikson's primary novels and Esslemont's earlier work, creating a cohesive tapestry that bridges the two authors' contributions to the shared setting.

Publication History and Editions

The novel first saw light in the United Kingdom through PS Publishing in May 2008, initially released as an exclusive limited hardcover set divided into two volumes. Following this initial release, Bantam UK issued a standard hardcover edition on August 15, 2008, making the story more widely accessible to readers. A special two-volume limited edition was also made available through PS Publishing for collectors. North American audiences received their copy shortly after, with Bantam releasing the book in the United States and Canada on September 16, 2008.

Critical Reception and Reader Response

Critics largely praised the novel for its relentless pace and immersive world-building, though some noted its sheer size and complexity as potential drawbacks. Publishers Weekly lauded Esslemont's ability to evoke battlefield gore and grit, describing the story as a "long, bloody, explosive-filled battle to end all battles" and noting he handily outdoes even series co-creator Erikson in this regard. However, reactions were not universally enthusiastic; a re-read by Reactor yielded mixed results, with one reviewer asking, "is that it?", while another found the book held up well on a second read.