Blood Follows

Blood Follows is a dark fantasy novella set in the gritty port city of Lamentable Moll, part of Steven Erikson's Malazan universe. The story tracks multiple characters including Emancipor Reese, a down-on-his-luck man seeking employment, and Sergeant Guld, a city guard investigating a series of murders. The narrative introduces two enigmatic travelers - Bauchelain, a scholar and summoner, and his silent partner Korbal Broach, a necromancer. Their arrival in Lamentable Moll coincides with strange events that draw the attention of local authorities and citizens alike. The book presents a self-contained story that serves as a prequel to characters who appear later in Erikson's main Malazan series. Despite its shorter length, the work maintains the complex worldbuilding and multiple viewpoints characteristic of Erikson's larger works. Through its noir-tinged fantasy elements, Blood Follows examines themes of desperation, duty, and the prices people pay for survival in a harsh world. The narrative balances dark humor with moments of horror while exploring the boundaries between necessity and morality.

Readers note this novella serves as an accessible entry point to Erikson's writing style compared to his larger Malazan works. The shorter format helps new readers adjust to his dense prose and worldbuilding. Readers appreciated: - Dark humor and banter between characters - Noir detective story elements - Compact but complete storytelling - Strong character development despite short length Common criticisms: - Confusing narrative jumps - Too many characters introduced rapidly - Desire for more backstory/context - Some found it too brief to get invested Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (180+ ratings) Several readers commented it works better after reading other Malazan books, with one noting "the references mean more if you're familiar with the world." Others praised the "perfect blend of horror and humor" but some felt it was "too rushed to properly develop the mystery elements."

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch A tale of thieves and con artists operating in a dark fantasy world's criminal underbelly contains the same mix of grit, humor, and intricate plotting found in Blood Follows.

Low Town by Daniel Polansky A noir-fantasy about a drug-dealing detective in a corrupt city shares Blood Follows' focus on crime investigation in a grimy, magic-tinged setting.

The Black Company by Glen Cook This military fantasy chronicles mercenaries caught in dark plots and features the same street-level perspective of epic events that characterizes Blood Follows.

Perdido Street Station by China Miéville The story unfolds in a bizarre city with strange magic and multiple plot threads that intersect in ways similar to Blood Follows' multilayered narrative structure.

The Corpse-Rat King by Lee Battersby A tale about a battlefield scavenger forced into the underworld presents the same blend of death, dark humor, and supernatural elements found in Blood Follows.

🔍 Before becoming a novelist, Steven Erikson worked as a professional archaeologist and anthropologist, which heavily influences the detailed world-building in his works. 🏰 Lamentable Moll is inspired by medieval port cities and features architecture incorporating bones and remnants of ancient civilizations - a common theme in Erikson's world. 📚 Blood Follows was first published in 2002 as part of PS Publishing's novella series, initially in a limited run of just 500 hardcover copies. 🗡️ The character Bauchelain, introduced in this novella, became so popular that Erikson wrote several more novellas featuring him, known collectively as "The Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach." 🎓 The noir elements in Blood Follows were influenced by Erikson's admiration for Raymond Chandler's detective novels, blending classic mystery tropes with fantasy elements.