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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5/5 stars on a reread
Super biased review coming out here. Malazan book of the fallen is my favorite fantasy series of all time. My feelings on the first read around probably would have had this book around 3 stars. Probably my least favorite in the series overall on the first read. I was confused and didn't know how to feel after finishing this book and I'm so glad I continued onward. On a reread this book still comes through a bit rough around the edges. But I was just blown away by the amount of information I was understanding on the reread. The amount of seeds that are planted in this book is astounding. The more I read Malazan the more impressed I become. I can't wait to continue on with my reread and I am excited to see how it impacts my thoughts on the rest of the books / series as a whole. Erickson is just on a wavelength that if you resonate with it, it's hard to find anything better. If not..results may vary.
Super biased review coming out here. Malazan book of the fallen is my favorite fantasy series of all time. My feelings on the first read around probably would have had this book around 3 stars. Probably my least favorite in the series overall on the first read. I was confused and didn't know how to feel after finishing this book and I'm so glad I continued onward. On a reread this book still comes through a bit rough around the edges. But I was just blown away by the amount of information I was understanding on the reread. The amount of seeds that are planted in this book is astounding. The more I read Malazan the more impressed I become. I can't wait to continue on with my reread and I am excited to see how it impacts my thoughts on the rest of the books / series as a whole. Erickson is just on a wavelength that if you resonate with it, it's hard to find anything better. If not..results may vary.
Gardens of the Moon is the definition of a plot-driven story instead of a character-driven story. We are introduced to a cast of characters, most of whom have the depth of a cardboard cut-out, who do things not because it resonates with any aspect of their personality but because it advances the plot towards things occurring. The lack of characterization led to a plot that strives to be complex but ends up convoluted and a little uninteresting. Also, the ending smacked of deus ex machina, with some elements introduced out of thin air to tidy up some plot points.
Still, Erikson shows a great flair for worldbuilding, and he introduces some unique fantasy elements that are a refreshing departure from the normal fantasy tropes. His writing is solid on a sentence-by-sentence level, although there was a noticeable drop in quality from the first half of the book to the second.
Still, Erikson shows a great flair for worldbuilding, and he introduces some unique fantasy elements that are a refreshing departure from the normal fantasy tropes. His writing is solid on a sentence-by-sentence level, although there was a noticeable drop in quality from the first half of the book to the second.
It's good, but tough to follow on audio so I want to read it when I have more time to read with eyes instead of ears
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I cannot deny the fact I loved this book!!
📖 Gardens of the Moon centres the Malazan Empire ruled by the ruthless Empress Laseen and her ruthless campaign to conquer the continent of Genabackis. After taking the city of Pale Empress Laseen sets her sights neighbouring city Darujhistan, the last free cities of Genabackis.
However, it seems the empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister forces gather as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand...
✨ Review ✨
I can't lie it took a lot for me to finally pick this series up and not because I didn't think I would like it nor was I intimidated. What put me off was the fandom, it's one of the most aggressive, uninviting and annoying fandoms I've ever come across. So many man-babies to deal with, some of you are just as nuts as hardcores Taylor Swift fans. And honestly that's such a shame because it does a massive disservice to what they claim is there favourite fantasy. Putting that aside I'm so glad I finally jumped into this world because I truly did love this.
This was an ambitious start to a series filled with morally complex intrigue, layered politics and a wild magic system with hundreds of histories across many different races. I was instantly hooked by the vividness of the world and it's epic scope.
I've always been told that Malazan is confusing and complex. While I agree it's complex and the scope of the story is massive I found it easy enough to follow. Having said that from page 1 you are dropped into the middle of an epic battle with no background information. I personally loved this but the dense exposition and slower pace demands patience to allow the world and politics to unravel.
We have many different POVs and while I enjoyed some more than others I wasn't bored with any of them. I love the characters we have been introduced to so far. Everyone feels individualised and complex with their own struggles and motivations creating so much moral tension and interesting dyamincs. I can't wait to see how their stories continue.
The only reason this isn't a full 5 star for me is because I found the pacing to be slightly off at times it was a little inconsistent.
Overall I loved it and can't wait to continue. If you are looking for a truly epic fantasy that feels unique and imaginative filled with lots of lore, mystery and intrigue that you can sink your teeth into I highly recommend.
📖 Gardens of the Moon centres the Malazan Empire ruled by the ruthless Empress Laseen and her ruthless campaign to conquer the continent of Genabackis. After taking the city of Pale Empress Laseen sets her sights neighbouring city Darujhistan, the last free cities of Genabackis.
However, it seems the empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister forces gather as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand...
✨ Review ✨
I can't lie it took a lot for me to finally pick this series up and not because I didn't think I would like it nor was I intimidated. What put me off was the fandom, it's one of the most aggressive, uninviting and annoying fandoms I've ever come across. So many man-babies to deal with, some of you are just as nuts as hardcores Taylor Swift fans. And honestly that's such a shame because it does a massive disservice to what they claim is there favourite fantasy. Putting that aside I'm so glad I finally jumped into this world because I truly did love this.
This was an ambitious start to a series filled with morally complex intrigue, layered politics and a wild magic system with hundreds of histories across many different races. I was instantly hooked by the vividness of the world and it's epic scope.
I've always been told that Malazan is confusing and complex. While I agree it's complex and the scope of the story is massive I found it easy enough to follow. Having said that from page 1 you are dropped into the middle of an epic battle with no background information. I personally loved this but the dense exposition and slower pace demands patience to allow the world and politics to unravel.
We have many different POVs and while I enjoyed some more than others I wasn't bored with any of them. I love the characters we have been introduced to so far. Everyone feels individualised and complex with their own struggles and motivations creating so much moral tension and interesting dyamincs. I can't wait to see how their stories continue.
The only reason this isn't a full 5 star for me is because I found the pacing to be slightly off at times it was a little inconsistent.
Overall I loved it and can't wait to continue. If you are looking for a truly epic fantasy that feels unique and imaginative filled with lots of lore, mystery and intrigue that you can sink your teeth into I highly recommend.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
I did not know what to expect when I picked up this book but somehow it still exceeded my expectations. From page one, Erikson shoved me into a roller coaster and told me to hang on. What followed was such an incredibly rich, mysterious, and some times jaw dropping world full of sooo many unique and interesting characters. With such a huge cast of characters here in book 1, it speaks volumes to Erikson's writing to be able to encapsulate such unique voices in soooo many of them.
While I did absolutely love the ride, Erikson does not hold your hand with the plot or the worldbuilding. So much of the time, you are spent lost in the sauce and are meant to trust the author to get you where you need to go and understand enough when you get there. While Erikson has spent so much of this book setting up the world and plot points (of which there are many), we don't get to truly find out about some of the inner workings of the world or magic or even it's people. We have so many different races discussed in this 700 page book, but I felt I knew little to nothing about them by the end. I almost would have enjoyed a few info dumps here and there just to breath a little more life into everyone surrounding our characters.
I am trusting that we will get more history and knowledge about the series as it continues and I am so very excited about picking up book 2.
While I did absolutely love the ride, Erikson does not hold your hand with the plot or the worldbuilding. So much of the time, you are spent lost in the sauce and are meant to trust the author to get you where you need to go and understand enough when you get there. While Erikson has spent so much of this book setting up the world and plot points (of which there are many), we don't get to truly find out about some of the inner workings of the world or magic or even it's people. We have so many different races discussed in this 700 page book, but I felt I knew little to nothing about them by the end. I almost would have enjoyed a few info dumps here and there just to breath a little more life into everyone surrounding our characters.
I am trusting that we will get more history and knowledge about the series as it continues and I am so very excited about picking up book 2.
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No