Books

Gardens of the Moon Review

Gardens of the Moon -- A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen� by Steven Erikson

Synopsis

The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake, lord of Moon's Spawn, and his Tiste Andii. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins.

For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, surviving sorceress of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, yet holds out and it is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze.

However, it would appear that the Empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister, shadowbound forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand...

Conceived and written on a panoramic scale, Gardens of the Moon is epic fantasy of the highest order - an enthralling adventure by an outstanding new voice.

The Author

Steven Erikson was born in Toronto, grew up in Winnipeg, and now lives in the UK with his wife and son. He is an anthropologist and archaeologist by training, as well as being a graduate of the Iowa Writer's Workshop. Gardens of the Moon (1999) was his first fantasy novel. Its sequel, Deadhouse Gates, was released in the UK in September 2000. When asked about his age, Erikson had this to say: "I was born in 1959, had my 40th last October and after painting the living room ceiling I'm feeling every one of those 40 years at the moment. Even worse, my riding instructor tells me I sit a horse like a cowboy; subsequent exercises to adjust my posture has my neck killing me. Anyway, I ain't young no more."

A fanatastic read!� Continue the story in the sequel Deadhouse Gates.� The tale keeps getting better and the battles keep getting bigger!