Forge of the High Mage
| Author | Ian C. Esslemont |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Series | Path to Ascendancy |
| Genre | Epic fantasy |
| Publisher | Bantam Press (UK), Tor Books (US) |
Publication date | 2023 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover, paperback), e-book, audiobook |
| Pages | |
| Preceded by | 'Kellanved's Reach |
Forge of the High Mage is a 2023 epic fantasy novel by Canadian author Ian C. Esslemont. It is the fourth volume in Esslemont’s Path to Ascendancy series, a prequel sequence set in the Malazan Book of the Fallen universe created with Steven Erikson. The novel follows the rise and the continuing formation of the Malazan Empire.
Plot
Set in the early years of the Malazan Empire, Forge of the High Mage chronicles the escalating conflicts on Quon Tali and Seven Cities, as Dassem Ultor and Kellanved face growing internal and external threats. The novel explores the consolidation of imperial power, the forging of alliances, and the moral cost of empire-building. It continues Esslemont’s exploration of military strategy, ambition, and the shaping of Malazan mythology.
Reception
Forge of the High Mage received generally positive critical reviews. Publishers Weekly praised it as “a dense, rewarding addition to the Malazan saga,” highlighting Esslemont’s ability to blend military detail with philosophical undertones.[1]
Grimdark Magazine commended the novel’s “grand scope and precise pacing,” calling it “one of Esslemont’s strongest entries in years.”[2]
Strange Horizons highlighted its “layered political intrigue” and “mature storytelling” within the Malazan setting.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ "Forge of the High Mage". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ↑ "Review: Forge of the High Mage by Ian C. Esslemont". Grimdark Magazine. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ↑ "Forge of the High Mage by Ian C. Esslemont". Strange Horizons. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
External links
- Forge of the High Mage at Goodreads
- Tor Books official site
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