“Gardens of the Moon” is a challenging read, And the series only gets more complex as it goes on. Each of the 33 perspective characters have their own backstories, motivations and plots. There is no exposition, or a “Harry Potter” moment where a wizard sits you down and explains the plot to you. Malazan drops you right into the action, straight into a world full of convoluted politics, intricate magic systems and elaborate mysteries. When reading the book, I felt as if I was transported into each and every scene as a spectator to the grand events unfolding before me, moving seamlessly between all the perspective switches. The prose of “Gardens of the Moon” is full of concise but imaginative imagery and natural dialogue. Even so, if you are a reader who tends to attach yourself to just one character, this book is not for you.Ī draw of Malazan is Erikson’s writing. Erikson weaves his way between all the perspectives in a way that enhances the story. “Gardens of the Moon” itself has 33 separate points-of-view.

There is no clear protagonist of the series. There are not just side characters to keep track of, but dozens of perspective characters that switch from book to book. They are complex, morally gray and numerous. One of the biggest make-or-break aspects of Malazan are the characters. I was hesitant to read it at first, having heard that it was difficult, but “Gardens of the Moon” hooked me in and got me yearning to dive into the rest of the amazing world that Malazan had to offer. “Gardens of the Moon” is the first book in a series of ten, though the saga itself is not contained to just that initial series. With the next Malazan book, “Forge of the High Mage,” coming out in early April 2023, it seems timely to revisit the first book, “Malazan Book of the Fallen: Gardens of the Moon.” The “Malazan” series is known as an important landmark in the fantasy genre, expanding the conception of what fantasy could be. “Malazan,” written by Steven Erikson, is an epic fantasy saga spanning multiple series.

Malazan gardens of the moon