Reviews

Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson

moshikami's review

3.0

This is the first book of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, and I really enjoyed it. The world is very interesting so far and I love the immersion that Steven Erikson bestows upon the reader beginning in the prologue.

I have read a few reviews of this series, and people say that it is confusing, but I didn't think so. There are a lot of things to keep track of, and maybe I missed a couple things along the way, but I found the main narrative of this book easy enough to follow. I also really enjoy in-depth lore, and I think part of the fun of this book is trying to figure out what's going on as the characters do, too.

I wasn't crazy about the climax of this book, but the Malazan world building is so intriguing that I'm looking forward to checking out more of the series!

sirpatrik's review

challenging dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

pippasha's review against another edition

adventurous challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

whimsicalmeerkat's review

3.0

I am giving [b:Gardens of the Moon|55399|Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1)|Steven Erikson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316129563s/55399.jpg|2646042] three stars, but I plan on reading further in [a:Steven Erikson|31232|Steven Erikson|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1219169436p2/31232.jpg]'s Malazan series. In some ways, this is the result of an average. The first half of the book might barely get a 2 out of me. Once I hit page 300, though, it picked up and started displaying the elements of epic fantasy I love. There is a moral ambiguity that makes this interesting. I enjoy books where it is hard, if not impossible, to point to anyone who is wholly good or wholly bad. Overall, if you can power through the first part and keep in mind that it takes awhile for things to start connecting, this is a good book.

seba_reads's review

adventurous challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

just_rossie's review against another edition

3.75

A bit rough around the edges but not as difficult as it is said to be after getting past the first few chapters.

pinch's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

reading_ryn's review

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

5.0

dkadastra's review

4.0

This book is pretty bonkers. Really throws you into the deep end, lore-wise and doesn't hold your hand. Makes for an intriguing read, and there's a lot of cool ideas here. The flip side of that, is that, occasionally, something will pop up that solves a problem for the protagonists that wasn't even really hinted at before. Not quite a deus ex machina, but definitely toes that line. That's a pretty minor quibble overall. This was a re-read for me, but after going through it a second time I can't understand why I wouldn't have moved onto the rest of the series. Definitely going to remedy that now!

gearyofbooks's review

4.0

All I was told when going into this book was that it's brilliant and complex.
Fine I thought, I've read complex stuff before. How hard can it be?

Oh you sweet summer child, how wrong you were.

With that said it was worth the effort. Gardens of the Moon is a book which rewards the effort and engagement. You are not just viewing you are engaged in the tale. You find out if your ideas about the outcomes were even close.

There is a grimness to the action and execution, there is humour and laughs to offset the harder times.
Political scheming, wizard battles, demonic weapons and beasts, there is something for everyone here.