Pat's Fantasy Hotlist: Cover art for the 10th anniversary edition of Steven Erikson's GARDENS OF THE MOON

Cover art for the 10th anniversary edition of Steven Erikson's GARDENS OF THE MOON

Hard to believe it's already a decade old. . .

Man, to have the opportunity to read Gardens of the Moon for the first time. . .=)

For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe

17 commentaires:

Josh said...: That's funny you should post this now, I just finished reading Gardens of the Moon for the first time yesterday.

It was amazing, but just so flat-out different from the start of other fantasy sagas. Even ASOIAF, as revolutionary as it is in other ways, starts away from the action and slowly brings you into it. I still feel disoriented from the way Gardens just drops you in the middle.; 10:30 PM
Anonymous said...: "Man, to have the opportunity to read Gardens of the Moon for the first time. . .=)"

Man, you ain't kiddin'.

Hey, typing while I just finished watching, so....HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!!; 11:47 PM
Anonymous said...: I agree, I just felt disoriented for the first 300 pages or so, liek I was dropped in the middle of something. But I actually liked it alot once finished, and reflecting back, having read all the other books, I've realized it was a unique way to start a story. With a world as big as Malazan, how could they start at the beginning? It really gives you a feel of the world and being in the characters shoes.; 11:49 PM
rastronomicals said...: Reading it now for the first time as well, I'm through Chapter 10.

The density is such that I haven't really tried to read more than a chapter in any one sitting. Then, with the help of the Malazan wiki I try to digest what I've read.

It's working out pretty well; I feel I've got the various plotlines down, as well as the various nonhuman races that have been introduced. The Warrens have me somewhat confused, as does the Deck of Dragons, but I'm hoping these things will come.

Beyond that, Erikson has in a way made me reconsider my position on the George RR Martin aint my bitch thing somewhat. Sure, we all would prefer Martin to take his time and produce the best possible Dance with Dragons he can.

But Erikson shows clearly that it is possible to produce high quality work yearly. Have to say that in light of the nearly complete Malazan Book of the Fallen--started after, and surely to be concluded before, ASOIAF--Martin now seems like something of a slacker to me.; 9:38 AM
Cecrow said...: I've read it once and didn't like it, but will try again soon so I can get to the rest of this highly praised series. But dropping us into the action just wasn't a good choice, writing- wise. There's a reason everybody else starts off gently and eases you into the action, and it's a good one. Jumping right in is so disorienting and offputting, I'm certain this series would have a far larger fan base and be more broadly popular if he'd had a more conventional opener. However vast and amazing Malazan may be, any good author can make a gentle opening work that doesn't take away from that. He just chose not to.; 9:39 AM
Marc said...: I recently finished Gardens of the Moon, and really liked the second half. I'm now reading Esslemont's Knight of Knives, before moving on to Deadhouse Gates.

As to plunging the reader into the middle of it all, that's also a Glen Cook technique. The Black Company series does that, and some readers find it off-putting. But to me, it shows the author not talking down to the reader, so that we can figure things out for ourselves. If nothing else, it is a nice change of pace, for me, to the common style of fantasy fiction.; 1:24 PM
Machine Messiah said...: Is there any word of new trade paperback/10th anniversary editions of the other novels in the series?; 1:27 PM
Penis Pump said...: This series will be talked about for many years after its completion. It's not for everyone, but everyone owes it to themselves to give it a shot.; 2:52 PM
Unknown said...: Its an amazing book, and an amazing series. I'm curious if all the books will get a cover overhaul along with Gardens.; 3:59 PM
Britain said...: My cousin Colin just got me into this book series and I just finished GotM a couple weeks ago. Sooooo amazing. I'm about half way through Deadhouse Gates now...when I'm not reading the book I'm at work thinking about going home to read it.; 9:43 PM
Unknown said...: Your cousin Colin sounds like an amazing person. I bet he is the coolest man on the planet....

Hi Cuz; 1:59 AM
Anonymous said...: Life is all about being dropped in the middle of something. Why should it be irritating in an innocent book? One should recognice it as a smart trick and that this author won't be beating around the bush.; 3:17 AM
Anonymous said...: I've just started this series. I'll be finishing Deadhouse Gates today and starting on MoI.; 8:41 AM
Anonymous said...: I just gave up on trying to finish this for about the fifth time in the 7 or 8 years I've owned the book. I read an awful lot of Fantasy, and love nothing more than being swept up in a new saga but try as I might I just cannot get into the story. I'm not bashing the series or anything, in fact I'd love to be able to get hooked considering I own five of the other books in the series and it looks like I'll never be able to read them because I can't get past the first third of the first book.; 1:20 PM
Jebus said...: Is this TPB? HC? or just MMPB? I'd be tempted to grab it if it was in HC as the only HC ones I have are TtH, DoD and RotCG.

That being said, I do have GotM in the sub press version but dare not use that as my reading version when I start the re-read next year. I guess sub-press to look at and the current MMPB, TPB and HC copies for reading will have to do...Maybe... If it's in HC it would be all kinds of awesome to get the series in those newer covers... Argh!; 11:53 PM
Jebus said...: Just followed the link and realised it IS in HC... But then I realised that the design is different again from the newer books so won't bother. Unless of course they release 10th Anniversary copies of ALL the books. Double argh!; 11:55 PM
Cecrow said...: "... I can't get past the first third of the first book."

Huh - that's the part I was okay with; I thought it was pretty stylish. It's when all the god-like beings start showing up in the latter half, each one supposedly bigger and badder than the last, that I started wondering where this is going. On my re-read attempt I'm just going to swallow it, suspending all questions, and continue on to Book Two in the firm belief that all those fans can't be wrong.; 10:38 AM