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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Throwing in the towel at 64% I know this is a crazy popular series but I am extremely bored with this book. I also don't like the writing and I think the world building and character development are terrible. I got mildly interested at the 40% mark but it's been languishing for a couple of days because I don't care enough to pick it up. It's definitely not for me.
Now I get to reread [b:The City & the City|4703581|The City & the City|China Miéville|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320475957s/4703581.jpg|4767909] for the third time. This book also throws you in the deep end and it's done brilliantly. I'm very pleased with this exchange :)
I won't be responding to "Face it, you're just stupid!!!" or "What the f*** is wrong with you?!" comments.
Now I get to reread [b:The City & the City|4703581|The City & the City|China Miéville|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320475957s/4703581.jpg|4767909] for the third time. This book also throws you in the deep end and it's done brilliantly. I'm very pleased with this exchange :)
I won't be responding to "Face it, you're just stupid!!!" or "What the f*** is wrong with you?!" comments.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me forever to read this book. It’s tough to get into, tons of characters and peoples and magic and politics. But worth it! It all comes together later in the book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
What an absolute ride. Gardens of the Moon is a dense, ambitious, and mind-blowing introduction to the world of the Malazan Empire. From the very first pages, Erikson throws you headfirst into a sprawling world that feels lived-in, ancient, and rich with history. And I loved it!
The characters are a huge part of what kept me hooked—flawed, mysterious, and layered. From the enigmatic Anomander Rake to the gritty Bridgeburners, every figure feels like they have a whole saga behind them, and watching their paths twist and intersect was incredibly rewarding. The magic system is wild, the battles intense, and the sheer scale of everything is jaw-dropping.
That said, it's not without its challenges. The book can be complicated—Erikson doesn’t hold your hand, and at times I had to stop and reread just to keep up. There’s also a romance subplot that felt a bit random and underdeveloped. And as much as I enjoyed it, you can tell it’s a setup for something bigger, so some parts feel more like groundwork than payoff.
Still, despite the steep learning curve, Gardens of the Moon was a thrilling, unforgettable start to a massive saga. I’m all in for the rest of the series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated