I've heard, generally, that Esslemont isn't quite as talented as Erikson. I have no first hand experience, and with the 10 tomes of the mainline Malazan, I think I've had enough of that universe for quite some time. Its a spectacular event, but I have not the time to be a devotee of multiple universes, and Malazan would require much the same scrutiny as Second Apocalypse to get all the feels. Had I stumbled upon GotM instead of TDTCB all those years ago, I fear this version of Wilshire wouldn't exist in this place

. Alas, you're stuck with me.
Dancer's Lament by Esselmont is soon to come out, and it will explain how they started the Malazan Empire. Very excited for that.
That said, Dancer's Lament might make it onto my list, and if I ever find Night of Knives somewhere, I'll pick it up and read it. I have more interest in the background of the Malazan Empire than I do with figuring out all the happenings of the world at large.