After decades of warfare, Malazan forces are now close to consolidating the Quon Talian mainland. Yet it is at this moment that Emperor Kellanved orders a new campaign far to the north: the invasion of Falar. A collection of orphaned units and broken squads has been brought together under Fist Dujek - himself recovering from the loss of an arm - to fight this new campaign. There are however those who harbour doubts regarding the stewardship of Kellanved and his cohort Dancer. And the theocracy of Falar is itself far from defenceless - its priests are in possession of a terrifying weapon named the Jhistal, rumoured to be a gift from the sea-god Mael. But two can play at that game, for the Emperor sails towards Falar aboard his flagship Twisted - a vessel that is itself thought to be not entirely of this world . . . These are bloody, turbulent and treacherous times for all caught up in the forging of the Malazan Empire.