GARDENS OF THE MOON - March SFFWFBCBOTM

[Iskaral Pust]

Originally posted by Aik Haw
Help!! I have finished reading all 4 of Steven Eriksson's Malazan Book of the Fallen and in anger, I flipped through my two copies and ransacked my other friend's two copies, reread it over again but found no answer to a few very irritating questions buzzing over my head, which I would like people to answer for me or I might have to find a warren to go to Darujisthan just to get my answers:-

(1) What Warren do Kruppe draws upon? Kruppe in Garden of the Moon has telekinetic powers allowing him to move apples and all the food from the sidestores whilst at the same time allowing him to give amnesia to people. In Memories of Ice, Kruppe displayed illusionary powers creating the illusion of oily water flowing from his handkerchief. Yet, I was under the assumption that all the other 8 warrens of man cannot create illusion while Meanas is the only one that can create illusion but little of everything else. Or did he draw upon the dream warren that he later gave to Mhybe to dream the dream that be? If so, how is it a man can use powers from warrens not of the 9?

(2) Apsalar, now Apsalar must be the greatest of all the mysteries. In Deadhouse Gate Apsalar grew, while in House of Chains she seems utterly mysterious. Exactly what has Apsalar become? Is she ascending or not?

(3) Exactly what is the difference in the power between the Warren Telas and Thyr? They seem so similar to each other you might as well have the same warren.

(4) Spindle's warren, what Warren is it? I doubt any of the 9 warrens no matter how hard you mistreat it could produce such wierd effects. Is his warren potentially Mockra? ( Memories of Ice )

2) Don't know much about Apsalar, but I don't think she's acending.

3) Telas is fire aspected whlie Thyr is light-little difference. They are deived from Tellan and Kurald Thyrllan

4) I dont think he uses any wierd warren, just he draws on it wrong, like Quick Ben said.

Who are you at Malazan Empire?

 

[rune]

I've just finished Garden of the Moon, and though it's not quite as long as LOTR's it's taken me nearly the same to read this book.

I felt it was a very complex story. There quite a few character plot lines, and I felt that the author tried to spread these stories to thin, which made the plot jump around from character to character. This jumping from one story line to the next did confuse me at times and I often had to try and remember why it was a character could do this magic or had whatever reason for doing what they were doing.

However, there were some really interesting characters in the book, the Bridgeburners were my favourites. I enjoyed how magic was used in the plot, very gritty and realistic. I quite liked how the author used violence in this story, the graphic scenes were well written during battles.
The book leaves a few mysterious and plenty of unanswered questions, I will probably continue reading just to find out the confusing plot line becomes any clearer. But not just yet, I need to rest my brain

rune

 

[Shehzad]

I think the complexity is reflective of the fact that this was Book 1 of a projected 10-book series. The plotlines will be continued...

I really did enjoy this book. The sheer scale of what Erikson has set out to accomplish is mind-boggling. His world has a gritty, believable feel to it, and it is nice to see him steer clear of stereotypical fantasy elements, especially with regards the various races.

I also enjoyed his depiction of the magical battles, and the complex intertwining threadlines coming to a head towards the end of the novel.

More later...

 

[Gilliam]

After reading the first 4 books I have to say that Erikson does have a plan for the entire 10 book series and so far he has been able to keep the story on track without getting bogged down in inane prattle.

I have to agree with the previous comments about the originality of the characters and story.

My biggest fear is that Erikson loses control of the story in the books to come.

 

[Yobmod]

I thought it was quite good. I like complex books, but this one kept jumping all over the place, for little reason. I liked the gods, but thought the magic was needlessly confused. I'm sure i'll get it all straight when i read the sequels, but that wont be until the whole series is finished (i'm a Jordanitis victim ). I also found that the fragmented storyline meant i didn't actually care if every character apart from Tattersail died at the end.

 

[Jay_T]

Erikson's Malazan series is often categorized as epic fantasy which is udnerstandable, but I look at it as one of the best recent Sword/Sorcery works in a logn while with an epic scope. Granted the writing is choppy in Gardens of the Moon (which improves drastically in subsequent novels). Regarding favortie characters, I really liked Kruppe, I just felt his dialogue was the most relevant at times, and Rake just has an astounding "cool" value, without being lame. I really like the magic system, and how Erikson executed his deity system. This is a damn good series, I havent had this much fun reading what is essentially sword/sorcery in awhile I recently did a review on this novel and would love some feedback if someone would take the time (constructive crticism welcome). Here (Thanks)


fantasybookspot.com

 

[Yobmod]

This is damn good series

I think this is where my problem come from. I no longer read unfinished series, so although i've heard many people say the series as a whole (published so far) is great, i can only judgle it as a single book.

One thing it did remind me of is chronicles of an age of darkness, by Hugh Cook a 10 book series, each book focusing on different characters. It was out a while ago, but they pop up regularly on e-bay (apart from book 10, can get it free online). Malazan is probably better written, but CoaAoD had all the grittiness (mercenaries / prostitutes), magic, scope, and huge page numbers, it would have been a great pioneer if anyone had read it all