Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
Currently, her legions take the city of Pale after a difficult siege with many of the troops dead. However, instead of allowing the vaunted 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 at least this one is. GARDENS OF THE MOON is a terrific military fantasy that hooks readers whether the plot focuses on royal court intrigue, godly interference, or magical and mundane battles. Steven Erikson furbishes a magical tale that will have genre readers looking forward to future entries in the Malazan Empire epic.