[.uk] Gardens of the Moon (The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Vol. 1) (ISBN 0765348780)

All world-building, no story:
Normally, a book/series where anything/everything goes would present some intriguing elements for readers. Normally, I enjoy a book where conflict and war reign throughout. Usually, I don't mind a generous display of magic. Unfortunately, I found Steven Erikson's GARDENS OF THE MOON way too convoluted for an opening installment to an epic SFF series. All of the following severely handicapped the reading experience: Erikson's liberal use of magic, nonsensical events, and intricate names of races, people, gods, creatures, magical houses/warrens, history and places, all of which develop Erikson's world. Oftentimes, I doubted even Erikson's capacity to keep everything straight. GARDENS OF THE MOON appears to emphasize world building above all else and I thought suffered from it as a result. The history, the races, ascendant hierarchy, etc. all detracted from the characterizations, prose, the pacing and even the plotting. I found the characterizations one-dimensional, the prose below-average to average, the settings sorely lacking, and the pacing dull. Unlike another book I'm reading, Erikson's GARDENS OF THE MOON never really grabs you. I was never really interested to read more in GARDENS OF THE MOON, much less entertained. I just continued to read out of rote since I harbor an obstinate habit of trying to finish books I start. I thought Erikson did a relatively decent job of crafting the same event from multiple perspectives. For example, when the book first introduces us to the central focus of the novel -- the city of Darujhistan -- Erikson crafts a night from multiple perspectives: from a common thief, from an assassin, from various killers, and then from other Phoenix Inn regulars in the city. Erikson pursues a similar style at Lady Sinital's Fete in the finale of the book as the plotting comes to a head from various points of view: the alchemist Baruk, the eccentric sorcerer Kruppe, the thief Crokus, the assassin Rallick Nom, Captain Paran, Whiskeyjack and our antagonist Adjunct Lorn, or the Empress's right arm. Unfortunately, many obtuse occurrences jarred the reading experience. For instance, Paran at Hood's gate (entrance to death) early in the novel and salvaged by the twin gods of luck and chance, Oponn. Tattersail's bizarre reincarnation in Kruppe's dream, and Paran randomly hijacked by the House of Shadow late in the novel. The Jaghut Tyrant and his source of power in an object (Finnest) develops as the primary threat late in the novel despite the Malazan Empire and its quest to conquer the city of Darujhistan. Meanwhile, the 7-foot tall Lord of Moon's Spawn Anomander Rake evolves as the most powerful entity in the story. Also towards the end, Rake seems to randomly appear, saves Paran from the House of Shadow's hounds, and then Rake compels House of Shadow's King Shadowthrone to recall his assassin partner the Rope from possession of the girl Sorry's body thereby rescuing the Coin Bearer Crokus in the process. Convenient? Yep. Convoluted? Yep. Entertaining? No so much. Most of the time, I felt like I was reading a history text on a world of magic. Not a story with interesting characters.

Not for me:
I can't get into this one. I've started it 3 times, and I never get more than halfway through before I get bored with it. I wish I could love the series as much as everyone else seems to, but it just falls flat for me. I know persistence can sometimes pay off (I took me 3 tries for both Lord of the Rings and Wheel of Time), but I don't think this one is going to make it for me.

a budding fantasy \ono spoilers\c:
"Gardens of the Moon" begins "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" saga covering many characters from differing perspectives during a war involving the gods. The exceptional storytelling effectively describes the rich world loaded with vast magic and divine intrigue. Yet the details can be overwhelming with concepts and words which are a hard to determine and vague magical sources called Warrens. The two primary characters are Ganoes Paran, a young noble in the Malazan Empire military, and the young thief Crokus Youngblood and to a lesser extent at the beginning Tattersail, a sorceress for the Empress Laseen. They interact with several other characters, including gods, and those individuals have a significant impact on the war regardless of whether it is viewed as destiny or free will. There are too many magical items even though some are cleverly used. I felt Chapter 13 illustrated an excellent battle between an assassin and a mage. A better comprehensive appendix would have been useful addressing racial characteristics, relating magical powers, and describing creatures along with catch phrases and terms. I recommend this series to any fan of the fantasy genre. Thank you.

Not Surprised . . .:
I'm not surprised that so many people aren't rating this book higher. It's not an "easy" read. The many layers of this book, the hidden meanings and symbols, the various intricacies of politics and betrayal, are not just spoon fed to you. The magic is interesting and varied, not the generic fire ball fights. The various Warrens (types of magic used) tapped by various magic users seem to involve not only the talent of the wielder, but often times the personality, the race and societal background of the weaver . Magic is the casters language. It takes a closer look as opposed to a "power" read. Writers who can weave a story, but lack a higher writing style, i.e. Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, J.K. Rowling (all of which I am a fan, mind you, though both Jordan and Goodkind fumbled their series mid-way) don't quite reach the level of writing that George R.R. Martin and Steven Erickson achieve. While Martin and Erickson don't reach the level of what would be considered literature, they strive for it and come close. (4.5 stars) 5 stars to balance the poor reviews.

Not Free SF Reader:
Black Company power up. I believe I read that Erikson mentions Glen Cook as one of his influences - something that would seem to be abundantly clear, here. There's a smart, more than usual bunch of soldiers stuck in the middle of a conflict between a scary lady, and a scary man. Although they aren't undead sorcerers, when you have 20,000 year old assassins with black swords and silver hair or something similar, not sure there is much difference. The Malazan Empire is at war, and has a power struggle going on amidst its own army. Unlike Cook, though, Erikson ratchets up the power levels, in general. There's magic craziness all over the shop. If you are old enough to remember playing Space Invaders and Galaxian, it is like the difference between moving from those games to the variety that had big fat ships with ravening power beams and power ups that flew all over the shop on the screen. Thieves and assassins abound, too, along with alien magic monsters and godlings galore. There's a huge cast, and the author's important person list is very, very long, matched by a glossary at the back. At times, though, you think, 'I don't care about minor godling A, mage B, boy thief C, or possessed thing D, get me back to Whiskeyjack and the Bridgeburners, please. This motley crew of soldiers, sappers and sorcerers is easily the most interesting part, and unlike Croaker's Gobln and company, Whiskeyjack's magic men have some serious mojo. Sort of like in the Lord of the Rings where you get sick of hobbits declaring their undying devotion, and you just want to get back to Legolas and Gimli bashing orcs. Knowing that their days are numbered, and the boss would be happy to get rid of them, the boys begin to plot a reversal manoeuvre. Long, but no tedious forest traipsing, and any dragons seem to have a very short lifespan. Or, as far as this sort of thing goes, much more my sort of book.