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Gardens of the Moon Audiobook
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(3.00) - 19,475 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting, and bloody confrontations with ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen’s rule remains absolute, enforced by her dreaded Claw assassins. For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, their lone surviving mage, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities, yet holds out. It is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze. However, 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 voice. “I stand slack-jawed in awe of The Malazan Book of the Fallen. This masterwork of imagination may be the high-water mark of epic fantasy. This marathon of ambition has a depth and breadth and sense of vast reaches of inimical time unlike anything else available today. The Black Company, Zelazny’s Amber, Vance’s Dying Earth, and other mighty drumbeats are but foreshadowings of this dark dragon’s hoard.” - Glen Cook
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"I'm so glad a random person on Star Wars: The Old Republic recommended this to me or I may never have discovered it. This book is fantastic and so fresh, so different than most fantasy (much like Brandon Sanderson only MORE epic). I love the deep mythos and far reaching history Erikson has created here, it tickles that same bone in me that loves reading about ancient mysteries here on earth. The magic system is relatively unique (and interesting) and the different races of humanoids aren't constrained to the boring and overused elves, dwarves, orcs, etc. On top of all that it's incredibly gritty and definitely NOT for the squeamish. On top of it all the storyline is very good once you understand what's going on. My only qualm with this book would be that it just kind of hits the ground running without explaining a lot of things but the book is just so good overall that it didn't really mar my enjoyment of it. To top it all off there are 9 more epicly large volumes of this series and it's all finished, I can't wait for the rest."
— Brad (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Complex, challenging…Erikson’s strengths are his grown-up characters and his ability to create a world every bit as intricate and messy as our own.”
— SFX -
“Erikson is a master of lost and forgotten epochs, a weaver of ancient epics on a scale that would approach absurdity if it wasn’t so much fun.”
— Salon.com
Awards
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A 2000 World Fantasy Award Nominee for Best Novel
Gardens of the Moon Listener Reviews
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DocTuck, 3/15/2023
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Jurand Szwaja, 4/24/2022
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11/1/2021
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8/5/2021
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Dylan Kelly, 1/29/2021
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" Confusing and amazing "
— Anthony, 2/12/2014 -
" Not your typically storyline starting from point A to Z. It starts at the middle of everything. A Challenging read because of this but very rewarding. "
— Albee, 1/24/2014 -
" Really good book. It was a little tricky at first because there isn't much explanation of what is going on, but the author does a good enough job with the exposition to get the point across by the end. I actually liked it better than Game of Thrones (gasp). Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. "
— Mo, 1/21/2014 -
" It has promise but was confusing and I felt like I was being lead by my nose down a blind alley of this world. "
— Nathan, 1/14/2014 -
" I've waited days to review this book, only to forget some of what I intended to write. I didn't find the story as badly edited as some have reviewed, but that could just me, a mere mortal believing it was good enough. I did have to go back to the player page often to see who was who's team--especially Whiskeyjack's and Buruk's. I am skipping to book 3 to stay within the Genebackis storyline. As in 1, 3, 2, 4, 5... "
— Cheryl, 1/3/2014 -
" I don't think I am going to read any more of this series--I did not care for this book at all. "
— Steve, 12/23/2013 -
" Good start to a series, didn't know it was going to be as long when i started but once in, your hooked! "
— Tim, 12/3/2013 -
" no depth or growth of any characters. No real depth to the story line either. Everyone has powers and everyone is special. "
— Todd, 12/2/2013 -
" Very hard to get into, but if you slog through until it starts to feel natural it is worth it. "
— Lloyd, 11/21/2013 -
" Started slow, the first couple hundred pages had me asking myself why am I not putting it down. It finished strong though and has me thinking about starting book #2 "
— Cody, 9/10/2013 -
" Good book, was really slow to start but characters and plots picked up as the book went on. If you can get through the first few chapters you will enjoy. "
— Jesse, 9/6/2013 -
" Absolutely loved this book. This is fantasy on an epic scale - great storyline, lots of interesting characters and I think this is going to become one of my favourite fantasy series. "
— ChristinaJL, 8/16/2013 -
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Paul Magoon, 7/10/2013
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" Quite simply stunning and the start of an amazing epic that has me begging for the next book as finish each one. Gritty, full of anti-heroes and unique approach to magic. Surpasses every fantasy writer I've read - and there are many! "
— Paul, 7/2/2013 -
" No hand holding in this book. Erickson expects you to keep up with the plot elements without spelling it out for you. Expansive world building and compelling if not fleshed out characters round out the experience. "
— Kory, 6/6/2013 -
" This is precisely why I tend to avoid heroic fantasy - pompous, long-winded, multi-volume crap. It may well improve in subsequent volumes, but I'm not going to subject myself to it. "
— Paul, 5/6/2013 -
" Wow, what a chore to read! I struggled to keep track of who was who but persisted in the hope that all would be revealed in the end. "
— Jacinta, 4/14/2013 -
" Couldn't finish. :( "
— Katherine, 2/25/2013
About Steven Erikson
Steven Erikson is an archaeologist, anthropologist, and a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. His Malazan Book of the Fallen series, including The Crippled God, Dust of Dreams, Toll the Hounds, and Reaper’s Gale, have received widespread international acclaim and established him as a major voice in the world of fantasy fiction. The first book in the series, Gardens of the Moon, was shortlisted for a World Fantasy Award. Deadhouse Gates, the second novel in the series, was voted one of the ten best fantasy novels of 2000 by SFsite.com.
About Ralph Lister
Ralph Lister is an actor, voice actor, and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. He spent fifteen years in London theater before moving to the United States to focus on film and television. He has held numerous roles in Shakespeare and modern dramas, as well as starring roles in independent films. His voice and character work can be heard in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearland 13 Going On 30. He lives in Los Angeles.