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A review by mollymortensen
Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
4.0
Everyone seems to either love or hate this book. I was prepared to be one of the latter, but I wound up quite enjoying it.
I understand why people were confused. The author doesn't explain anything; people, places, magic, he just dumps you in the world. Overall there were 33 POVs! (Granted, many were less than a page long.) but still, it was a bit silly (there was even a couple of instances of head hoping), and every chapter we jumped ahead a few years.
Then just when I was enjoying this book (and understanding it) we changed to a different location with all new characters.
The first POV in part two took place entirely in a dream (which I hate). Then, like when the book started, we're overwhelmed by POVs. (12 in this short section)
Usually my enjoyment depends on the characters, and the characters weren't bad, but there were just too many of them to get to know most of them well enough to like them.
The plot, which took a bit of getting used to, and some rereading to understand at first, was good. The magic system was unique, though I wish it had been better explained.
I was afraid because I don't usually like grimdark but this one wasn't too bad. Lighter than ASOIAF. There's no sex (one couple hook up off page) no torture, but a little too much gore for me. (I skimmed a little, particularly at the beginning.)
The ending was a bit of a let down. The big bad was defeated rather deus ex machina like. it was underwhelming and bad.
Will I read the next one? I don't know yet. If enough of the same characters are back I might, but I heard that the sequel is all war and much more of a grim dark book.
Points of view:
Ganoes Paran, fishergirl, the captain, Lorn Adjunct of the empress, staff Sgt Aragan, Tattersail, Sgt Whiskeyjack, The Agent, Second Guard, Gear the Hound, Young Guard
Kruppe (dreamer), Crokus (thief), Talo Krafar (assassin), The Killer, The hunter, Crone (Raven), The Guard, High Alchemist Baruk, Rollick Nom (assassin) Circle Breaker (spy for eel), Lady Simtal, Murillio,
Quick Ben (sorcerer), Toc the younger (crow), Caladan Brood (warlord), Sorry, Kalam (assassin) The Demon (literally) Anomander Rake (Lord of Moon Spawn), Meese, Serrat (Tiste Andii assassin) Raest, Korlot
I understand why people were confused. The author doesn't explain anything; people, places, magic, he just dumps you in the world. Overall there were 33 POVs! (Granted, many were less than a page long.) but still, it was a bit silly (there was even a couple of instances of head hoping), and every chapter we jumped ahead a few years.
Then just when I was enjoying this book (and understanding it) we changed to a different location with all new characters.
The first POV in part two took place entirely in a dream (which I hate). Then, like when the book started, we're overwhelmed by POVs. (12 in this short section)
Usually my enjoyment depends on the characters, and the characters weren't bad, but there were just too many of them to get to know most of them well enough to like them.
The plot, which took a bit of getting used to, and some rereading to understand at first, was good. The magic system was unique, though I wish it had been better explained.
I was afraid because I don't usually like grimdark but this one wasn't too bad. Lighter than ASOIAF. There's no sex (one couple hook up off page) no torture, but a little too much gore for me. (I skimmed a little, particularly at the beginning.)
The ending was a bit of a let down. The big bad was defeated rather deus ex machina like.
Spoiler
After all that build up suddenly there's a plant thing that protects the planet that stopped him? (I might not be exactly right, because that part was confusing.) but either wayWill I read the next one? I don't know yet. If enough of the same characters are back I might, but I heard that the sequel is all war and much more of a grim dark book.
Points of view:
Ganoes Paran, fishergirl, the captain, Lorn Adjunct of the empress, staff Sgt Aragan, Tattersail, Sgt Whiskeyjack, The Agent, Second Guard, Gear the Hound, Young Guard
Kruppe (dreamer), Crokus (thief), Talo Krafar (assassin), The Killer, The hunter, Crone (Raven), The Guard, High Alchemist Baruk, Rollick Nom (assassin) Circle Breaker (spy for eel), Lady Simtal, Murillio,
Quick Ben (sorcerer), Toc the younger (crow), Caladan Brood (warlord), Sorry, Kalam (assassin) The Demon (literally) Anomander Rake (Lord of Moon Spawn), Meese, Serrat (Tiste Andii assassin) Raest, Korlot