• Gardens of the Moon

  • The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 1
  • By: Steven Erikson
  • Narrated by: Ralph Lister
  • Length: 26 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (11,921 ratings)

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Gardens of the Moon  By  cover art

Gardens of the Moon

By: Steven Erikson
Narrated by: Ralph Lister
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Publisher's summary

Vast legions of gods, mages, humans, dragons and all manner of creatures play out the fate of the Malazan Empire in this first book in a major epic fantasy series

The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins.

For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, surviving cadre mage of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, yet holds out. It is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze.

However, it would appear that the Empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister, shadowbound forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand....

Conceived and written on a panoramic scale, Gardens of the Moon is epic fantasy of the highest order - an enthralling adventure by an outstanding new voice.

©1999 by Steven Erikson. (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Erikson is an extraordinary writer. My advice to anyone who might listen to me is, Treat yourself to Gardens of the Moon. And my entirely selfish advice to Steven Erikson is, write faster." --Stephen R. Donaldson

"I stand slack-jawed in awe of The Malazan Book of the Fallen. This masterwork of imagination may be the high water mark of epic fantasy. This marathon of ambition has a depth and breadth and sense of vast reaches of inimical time unlike anything else available today. The Black Company, Zelazny's Amber, Vance's Dying Earth, and other mighty drumbeats are but foreshadowings of this dark dragon's hoard." --Glen Cook

"A world that is both absorbing on a human level and full of magical sublimity...a wonderfully grand conception...splendidly written...fiendishly readable." --Adam Roberts

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Featured Article: The Best Fantasy Audiobook Series


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What listeners say about Gardens of the Moon

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6,656
  • 4 Stars
    2,876
  • 3 Stars
    1,279
  • 2 Stars
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Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    7,171
  • 4 Stars
    2,208
  • 3 Stars
    825
  • 2 Stars
    261
  • 1 Stars
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Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,974
  • 4 Stars
    2,421
  • 3 Stars
    1,224
  • 2 Stars
    572
  • 1 Stars
    556

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

never sure whats happening or why

Writing style is solid with a dramatic performance. It always feels like I missed something.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

This was the 1st audio book I've ever listened to, and now I'm hooked. It was amazing!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

no shame...

I don't care how much junk people talk. this book is the beginning of a legendary creative work and I love every second of it. I will not back this up with anything. I will not explain why I love it anymore than I'll explain why I love coffee or boobs or Lucifer.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome fantasy novel

A bit complex to start but overall excellent. The book captures the essence of soldiering perfectly.

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  • BP
  • 05-28-23

Great start on an epic journey

Narrator is awesome to start. I’m both listening and reading together and the experience is fantastic. As for the story itself I’m highly impressed. A lot packaged into 1 book but it’s the epic journey I was looking for.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic read

truly in a league of its own with great world building and characters. I really appreciate it how authentic and original the setting was. nothing about it is cookie cutter... so sit back and enjoy the ride. Would read again In a heartbeat and did not find it difficult at all to follow.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very interesting world

This book is very interesting. It juggles many characters quite well. The narrative around the many characters and how each character's decisions have ripples in the other character's goals is nicely handled. The world is interesting and there's quite a bit going on. One con is that the magic system is super soft. There are a lot of words being thrown around concerning the magic and people of the world that aren't entirely explained. Overall I really enjoyed this book.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disjointed

Not a good book to listen to. I tried for 18 3/4 hours. Couldn’t do it. The reading had no pause for effect or transitions….yet the story felt disjointed.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good, meandering

Meandering epic. Must pay close attention for a while to stay w storyline throughout the story. Lots of characters. Reasonably interesting plot line.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Vague

Very vague magic system, it’s hard to put into words other than it doesn’t seem fleshed out. Hopefully other books will explain

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