Gardens of the Moon

by Steven Erikson

Reviewed by Ruby

The Empress Laseen is spreading her Empire over the continent of Genabackis. They have taken over the majority of the north and now the city of Pale has fallen. While the armies move in, the Empress sets her sights on Darujhistan, the largest city left. She is also trying to stamp out the remnants loyal to the old Emperor, who she killed to take over the Empire. One of the regiments that the Empress wants gone is the Bridgeburners, a group of solider and saboteurs, that have now been deployed to Darujhistan to lay the ground works for the Malazan Empire. It’s a suicide mission and they know it, because the citizens of Darujhistan are not exactly lying down and waiting. The council is making plans and the Cabal is making deals with the Moon’s Spawn, a floating fortress filled with the Tiste Andii; a powerful Elder Race opposing the Empire’s forces. There is also a network of spies and assassins within the city that is making their work all that more difficult.

To make matters worse for all parties, the gods have decided to join the fray. Shadowthorn, King of the High House of Shadows has sent his personal assassin to the world. Also Oponn, the Twin Jesters of Chance, have left a sword and a coin in the hands of mortals and they are drawing attention of many people, most of them powerful and dangerous.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well thought out and jammed packed with things happening. Usually in large books like this there is always some lull but there were so many people, most of them executing their own plans that it didn’t feel slow in any section.

I one problem that I had was that it was very difficult to understand the terminology used in the book. The universe that the author created is so vast and detailed and he basically throws you right into the middle of it. Even with the fourteen pages of appendices and glossaries and whatnot, it took me almost have way through the book before I knew what everyone was talking about. But the story was just so interesting and well written that I was ok with being confused for a while because I knew it would sort itself out eventually. I am still trying to figure out why a sword has a magical tunnel where countless souls are trapped forever but if everything made complete sense then it would be too boring.

I also had a problem understanding the logic behind some of the characters and their actions. Everyone seems to be plotting something or other, so it was hard to know which side they were on. Or why they were doing certain things.

But all in all a very good (but long) book.

Grade: B