Questions About Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1)

by Steven Erikson (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Gardens of the Moon, please sign up.

Answered Questions (45)

I loved a song of ice and fire, will I enjoy this, also is it as confusing as people say it is?

Matt I think people are being overly nice to this book. Disclaimer: I enjoyed it. But I don't think it's 5 stars.

Problems: the names in Song of Ice and Fir…moreI think people are being overly nice to this book. Disclaimer: I enjoyed it. But I don't think it's 5 stars.

Problems: the names in Song of Ice and Fire make sense. They belong in the world that's created. The names in Gardens of the Moon _don't make sense_ and it makes it that much harder to follow what's going on. Sorry, Stewart, Quick Ben, Ganoes Paran, Tehol Beddict, Tayschrenn, Onos T'oolan, Laseen, I could go on... these names don't have any conformity, it's like a 5 year old trying to make up words. They don't belong in the same culture or language. Contrast Martin's names like Lannister, Winterfell, Tyrell, Stark, etc. they all sound like they're in the same world.

Second, the writing style of detailed characters and plots twisting every this way and that is *not* literary genius. It's confusing and personally I think it's a _failure_ on his part that he's writing such an intricate world that you can't piece together. (I'm not a stupid person, either) The holes and plot twists should normally get you excited and intrigued to keep you going, but instead you just end up ignoring what should be important and can't get invested.

That being said, I'm going to read at least the first five, because the positives outweigh the negatives. (The magic is great, the battles are great) But to answer your question, I think it's a mistake to presume you'll enjoy this just because you enjoyed Song of Ice and Fire.(less)

flag

Okay, who are "sappers"? I'm about a hundred pages in and can't figure out what they mean by this. I've flipped through the glossaries but am still confused.

Robinhj Sapper is not a made up word, you should find it in the dictionary; my grandmother even had a dog named 'Sapper'. Originally in medieval times they we…moreSapper is not a made up word, you should find it in the dictionary; my grandmother even had a dog named 'Sapper'. Originally in medieval times they were the people that dug tunnels and planted explosives to collapse castle walls etc. The verb was 'To sap'. In later wars they were the branch of the army that laid or cleared minefields wholesale (as opposed to Bomb Disposal), built or laid temporary bridges and other 'Engineering' duties. In the British Army A 'Sapper' would be in the Royal Engineers but I believe the US Army has them as individual members of Light Combined Arms teams eg alongside Rangers. British Commandos would also have combat engineering specialists as part of a team but they would not call them 'Sappers' as far as I know.(less)

flag

I found Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive very confusing on first read but I definitely got into it. Compared to that, is this book more confusing/complicated?

Nick Scheel If Brandon Sanderson confused you then reading Erikson is going to be like reading the old testament in latin while hanging upside down over a kiddy p…moreIf Brandon Sanderson confused you then reading Erikson is going to be like reading the old testament in latin while hanging upside down over a kiddy pool filled with blue cheese. (less)

flag

Are there women in this series with developed characters?

Snaz Hound There are loads of incredible female characters in this series not the least Empress Lasheen. I do suggest looking at the Malazan wiki, Malazan Encycl…moreThere are loads of incredible female characters in this series not the least Empress Lasheen. I do suggest looking at the Malazan wiki, Malazan Encyclpaedia and a new one for myself, the Malazan Reddit. My daughter an aspiring writer, introduced me to the Reddit forum for Malazan and the one which is more so dear to her heart, the Malazan picture of the day. There are just so many great and fantastic female characters. Please yourself and discover them for yourself. I absolutely promise you will find strong and weak characters both male and female and just about every race or species you could imagine.(less)

flag

Dose this book have any romance? Or is all about wars?

Friedrich Haas There is romance, and how did you all miss it? It's not gushy love, but a Soldier seeks the woman he lost, though she be reborn, while a youth sets hi…moreThere is romance, and how did you all miss it? It's not gushy love, but a Soldier seeks the woman he lost, though she be reborn, while a youth sets his heart above his station much as Great Expectations, and despite his fear, finds it's yearning closer to home. An officer loves his men and they him, as brothers in arms only know. A scion of darkness loves his people, and an Eel loves his food, and his city. Romance? It's not a Harlequin volumn. (less)

flag

Load 5 more questions

Unanswered Questions (1)

This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more