Ahh, Malazan. A great setting. I have thoroughly enjoyed Esslemont's prequels whilst I found Erikson's unreadable. Which is strange given the sheer wonder Erikson managed with the main series. This was a little gem though. It's roots in an rpg campaign were showing but that never held back Raymond E Feist. The fact that both Erikson and Esslemont have backgrounds in anthropology shows in their books. Their societies have a ring of authenticity. Definite recommend if fantasy is your cup of chai.