Gardens of the Moon : (Malazan Book of the Fallen 1)

The entry point into one of the most notoriously 'difficult' but rewarding fantasy series of the past fifty years, Steven Erikson's monumental The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Gardens of the Moon is a breathtaking achievement . . . The vast, sprawling Malazan Empire simmers with discontent. It has been bled dry by seemingly interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake, Lord of Moon's Spawn, and his Tiste Andii. And now even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners - and for Tattersail, the Second Legion’s only surviving sorceress - the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to heal the wounded and mourn the dead. But the ancient citadel of Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, still holds out against the Empire - and Empress Laseen’s ambition knows no bounds. However, the Empire is not alone in this great game - sinister forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand . . . ‘Tolkien might have made the most authentic feeling fantasy or sci-fi world I have encountered, but Erikson is the only writer who can compare . . . literally astounding’ GUARDIAN 'If you ask any hardcore fantasy fan for a 'final boss' recommendation, they'll probably point you toward Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen. It is a massive, towering beast of a series that doesn't care if you're confused. Erikson doesn't do hand-holding; he just drops you into a world with 300,000 years of history and expects you to catch up . . . it is a tough, dense read, but if you can stick it out, the emotional payoff is huge.' FANTASY BOOK REVIEW **Cover may vary**