GARDENS OF THE MOON - March SFFWFBCBOTM

Rob B

Rob B

\m/ BEER \m/
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Let the discussions begin!!!

I read it almost a year ago and I remmeber the sheer breadth and scope of the story Erikson laying out being flabbergasting. I enjoyed it as much as I was trying to get a handle on all the characters.
 
Getting a handle on the characters was a problem, but I found if I kept flicking back to the front of the book it wasn't that big a problem.
As with any new fantasy series, getting a hold on the vocabulary specific to a book took some time as well. I found if I was patient and waited I would eventually work out what the hell people were talking about (Who's this guy called Warren? :D )
ACtually, I loved the sense of mystery around this, and also the hints at back history.

A really enjoyed a lot of the characters, mostly for entirely different reasons. Kalam, Quick Ben, Kruppe, etc all had a life of their own and were great reads. Erikson used some of the more mysterious characters such as Anomander Rake to great effect as well.

The build up of tensions towards the end is well handled as well.

The best thing about this book is looking back at it after you've read some of the later ones and realise that Erikson doesn't waste a single word. All those seemingly irrelevant little comments, even things that seem to have some meaning turn out to have a greater meaningin later books.

So to anyone who read this book and enjoyed it: Read Deadhouse Gates. And if you didn't enjoy it: Read Deadhouse Gates. The reading gets easier as you understand more of the world. The politics gets more interesting. The action maintains if not builds its standard.

I wrote a point form critique of Deadhouse Gates on another thread here:
http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3132
 
I thought it was an excellent piece of work. I can't wait to read the next ones to get a better handle on the history of the Empire (and world). I really enjoy authors who throw in little tidbits of backstory.

I couldn't help thinking about Glen Cook's The Black Company series while reading this book. There definitely were some parallels. Then again the first few books in Cook's series were far more spartan than Gardens of the Moon.
 
I liked Gardens of the Moon. but the thing that worries me is that with the series going to comprise ten books in total, it might turn into a huge, rambling affair, much like Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, with too many characters/plots and not enough space in each of the later volumes to develop each plotline to a great degree.

Don't get me wrong - I've been a huge fan of the Wheel of Time, but since about book 6 or 7, the series has just slowed down to a crawl. I just have my misgivings about huge series like this now and I just hope Erikson has the sense and discipline to keep to a set number of plotlines in order to avoid the problems which I feel Jordan has succumbed to.

BigBadMick
([email protected])
 
Erikson is no Jordan. While each has a grand series on going with mulitple books planned that is where the similarities end.

Jordan's story hasn't advanced in several books, it has become drawn out and in a ways the subject of jokes, ridicule and what is wrong with publishers today.

Erikson is considered 'too complex' for Americna readers by publishers and I have to order overseas (Amazon.uk) to experience this rich and wonderful world by this amazing author. Erikson is telling the story of an entire world during the reign of the Malazan Empire. It has many fleshed out characters, places, races, gods and not-so-much gods. Each book is a stand alone story which incorporates people and places from previous books but does not need to focus on them. The overall story advances nicely on the previous books yet focuses on several different aspects on this vast empire.

Erikson could write endlessly about this world and I would never be bored. The beauty of his books are that he could eliminate every character and move the story 20 years into the future and still be able to write another 10 books on other people and places or even go back in time, say 500 years, and still have tons to write about.

If Jordan eliminated all of his characters the story would FINALLY be done (which it should have been 4 books ago!!!!) and I dont have to wait 1500 pages to see if Mat figures out who the Princess is........
 
Mmh, looks like most people are still at reading the book - just like me.

I am on page 192. And up until now I really like it. First I was a little anxious because in other threads people said it was hard to get in during the first 200 pages . . . but I did not have any problems. Only not enough time.

For now I can at least say that I really like the theme of the spinning coin.

:)
 
This was a book that I enjoyed very much. I admit it was a hard slog for the first hundred pages but definately worth it. I also found the map and list of characters, races etc essential as I would have been lost without it.

Erikson has produced a world that while in a state of flux is a pleasure to explore. I have now read the first 3 books and have not been disappointed with any of them.
 
Well, I'm not that far into it (pg 150 or so) but I am really enjoying it as it seems to aimed towards the older readers. I find it refreshing it because I was kind of getting bored of dumbed down fantasy that seems to be so popular:)

Kushiel
 
Well I have about 50 pages to go until I get to the end and so far I can't remember enjoying a fantasy book (or any other kind of book for that matter) as much as I'm enjoying this one. Erikson really sucks you in with the vast range of characters and keeps you guessing where they are all headed. I'm also a big fan of how he has used so many fantasy elements that could come across as silly if written by an author of less skill, think of hairlock and you should know what I mean.

It's kind of bitter sweet to hear that there are going to be ten books, the prospect of reading another nine books of this quality is very exciting, I only hope that as has been said before that Erikson is able to stay on track with his work where Jordan has failed with his (And by failed I mean become an object of ridicule and losing so many once loyal fans), having said that I'm not going to worry about it unless it starts to happen. Besides from what I've read so far Erikson is twice the writer Jordan is and I don't believe it will be a problem, and if as bigbry said each book is going to be a stand alone story then it shouldn't happen anyway.

And as for these books being too complex for American readers that made me laugh, sorry guys but it did. Publishers should probably give you a bit more credit.
 
Originally posted by Lucky Joe

Besides from what I've read so far Erikson is twice the writer Jordan is and I don't believe it will be a problem, and if as bigbry said each book is going to be a stand alone story then it shouldn't happen anyway.
Click to expand...

Maybe I should clarify, the entire work (10 books) will tell a complete story of this world, more specifically the Malazan Empire. While each book is stand alone several characters and events will affect/reappear thoughout the series. The next book "Deadhouse Gates" takes place on a different continent and has no characters from TGOTM (well maybe one or two)...The Bridgeburners (what is left of them) are not heard from until "Memories Of Ice" and then only a small peak in "The House of Chains".

Erikson is more like Martin in that he really has several seperate stories on-going and is not against killing a major character or 2 (or 3, or 4) to further the story. He has created a rich world and not all of the characters must know one another or inter-act with one-another (Jordan) to tell the stories.

Originally posted by Lucky Joe

And as for these books being too complex for American readers that made me laugh, sorry guys but it did. Publishers should probably give you a bit more credit.
Click to expand...

I didn't understand that either (being an American) and neither does Erikson. but as long as I can get them on Amazon.uk I could care less.......Erikson is committed to the complete series and a set of novellas so he'll write them whether or not some US publisher picks them up.

Could it be that Jordan has poisoned the well for "Epic Fantasy"!!!! While there are many trilogies out there being published, I haven't seen many Deathgate Cycles, Black Company's, or Whyte's Skystone series.........even Kearney's Monarchies series was almost finished in UK before the first printing in USA............
 
Thanks for pointing me to this great book!

I have looked at Gardens of the Moon in the book shop for a while but for some reason or other passed it by. With it being the book of the month I thought "Why not"

While it was a challanging read, often having to re-read passages so it sank in, it was really worth the effort. Great characters and an interesting world, will 10 books ever be enough?

I have just taken delivery of the next 2 books in the series and look forward to reading these.
 
I'm about half way through this book and, wow, it's great. I'm kicking myself for waiting this long to read it.

I, like some other people, found the first 100 pages or so difficult. However, once I got to the part about Darujistan, things got a little easier. At that point, I became thoroughly engrossed. I love the Phoenix Inn gang.

Since I live in the US, I'm thinking of ordering the second book from Canada now. Hopefully the rumors about Erikson signing an US deal are true.
 
I don't know about the $$ amount involved, but I've seen a few rumors floating around the net. I'd have to think that somebody here in the US will wise up soon and listen to the fan buzz about Erikson.

Anyway, back to the book. Halfway through the book, and I'd have to say my favorite characters are Toc the Younger and Kruppe. I think I like Toc because he's one of the few uncomplicated characters in the book. He's a Claw, but doesn't seem like a bad-ass (even though he probably is). Kruppe is, well, just annoying and funny. He provides some comedic relief in this otherwise serious story.
 
Two days ago I finished the book. And already got the next to volumes which I unfortunately won't be able to read soon.

What to say about 'Gardens of the Moon'?
Great! Really liked it. How he connected the different storylines . . . the many different and very interesting characters . . .
When I first heard that Erikson had a lot of powerful magic in his books I flinched. All too powerful and easily accessed magic is something I am a bit wary of - but he really did a good job. It played a big role yet he pulled it off without making me roll my eyes.
The mystical atmosphere got me into the book, too.
The concept of the gods reminded me a bit of the 'Immortals' on Mystara. For those who don't know that: it's an D&D setting.

About the characters:
Kruppe rules.
I liked Paran very much, and Tattersail. ;) Or Crokus and Apsalar. The level of romance was really cute.
Lorn, for me, was a very fascinating woman. I felt sorry for her. Following her and her thoughts made the story even better.

Sadly this book did not steer too much of a discussion, making me wonder if most of the voters were as slow in reading it as I was. Or what?

Okay now, I am off to read because I got my copy of 'The Scar' earlier than I thought . . .

:)
 
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 )

Nimea:-
Steven Eriksson's world, how do we put it, is so real that I doubt it is possible to discuss the book as it stands, but rather snippets of it.

Now question to all of you:-

Of the 9 Warrens accesible to man, which warren if you were suddenly dropped over Malaz City and made into a mage would you take?

My choice, Meanas. Imagine the amount of money you can make conjuring illusions like that.
 
Thank you Caldazar for guiding me to a site I thought at first to be nothing more than an advertisement site. Indeed, I found myself a veritably friendly group of sappers, soldiers, mages, healers, Tiste Edur and Andii, Soletaken etc..
 
er what made you think it was an advertisment site?:confused: There not be a single add.
 
After completing GOTM, I do have to say that the book was a very satisfying read. I liked the suspense of past history and events, and also hated it. I would definitely recomend the book, but I just thought that the writing style left a little too many holes to fill in and was a bit too ambiguous at times. I found myself rereading passages 3-4 times to try and grasp what Erikson was trying to hint at. Ohh Well!! Bottom line: GOTM was damn good. The characters are interesting and very GREY. You don't get a feeling that characters are either good or bad and Erikson uses a lot of different races not yet explored.

4 out of 5
 
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