Here is my spoiler-free review of this novel by Steven Erikson:

Gardens of the Moon is a fantasy work from The Malazan Book of the Fallen series, with a complex network of plots and characters. The novels bear a stark resemblance (pun partially intended) to George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, as there is less focus on a “good versus evil” struggle, as much as a conflict of factions. Not a two-sided chessboard, rather a game of Chinese Checkers where each piece is its own team.

The premise is as such: the Malazan Empire is in decline, and to reassert its dominance, the nation undergoes a military campaign against the continent Genabackis. Perspective changes constantly, representing Malazan soldiers, people from Darujhistan (the last city in Genabackis the Empire does not control), and others jumping at the war’s opportunities. This constitutes not only a clash of nations, but of rogue mages and even gods clamoring for power.

I will say this: Gardens of the Moon has one of the slowest starts I have encountered in a book. At least, compared to other stories I enjoy (and as opposed to works like Great Expectations, where the beginning, middle, and end are even slower). It definitely challenges the reader to piece together what is going on; but once I figured it out, the pace accelerated like a dog that hears the word ‘treat.’

And speaking of treats, the climax succeeds. Not only does it tie together the interwoven plot-lines of the novel, it does so in the ideal order, while leaving enough open for following books.

The character lineup is ensemble, though Erikson writes many of them in ways that leave lasting impressions despite limited page time. The Bridgeburners, the Malazan group with the main focus, has credible interactions as a military unit. Ganoes Paran and Tattersail, the closest the book comes to having protagonists, have far-reaching journeys that play into the scale of the story. My favorite characters are the group in the city Darujhistan – the thief, the assassin, the courtier, the boozer, and Kruppe. All memorable and fun.

As mentioned above, the central competition occurs between multiple parties. There are only one or two true antagonists in the entire book, for each faction is the protagonist in their eyes, and antagonists to everyone else. This brings an elemental of realism, balancing out the high-magic nature of its universe.

The novel could have benefited from more selective use of world-building. Oftentimes, it delves into lore that holds no direct relevance to the story, while underplaying the pieces that do. Erikson does use the majority of the information he gives, though sometimes falls into the fantasy trap of massive text blocks that can confuse more than clarify. The nonchalant and straightforward style, however, keeps the reader grounded.

Overall, Gardens of the Moon impressed me, and brought me into the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. The story taught me about proficient writing from its few shortcomings and numerous successes.

And now, for the score:

Plot: 3/4

Character: 4/4

World-building: 3/4

Details (Scene, Prose): 3/4

Miscellaneous: 4/4

Total: 17/20

I enjoyed this novel and its sequels, though I should add that it is not for everyone. It works not so much as an introduction to fantasy, rather the advanced level for veteran readers. The Black Diamond of the figurative slope.

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