Tor, Jun 2004, 24.95, 494 pp.
ISBN: 0765310015
Since the assassination of Emperor Kellanved, Empress Laseen has strengthened her rule over the expanding Malazan Empire and has plans to annex further territory though her militia. She keeps her subjects loyal through a vast network of loyal effective Claw assassins and spies.
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Currently, her legions take the city of Pale after a difficult siege with many of the troops dead. However, instead of allowing the Bridgeburners of the Maliz 2nd Army time to recuperate, the Empress informs Imperial Command High Back Dujek Onearm to march to the next battle site to begin immediately the assault immediately on Darujhistan, the last of the Free Cities on the Genabackis continent. Meanwhile the Gods decide to intercede. As he questions whether he should blindly follow orders like a good soldier since his men need time to recover, Onearm begins to wonder if his monarch is a demagogue or just wants him destroyed since his loyalty had been to the deceased emperor.
This is the first of a ten book series but before readers panic or throw in the towel, each tale apparently is a stand-alone story. GARDENS OF THE MOON is a military fantasy that focuses on royal court intrigue, godly interference, and magical and mundane battles.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
Gardens of the Moon concerns a terrible war being waged between Malazan empire under brutal reign of Empress Laseen and immortal Anomander Rake and his formidable Tiste Andi. This war is fought with both armies and magic. This novel concerns the epic battle between these forces for the city-state of Darujhistan. This book is filled with scenes of brutal combat, sinister intrigue and powerful magic and sorcery. Unforgettable characters inhabit this wartorn world like Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of bridgeburners who serve the Empress Laseen and not knowing that she plots to betray them and have them killed. Paran, a young nobleman sent by Laseen and her ruthless Adjunct,Lorn to betray the noble bridgeburners and who insteads helps them. Anomander Rake, a immortal being fighting the Malazan empire for his dying race. Crokus younghand, a teen thief of Darujhistan who finds himself unwilling pawn this battle. This novel also has scenes of scheming and menacing gods who possess the bodies of mortals and manipulate the world to the own ends. And did I mention the action sequences?
The review of this Book prepared by Rodney Powell
