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  • Orb Sceptre Throne

  • Novels of the Malazan Empire, Book 4
  • Written by: Ian C. Esslemont
  • Narrated by: John Banks
  • Length: 25 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (32 ratings)

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Orb Sceptre Throne

Written by: Ian C. Esslemont
Narrated by: John Banks
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Publisher's Summary

The epic new chapter in the history of Malaz - the epic fantasy from Steven Erikson's friend and co-creator of this extraordinary and exciting imagined world.

Darujhistan, city of dreams, city of blue flames, is peaceful at last; its citizens free to return to politicking, bickering, trading and, above all, enjoying the good things in life. Yet there are those who will not allow the past to remain buried. A scholar digging in the plains stumbles across an ancient sealed vault. The merchant Humble Measure schemes to drive out the remaining Malazan invaders. And the surviving agents of a long-lost power are stirring, for they sense change and so, opportunity. While, as ever at the center of everything, a thief in a red waistcoat and of rotund proportions walks the streets, juggling in one hand custard pastries, and in the other the fate of the city itself.

Far to the south, fragments of the titanic Moon's Spawn have crashed into the Rivan Sea creating a series of isles...and a fortune hunter's dream. A Malazan veteran calling himself 'Red' ventures out to try his luck - and perhaps say goodbye to old friends. But there he finds far more than he'd bargained for as the rush to claim the Spawn's treasures descends into a mad scramble of chaos and bloodshed. For powers from across the world have gathered here, searching for the legendary Throne of Night. The impact of these events are far reaching, it seems. On an unremarkable island off the coast of Genabackis, a people who had turned their backs upon all such strivings now lift their masked faces towards the mainland and recall the ancient prophesy of a return.

And what about the ex-Claw of the Malazan Empire who now walks the uttermost edge of creation? His mission - the success or failure of which the Queen of Dreams saw long ago - is destined to shape far more than anyone could have ever imagined.

©2016 Random House Audiobooks, all rights reserved.; 2012 Ian Cameron Esselmont.

What listeners say about Orb Sceptre Throne

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Live by the sword

Apparently I have read this before. That probably explains why I was confused during my reread of "Tales from the Malazan Book of the Fallen." I was remembering events described in THIS novel!

Now I have to go back and reread "Night of Knives," because I read that too long ago as well!

This story gives important insight into the histories of the Seguleh and Moranth, and is a welcome return to Darujhistan.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

The book was quite enjoyable overall.
One thing to note is that it draws heavily upon a cast of established Malazan characters, and doesn't introduce many new ones.
The voice acting was really good in terms of consistency and dynamics... however the mis-pronounciation of many Malazan-specific words and names is jarring.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great novel, Poor pronunciation

A great addition to the Malazan universe. A lot of people don't enjoy Esslemont's additions to Malazan but I find they flesh out the world. Story was engaging and fun to listen to.

However Banks pronounces so many of the Malazan words/names wrong it is jarring and breaks the engagement with the story. I can't fathom how this made it through any sort of review before getting published. Erickson & Esslemont have written of how things should be pronounced or just read the wiki FFS.

Otherwise it was a good performance.

If you can get past hearing names/places said wrong it's worth a listen, if not, pass.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great chapter of the Malazan histories

Love everything from Esslemont so far! Make sure to read Steven Erickson to if you haven’t.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

The brilliance continues with brilliance audio! Another epic story told to a captivated malazan fan!

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