Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by kfirlevy
Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book is incredible, and at the same time not for everyone.
Steven Erikson is a poet; he makes you think, he makes you feel and he makes you reflect upon his thought process. His every word is a note in a symphony that is his character's thoughts, and he manages to put into words things you instinctively understand yet cannot describe.
In this story he throws you in the middle of a wild war full of mysteries and intrigues. In truth, most of the story is happening behind the scenes, and you get to see the smaller part each character takes in the never-ending, brutal cycle that is the very existence of the Malazan Empire, and as you're shown, the existence of human civilization altogether.
When you read Gardens of the Moon, you have to accept you will not be able to understand and grasp every part of the story, and that it's okay. You just have to focus and maybe have a look (safely) online every now and then to make sure there's nothing important you may have missed. Sounds bothersome, I know, but it's worth it.
Remember, the characters understand what's at stake and what's going on, you walked in at the middle of their story, and now it's up to you to pick up the pieces and connect the dots.
If you have the patience, it pays off.
I won't give this a 5-star as there were a few bits that I wasn't specifically a huge fan of, though they weren't bad.
Still, this book is genius and I can't wait to read through the rest of the series.
Steven Erikson is a poet; he makes you think, he makes you feel and he makes you reflect upon his thought process. His every word is a note in a symphony that is his character's thoughts, and he manages to put into words things you instinctively understand yet cannot describe.
In this story he throws you in the middle of a wild war full of mysteries and intrigues. In truth, most of the story is happening behind the scenes, and you get to see the smaller part each character takes in the never-ending, brutal cycle that is the very existence of the Malazan Empire, and as you're shown, the existence of human civilization altogether.
When you read Gardens of the Moon, you have to accept you will not be able to understand and grasp every part of the story, and that it's okay. You just have to focus and maybe have a look (safely) online every now and then to make sure there's nothing important you may have missed. Sounds bothersome, I know, but it's worth it.
Remember, the characters understand what's at stake and what's going on, you walked in at the middle of their story, and now it's up to you to pick up the pieces and connect the dots.
If you have the patience, it pays off.
I won't give this a 5-star as there were a few bits that I wasn't specifically a huge fan of, though they weren't bad.
Still, this book is genius and I can't wait to read through the rest of the series.