Series: Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson ("Gardens of the Moon")

[Saar The Book owl]

I'm trying to speed up and finish it before the end of the month. I'm also in to read the second book.

[Aga]

You don't need to rush. Is it different than you remember?

I was shocked that I forfot about characters like Krupe (for example). How could I forgot? And I remember characters and scenes from some really silly books I've read those 20 years ago.

[Barry]

Aga wrote: "Barry wrote: "Ooh, I didn't realize you guys are reading GotM. I'm currently re-reading the entire series (and planning to complete the other related series while at it, following the ultimate read..."

https://malazan.fandom.com/wiki/Sugge...

I just finished Midnight Tides (BOTF #5), and I'm planning to read Night of Knives probably starting next week.

I'm skipping the novellas though (the Bauchelain novellas).

[Aga]

Wow, now I understand how it can be more complicated than Cosmere.

I think I'll try some novellas after "Deadhouse Gates".

[CBRetriever]

Midnight Tides was one of my favorites of the series. Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont isn't part of the 10 books of the Malazan Series. It's a side series by Ian C. Esslemont not by Steven Erikson. I didn't like Esslemont's books near as much as Erikson's. I'd recommend moving on to The Bonehunters instead. It continues on from House of Chains.

Malazan Book of the Fallen
#1 Gardens of the Moon
#2 Deadhouse Gates
#3 Memories of Ice
#4 House of Chains
#5 Midnight Tides
#6 The Bonehunters
#7 Reaper's Gale
#8 Toll the Hounds
#9 Dust of Dreams
#10 The Crippled God (less)

I know Esselmont and Erikson recommend Night of Knives as the next book in sequential order, but you don't need it to follow what's going on

[Saar The Book owl]

Aga wrote: "You don't need to rush. Is it different than you remember?

I was shocked that I forfot about characters like Krupe (for example). How could I forgot? And I remember characters and scenes from som..."

It's a bit different. Like you I've forgot about a lot of characters of Darujhistan and some scenes, like the first one with Crokus. But on the other side, there are things that I understand now better than the first time.

[Aga]

Reading more novellas is one of my goals for this year, so it's a good oportunity to try some more.

I wish I remembered more. I think it's a great feeling when you reread something and grasp more than the last time.

[Saar The Book owl]

I've finished chapter 6 and 7. For some reason Darujihstan is harder to get through.
(view spoiler)[Kruppe meets the Elder God K'Rul who knows that he'll loose a battle soon. He referse to the 'child god', so I asume that Oponn has something to do with it? Circle Breaker didn't give his message to the Eel's agent. Does that mean he doesn't need help anymore or is he abandoning his mission? As for Lady Simtal: there's the reference to her husband or an ex - husband. I know who that is and if I remember correctly, he'll play an important role further into the book. Baruk wants Crokus to be protected by the assasins. Maybe he foresees a big role for the young man in the future. That's just something for Kruppe to take a copy of the coin. I think there's more to this man than he shows, allthough, he's still being annoying. Maybe, he's also a god... (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

When I get to the chapters with the spoilers mentioned here, I'll comment on it ;)

[Saar The Book owl]

Chapter 8:
(view spoiler)[Whiskeyjack shares some history with the Moranth, as the Moranth refers to him as 'Bird Who Steals'. They could've fought together, now they are engaging against the Empress. Sorry gives a glimpse to her past by saying that she knows how to fish, but no one askes further. The scene with the fishing boat waas hilarious. I could just visualise Trotts pulling the boat and then sitting in it, when the others are working this out. So, Tayshrenn knows about the suspicions that Tattersail is having and Paran protects her from Hairlock, because he knows that the puppet is maybe up to no good. Hairlock is really playing with fire and in search of power. He even wants to be turned into a god or is taken by one. The power of the Chaos Warren is slowly making him insane and dangerous. If he is bound to Quick Ben, I wonder if Hairlock goes down, he'll be taken the wizard with him. (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "I've finished chapter 6 and 7. For some reason Darujihstan is harder to get through.
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Oh, I've forgot that Kruppe did a copy. I wonder how is he going to use it. I like the idea that he is a god. I have a feeling the Circle Braker is someone important. (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "Chapter 8:
[spoilers removed]"

I think there is a lot we don't know about Hairlock yet.

[Saar The Book owl]

Aga wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "I've finished chapter 6 and 7. For some reason Darujihstan is harder to get through.
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

About the wax copy:
(view spoiler)[Kruppe gave it to Barruk. Barruk had some kind of vision and when he opened his eyes the wax copy of the coin was melting. So I think it's gone. (hide spoiler)]

[Carlos]

I'm late to the party. I' m just starting it. I'm going a bit slow as English is not my first language. I'm not sure what's going on, but this was my reaction when (view spoiler)[huge magic dogs tear half an army apart. (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

Carlos wrote: "I'm late to the party. I' m just starting it. I'm going a bit slow as English is not my first language. I'm not sure what's going on, but this was my reaction when [spoilers removed]

"

Hehe, the confusion at the beginning is normal :) Check the resources in the thread, they were very useful.
And the Hounds of Shadow are awsome :D

[Barry]

CBRetriever wrote: "Midnight Tides was one of my favorites of the series. Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont isn't part of the 10 books of the Malazan Series. It's a side series by [au..."

Oh, I've finished both the main series and the Novels of the Malazan Empire by ICE. I just want to re-read them all before continuing with the other series (Kharkanas, Ascendancy and the Karsa Orlong series) that I haven't read yet.

I found out through the first five books that this re-read has been so much more fun and enjoyable. It's much slower, because I'm taking really meticulous notes this time around. But, as a result, I got to understand better some of the links and hints that Erikson scattered throughout his books to later events. Most of the times, I actually questioned whether I had read the same books the first time around.


Aga wrote: "Wow, now I understand how it can be more complicated than Cosmere.

I think I'll try some novellas after "Deadhouse Gates"."

Yeah, I think this is the most complicated and comprehensive series out there. Kudos to both Erikson and Esslemont for creating this rich universe.

But, if you're a casual fan, I guess it's fine just reading the main series. I know a friend of mine who really likes Malazan, but has only read the main series and is not planning to read the other (perhaps only the Karsa Orlong series once that's done).

The novellas deal with a character whom you'll meet in the second book. So, probably better read that one first before jumping into the novellas. But, I believe, the novellas have no or very very little connection with the events in the main series.

[Barry]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "I've finished chapter 6 and 7. For some reason Darujihstan is harder to get through.
[spoilers removed]"

Ch 6 & 7
Kruppe and K'rul
(view spoiler)[I think the "young gods" that you mentioned doesn't specifically refer to Oponn. But, based on my understanding, there were power struggles all around. In the mortal world, there was a struggle between Darujhistan and the Malazan Empire. And the various gods were vying to gain power by backing various players. K'rul was just suggesting that they were underestimating him, who had long been dormant.

Also, Kruppe's task assigned by K'rul is key to developments in later in the book and beyond.

Btw, Kruppe is an enigma! (hide spoiler)]

Baruk and Crokus (view spoiler)[
The relationship between Baruk and Crokus will be revealed later, but yes, Baruk wants Crokus to be better than what he was (just a young thief). But more than that, recall the Oponn coin picked up by Crokus. That is an important reason for Baruk to call for Crokus' protection. As Oponn has two sides : push and pull (of luck). (hide spoiler)]

Lady Simtal (view spoiler)[
Yes, her ex-husband will be revealed later, and he plays an important role (hide spoiler)]

[Carlos]

Aga wrote: "Check the resources in the thread, they were very useful"

Will do, thanks!

[Aga]

Hah, I've just read the news that Bauchelain and Korbal Broach novellas are being translated into Polish and will be out after the new edition of the Malazan main series (September if everything goes well). So novellas are on my TBR for sure now.

[CBRetriever]

those novellas are definitely worth reading

[Saar The Book owl]

Chapter 9:
(view spoiler)[So, when things might be turning bad in the coming weeks, WhiskeyJack assured his flight from the pending war by making sure that the Moranth can pick him up. I wonder why the Empress has something against the nobility. Not only is she againts magic and the gods, but the nobility is alos on her deathlist. I thought the confrontation between Lorn and Tattersail would escalate. If I understand correctly, Tattersail was in the mage cadre for her first mission and had to cleanse the neighberhood where Lorn lived? Also, was it premiditated that Paran lead Tattersail to bed? She wanted to lay her cards again and she couldn't resist it, but Paran brought her mind to other plans. Tool tells Lorn about the bindin between the T'lan Imass and the Kron T'lan Imass. So, I asume that because of the binding, Lorn will never find the First Throne? Also, Tool mentioned a diaspora, but for which people will that be? The last part of the chapter with Crone is interesting. It puts the coming events nicely together, but even she has a hidden agenda, meaning Caladan Brood? (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "Chapter 9:
[spoilers removed]"

I like that Crone is (view spoiler)[a real character, not just an animal or a familiar, but a POV character with her own agenda. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

Aga wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "Chapter 9:
[spoilers removed]"

I like that Crone is [spoilers removed]"

Yes, I liked that too and she's a smart one too. I hope she'll play a bigger role.

[Saar The Book owl]

Chapter 10:
(view spoiler)[Toc and Paran goes against Lorn. I think they saw that the mission they've got from Lorn was totally wrong. Tattersail saved herself from being captured by Bellurdan, by putting a spell on the remains of Nightchill. In a way, she became a bit like Hairlock, but not crazy? I wonder what Crone's hidden agenda is by spying on Brood and Rake? (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "Chapter 10:
[spoilers removed]"

I hope to read more about (view spoiler)[Tatterasail (hide spoiler)].

[Barry]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "Chapter 9:
[spoilers removed]"

The Empress (view spoiler)[
Her culling of the nobility will be explained in more details in latter books. Deadhouse Gates has a good explanation of why Lasseen wanted to cull the nobility. But, bear in mind how she got the throne in the first place. (hide spoiler)]

Lorn(view spoiler)[
The First Throne will also be explained in a latter book, I think in House of Chains and Midnight Tides there are some explanations (hide spoiler)]

Tool (view spoiler)[
Recall who/what he is and how he got to be who/what he was. Again, in House of Chains you'll get a further explanation of the event surrounding the T'lan Imass. (hide spoiler)]
Keep reading!

[Aga]

Barry wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "Chapter 9:
[spoilers removed]"

The Empress
Her culling of the nobility will be explained in more details in latter books. Deadhouse Gates has a good explanation of why L..."

Good to know, Barry. I can't wait to read later books.

[Saar The Book owl]

Aga wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "Chapter 10:
[spoilers removed]"

I hope to read more about [spoilers removed]."

Me too! She seems so interesting!

[Saar The Book owl]

Barry wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "Chapter 9:
[spoilers removed]"

The Empress
Her culling of the nobility will be explained in more details in latter books. Deadhouse Gates has a good explanation of why L..."

Thanks, Barry! Can't wait to start the next one after I've finished this.

[Saar The Book owl]

Chapter 11 to 13:
(view spoiler)[It seems that Cotillion doesn't have Sorry always in hand. I get the feeling that she remembers other things. What is a 'Seer'? It seemed important too. That was an interesting encounter between Quick Ben and Shadowthrone. The Hounds are always so intriguing. It seems that Hairlock is drawn to the place that everyone is seeking: the burial place of the Jaghut Tyrant. Maybe it's just a matter of time to find it? Quick Ben used to serve Shadowthrone, but what did he do to make Shadowthrone mad and leave the realm? The fight with the assassin's was a bit confusing, but Anomander Rake wants to guild gone, because otherwise the Assassin's Guild will work together with the Empress to destroy the High Mages, I think? (hide spoiler)]

[CBRetriever]

seer = a person who is supposed to be able, through supernatural insight, to see what the future holds.

[Saar The Book owl]

Aha, thanks! It makes sense :)

[Saar The Book owl]

I've finally finished and there are a lot of things that I've forgot, but also some events/characters that I now understand more after reading the book for the 3rd time.

(view spoiler)[It seemed that Rake wasn't intend to interfere in Darujhistan, but that he got provoked by the Empress, so he had no choice. Well, that led to a great fight with the Gaylan Lord. Rallick took Vorcan into an Azath - house. I wonder what will happen there. It seems that Paran and Crokus were not influenced by their person by Oponn, but that the sword and the coin were influenced by them. They were just tools that used the influenced items. Paran now can communicate with his mind and the Otataral sword with Tattersail. The Jaghut Tyrant has been destroyed, but the Panion Seer seems to be much worse? Lorne doubted her mission, but eventually went through with it at cost of her own life. Mallet returned Apsalar's memory back, but not the whole thing and it seems that that other woman never took control of her. I liked the connection between Paran and the Hounds. Also, the medling of the different gods was interesting. And Kruppe, I knew early in the stoy that he was the Eel. it was hard to disguise. (hide spoiler)]

I don't know if anyone wants to continue with the next book?

[Aga]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "I don't know if anyone wants to continue with the next book? "

I do! I enjoyed the first book very much and I'm excited to see how the story will develop.

I'm finishing "The Dragonbone Chair" today and I'm going to start "Blindsight" and "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell" tomorrow. But I'm in the mood for reading multiple books at the same time so I can start anytime.

Anyone else?

[Saar The Book owl]

Super! I've tried 'Jonathan Strange and...', but I've stopped. I couldn't get my attention with it.

I can start with the second book at the beginning of August?

[Aga]

Ok, works for me.

[E.D.]

On page 298 of Jonathan Strange. I won't finish it by the end of July as I'm committed to finishing another book by then.

However, I want to start the next book while Gardens of the Moon is still fresh in my mind (kind of), so I'm happy to start Deadhouse Gates at the beginning of August, or shortly after.

[Saar The Book owl]

Okay, I've got the same thought, E.D., now that I still remember enough.

[Aga]

E.D. wrote: "On page 298 of Jonathan Strange. I won't finish it by the end of July as I'm committed to finishing another book by then.

However, I want to start the next book while Gardens of the Moon is still..."

Yey, I was hoping you will join.

If I remember correctly, someone said the next book has different characters.

[Maggie]

well, a couple familiar people are there, but essentially, the remaining Bridgeburners split up in order to accomplish some different things, and we follow one group off to another contininet, where of course there are a great number of new characters hanging about, some of them simply mind-boggling wonderful!

[Gabi]

I would read on, but I'm not sure if I will make it beginning of August since books 5-7 of the Shadow of the Apts have been released on audio today and I want to "read" them first.

[Aga]

I'm going to read this one very slow because I'm switching between many books.

[Saar The Book owl]

Gabi wrote: "I would read on, but I'm not sure if I will make it beginning of August since books 5-7 of the Sadows of the Apt have been released on audio today and I want to "read" them first."

No problem, Gabi, take your time and then join. There's no hurry :)

[Gary]

I’ve heard a lot about the Malazan Book of the Fallen series and always wanted to read them and decide for myself what I thought about them. In June 2021, the Tor eBook of the Month Club gave out Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson, and I plan to read it. If you sign up for the free Tor eBook of the Month Club, you get an email each month with a link to download an EPUB and a MOBI file of the featured book. Many times, the book is the first in the series like in this case. This is the website link to the Tor eBook of the Month Club. https://ebookclub.tor.com/

[Saar The Book owl]

So, shall we start somewhere the first week of August and do we use this thread or a new one?

[Aga]

We can use this thread. It’s for the whole series. I can start anytime, I’ve got an ebook on my IPad.

[Gabi]

I've already finished books 5-7 of the Shadows of the Apt series (5 and 7 were soooooo good!), so I can actually start as well. This will be a fun August, cause in another group I'll be starting a Wheel of Time series reading. Lets see if I get completely confused (one as book, the other as audiobook)

[Aga]

I'm starting today. I need something exciting with complex worldbuilding right now so it's the perfect time to start :)

[Gabi]

Damn! I forgot to pack my copy, idiot me! So I will only start in two weeks when I'm back home ^^'.

[Saar The Book owl]

I’m starting tomorrow.
Gabi, I’ve read the first book of WOT at the same time with the first book of Shannara. I’ve got so confused! We’ll still be here. I’m not the fastest reader ;)