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Submitted by Aidan Walters 
(Apr 30, 2002)

This is the start of a great series. I was recommended this book by a friend and it is fantastic. The first 100 pages of the book are very difficult to get through but if you do you will find one of the best fantasy series ever written, ( in my mind only, Song of Ice and Fire and the Wheel of Time are better). The set is dark fantasy and the batlle scenes are actually believable, this is very rare indeed. The world and characters are all well rounded, noe of the usual brave, fearless duty bound warrior crap. I strongly recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy and i can not wait for the 4th book in the series, House of Chains to be released

Gardens of the Moon is both challenging and complex. It is, however, very rewarding and superior fantasy writing and as such is deserved of everyone's attention. the first time I began the novel I ended up frustrated and put it down after one hundred and fifty pages.....as I hate not finishing a book I eventually reread and completed the book ..this time remaining absolutely SPELLBOUND!

It is written with such a pace, and gritty realism that comparison's to most other fanasy authors becomes mere time wasting. The magic system of this world is both inventive and realised and although the novel works relatively within the norms of the genre, both the ideas and writing style are as fresh and welcome as the ending of the'Wheel of Time'series will be!

Well, I'm French so don't blame me for my write. About The Garden Of The Moon, which appeared in France recently, I've discovered a fantastic world and a fantastic writer, I mean Steven Erikson. In this book, Erikson use of all secrets of fantasy and manage to made them into a wonderful melting-pot. I've found that the characters are very good, they aren't totally black or white, just grey. Even The Son of Darkness isn't an evil man... I mean not too evil(For the moment as I have read the fist book only). Moreover, Erikson manage to describe an entire world with his history, his belief and his own laws without boring us, which is a good perform. I'm waiting the second book with impatience and I only hope that they will be better than the first. Just an advise : Read this book.

Yes you read it right! George R.R.Martin, the man who has written my favorite fantasy series,Song of Ice and Fire has rival to his throne!Who is the Rival you may ask? The rival's name is Steven Erikson and his saga is called Gardens of the Moon. This epic fantasy novel was unforgettable masterpiece! Erikson's world-building skills has launch him into the ranks of Martin,Hobb, Clemens and Goodkind in this novel.Gardens of the Moon concerns a terrible war being waged between Malazan empire under brutal reign of Empress Laseen and immortal Anomander Rake and his formidable Tiste Andi.This war is fought with both armies and magic.This novel concerns the epic battle between these forces for the city-state of Darujhistan. This book is filled with scenes of brutal combat, sinister intrigue and powerful dark magic and sorcery.Unforgettable characters inhabit this wartorn world like Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of bridgeburners who serve the Empress Laseen and not knowing that she plots to betray them and have them killed.Paran, a young nobleman sent by Laseen and her ruthless Adjunct,Lorn to betray the noble bridgeburners and who insteads helps them.Anomander Rake, a immortal being fighting the Malazan empire for his dying race.Crokus younghand, a teen thief of Darujhistan who finds himself unwilling pawn this battle.This novel also has scenes of scheming and menacing gods who possess the bodies of mortals and manipulate the world to the own ends.And did I mention the action sequences? There are fight scenes in here to put the Matrix to shame! Plot twists as you see betrayal and treachery are the norms in this world where noble soldiers are targeted for death by their own rulers and young woman who can become souless killer.Erikson's world is a intricate and complex as our own as he slowly gives you it's history and his magic system is also very unique as he gives you scenes of conjuring of demons and ancient evil to do bidding of various sorcerers, assasins and powerful gods.I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series:Deadhouse Gates to see if this series will beat Song of Ice and fire as the best fantasy in print!

What A Book, Just SuperbGardens of the moon is a excellent book, the book is quite challaging, but after about 1/4 of the way through you get used to the way the writer writes. The book is full of fast paced action, and has loads of characters, so there is no one main character. The fantasy has been planned out carefully, and names have been chosen thoughtfully. This is a challeging book, which takes a while to get to grips with, but once you have, you'll be on a rollercoaster ride. I am looking forward to reading the next one "Deadhouse Gates", and I can't wait.