[ArchieVist]

ICE just gave an interview in which he revealed the working title of Path(s) to Ascendancy Book 5 was "The Last Champion". He also said once Book 6 was complete, he will likely be done with Malazan and be moving onto some science fiction projects he's had on the back burner for awhile.

[Abyss]

Interesting / boooooo (but i'm on board for whatever he writes next, regardless).

[sigpig]

Y'ghatan, perhaps?

[ArchieVist]

I'm assuming the reference is to Imanaj D'Shren, who goes home to Aren at the end of Forge of the High Mage?

[Abyss]

i kind of hope so because that character/story stood out like a sore thumb detached from its human and just thumbing around doing nothing for the bigger body in the last book.

[ArchieVist]

Edelweiss is currently showing a 1 April 2027 release date for this book. They still show the below publisher summary, which has been floating around on their website for years.

Quote

An enthralling, exciting, fifth chapter - full of adventure and magic - in Ian C. Esslemont's acclaimed epic fantasy sequence 'Paths to Ascendancy' and taking readers back to the turbulent and troubled early history of what would become the Malazan Empire.

Here we will be documenting and following the emerging Malazan Empire's first landings and foothold in the region of the Seven Cities. Central to this account will be the monumental and notorious attack on the Holy City of Aren.

The emergence of Dassem Ultor, his rising influence and popularity among the military of the empire - together with Surly's growing wariness of it - is all suggestive of his death before the walls of Y'ghatan.

Another path of this story will follow Kellanved and Dancer's exploration of Shadow and beyond, and further steps towards the former's ascension as Shadowthrone.