Gardens of the Moon

The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 1

By: Steven Erikson

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

Length: 26 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Gardens Of The Moon: (Malazan Book Of The Fallen 1) by Steven Erikson, read by Ralph Lister.

Bled dry by interminable warfare, infighting and bloody confrontations with Lord Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, the vast, sprawling Malazan empire simmers with discontent.
Even its imperial legions yearn for some respite. For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his Bridgeburners and for Tattersail, sole surviving sorceress of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, still holds out - and Empress Lasseen's ambition knows no bounds.
However, it seems the empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister forces gather as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand...

Conceived and written on an epic scale, Gardens of the Moon is a breathtaking achievement - a novel in which grand design, a dark and complex mythology, wild and wayward magic and a host of enduring characters combine with thrilling, powerful storytelling to resounding effect. Acclaimed by writers, critics and readers alike, here is the opening chapter in what has been hailed a landmark of epic fantasy: the awesome 'The Malazan Book of the Fallen'.

©1999 Steven Erikson (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Erikson is an extrodinary writer...treat yourself to Gardens of the Moon (STEPHEN R. DONALDSON)

Complex, challenging...Erikson's strengths are his grown-up characters and his ability to create a world every bit as intricate and messy as our own (J.V. JONES)

There's nothing safe about fantasy like this: intriguing, complex, thought provoking, exceedingly well-written, and, for the intelligent reader, exhilaratingly satisfying (PAULA GURAN)

best book series I've read

it's hard to get into the series to begin with, but it is 100% worth the time. I've reread this series 4+ times now.

Amazing!

There are many different characters who were portrayed brilliantly by the narrative and the narrator.

Worth the confusion

It may be a little difficult at the start, but the depth and scope of the work is breathtaking. If you're at all lost the Encyclopedia Malazica is a good resource

The first book of the best high fantasy ever

I have read all the books from this series and loved them all with a great passion for over 10 years. None the less I remember the first book to be kinda hard to follow, the world is rich and complicated and Erikson's style, though brilliant and evocative, can require some time to getting used to. I have read the books in my native tongue the first time (I'm Czech) and thus I was a bit unsure If I would be able to follow the complicated story in English while working at the same time. My worries were made void by the awesome narration of Ralph Lister who made the experience of listening to this audiobook an absolute bliss. He skillfully generated a plethora of voices to suit every character, thus making it very easy to listen to and to follow the story and dialogue. I full-heartedly recommend this book to any fan of fantasy to the point of considering it mandatory. If you feel overwhelmed at the start, please just carry on listening, it will all settle and you'll end up loving it.

Stellar

The first book in the best book series ever. The Malazan is without equal in the world.
I was positively surprised by the narrator, easily one of the best I've heard. Great story, great performance

Great story and narrator

Third time I listen to this book and every time it gets better. Great narrator as well, I don't know what other reviewers bubble about him not being good.

Stunning!

For me this is the best fantasy series I have ever read, and I've read a lot! But so much more than a "just" a fantasy series..... Don't expect to be be spoon fed, this series makes you think! The scope and imagination of the story is truely mind blowing! The assessemnt of the human condition, politics, philosophy, economics, faith, religion etc is in turn poignant, humerous and often profound. The character development is awesome. I have prob been through this series 6 or 7 times in different formats (I travel alot), there is always something new to pick up on. The story line is never quite what you think it is going to be.

I have read reviews that critique the first book as discordan, jumping around and not easy to follow, but don't expect to get it all in the first book, the first 3-4 books run concurrently and themes and story lines only touched on initially are expanded throughout the rest of the series. I actually love the way Gardens of the Moon drops you in the middle of things and you have to just go with it.

The narration by both narrators is, for me, is great, there is a difference in style which is quite marked, but in a very short listening time I got used to the change and it didn't make much difference.

All in all just stunning fantasy!

when everyone is powerful, no-one is

why do you force me to write 15 words? do you want the rating or not?

Just as I imagined it.

I read the book many years ago and I found the voices were done perfectly. I'm a huge fan of the bridge burners and I'm glad they were represented so perfectly. Heading off to buy the next one right now.

fantastic history, worst execution and narrator

the history, and writing is awesome. The narrator is the worst I have encounter after more than 500 audio books. He does not know how to pronunciate vocalizing. For god shake, vocalize man, you should try to make it easier to understand and follow even running or training. I love english pronuncation, but this one is just not understandable because he does not vocalize. Most of the reviews that say they lost attention, this is one of the motives. Worst narrator ever, I never will buy a book with this narrator