Gardens of the Moon: Book One of The Malazan Book of the Fallen – Steven Erikson

The Malazan books have been on my list for a long time. Book one, Gardens of the Moon, is an incredibly complex story with many character points of view. I listened to several hours of the audio book before starting over to make sure I was tracking the plot and characters. Other reviews I have read suggest the first book is an investment and that the story is easier to follow as the series progresses.

Sorry, aka Apsalar, seems as though she should be much more important to the story. She is possessed by an evil god of some sort early in the book, but then she becomes nothing more than a annoying (though murderous and scary) side character in Whiskeyjack’s squad. Then, by no doing of her own, she is freed from the possession and becomes Apsalar. Sorry / Apsalar is acted upon and does nothing to make the reader like her or be interested in her story (besides being a truly innocent victim).

New characters are introduced late in the book. Old characters change their goals and allegiance without sufficient explanation.

Despite everything, Gardens of the Moon is an imaginative story with many loyal followers. I was disappointed with the book, but plan to read at least one more in the series, since other readers have promised the writing gets better. Ralph Lister did an excellent job narrating this book, but I think it might have been easier to follow in print.