Gardens of the Moon : Book One of The Malazan Book of the Fallen (Malazan Book of the Fallen)

Rating:
Summary: Great start
Review: This was the best fantasy book I have read in some time. Full of complex character, plot twists, uncertainties. I can't wait to launch into the next book and the ones to follow if it continues to improve as the other reviews suggest. This definitely is not a story that you can read slowly and pick up after taking days off from. I encourage you to sit down and try to knock this out in a period of 5 days or less, or about 100 pages a day. The reason I say that is that there is a lot going on and if you set it down you are constantly going to have to refer to the characters guide, etc. It has been awhile since I have read a book that after 350 pages I am still Asking What? Who? Where....
This series has loads of potential. My only complaint was that at times he takes too long to get back to a character, so that you have forgotten what was last going on. Leaves you more than a little confused. However, it did keep my focus non-stop and thought it was extremely well-done. Mr. Erikson, I love your work so far and I look forward to continuing this journey. I do hope that you will continue to write in a timely fashion unlike some other guys (Jordan, Martin). Martin is absolutely killing me waiting on the Feast. PICK UP THIS BOOK AND ENJOY!

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: Rival for George R.R. Martin!
Review: Yes you read it right! George R.R.Martin, the man who has written my favorite fantasy series,Song of Ice and Fire has rival to his throne!Who is the Rival you may ask? The rival's name is Steven Erikson and his saga is called Gardens of the Moon. This epic fantasy novel was unforgettable masterpiece! Erikson's world-building skills has launch him into the ranks of Martin,Hobb, Clemens and Goodkind in this novel.Gardens of the Moon concerns a terrible war being waged between Malazan empire under brutal reign of Empress Laseen and immortal Anomander Rake and his formidable Tiste Andi.This war is fought with both armies and magic.This novel concerns the epic battle between these forces for the city-state of Darujhistan. This book is filled with scenes of brutal combat, sinister intrigue and powerful dark magic and sorcery.Unforgettable characters inhabit this wartorn world like Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of bridgeburners who serve the Empress Laseen and not knowing that she plots to betray them and have them killed.Paran, a young nobleman sent by Laseen and her ruthless Adjunct,Lorn to betray the noble bridgeburners and who insteads helps them.Anomander Rake, a immortal being fighting the Malazan empire for his dying race.Crokus younghand, a teen thief of Darujhistan who finds himself unwilling pawn this battle.This novel also has scenes of scheming and menacing gods who possess the bodies of mortals and manipulate the world to the own ends.And did I mention the action sequences? There are fight scenes in here to put the Matrix to shame! Plot twists as you see betrayal and treachery are the norms in this world where noble soldiers are targeted for death by their own rulers and young woman who can become souless killer.Erikson's world is a intricate and complex as our own as he slowly gives you it's history and his magic system is also very unique as he gives you scenes of conjuring of demons and ancient evil to do bidding of various sorcerers, assasins and powerful gods.I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series:Deadhouse Gates to see if this series will beat Song of Ice and fire as the best fantasy in print!