Review: Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
Blurb:
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 from Steven Erikson.
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.
Review:
Malazan has long been a series I’ve wanted to try, but have been far too intimidated by it to do so. It’s been described to me as immense, ambitious, confusing as hell, but I knew at some point or another, I’d have to take the challenge. Gardens of the Moon definitely fits those descriptions—there’s a ton going on, some details are easy to miss, and at times, it felt like the literary equivalent of trying to shove three huge cheeseburgers in your mouth all at once. But despite its overwhelming scope and reach, it is still an incredibly satisfying read that pulls you right in with its impressive worldbuilding, and keeps you there with its intrigue and drama. Help, I think I’m now getting the urge to recommend Malazan on an r/fantasy post.
Under the absolute rule of the ruthless Empress Laseen, the Malazan Empire has expanded to the point of exhaustion with no end to the bloodshed in sight. After a bloody siege captures the city of Pale, Laseen has set her eyes on the last of the Free Cities of Genebackis, the City of Blue Flame, Darujhistan. But as the pieces are laid on the board, the gods have decided to join the game, all the while forces lurk in the shadows and a war of attrition between the Daru guilds of thieves and assassins begins to unfold.
It's hard to distill everything from Gardens of the Moon into a few quick sentences. Steven Erikson gives you an onslaught of world building and characters whose lore and motives are not immediately clear and urges you to discover everything as you go along. This is not a book that will hold your hand to lead you to the answers, but rather forces you to read between the lines and parse out those details and clues on your own. In the hands of other authors, this could be overbearing or unwieldy, but Erikson’s prose and world make it so the experience is less a chore and more a source of enjoyment.
Characters are deep and well fleshed-out, with many of them hiding dark secrets or are being strung along against their will by some unknown or higher power. Each major player, from Paran to Whiskeyjack to Rake to Kruppe to Quick Ben and more, they all feel real and distinct from one another, and once the first domino falls and the veil is lifted for the first time, I was constantly looking forward to learning what else was being kept secret from me regarding each character. Where do they land on this huge board? What role will they play—willingly or otherwise—and what role have they played?
How everything unfolds until it is all laid out is the main draw to a book like Gardens of the Moon. While Erikson withholds information from the reader, it never feels forced or deliberate in an effort to get you to read on. These slow reveals allow everything to simmer in your mind, force you to think ahead while also thinking back, that it makes the major battles or emotional moments hit all the harder.
Gardens of the Moon is a lot to take in at once for the first entry of a book, yes. I did feel the need to consult the Malazan Wiki every few chapters to review everything that I had read to make sure I didn’t misinterpret things, yes. It’s difficult to keep track of every single thing, yes. But did I enjoy the ride, regardless? Also yes.
