steven erikson gardens of the moon review

(June 16)įYI: The first four volumes have already been published in the U.K. Erikson may aspire to China Miéville heights, but he settles comfortably in George R.R.

And Ian’s writing and style improves with each book as he becomes more comfortable and develops his own style. Heroes win, villains lose, fairness reigns, tragedy is averted. Really really liked Gardens of the Moon, but Absolutely loved Deadhouse Gates Simply stunning and brilliant imo Erikson is a gifted writer for sure, but he can go on fairly lengthy tangents.

The fast-moving plot, with sieges, duels (of sword and of spell), rebellions, intrigue and revenge, unearthed monsters and earth-striding gods, doesn't leave much room for real depth. The book features a plethora of princes and paupers, powers and principalities, with much inventive detail to dazzle and impart a patina of mystery and ages past. Other characters may go further, to death and back even, but none is as sharply portrayed. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Paran travels on journeys of body and soul, going from innocent to hardened rebel against gods and empire without losing his moral core. The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Jumping often between plot lines, the novel follows Ganoes Stabro Paran from his boyhood dreaming of soldiers to his escape from imperial service. Perhaps they need to stay small enough for the reader to keep them all in mind. In this sprawling fantasy epic of the Malazan empire at war with its enemies and itself, the first of a projected 10-volume series, Canadian newcomer Erikson offers many larger-than-life scenes and ideas, but his characters seem to shrink to fit the story.

Steven erikson gardens of the moon review