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

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

Might be a great story but I couldn't follow it

I really struggled to follow this story. I had a feeling that it might have been amazing, but I just couldn't
figure out who was aligned with whom or against whom. I generally do well with following stories via listening, but this was one that I needed to probably read with my eyes. In the end, I felt frustrated and confused.

That being said, there were some excellent characters and some very original ideas and scenes - it was these that kept me from quitting before the finish, though I was THIS close to bailing at least a dozen times.

All of which is to say that I didn't really enjoy the experience overall, but I don't necessarily blame the author, who clearly has great skill and a fantastic imagination. If you're going to read this one, take notes on characters and their relationships and give it your full attention.

Finally

I've been trying to read this book for years. It's immersion style of story telling is frustrating, and you constantly feel like your missing something new.

But after buckling down and reading it multiple times. You wonder how you ever went so long without finishing.

It's taken about a week and a half, which for me is 5-6 days longer than typical. But I will say it's worth it, and I will read more.

great story

my only crtisisim is that I wish that the performer took a longer pause between paragraphs.

extremely well written. is there another way to express a raised eyebrow? Lots of them in this story.

Interesting, good "read", but

When first began listening, it just seemed a bit frantic. Sometimes hard to follow. I suspect it would be a much better read with the paper (or digital?) book in one's hand, using one's eyes to actually see the names, spelling, etc. And (I assume) a map or two and a list of characters for reference.

Thank God For the Malazan Wiki

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes but i would recomend reading and listening at the same time and then using wiki to catch up on characters. A lot going on. Sometimes seems like its to much!

What did you like best about this story?

The floating city

What about Ralph Lister’s performance did you like?

He was good had to put him on 1.25 while reading.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no made be confused a lot but read summaries of chapters to catch up

one of my favorites

Great book, great series. Narration was spot on, the sure amount of characters in this one is a challenge on itsown

Changing Perspective

It's hard to follow the story. If there were pauses before each perspective change then it would've been easy to follow. Instead I found myself having to rewind the audio once I realized the perspective changed 2 sentences ago but the speaker read it like it's in the same line of thought.

Hard to understand at first

A lot of terms and concepts not well explained so I felt lost at times. Good story once I became more familiar.

better than game of thrones

I started this series after I had finished the got series and WOW got is still great but in my opinion this series is broader in scope, characters and length as well as deeper in culture, races and history, though be careful for if you start this book you will be compelled to finish the series and the whole series is not on audible yet.

EPIC SCOPE

This book has a narrow focus in terms of story but it still takes a while to comprehend its focus. there are a lot of facts thrown in for future of the series. Still the story feels like a complete tale. As the first book should it sets up the realm, the conflict, magic, and overall writing for the series. the narrator is ecxellent however i felt like he wasnt very consistent with the way he portrayed each characters voice.