Should You Read Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erickson?

Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erickson is the first book in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, is it worth reading? I think that the answer depends. Malazan is one of the most complicated and lengthy fantasy series out there. Its ten books total just over eleven thousand pages, Gardens of the Moon is to me an introduction into an ultimately much more compelling story.

It took me three tries to get into Malazan as a series. I read Gardens of the Moon and didn’t think much of it but decided to give the second book a try. I made it a third of the way through Deadhouse Gates before also putting it down. Years later, I tried to come back to the series and made it through Gardens of the Moon once more but never read further. Finally, I started this series with a friend as a buddy read and powered through book one for the third time. This time was the charm and I quickly caught up and passed where I had long ago left the series. And here’s the thing, book three, Memories of Ice? That is where the story truly gets good.

I am loving the writing, the worldbuilding, and the characters within the Malazan series so far and Gardens of the Moon sets the stage for those characters later on in the story. Almost every named character in the story will play a role later on, its so interesting to pay attention and see how the characters develop from book to book. If you want a tougher, more complex read where the author writes as they you are already living within the story this is your gateway into that world.

I give Gardens of the Moon a happy four stars. I think the story is good but not great, not until at least book two that is in the series. If you intend to read all ten books of Malazan Book of the Fallen I encourage you to keep going if you are struggling with this book until at least book three.

The Setting

Garden of the Moon is set on Genabackis, one of many continents within the setting of the world. Part of the continent is already under the control of the Malazan Empire which is seeking to expand and conquer.

The story is set primarily within the Empires Army as it sieges the city of Pale, and within Darujhistan, the City of Blue Fire. I loved the worldbuilding of the politics between these different empires and factions. This world feels alive with a deep history going back thousands and thousands of years. You see different races, and unique magic within the book and later story. I loved this setting.

Characters of Note

Anomander Rake has to be one of my favorite characters in fantasy for just how quickly Erickson is able to convey to the reader that this guy is scary. A dark elf like figure who can also transform into a dragon living in a floating castle is just great. His sword being by far the scariest thing about him? Even more interesting. I guarantee Rake will catch your interest.

Anomander Rake, Lord of the Tiste Andii, who are the souls of Starless Night. Rake, the Mane of Chaos. That’s who the Moon’s lord is, and you’re pitting four High Mages and a single cadre against him.

Chapter Two

Sorry is a the daughter of a fisherman who is changed by an encounter early in the story. You follow her as she enters the politics and life of the larger plot and I was always interested in figuring out the mysteries that she holds. I suspect that you will also get drawn into her plotline.

Rigga’s fingers snagged tighter in the girl’s hair. “Across the sea the Empress has driven her knife into virgin soil. The blood now comes in a tide and it’ll sweep you under, child, if you’re not careful. They’ll put a sword in your hand, they’ll give you a fine horse, and they’ll send you across that sea. But a shadow will embrace your soul. Now, listen! Bury this deep! Rigga will preserve you because we are linked, you and I. But it is all I can do, understand? Look to the Lord spawned in Darkness; his is the hand that shall free you, though he’ll know it not—”

Chapter One

Some Other Cool Quotes

I want to show off quote below because I think its a great example of how Erickson writes military components of the story. You follow a compelling cast of soldiers who know they are far from home and who have lost friends and you see their humanity. Erickson does a great job with this from book one onwards. If you enjoyed the Black Company this part of the story will almost certainly be for you.

It’s like this, Sergeant. We’ve seen a lot of our friends die, right? And maybe we didn’t have to give the orders, so maybe you think it’s easier for us. But I don’t think so. You see, to use those people were living, breathing. They were friends. When they die, it hurts. But you go around telling yourself that the only way to keep from going mad is to take all that away from them, so you don’t have to think about it, so you don’t have to feel anything when they die. But, damn, when you take away everybody else’s humanity, you take away your own. And that’ll drive you mad as sure as anything. It’s that hurt we feel that makes us keep going, Sergeant. And maybe we’re not getting anywhere, but at least we’re not running away from anything.

Chapter 18

I like the below quote mainly because I love Crone, this Great Raven who has just such dog energy about her while be a cranky bird. I love Crone!

I am Crone, eldest of the Moon’s Great Ravens, whose eyes have looked upon a hundred thousand years of human folly. Hence my tattered coat and broken beak as evidence of your indiscriminate destruction. I am but a winged witness of your eternal madness

Chapter Six

So, Should I read ?

Yes, I think if you enjoy darker epic fantasy and are up for a ten book series it is worth it to read Gardens of the Moon. Know that even if this book isn’t your favorite, its likely one of the later books could be.