The Gardens of the Moon

by Stephen Erikson

The Gardens of the Moon is the first novel of the Malazan Series by Stephen Erikson (pen name of Steve Rune Lundin). It begins in the wartorn capital of a grasping empire just as a new and bloodthirsty Empress seizes power from her predecessor. The reader follows a young noble as he is attached to a squad of old-guard soldiers who have survived the coup and the Empress’ initial purges. It seems that the squad’s ongoing missions have the double aim of accomplishing the empire’s interests and further killing off the survivors. One immediately gets pulled into the intrigue and empathizes with the characters.

The dark beginning launches the reader into a rich and enveloping fantasy world peopled by humans, near humans, mages, demons, and dragons. One is introduced to so many characters right at the beginning that frequent consultation with the character list (Dramatis Personae – like the character lists often given at the beginning of Shakespearean plays) or the wiki is essential to keep everyone straight.

As one progresses, the characters become easier to distinguish from one another. But the rapid-fire scene changes and dialogues hamper the reader from easy, enjoyable, passive reading.

I liked the deep backstory and the dark beginning. And I appreciated that Erikson didn’t dribble out any explanations to clarify the scenes and conversations. It left a certain mystery and depth that had me highly tuned in for more details. However, as the book progressed, scenes and characters became smaller, pettier, and embued with such incredible powers that it seemed highly unlikely they would exist in such lowly positions in the fantasy world. Still, it was hard to set the book down, and I liked the original descriptions of magic.

In the story, men and women don’t have any difference in status or position. It is both pleasing and noticeable. Especially considering how many other fantasy books take another tack and read like rape fantasies. Or how as in Tolkein’s books, women are left out completely.

Towards the end, Gardens of the Moon felt like it had fallen into a teenager’s Dungeons and Dragons game. This feeling marked a great descent from where the book started. As a result, I can give Erikson’s book no more than two out of five stars.

Youngsters in spirit or body and fantasy enthusiasts will enjoy Gardens of the Moon.

There’s quite a bit of violence – be warned.

Did you read Gardens of the Moon? What did you think about it? Any other good fantasy books to recommend?