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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Parts of this had potential but honestly the way characters and their relationships were written in this just isn't something I found very memorable. Plot was interesting enough, I suppose, but me personally, characters and setting are of utmost importance to me- if the plot's a bit lackluster, I don't truly tend to mind it. tbh this is more of a 2.75 but there were enough parts that held my attention decently well that I'm giving it a 3
--
thought about it some more and actually im bumping it down to a 2- looked at the books in my 3 star tier and i did like them much better than this one soooo
--
thought about it some more and actually im bumping it down to a 2- looked at the books in my 3 star tier and i did like them much better than this one soooo
Steven Erikson brings a sense of apocalyptic human distress and an archaeolgist's fine-nosed turn to the archives of sedimented existence to grim character-driven fantasy. The result, as ever, is messy and voluminous, occasionally moving and entirely consumed by its own sense of seriousness. That's not a bad thing, of course, and this isn't a bad novel: it is what it is, and it might bring you enjoyment and joy.
On this, my second of reads, I was struck by how messily lines of possibility are cut off where previously I had seen coherence. Considering the many moving parts of this machine, it would be startling if loose ends weren't visible, but the plot makes demands of its author that may not, in retrospect, be seen as entirely necessary. The treatment of key characters such as Crokus and Ganoes Paran are especially prominent here (and I sympathize with SE's later need to radically revise the former character in particular). The roots of Erikson's writing in worldbuilding for RPGs are visible and influential in a way that few other books of comparable stature demonstrate. If you can accept those trammels, it's a hell of a ride.
On this, my second of reads, I was struck by how messily lines of possibility are cut off where previously I had seen coherence. Considering the many moving parts of this machine, it would be startling if loose ends weren't visible, but the plot makes demands of its author that may not, in retrospect, be seen as entirely necessary. The treatment of key characters such as Crokus and Ganoes Paran are especially prominent here (and I sympathize with SE's later need to radically revise the former character in particular). The roots of Erikson's writing in worldbuilding for RPGs are visible and influential in a way that few other books of comparable stature demonstrate. If you can accept those trammels, it's a hell of a ride.
Gardens of the Moon is probably the most impressive first entry of a fantasy series that I have read. I was really blown away by this one. The author's approach to telling his story is so unique and culminates in one of the most rewarding experiences I've had while reading. I don't think that there is a single wasted line in the entire book. Everything serves the story that Erikson is telling and every line read, character interaction, description, or seemingly minute piece of information introduced, elucidates previous parts of the story and allows the reader to re-contextualize it in a completely new and intriguing way while simultaneously hinting at what's to come. Every revelation I was met with kept me wanting to know more, and with each revelation a new mystery or plot point would be unveiled. A constant positive feedback loop of entertainment.
All of the characters feel so intentional and realized. The worldbuilding is executed so well and lends so much mystery to the story. The plotting was easily the strongest aspect of the book for me.
I'm really looking forward to seeing where the series goes, especially considering that this one seems to be the most poorly received. I can understand where some might be coming from in that regard. Gardens of the Moon is not something I expect to have mass appeal due to how Erikson goes about presenting the story, especially in the earlier parts of the book. I would say reading Gardens of the Moon is like solving a jigsaw puzzle with really poor eyesight, but every new piece connected improves your vision but also changes how all of the previous parts connect to each other, with the image displayed becoming more obscured in some parts and clearer in others. But the more accustomed you become with the world the better it gets.
Easily one of my favorite reading experiences.
I'll end the spoiler free part of the review with a line that I think perfectly sums up Gardens of the Moon. "The best plans work inside other plans, and when its right to feint, feint big."
Top 5 Characters and Character Discussion
As of this point in the story, these were the characters that I had either the most fun reading or found the most compelling/interesting.
1. Kruppe
2. Toc the Younger
3. Anomander Rake
4. Paran
5. Rallick Nom
I want to talk about the plotlines and characters that I thought were the most interesting so I'll be marking it as a spoiler
The mysteries in general are what I think make the story so good. Whiskeyjack specifically comes to mind when I think of the overall "mystery" of Malazan so far. He continuously oscillates between being a very blunt surface level character and one of endless depth, specifically with his interactions with other people and how he presents himself and his own POV. He feels like he has the most to unpack emotionally going forward.
The character that really has me wanting more is Quick Ben. I don't really know what to think of his last line in the story. The stuff with the 7 warrens had me flabbergasted as well. Another character where there's always a little more to them.
One of the things that I feel like was pretty clearly hinted at being true, but not 100% confirmed, was the idea that a mortal can "Ascend" to godhood. Hence them being named "Ascendants". But I'm not too sure. I feel like there's some kind of mixture of Gods that were born as Gods and those that have "Ascended". Especially considering that gods can be killed and the implication that there have been other gods before that might just be occupying the same niche. I could be misinterpreting it though.
Continuing with the "Ascension" line of thought. I feel like it was heavily implied that Rallick Nom is in some way no longer mortal. There's specifically the line "He began his ascent" or something like that when he climbs the tower to kill Ocelot. I assume it has something to do with the Otatarl (probably spelt it wrong) powder. The stuff at the end with the Azath also influences my thoughts on the matter to be more likely than not. I'm very interested to see where his story goes.
There will always be more to talk about in a story with this much detail. I didn't really mention my thoughts on Rake, Adjunct Lorn, Tattersail, Caladan Brood, etc... but I don't really expect anyone to have read this far anyway.
That's it. Review finished. Looking forward to the next one.
All of the characters feel so intentional and realized. The worldbuilding is executed so well and lends so much mystery to the story. The plotting was easily the strongest aspect of the book for me.
I'm really looking forward to seeing where the series goes, especially considering that this one seems to be the most poorly received. I can understand where some might be coming from in that regard. Gardens of the Moon is not something I expect to have mass appeal due to how Erikson goes about presenting the story, especially in the earlier parts of the book. I would say reading Gardens of the Moon is like solving a jigsaw puzzle with really poor eyesight, but every new piece connected improves your vision but also changes how all of the previous parts connect to each other, with the image displayed becoming more obscured in some parts and clearer in others. But the more accustomed you become with the world the better it gets.
Easily one of my favorite reading experiences.
I'll end the spoiler free part of the review with a line that I think perfectly sums up Gardens of the Moon. "The best plans work inside other plans, and when its right to feint, feint big."
Top 5 Characters and Character Discussion
As of this point in the story, these were the characters that I had either the most fun reading or found the most compelling/interesting.
1. Kruppe
2. Toc the Younger
3. Anomander Rake
4. Paran
5. Rallick Nom
I want to talk about the plotlines and characters that I thought were the most interesting so I'll be marking it as a spoiler
Spoiler
All of the stuff involving House Shadow was so unbelievably gas. Cotillion and Ammanas' goals and relationship with Laseen are what I'm looking forward to the most in the future books. There's so much mystery surrounding Laseen, and everything that has been left unsaid about her true relationship to the other characters throughout is such a great plothook.The mysteries in general are what I think make the story so good. Whiskeyjack specifically comes to mind when I think of the overall "mystery" of Malazan so far. He continuously oscillates between being a very blunt surface level character and one of endless depth, specifically with his interactions with other people and how he presents himself and his own POV. He feels like he has the most to unpack emotionally going forward.
The character that really has me wanting more is Quick Ben. I don't really know what to think of his last line in the story. The stuff with the 7 warrens had me flabbergasted as well. Another character where there's always a little more to them.
One of the things that I feel like was pretty clearly hinted at being true, but not 100% confirmed, was the idea that a mortal can "Ascend" to godhood. Hence them being named "Ascendants". But I'm not too sure. I feel like there's some kind of mixture of Gods that were born as Gods and those that have "Ascended". Especially considering that gods can be killed and the implication that there have been other gods before that might just be occupying the same niche. I could be misinterpreting it though.
Continuing with the "Ascension" line of thought. I feel like it was heavily implied that Rallick Nom is in some way no longer mortal. There's specifically the line "He began his ascent" or something like that when he climbs the tower to kill Ocelot. I assume it has something to do with the Otatarl (probably spelt it wrong) powder. The stuff at the end with the Azath also influences my thoughts on the matter to be more likely than not. I'm very interested to see where his story goes.
There will always be more to talk about in a story with this much detail. I didn't really mention my thoughts on Rake, Adjunct Lorn, Tattersail, Caladan Brood, etc... but I don't really expect anyone to have read this far anyway.
That's it. Review finished. Looking forward to the next one.