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. Since the main Malazan armies are otherwise engaged in Quon Tali; 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. A somewhat rag-tag army; joined by a similarly motley fleet under the command of the Emperor himself. There are however those who harbour doubts regarding the stewardship of Kellanved and his cohort Dancer; and as the Malazan force heads north; it encounters an unlooked-for and most unwelcome threat - unspeakable and born of legend; it has woken and will destroy all who stand in its way. Most appalled by this is Tayschrenn; the untested High Mage of the Empire. He is all-too aware of the true nature of this ancient horror - and his own inadequacy in having to confront it. Yet confront it he must; alongside the most unlikely of allies . . . And then the theocracy of Falar is itself far from defenceless - its priests are in possession of a weapon so terrifying it has not been unleashed for centuries. Named the Jhistal; it was 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 . . . Here; then; in the tracts of the Ice Wastes and among the islands of Falar; the Empire of Malaz faces two seemingly insurmountable tests - each one potentially the origin of its destruction . . . These are bloody; turbulent and treacherous times for all caught up in the forging of the Malazan Empire.