Gardens of the Moon is the first Book in the Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

On the continent of Genabackis, the Malazan armies seek to subdue Darujhistan, last of the great free cities of the north. Opposing them are the armies of Caladan Brood, an immortal (perhaps) warrior of renown, Anomander Rake, leader of the Tiste Andii (yes, they are dragons), gods and ascendants, and others.

The Empress Laseen seeks to destroy the last of the Bridgeburners, only a handful of whom now survive after the distrastrous, yet victorious, seige of Pale. She sends them on a secret mission to infiltrate Darujhistan and undermine the city from within, assuming their failure. Plots within plots, betrayals and alliances, a highly confusing array of characters. This introduction to the series is difficult to follow, to say the least.

Frankly, while I admired Erikson's writing, I did not particularly connect with this book or any of the characters (as I knew them then). The atrocities and very mature subject matter made other "hard-bitten" fantasy series seem almost tame. After reading Gardens of the Moon, I waited a year before picking up Deadhouse Gates. Very glad I finally did.

Gardens Of The Moon summary by Waverley.

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