The Last Champion is the working title of the fifth book in the Path to Ascendancy series by Ian C. Esslemont.[2] It is tentatively scheduled to be released on 1 April 2027 in the UK.
STATUS: As of November 2025, Esslemont stated that the book had been handed over to the publisher for editing.[3] In a February 2025 interview Esslemont revealed the working title and stated "it's coming along, and I'm trying something different, so it's been a challenge. But I think I can pull it off."[2]
Publisher's summary[]
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.[4]
Front matter[]
Dedication[]
Acknowledgements[]
Maps[]
Editions[]
| Publisher | Edition | Released | Pages | ISBN | Cover | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK and Commonwealth — The Last Champion | ||||||
| Bantam | Hardcover | 2027 Apr 1 | 512 | 978-1787632578 | xxx | |
| Bantam | Trade paperback | 2027 Apr 1 | 512 | 978-1787632585 | ||
| Transworld Digital | E-book | 2027 Apr 1 | — | 978-1473571259 | ||
| Transworld Digital | Audio | xxx | xxhr xxm | 978-xxx | ||
| United States — The Last Champion | ||||||
| Tor | Hardcover | xxx | xxx | 978-xxx | ||
| Tor | Trade paperback | xxx | xxx | 978-xxx | ||
| Tor | E-book | xxx | — | 978-xxx | ||
| XXXXXX — XXXXXX | ||||||
| company | format | date | pages | 978-xxx | cover | Translation: |
Plot summary[]
Cover gallery[]
