Reviews

Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson

chlcrc617's review against another edition

Too dense for right now will try again later 

teokajlibroj's review against another edition

2.0

It's almost as if the author didn't want us to understand the book. I really think his aim was to confuse everyone as much as possible. I honestly understood next to nothing in this book. The ending in particular was a chaotic mess with little resolution.

Not only are we dropped straight into the action without any explanation, but there is a whole magic system that is never explained but also complicated and byzantine politics. Not only is there a large cast of characters but they all act very strange, keeping secrets, plotting, scheming and acting completely inconsistently. Characters who were working together would decide to kill each other over a flimsy excuse. It got confusing trying to keep track of the muddle of names, especially as they didn't seem to know what they were doing or why. Their lack of personality made them all the harder to understand.

Spoiler

If the squad knew or suspected that Sorry was a murderer and possessed by an agent of darkness, why did they do nothing about it? Why did they let her follow them around? She would wander off and murder someone, then return and everyone acted like it was no big deal. That just struck me as daft.

Also what was the point of the quotes at the start of each chapter? I skipped most of that nonsense.

To be honest, I can't think of a moment during the book that I enjoyed, instead I spent almost the entire time feeling confused and hoping that some explanation would appear. It never did.

agratzel's review against another edition

adventurous challenging medium-paced

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

3.5

thexgrayxlady's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

liljatherobin's review against another edition

adventurous dark

4.0

andrefogal's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

ludvigmarklund's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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

4.0

titannineteen's review against another edition

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? No

3.75

very dense, hard to follow initially but as you continue reading it gets better. I will probably try reading the next one and see if the hype for the series is true

adrianaa3's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

4.0

Do I understand most of this book? Not necessarily, but I know Paran is lame, Quick Ben and Anomander Rake are BAMFs, and all books should have a psycho puppet man who smites birds

wordanjilkins's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

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

3.75

Good introduction to the world. Excited to read more