Michael Kingman carries a brand on his neck because of his father. Years ago, David Kingman, Michael’s dad, was accused of murdering the prince. His family was thrown out of court and have lived in disgrace ever since.
However, Michael believes in his father’s innocence and will do almost anything to prove it. When an opportunity comes his way to right the record, Michael takes it, but will he survive?
“It had been a sh*tty life at times, but it had been mine, and it had always been easier with friends and family at my side. Now someone always seemed to be pulling my strings.” pg 259
The world of The Kingdom of Liars is rich with magic users of various kinds, the moon falling from the sky, and warring factions within the city. The author, Nick Martell, explains very little of it. I lost my patience with the new elements after awhile.
I don’t mind complex worlds and characters, I just wanted a bit more background. The story races ahead without it.
“I wasn’t a noble, or a thief, or a con man, but I wasn’t some common citizen either. I was Michael… Michael Kingman.” pg 573
I didn’t mind the personality of the main character, Michael, though he often flounders in the past and failed plans at times. I think that someone who grew up the way he did would have a huge chip on his shoulder and that definitely comes through in the story.
Overall, I’d recommend the book for readers who like epic fantasy with a slow burn. Readers do receive the answers to most of their questions, though it takes awhile to get there.
Since the end of August, I’ve been working on reading Deadhouse Gates, the second book of the massive series, Malazan Book of the Fallen.
What took me so long? Personal life issues aside, this book is a beast.
“Icarium turned to him with a faint smile. ‘I am my own curse, Mappo. I have lived centuries, yet what do I know of my own past? Where are my memories?” pg 22, ebook
What is the book about? Here’s a summary from Goodreads: “In the vast dominion of Seven Cities, in the Holy Desert Raraku, the seer Sha’ik and her followers prepare for the long-prophesied uprising known as the Whirlwind. Unprecedented in size and savagery, this maelstrom of fanaticism and bloodlust will embroil the Malazan Empire in one of the bloodiest conflicts it has ever known, shaping destinies and giving birth to legends.”
In addition to a handful of characters from the previous book, readers are introduced to Felisin, Tavore, an entire host (two or three hosts really) of warriors and epic leaders, new magical warrens, monsters (some old, some new) inhabiting these warrens. And more, so much more.
My favorite character in this entry wasn’t even human, it is a house- Azath. It is one of a handful of magical places that connect worlds together and holds secrets that even the bravest among us do not dare to know.
I would get so much reading done in a place like that. :p
My other favorite character is a historian, Duiker. He’s living and remembering the history of a band of soldiers who are working to save refugees from a vengeful desert army.
“The historian stepped outside into the rain, drawing in lungfuls of clean, cool air as he once more wrapped a cloak about him.” pg 45
It is a march with no end in sight. In fact, it takes up much of the 834 pages of the ebook.
Most of this story is occupied with war and it is very grim. For readers who like dark fantasy, this would be a good pick.
It was not a time to be alone, in the heart of slaughter, where every piece of wreckage or burnt and torn flesh seemed to cry out silent outrage. Sites of battle held on to a madness, as if the blood that had soaked into the soil remembered pain and terror and held locked within it the echoes of screams and death cries.” pg 225
I can’t say it was my cup of tea. I’m far too optimistic for dark books. But I made it through this one.
“The unknown pursues the ignorant, the truth assails every scholar wise enough to know his own ignorance, for that is the meaning of unknowable truths.” pg 512
Besides the characters, my other favorite part of this book is the magic system which author Steven Erikson continues to reveal one measly crumb at a time.
“The Wickans know that the gift of power is never free. They know enough not to envy the chosen among them, for power is never a game, nor are glittering standards raised to glory and wealth. They disguise nothing in trappings, and so we all see what we’d rather not, that power is cruel, hard as iron and bone, and it thrives on destruction.” pg 556
I thought I had a map in my head of the warrens from Gardens of the Moon and how they all fit together. But Erikson upended that map in this book. I expect he’ll probably do it again in the next one- if I ever attempt it.
It is easy to see why, despite its difficulties, this series has a serious fan base. It is complex enough that you’re either totally into it, or totally out. I think I fall somewhere in-between.
Only recommended for fans of dark fantasy. Everyone else, steer clear.
Second read-through August 2021: I have a few thoughts to add on my second read-through of Gardens of the Moon. Unlike my first foray into Malazan, I came out of this reading with a better appreciation of the female characters of the story.
Instead of being focused on what the characters were not, I looked at what the characters were. Powerful leaders, most of them, who imposed their will on the world around them through violence. It is an unexpected role for women, but still feels somewhat one dimensional. I wish some of the characters were more fleshed out, but I have the feeling that this development will happen before the end of the series.
Also, this go-round, I had a better grasp on the complexities of Gardens of the Moon and was prepared to be dropped into the middle of the action. Steven Erikson doesn’t hold the reader’s hand. He pushes her through the door into another world. Some readers hate/love this strategy. I fall mainly on the side of hate, but if it’s a good story, I’ll put up with it.
My favorite part is still the new tarot card deck that Erikson created.
Unlike last time, I’m going to keep pushing forward with this series. On to the next book!
Review from first read-through June 2016: Gardens of the Moon is an extraordinarily complex fantasy. The over-arching story: the Malazan Empire (a militaristic conglomeration of nations) is invading everywhere and trashing cities as it goes. The Empress of Malazan, her High Fist Dujek (like a top general), Adjunct Lorn (a magic-hating fixer), Whiskeyjack and the Bridgeburners (like the A-team for Malazan, they go in and cause chaos before the main army arrives), Tattersail (a Malazan mage), Ganoes Paran (a soldier), and more are on the side of the Empire.
There’s about a dozen other main characters that I won’t list here for brevity’s sake.
One of the many heroes of this tale is Paran. The story begins with Paran as a child, gazing down from the walls of his city, towards destruction being wreaked by Malazan mages. He dreams of being a warrior and tells this dream to the aged soldier with him.
Their conversation: “Every decision you make can change the world. The best life is the one the gods don’t notice. You want to live free, boy, live quietly.” “I want to be a soldier. A hero.” “You’ll grow out of it.” pg 5
And so the story begins. Paran gets his desire, of course, but so much more than he bargained for… kind of like the reader who picks up this book.
At first, I thought that the story was going to go like The Game of Thrones. We were going to have a bunch of different characters all fighting for the same thing. I was so wrong. The only similarities between the two tales are that 1. they’re fantasies, 2. they have a bunch of characters, and 3. there is a power struggle, but otherwise, they’re very different.
Gardens of the Moon contains direct interventions between gods and humanity as well as magical creatures from the past and other realms of existence.
As for the magic system, the magically-inclined in this story take their power from different dimensions called “warrens“. There are half a dozen different ones, with further warrens hinted at as the story progresses.
Taken as a whole- it is a many layered cake of fantasy awesomeness. I was overwhelmed by it all at times.
Perhaps because of the sheer scope of the story, the characterizations suffered. The author could only build so much detail into each person.
For example, Erikson tried to make Paran more than just a simple hero, but it didn’t always work: “When he thought of himself, of that young noble-born man with the overblown faith in honesty and integrity, the vision that came to him now was of something cold, hard, and dark. It hid in the deepest shadows of his mind, and it watched. No contemplation, no judgment, just icy, clinical observation.” pg 110
I was unimpressed with the role of the females in this story. With as many characters that we had, I thought we’d have at least one or two amazing, strong, female heroes. I know that fantasies are not known for their gender equality but in a world with magic, gods, and other surprising things, I would count a strong female character as one of the greatest miracles of all.
Erikson’s world building was so complete that he even created a new set of Tarot cards, just for his world. It’s one of my favorite parts of the story.
Here’s a passage that I really liked: “Those whom the gods choose, ’tis said, they first separate from other mortals- by treachery, by stripping from you your spirit’s lifeblood. The gods will take all your loved ones, one by one, to their death. And, as you harden, as you become what they seek, the gods smile and nod. Each company you shun brings you closer to them. ‘Tis the shaping of a tool, son, the prod and pull, and the final succour they offer you is to end your loneliness- the very isolation they helped you create.” Never get noticed, boy. pg 510 Bleak, but beautiful.
Or this part, the explanation of the story’s title, which is so brief, if you blink, you’ll miss it: (On the moon) The Lord of the Deep waters living there is named Grallin. He tends vast, beautiful underwater gardens. Grallin will come down to us, one day, to our world. And he’ll gather his chosen and take them to his world. And we’ll live in those gardens, warmed by the deep fires, and our children will swim like dolphins, and we’ll be happy since there won’t be anymore wars, and no empires, and no swords and shields.” pg 531-532
That’s the dream of all of the characters in this story- to live in peace. But, because of the Malazan Empire, they can’t.
Recommended for true fans of fantasy. There’s so much to sink your teeth into that, unless you really love the genre, you’ll probably just put it aside for simpler fare.
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