Gardens of the Moon: Will I start to Understand It...

[Tansy]

I stared to get into GOTM at about the half way popint if not a little before

However Deadhouse Gates is giving me no end of problems, I think its the new characters as i was really into the last set and even though some are still there its kinda taking me umpteen restarts to get through it, however, I am determined to get through it now lol

 

[Ross]

I stared to get into GOTM at about the half way popint if not a little before

However Deadhouse Gates is giving me no end of problems, I think its the new characters as i was really into the last set and even though some are still there its kinda taking me umpteen restarts to get through it, however, I am determined to get through it now lol

I'm on Memories of Ice now and even more characters are thrown at you!

I'm really enjoying the series but I was enjoying reading about Fid, Crokus, Apsalar and co - I know there are many "main" characters but I can't see reading about any of the Crokus Crew in Memories of Ice.

There is just so much going off I suppose he has to do it this way.

 

[Tansy]

I'm sure by the time Ii finish it I will be into this new set and have to start all over again on the next lot.

I'm not so much confused by the story, I like reading something I can't predict and enjoy being dropped inteh deep end and just going with the flow. I just have trouble remembering who everyone is lol

 

[HoopyFrood]

Personally, I got completely fed up of Felisin and would've cheered if she'd been left on a rock to die in the desert, and Mappo and the other dude seemed a little too maudlin and dramatic. I also ended up starting the book over twice because I just couldn't get into it. So getting back to what I considered 'my' characters in Memories of Ice was awesome. I think the characters that you meet in the first book do tend to be the ones that you get attached to (especially when they're as awesome as Whiskeyjack, Quick Ben etc)

Although the ending of Deadhouse Gates definitely is something else. Bloody hell.

 

[Clansman]

Personally, I got completely fed up of Felisin and would've cheered if she'd been left on a rock to die in the desert, and Mappo and the other dude seemed a little too maudlin and dramatic. I also ended up starting the book over twice because I just couldn't get into it. So getting back to what I considered 'my' characters in Memories of Ice was awesome. I think the characters that you meet in the first book do tend to be the ones that you get attached to (especially when they're as awesome as Whiskeyjack, Quick Ben etc)

Although the ending of Deadhouse Gates definitely is something else. Bloody hell.

SPOILERS FOR DEADHOUSE GATES and HOUSE OF CHAINS...










Yes, Felisin is worthy of scorn in that book, however, we are supposed to feel that way about her. People react in a number of ways to horrible situations, and she chose to excoriate her personality in favour of survival (not knowing that Baudin and Heboric were there to protect her, she whored herself out for "protection").

And then, look what happens to her in House of Chains. I believe that Erikson has tried to make us first loathe her, then understand her situation, and then pity her.

Excellent use of an unlikeable character, in my view.

And the ending of DHG, bloody hell indeed (though I am surprised that there wasn't a revolt by soldiers under Pormqual. Just about every soldier in Aren knew that he was wrong).

 

[HoopyFrood]

Yeah, the fact that I detest her so much does show how well Erikson created the character. As much as I realise that it is her way of dealing with such a situation, and an understandable one at that, still doesn't stop me from wanting to slap her.

And also yeah, couldn't help thinking that something could have happened to avoid that ending. But man, does it leave a lasting effect when you've finished it. That's one ending I'll never forget.

 

[HareBrain]

Well, I finished GOTM this morning. It got very tense at the fete, but then Erikson almost lost me close to the end with one character's seven-at-once thing, which seemed to come from out of nowhere (though it might have been foreshadowed just once, IIRC). I do understand the criticism about massive powers and gods showing up willy nilly. I think the book's strengths overcome that, but sometimes only just.

Anyway, I'm now on Deadhouse Gates.

BTW, having read in a review that the title "Gardens of the Moon" is essentially meaningless, I was intrigued to find it explained in Apsalar's speech at the end of ch19. But I wonder which came first, the title or the speech?

 

[Lenny]

I'm not entirely sure about the title being meaningless. Without saying too much, I've got a theory about the moon, but that's a subject for another thread.

Enjoy DHG! It's one of my favourite books of the series, with by far one of the best characters.

 

[Dundalis]

I've read about half of the book. Over about 3 years. I can't understand a single thing that's going on, and I've even reread parts, not just because of how confusing it is, but also because the time lapse between reading because Im not enticed by the story (which obviously I don't understand yet). If I read it again I'd prob have to start over.

 

[Kierkegaurdian]

Just started GotM. So far a I like it a lot. Coming from just having re-read all the WoT novels up to Towers of Midnight, the change in pacing is taking a bit of getting used to. However, I am really enjoying the fact that Erickson thrusts the reader into the middle of an epic story. Honestly, I needed a break from the farmboy->hero+magic sword trope, looks like this is it.

 

[Althain's Warden]

Just started GotM. So far a I like it a lot. Coming from just having re-read all the WoT novels up to Towers of Midnight, the change in pacing is taking a bit of getting used to. However, I am really enjoying the fact that Erickson thrusts the reader into the middle of an epic story. Honestly, I needed a break from the farmboy->hero+magic sword trope, looks like this is it.

Yes Erikson will definately be something out of the typical format I'm on The Bonehunters and even though i do sometimes find myself wishing i was with characters from other books, for the most part i am just in awe of each book i've read. Definately one of the 3 finest writers of epic fantasy out there. For me Wurts, MArtin and Erikson are the best the genre has to offer. And no i can't say which is best, just find that impossible

 

[Ökuþórr]

I recently ordered this book and im looking forward to getting stuck in. Got a bunch of other things to get through first though

 

[Clansman]

Yes Erikson will definately be something out of the typical format I'm on The Bonehunters and even though i do sometimes find myself wishing i was with characters from other books, for the most part i am just in awe of each book i've read. Definately one of the 3 finest writers of epic fantasy out there. For me Wurts, MArtin and Erikson are the best the genre has to offer. And no i can't say which is best, just find that impossible

Sethvir! Haven't seen you in a while, my friend!

Time for me to pick up Midnight Tides again. I set it down last fall and failed to pick it up. Might try to finish this whole series before a certain date next October...but then there is also a certain date in July...

so many books, so little time...

 

[Kierkegaurdian]

SPOILERS:

I just finished GotM, and I loved it. I thought, despite the extremely quick pace and the fact that it drops right into the middle of an epic conflict, that the exposition of the world was well done, and thorough enough to suck me in. I found myself interested in most of the characters, though a little overwhelmed by the many, many powerful forces at work. My favorite character (or at least the one I am most interested in) was Quick Ben. I love the complicated back story that is hinted at in his regard. My only complaint would be the sudden appearance and then death of the demon in the last pages. It seemed a bit unnecessary, though it makes sense in retrospect that Lorn would have something up her sleeve other than a plan to simply stab the Coin Bearer without a diversion, etc. In any event, it was significantly better as an introductory novel than most fantasy series I have read (The Eye of the World comes to mind, although I love WoT). I am curious as to how the writing will change from Deadhouse Gates on. I think I remember reading that Erikson wrote GotM ten years before it was published. I can only imagine that ten years does a thing or two to one's writing style / vision. Anyways, great series, can't wait to continue on!

 

[nixie]

Oh,your in for a treat. Not many are sucked straight in by GOTM,although I've never been able to understand why so many people are confused by it.

I loved GOTM was hooked immediately then I picked up Deadhouse Gates and was even more enthralled. The chain of dogs is something that stays with you for ever. Then you think he can't get any better, till you pick up Memories Of Ice and your completely blown away.

 

[Kierkegaurdian]

I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I have two questions though, for those more familiar with Erikson and his work:

1) Warrens. I got the impression that there were an unknown number of Warrens. Some are accessed by more exclusive mages than others, and some are diametrically opposed to others (Mallet's Warren being "anathema" to the Warren powering the creation of the Azark, for example). So: is the number of Warrens unknown, with some being added or taken away from the "pantheon" based on the fluctuations of power?

2) Does anyone know if Erikson is going to continue writing books in the Malazan universe? I know that The Crippled God is the last in the Book of the Fallen, but since the author is so prolific and apparently gaining a following, it doesn't seem too far-fetched an idea. Especially considering all the off-shoot novels and short stories, etc., as precedent.

 

[Lenny]

My understanding of Warrens is that there are a set, finite number of them, that are inhabited by an ever-changing pantheon. I don't want to go too much into them because you'll learn more as you go on.

As for Erikson, he has six more novels planned - three are a trilogy about Anomander Rake that will act as a prequel to The Malazan Book of the Fallen series. Not sure about the other trilogy, but he's also writing two more novellas about a couple of characters you'll meet in a few books time.

If you don't already know, the universe Erikson is writing in is shared with another author - the two of them built it up primarily as a tabletop RPG (someone correct me if I'm wrong, though I think I'm right). Ian C. Esslemont is his name, and he's halfway through his own six-book series which is well worth the read.

 

[Kierkegaurdian]

My understanding of Warrens is that there are a set, finite number of them, that are inhabited by an ever-changing pantheon. I don't want to go too much into them because you'll learn more as you go on.

As for Erikson, he has six more novels planned - three are a trilogy about Anomander Rake that will act as a prequel to The Malazan Book of the Fallen series. Not sure about the other trilogy, but he's also writing two more novellas about a couple of characters you'll meet in a few books time.

If you don't already know, the universe Erikson is writing in is shared with another author - the two of them built it up primarily as a tabletop RPG (someone correct me if I'm wrong, though I think I'm right). Ian C. Esslemont is his name, and he's halfway through his own six-book series which is well worth the read.

Thanks for the input. I did know about the Esslemont books, and will probably pick them up at some point. Good to know they are worth it!

 

[Rane Longfox]

edit: Deleted because I realise it might contain many spoilers... oops.

 

[Primitius]

I'm on about page 200 of GotM, and I must say it really is a delight to read - I manage to get bored quite easily if there isn't enough stuff happening - so this is a style I can just read and read and read without really getting bored, because everything is constantly fresh.