Dancer’s Lament by Ian C. Esselmont

Book Review

Adrian Fletcher

Prequels are always an interesting proposition. There’s a line to walk between what readers of the original work expect from the characters and writing an original story that is worth reading for a new audience, and those already invested. I was a big fan of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, and I’ve read a couple of Esselmont’s other books set in the world, but to be honest, they didn’t grab me in the same way as the Erikson books. That said, Kellanved and Dancer are two of the more compelling characters in the series, and the story of how they established the Malazan Empire is an intriguing setting.

Dancer’s Lament, as the title implies, is primarily told from the POV of Dancer as he meets an annoying young mage he initially wants to kill, and they both come to the city of Li Heng. Dancer soon finds himself rising through the underworld of the city as a siege begins. The plot follows Dancer’s attempts to find Kellanved, to execute the aforementioned murder, and how they become allies. The siege provides a backdrop to their machinations, and provides them with opportunities to make their fortune.

It’s a fun read that doesn’t lean too much on the original series. The plot is tight and moves along nicely. The new characters introduced, such as the protectress of Li Heng, are well realised and add to the world. I found this to be the best addition to Malazan since the original ten-book series.

The only negative I had was that there’s a lack of weight to the book. Perhaps because of the two protagonists and their pragmatic approach to life, there aren’t many scenes steeped in deep emotion. There are a couple of minor characters who provide a little, but it’s more shading than genuine depth.

Any questions the reader may have had before going in are generally not answered, which may be to be expected from the first book in a series. As we pick up Dancer and Kellanved as young men, their backgrounds remain something of a mystery, especially Kellanved due to the POV. None of the other “old guard,” the founding fathers of the Malazan Empire, appear as yet. Although we do catch our first glimpse of the Emperor’s ability to command loyalty.

Overall, it’s a strong start to the series. Enough to leave the reader wanting more, and I’ll certainly be picking up Deadhouse Landing, the second book in the series.