Orb Sceptre Throne
 | |
| Author | Ian Cameron Esslemont |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Steve Stone |
| Language | English |
| Series | Novels of the Malazan Empire |
| Genre | High fantasy |
| Publisher | Bantam Press (UK & Canada) & Tor Books (USA) |
Publication date | 19 January 2012 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 608 (Bantam UK hardcover edition) |
| ISBN | 0-593-06450-X (Bantam UK hardcover edition) |
| OCLC | 760974846 |
| Preceded by | Stonewielder |
| Followed by | Blood and Bone |
Orb Sceptre Throne is a high fantasy novel by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont, the fourth he wrote set in the world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, co-created with Esslemont's friend and colleague Steven Erikson.[1] Orb Sceptre Throne is the fourth of six novels by Esslemont to take place in the Malazan world.[2][3]
Plot
The novel takes place mainly in the city of Darujhistan during the events of Stonewielder and The Crippled God. There are several plotlines, one involving a tyrannical ruler in Darujhistan, one dealing with Antsy's journey to the remains of Moon's Spawn, a floating fortress, and a third plotline involving the warrior people of Seguleh.[4]
Reception
Publishers Weekly summarized: "Subplots too dense to summarize will make sense only to longtime fans, but those familiar with the series will find this a worthy and satisfying installment."[5] Bill Capossere from Reactor wrote: "[...] Orb, Sceptre, Throne is Esslemont’s finest novel to date and a thoroughly enjoyable read."[4] In a re-read of the novel, Capossere still liked it, writing: "Besides being perhaps the best crafted of the novels so far, or at least the second best, OST, is also for me his [Esslemont's] “warmest” novel." Another reviewer, Amanda Rutter, enjoyed the novel overall but had some consistency and depth issues.[6]
References
- ^ Jones, Jeremly L. C. (2009). "The Minimal and Finely Focused Fantasy of Ian C. Esslemont". Clarkesworld Magazine. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
- ^ Capossere, Bill (2012). "All In Against the Tyrant: Orb, Sceptre, Throne by Ian Cameron Esslemont". Tor. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ^ Bedford, Rob (2013). "Ian C. Esslemont Interview for Blood and Bone: A Novel of the Malazan Empire". SFFWorld. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
- ^ a b Capossere, Bill (22 May 2012). "Reviews - All In Against the Tyrant: Orb, Sceptre, Throne by Ian Cameron Esslemont". Reactor. Macmillan Publishers. Archived from the original on 25 March 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ "Orb Sceptre Throne". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz, LLC. 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ Rutter, Amanda; Capossere, Bill (15 May 2015). "Malazan Reread of the Fallen: Orb Sceptre Throne, Book Wrap". Reactor. Macmillan Publishers. Archived from the original on 25 March 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.