House of Chains (Malazan Book of the Fallen 4)

House of Chains is the fourth installment in the "Malazan Book of the Fallen" saga, the ten-book series, originally published between 1999 and 2011, which has turned Canadian author Steven Erikson into one of the greatest voices in contemporary epic fantasy. Since then, this masterpiece of imagination has been considered one of the most ambitious series the genre has produced in recent years.

This volume begins in northern Genabackis, on the day that the extraordinary destiny of Karsa Orlong begins, one of the three savage warriors who descend the mountains to attack the southern lands. Years later, Tavore, the Empress's inexperienced advisor, must train twelve thousand soldiers to turn them into a force capable of challenging the hordes of the chosen one, Sha'ik, who await in the desert. There, her warlords are entangled in a power struggle that threatens the soul of the rebellion, while Sha'ik obsesses over whom she believes to be her greatest enemy: her sister.

Reviews:
"The best epic fantasy is currently being written. 'Game of Thrones' and 'Malazan Book of the Fallen' are the most important sagas of this new phenomenon, and much more satisfying than the fantasy that emerged under Tolkien's influence."
The New York Times

"This is Steven Erikson's greatest work to date, and that's saying a lot."
Fantasy Book Review