Rating: 
Summary: Reminds me of Glen Cook, David Gemmell and Paul Edwin Zimmer
Review: I have to say I like epics based round empire building and political intrigue where the distinction between villian and hero can be at times blurred. A brutal example of the former and the latter is how I would describe Steven Erikson's first novel. I also liked the fact that for most of the characters he only gave sketches of who they are relying on their actions to reveal their motivations and to give insights into them as people. It's not original but then very little is in todays fantasy genre. I mentioned in the title of my review that the book reminded me of Glen Cook and it does. The comparison between the Black company and it's accompanying wizards and on going battles with very powerful sorcerers and gods can't be missed. As well as it's leaders Croaker and Whiskeyjack. Nonetheless it is a well written book with excellent pieces of sparodic action and an interesting system of magic. If you are a fan of Eddings this book won't suit you and if you are a fan of Wheel of time fan it might not be your cup of tea as well. The female characters within are much tougher certainly more intelligent. They are preoccupied with the bussiness of war and sorcery as opposed to discussing their boyfriends. Ooops hope that didn't sound as too derogatory? Ah what the hell yes I did!I'm looking forward to his new book!
Rating: 
Summary: Start swimming once you're in the pool
Review: Erikson gives you no time to get your bearings in this book -- it starts with a short prologue of background and then the main story starts up in the middle of a decades-long conflict played out both in the mortal realm and among the various deities (Ascendants). This series logs the lives of Erikson's characters, and those affected by them, during the various wars of the Malazan empire -- thus the "Book of the Fallen" concept that is essentially a Black Company-like annals of the people who die, are killed, are raised to divinity or lowered to squalor in the wars of Malazan. Erikson is straightforward in his writing, not much excess wordiness, because there is a lot of story he is trying to tell, and he is working on a broader, more far-reaching story than any author of the serial fantasy genre. Nonetheless, despite the huge storyline, Erikson peoples his story with memorable characters who are noble, ignoble, interesting and demonic, and often all those qualities together. The forces of "Dark" and "Light" are, however, not delineated because no "side" is clearly defined. This series is work (and not just in obtaining copies of the books, which do not have a US publisher but do have UK and Canada publishers). Each volume is more than 700 pages and filled with graphic details of the horrors of supernatural war, difficulties of superhuman effort, the evil of complete betrayal and (especially in Deadhouse Gates, volume 2) the enormity of heroic sacrifice. Gardens of the Moon is therefore "thicker" than its 700+ pages. Nonetheless, it is very interesting, well-written and highly imaginative. A fine addition to the genre.
Rating:
Summary: Highly intriguing and well conceived.
Review: If you like intrigue and complicated, interweaving storylines then "Gardens of the Moon" is the next book you should read. Set in a land torn apart by an invading empire, "Gardens..." follows a variety of characters, from various groups, who would eventually collide through the interferance of gods and politics. Erikson has an excellent grasp of character development (often sorely lacking in Fantasy) as events alter the perspectives of each character. This enables the reader to sympathise with these beleivable characters. I found the most intriguing aspect of "Gardens..." was the ambiguity of the characters. Never had I read a Fantasy novel which blurred the lines between good and evil so well - the characters are not your typical good guy battling the typical bad guy. I liken Erikson's stance to a neutral nation witnessing the "war on terror" in Iraq where the neutral nation would provide perspectives from both sides. For example, the officers in the invading force not neccessarily agreeing with the job they had to do, but completing it nonetheless, while the perspectives of various political factions in the targeted land are displayed. I had been told a number of times that if I like George RR Martin, then I would also enjoy Steven Erikson. I don't like comparing authors, especially when there is one author definitely greater than the rest of the pack. I would have to say, though, that there is no one closer to Martin than Erikson in terms of what they are trying to achieve. For this reason, you need to read "Gardens of the Moon".
Rating:
Summary: Hard going....but worth the effort
Review: To use the word "complex" would be an understatement. I found I had to read much slower than usual to take it all in, and it was well worth it. Just when you think you've figured out who the bad guys are, they do something good. As other reviewers have already stated , there is a fine line here between good and evil. Full of military strategies and coups. There are no young boys growing up to be leaders of their people; Women battle along side of the men(no swooning maidens to be found); and Mr. Erikson has no trouble at all killing off major charcters. As with many fantasy epics there can be so many characters, and I had to keep refering to the glossary of names at the front of book. Because of this there is a lack of characterization(I didn't learn as much about them as I'd have liked). Hopefully, I will learn more about them in the follow up novel "Deadhouse Gates".
Rating:
Summary: Jaded SF and Fantasy Reader
Review: I have a hard time finding good books these days. Authors like Feist, Salvator, Stackpole, and Douglass are just too light and feel too much like cotton candy (sticky, too sweet, and just for kids). Kearney, Stover, and Cook are grittier and have more meat to them. I will agree that Jordan and Martin are at the top of the pile, but I would only put Gammell at the same level as Erikson in scope or shear power for storytelling. Overall, Erikson is definitely my favorite and I have ordered all four of the first four volumes in his series directly from Amazon in the UK, just because they were not available in the US. If you enjoy depth, complexity, and passion in your reading, then you are in for a treat. The plots are complex and the number of characters vast, but the result is infinitely more satisfying than most of the light stuff out there.
Rating:
Summary: terrific military fantasy
Review: Since the assassination of Emperor Kellanved, Empress Laseen has strengthened her rule over the expanding Malazan Empire and has plans to annex further territory though her militia. She keeps her subjects loyal through a vast network of loyal effective Claw assassins and spies. Currently, her legions take the city of Pale after a difficult siege with many of the troops dead. However, instead of allowing the vaunted Bridgeburners of the Maliz 2nd Army time to recuperate, the Empress informs Imperial Command High Back Dujek Onearm to march to the next battle site to begin immediately the assault immediately on Darujhistan, the last of the Free Cities on the Genabackis continent. Meanwhile the Gods decide to intercede. As he questions whether he should blindly follow orders like a good soldier since his men need time to recover, Onearm begins to wonder if his monarch is a demagogue or just wants him destroyed since his loyalty had been to the deceased emperor. This is the first of a ten book series but before readers panic or throw in the towel, each tale apparently is a stand-alone story at least this one is. GARDENS OF THE MOON is a terrific military fantasy that hooks readers whether the plot focuses on royal court intrigue, godly interference, or magical and mundane battles. Steven Erikson furbishes a magical tale that will have genre readers looking forward to future entries in the Malazan Empire epic. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Not worth it.
Review: While i did enjoy some aspects of this book, i must say that in the end it is just not worth it. The book jumps from scene to scene, character to character, and twirls you around in circles. And what do we get in the end? A battle that would make Godzilla proud. Gods speak to mortals, people come back from the dead left and right, and every single character in this book can single handedly destroy all of Middle-Earth with their magic. If you enjoy super powered characters running all over the place like a video game or movie then this might book might appeal to you. But theres plenty of other quality fantasy out there.
Rating:
Summary: Highly intriguing and well conceived.
Review: If you like intrigue and complicated, interweaving storylines then "Gardens of the Moon" is the next book you should read. Set in a land torn apart by an invading empire, "Gardens..." follows a variety of characters, from various groups, who would eventually collide through the interferance of gods and politics. Erikson has an excellent grasp of character development (often sorely lacking in Fantasy) as events alter the perspectives of each character. This enables the reader to sympathise with these beleivable characters. I found the most intriguing aspect of "Gardens..." was the ambiguity of the characters. Never had I read a Fantasy novel which blurred the lines between good and evil so well - the characters are not your typical good guy battling the typical bad guy. I liken Erikson's stance to a neutral nation witnessing the "war on terror" in Iraq where the neutral nation would provide perspectives from both sides. For example, the officers in the invading force not neccessarily agreeing with the job they had to do, but completing it nonetheless, while the perspectives of various political factions in the targeted land are displayed. I had been told a number of times that if I like George RR Martin, then I would also enjoy Steven Erikson. I don't like comparing authors, especially when there is one author definitely greater than the rest of the pack. I would have to say, though, that there is no one closer to Martin than Erikson in terms of what they are trying to achieve. For this reason, you need to read "Gardens of the Moon".
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: I cannot say enough good things about this book.
While admitedly it's a little bit hard to get into it, the background of the world and characters is so amazingly developped, that it's understandable. This is something completely new and fresh in high-fantasy, a very welcome original take on many things like alien races -for those of us who are tired of elves and dwarfs- magic -delicious originality in it's working- gods - at once more humans and less so - war - much more realistic- dragons - no tame dragons here :) The books is good, and the series only gets better I definitely recommend it. This series has NO competition right now. none at all. The only thing on the market as good and original is the War of light and shadows. so Go and get it!
Rating:
Summary: Fantasy of a different "colour" not fit for all tastes...
Review: This book rivals George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones in its very "literary" treatment of the genre. By literary in this case I mean it goes beyond the linear storytelling offered in the more mainstream fantasy offered by the Dungeons and Dragons set. It also differs in its grittiness, which makes some balk at the rather non-traditional aspects of Erikson's writing (such as the rather modern language of most of the characters, which is for the most part bereft of flowery "thee and thou" type prose). The work of authors like R.A. Salvatore is workmanlike but good, and it does its job of giving the world its required supply of standard fantasy fare. But the world also needs those tales outside the mold, to keep things fresh. Both types of fantasy are needed, in my humble opinion. And neither should be ridiculed for their unique traits, either. Anyway, so as not to make this review a soap box alone, Gardens of the Moon is incredible to the mind of this fantasy veteran. Give it a chance. Should you like the more standard stuff, so be it. No problem. Just don't look upon the other side of the fantasy coin with disdain just because your tastes are different. Stepping down from the soap box now. Happy reading.
| 
