Gardens of the Moon

Gardens of the Moon is the first novel in the Malazan Book of the Fallen epic fantasy series. It was written by Steven Erikson in 1991 and extensively revised over several years before first being published by Bantam Bookshttps://www.facebook.com/steveneriksonofficial/posts/933606976791603 on April 1, 1999 in Great Britain and Canada. In 2000, it was nominated for a World Fantasy Award as one of the year's best fantasy novels.http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/nominees/ On December 28, 2004, Tor Books released it in the United States, and it has since been re-released in multiple editions and in many countries. 
Like all of Erikson's Malazan books, Gardens of the Moon has multiple layered storylines that weave together. At the lower level is an eclectic group of Darujhistanies who are trying to solve their own problems while the expansionist Malazan Empire and their allies the Moranth are trying to conquer the last remaining Free Cities of Genabackis: Pale and Darujhistan. Pale falls eventually to a massive sorcerous enfilade, but at the cost of many of Empire's best. The Malazans then turn to Darujhistan, which proves much harder to conquer. A power-struggle at the top level of the Empire churns as the Empress tries to consolidate her reign, all while gods and Ascendants apply their own machinations.
The book features a large cast of characters. The major Malazan characters are Ganoes Paran, a young nobleman turned army officer; Whiskeyjack and his elite soldiers the Bridgeburners; Tattersail, a military sorceress and divinator; and Adjunct Lorn, the Empress's personal agent. Opposite the Malazans are citizens of Darujhistan: Kruppe, Crokus, and the Phoenix Inn Regulars, and Baruk, the High Alchemist with the rest of the T'orrud Cabal. Meanwhile, Anomander Rake in his floating mountain fortress Moon's Spawn; Shadowthrone, the possibly insane ruler of the Warren of Shadow; and Oponn, the Twin Jesters of Chance, are the major featuring Ascendants with their own motives.
==Publisher's summary==
The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake, lord of Moon's Spawn, and his Tiste Andii. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins.
For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, surviving sorceress of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the Siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, yet holds out and it is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze.
However, it would appear that the Empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister, shadowbound forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand...
==Front matter==
===Dedication===
This novel is dedicated to I. C. Esslemont.
Worlds to conquer, worlds to share.
===Acknowledgements===
No novel is ever written in isolation. The author wishes to thank the following for their support over the years: Clare Thomas, Bowen, Mark Paxton-MacRae, David Keck, Courtney, Ryan, Chris and Rick, Mireille Theriacelt, Dennis Valdron, Keith Addison, Susan, David and Harriet, Clare and David Thomas Jr, Chris Rodell, Patrick Carroll, Kate Peach, Peter Knowlson, Rune, Kent and Val and the kids, my tireless agent Patrick Walsh, and Simon Taylor, one terrific editor.
===Maps===
File:Map Genabackis from GotM.jpg|Genabackis: The Malazan Campaignca.1160 Burn's Sleep
File:Map_Darujhistan.jpg|Darujhistan
==Editions==
Show other languages
Publisher 	Format/Edition 	First published 	Pages 	ISBN-10 	ISBN-13 	Notes
UK and Commonwealth — Gardens of the Moon 	UK and Commonwealth — Gardens of the Moon 	UK and Commonwealth — Gardens of the Moon 	UK and Commonwealth — Gardens of the Moon 	UK and Commonwealth — Gardens of the Moon 	UK and Commonwealth — Gardens of the Moon 	UK and Commonwealth — Gardens of the Moon
Bantam 	Trade paperback 	1 Apr 1999 	523 	0593044703 	978-0593044704 	First editionCover by Steve Stone (Siege of Pale)
Bantam 	Mass market paperback 	16 Mar 2000 	736 	0553812173 	978-0553812176 	Cover by Steve Stone (Siege of Pale)
Bantam 	Mass market paperback, special edition 	12 Feb 2008 	768 	0553819577 	978-0553819571 	
Bantam 	Hard cover, 10th anniversary edition 	5 Nov 2009 	544 	0593065069 	978-0593065068 	Cover by Steve Stone (Tower)
United States — Gardens of the Moon 	United States — Gardens of the Moon 	United States — Gardens of the Moon 	United States — Gardens of the Moon 	United States — Gardens of the Moon 	United States — Gardens of the Moon 	United States — Gardens of the Moon
Tor 	Hard cover 	Jun 2004 	496 	0765310015 	978-0765310019 	Cover by Steven Youll
Tor 	Hard cover, Science Fiction Book Club 	Jun 2004 	640 	0765310015 	978-0765310019 	
Tor 	Mass market paperback 	Jan 2005 	688 	0765348780 	978-0765348784 	Early printings used Youll cover
Tor 	Hard cover, library binding 	9 May 2008 	688 	1435270282 	978-1435270282 	
Subterranean Press 	Hard cover 	30 Jun 2008 	560 	1596061456 	978-1596061453 	Limited numbered/lettered editionsIllustrated by Michael Komarck
List of illustrations
#Mock's Hold
#Bridgeburners
#Onos T'oolan
#Quick Ben and Kalam
#The Warren Within the Sword
#Raest
#Fall of Pale (lettered only)
Tor 	Trade paperback, 10th anniversary edition 	12 May 2009 	496 	0765322889 	978-0765322883 	Cover by Steve Stone (Tower)
German — Die Gärten des Mondes 	German — Die Gärten des Mondes 	German — Die Gärten des Mondes 	German — Die Gärten des Mondes 	German — Die Gärten des Mondes 	German — Die Gärten des Mondes 	German — Die Gärten des Mondes
Blanvalet 	Trade paperback 	1 Aug 2000 	800 	3442249325 	978-3442249329 	
Bulgarian — Лунните градини 	Bulgarian — Лунните градини 	Bulgarian — Лунните градини 	Bulgarian — Лунните градини 	Bulgarian — Лунните градини 	Bulgarian — Лунните градини 	Bulgarian — Лунните градини
Bard 	Trade paperback 	11 Oct 2004 	624 	9844831048 	978-9545840197https://www.book.store.bg/p3144/malazanska-kniga-na-myrtvite-skazanie-1-lunnite-gradini-stivyn-eriksyn.html	
Czech — Měsíční zahrady 	Czech — Měsíční zahrady 	Czech — Měsíční zahrady 	Czech — Měsíční zahrady 	Czech — Měsíční zahrady 	Czech — Měsíční zahrady 	Czech — Měsíční zahrady
Talpress 	Trade paperback 	2002 	576 	8071971936 	978-8071971931 	
Talpress 	Trade paperback, reprint edition 	4 Apr 2008 	576 	8071971936 	978-8071971931 	
PlanetA9 	Hardcover 	March 2022 	688 	 	978-8088321767 	
Dutch — De Tuinen van de Maan 	Dutch — De Tuinen van de Maan 	Dutch — De Tuinen van de Maan 	Dutch — De Tuinen van de Maan 	Dutch — De Tuinen van de Maan 	Dutch — De Tuinen van de Maan 	Dutch — De Tuinen van de Maan
J. M. Meulenhoff 	Hard cover 	May 2000 	599 	9029066431 	978-9029066433 	
Luitingh Fantasy 	Trade paperback 	Jul 2008 	607 	902452847X 	978-9024528479 	
French — Les Jardins de la lune 	French — Les Jardins de la lune 	French — Les Jardins de la lune 	French — Les Jardins de la lune 	French — Les Jardins de la lune 	French — Les Jardins de la lune 	French — Les Jardins de la lune
Buchet Chastel 	Trade paperback 	16 Mar 2001 	592 	2283018404 	978-2283018408 	
Calmann-Levy 	Trade paperback 	22 Aug 2007 	586 	2702137784 	978-2702137789 	
Hungarian — A Hold udvara 	Hungarian — A Hold udvara 	Hungarian — A Hold udvara 	Hungarian — A Hold udvara 	Hungarian — A Hold udvara 	Hungarian — A Hold udvara 	Hungarian — A Hold udvara
Alexandra 	Hard cover 	2003 	493 	9633684552 	978-9633684559 	
Italian — I Giardini della Luna 	Italian — I Giardini della Luna 	Italian — I Giardini della Luna 	Italian — I Giardini della Luna 	Italian — I Giardini della Luna 	Italian — I Giardini della Luna 	Italian — I Giardini della Luna
Armenia 	Hard cover 	2004 	602 	8834417429 	978-8834416808 	
Polish — Ogrody Księżyca 	Polish — Ogrody Księżyca 	Polish — Ogrody Księżyca 	Polish — Ogrody Księżyca 	Polish — Ogrody Księżyca 	Polish — Ogrody Księżyca 	Polish — Ogrody Księżyca
Mag 	Trade paperback 	Oct 2000 	604 	8387968366 	978-8387968366 	
Mag 	Hard cover, collector's edition 	2004 	598 	8389004755 	978-8389004758 	
Romanian — Gradinile Luniihttps://nemira.ro/gradinile-lunii	Romanian — Gradinile Luniihttps://nemira.ro/gradinile-lunii	Romanian — Gradinile Luniihttps://nemira.ro/gradinile-lunii	Romanian — Gradinile Luniihttps://nemira.ro/gradinile-lunii	Romanian — Gradinile Luniihttps://nemira.ro/gradinile-lunii	Romanian — Gradinile Luniihttps://nemira.ro/gradinile-lunii 	Romanian — Gradinile Luniihttps://nemira.ro/gradinile-lunii
Tritonic 	Paperback 	May 2008 	544 	9737332296 	978-9737332295 	
Russian — Сады Луны (Sady Luny) 	Russian — Сады Луны (Sady Luny) 	Russian — Сады Луны (Sady Luny) 	Russian — Сады Луны (Sady Luny) 	Russian — Сады Луны (Sady Luny) 	Russian — Сады Луны (Sady Luny) 	Russian — Сады Луны (Sady Luny)
ACT 	Hard cover 	2002 	704 	5170110146 	978-5170173105 	
EKSMO 	Hard cover 	2007 	768 	5699206337 	978-5699206339 	
Spanish — Los jardines de la Luna 	Spanish — Los jardines de la Luna 	Spanish — Los jardines de la Luna 	Spanish — Los jardines de la Luna 	Spanish — Los jardines de la Luna 	Spanish — Los jardines de la Luna 	Spanish — Los jardines de la Luna
Timun Mas 	Hard cover (part 1) 	Oct 2004 	300 	8448033876 	978-8448033873 	
Timun Mas 	Hard cover (part 2) 	Oct 2004 	320 	8448033884 	978-8448033880 	
Idea Factory 	Trade paperback 	11 Nov 2009 	512 	8498005094 	978-8498005097 	
Turkish — Ay Bahçeleri 	Turkish — Ay Bahçeleri 	Turkish — Ay Bahçeleri 	Turkish — Ay Bahçeleri 	Turkish — Ay Bahçeleri 	Turkish — Ay Bahçeleri 	Turkish — Ay Bahçeleri
Ithaki 	Softcover 	Jan 2022 	712 	 	978-258475807 	
Ithaki 	Hardcover 	Feb 2022 	712 	 	978-6258475814 	
==Introduction==
Now these ashes have grown cold, we open the old book.These oil-stained pages recount the tales of the Fallen,a frayed empire, words without warmth. The hearth
has ebbed, its gleam and life's spark are but memoriesagainst dimming eyes - what cast my mind, what hue mythoughts as I open the book of the Fallenand breathe deep the scent of history?Listen, then, to these words carried on that breath.These tales are the tales of us all, again yet again.We are history relived and that is all, without end that is all.Gardens of the Moon, Introduction, UK MMPB
==Plot summary==
 
::The following summaries contain spoilersPlease access individual chapter summaries via the Chapter infobox
===Prologue===
The novel opens in the 96th year of the Malazan Empire, during the final year of the Emperor Kellanved's reign.
Young Ganoes Paran witnesses the sacking of the Mouse Quarter of Malaz City, where Surly, commander of the Claw (the Malazan Empire's intelligence organisation), is flushing out and executing unregistered sorcerers. Paran also witnesses a confrontation between Surly (now calling herself Laseen, or 'Thronemaster') and Whiskeyjack, commander of the Malazan 3rd Army, where their mutual dislike is confirmed. Paran wants to be a soldier when he grows older, to Whiskeyjack's disapproval.
===Pale===
Seven years pass and Laseen now rules as Empress. Two new Ascendants have appeared in the pantheon – Ammanas (Shadowthrone) and Cotillion (The Rope) – who have seized control of the House of Shadow and are now plotting Laseen's death. Cotillion possesses a young fishergirl, assuming the name of Sorry, living in the Itko Kan province of the Quon Tali continent and has her join the Malazan 2nd Army, which is fighting on the Genabackis continent as part of a long-range scheme to get her close to the Empress. Ammanas unleashes the terrifying Hounds of Shadow to wipe out a nearby Malazan cavalry regiment to draw attention away from the sorcery used in the area. Adjunct Lorn, personal aide to the Empress, is not fooled and recruits Ganoes Paran, now a lieutenant, to help her track down the missing fishergirl.
1163 Burn's Sleep, two years later. The Malazan 2nd Army under High Fist Dujek is besieging the city of Pale, one of only two Free Cities left in the Malazans' path. Pale is holding out thanks to an alliance with the powerful Anomander Rake, Lord of Moon's Spawn (a floating fortress), commander of the non-human Tiste Andii race, and his own allies, Prince K'azz D'Avore of the Crimson Guard and the powerful warlord Caladan Brood and his troops. D'Avore, Brood, and their troops have been drawn off to the north by renewed efforts of the Malazan 5th Army to capture Blackdog Forest, leaving Rake vulnerable to attack. The decision is made to attack Moon's Spawn. During the battle, several of the Empire's High Mages are seemingly killed by friendly fire. Only Tayschrenn and Tattersail, commander of the 2nd's mage cadre, survive. Moon's Spawn is driven off in the battle and flees to the south. Pale falls and the Malazans' allies, the Moranth (creators and suppliers of explosives), sack the city. Unbeknownst to Tayschrenn, the Bridgeburners (an elite sapping unit, of whom the demoted Sergeant Whiskeyjack is commander) manage to save the soul of a dying mage, Hairlock, and transfer it to a new puppet vessel. Tattersail agrees to help them expose Tayschrenn's treachery.
During the same period, Ganoes Paran travels by ship to Genabackis. Topper, the Clawmaster, visits Paran via warren delivering orders for him to take command of the Bridgeburners. Arriving at Genabaris, Paran travels by Quorl (a flying creature) with the Green Moranth to Pale.
Dujek sends the Bridgeburners to Darujhistan, last surviving of the Free Cities, to lay the groundwork for the Malazan attack. The newly promoted Captain Ganoes Paran arrives to take command of the Bridgeburners, but he is almost immediately assassinated by Sorry. Oponn, god of Luck, intervenes and arranges for Paran to survive. The Bridgeburners leave for Darujhistan without him.
Tattersail helps Paran return to health. Whilst recuperating, Paran foils an attack on the sorceress by a Hound of Shadow.
===Darujhistan===
Kruppe has one of his dreams, in which he tells his audience of beggars that the coin will fall that night. 
Crokus Younghand robs the D'Arle estate at about the same time as one of the members of Darujhistan's Assassins' Guild, Talo Krafar, is ambushed by an unknown foe. As Crokus makes his getaway, Talo, who mistakes the thief for his assailant, takes a shot at him. At that very moment, Crokus hears a coin fall and bends to pick it up, which saves his life. He is then pursued by those who attacked and killed Talo, escaping again and again through sheer luck. His pursuers come to the conclusion that an Ascendant is meddling.
Circle Breaker, a spy for The Eel, observes a meeting between Turban Orr and councilman Feder.
The Great Raven Crone visits the alchemist Baruk on behalf of Anomander Rake to arrange a meeting between them. Whilst there, Baruk allows her to observe as councilman Orr calls on him. Orr wants Baruk to support his intention to issue a proclamation of neutrality. The alchemist declines and Orr tells him that even without his support the motion will be passed, as he has secured a majority in favour. 
To avenge a friend, Rallick Nom lies in wait to kill Lady Simtal, but at the last minute, influenced by Oponn, Nom kills her lover, the Councilman Lim, instead. This inadvertently scuppers Orr's plans, as he no longer has a majority.
In the meantime, more members of the Assassin's Guild come under fire from unknown assailants. 
Anomander Rake visits Baruk and agrees to an alliance with him and his fellow Cabal members.
===The Mission===
Whiskeyjack and his squad then arrive on the northern shore of Lake Azur. Deeming their assigned task suicidal, Whiskeyjack informs the Bridgeburners that they will implement his own plan to infiltrate and bring down Darujhistan. Quick Ben, using his warrens, meets Hairlock, who updates him about events in Pale. Afterwards, Quick proposes something to Whiskeyjack and Kalam, which shakes both of them. The Bridgeburners then set about crossing the lake.
On the Rhivi Plain, Toc the Younger comes across the site of a battle between the guards of Adjunct Lorn and a group of Barghast. Meanwhile, the Adjunct and her remaining guards are making a stand but are not faring well. Lorn is saved by the arrival of Onos T'oolan, a T'lan Imass, and Toc, who has followed her trail. Lorn is angry that the T'lan did not meet up with her days earlier. Toc and the Adjunct ride double back to Pale, leaving Onos to make his own way.
Tattersail and Paran exchange what little information they have about the current situation and talk about how Paran got there.
Lorn meets with Dujek and they discuss local politics and the military campaign. Lorn has a private meeting with Tayschrenn during which she passes on the displeasure of the Empress with the unsubtle way Tayschrenn handled the attack on Moon's Spawn. Their discussion reveals that the Empress is getting rid of the Old Guard and that Tayschrenn is helping her in that. Dujek, however, is one of the exceptions and is not to be touched. Tayschrenn informs Lorn that Oponn may have involved themselves in events in Darujhistan.
Tattersail suspects that Paran knew about Lorn's coming and that he works for her. Lorn is sure that Tattersail is the sorceress responsible for the death of her parents and at dinner that evening challenges her. The situation is defused by Dujek and Tayschrenn, who remind Lorn that she is the Adjunct and has to leave behind her personal grudges. Tattersail is shaken by the encounter. She returns to her quarters and confronts Paran with her earlier suspicions. After a frank exchange, Paran asks Tattersail to be his lover.
Lorn leaves Pale and meets up with Onos T'oolan, who reveals much about the T'lan Imass to her.
Crone flies high over the Rhivi Plain on her way to Caladan Brood.
Toc convinces Paran that the Adjunct’s mission is not isolated to Sorry. They decide to catch up to Tattersail, who has left for Darujhistan to warn Whiskeyjack. Due to the influence of Tool’s Elder powers, travelling by warren is too difficult for Tattersail. She emerges on the Rhivi Plain and is confronted by Bellurdan. He does not believe her opinion that Tayschrenn and the Adjunct plan to raise a Jaghut Tyrant. Their fight ends in a conflagration which also takes in the remains of Nightchill. From a distance, Tool identifies a number of warrens opened by Tattersail and Bellurdan, including Starvald Demelain, the first Elder Warren. He also senses a new presence. Paran and Toc later come across what remains of Bellurdan and Tattersail; Toc finds tracks of a child-like being heading northeast. 
Crone reports to Caladan Brood in the Blackdog Forest about events on the Rhivi Plain and Darujhistan. Brood’s forces are winning against the Empire. Two days after Tattersail’s battle with Bellurdan, Crone survives an encounter with Hairlock, who has been incinerating Great Ravens with his Chaos Warren as he heads towards Darujhistan. 
Tool and the Adjunct witness Crone's flight. Tool cautions her over complacency against the unknown powers.
===Assassins===
In one of Kruppe's dreams, the Imass Bonecaster Pran Chole, the Elder God K'rul, and Kruppe work together to bring about the rebirth of Tattersail to a Rhivi woman, which also involves the souls of Nightchill and Bellurdan.
Sorry is shaken up by the mention of the word 'Seer'; however, Cotillion then reasserts his possession. Sorry follows Kruppe to the Phoenix Inn, where she meets Crokus and where an incident identifies him as the coinbearer.
Baruk finds out from Crone that an unknown party, likely Malazan, is looking for the barrow of the Jaghut Tyrant, allegedly located in the Gadrobi Hills. Alarmed by this, Baruk requests help from the scholar Mammot and sends his agents, Kruppe and friends, out into the hills to observe any digging party. He tells Kruppe to take Crokus along to prevent him falling into the wrong hands.
Quick Ben has a meeting with Shadowthrone and strikes a deal to eliminate Hairlock.
Anomander Rake sends Tiste Andii mage assassins to take out Darujhiustan's guild assassins. Quick Ben releases a demon, but it gets killed in minutes by the skilled mage assassins and Rake.
Crokus visits the D'Arle estate and returns the jewels to Challice. After talking for a while, Challice lets him go. Sorry watches him.
===The Gadrobi Hills===
Tool and Lorn arrive at the Jaghut barrow. Although Tool's recounting of past events wakes doubts in Lorn's mind about the wisdom of what they are about to do, she decides to go ahead as planned.
Kruppe and his group travel in the Gadrobi Hills. Kruppe tells Crokus they are working for Baruk and that they are trying to observe what has the crows in the area circling above.
Paran and Toc are following the trail of Hairlock, who is leaving dead Ravens in his wake. They are ambushed by the puppet and Toc is thrown into an unknown Warren. Quick Ben, who was watching from afar, passes on the whereabouts of the puppet to Shadowthrone, who sends the Hounds: they rip the puppet apart.
Lorn comes across Kruppe and his group and, not thinking clearly, attacks them unprovoked. The fight leaves Coll injured and Kruppe and Murillio unconscious. Eventually, realising that the fight had been unnecessary, Lorn extracts a promise from Crokus to tend the wounded and leave for Darujhistan the following day. Meanwhile, Sorry is closing in on them.
Having finished with the puppet, the Hounds turn on Paran but Rake appears and kills two of them with his sword, Dragnipur. He then tells Shadowthrone to call them off and also orders him to recall his companion, resulting in Cotillion giving up his possession of Sorry. After they have left, Paran touches the blood of one of the dead Hounds and is transported into the Warren of Dragnipur, where he encounters a huge wagon, pulled by those slain with the sword. With Oponn's help he manages to free the Hounds, then finds himself back in the real world with the bodies of the Hounds now gone.
The totally disorientated Sorry stumbles across Crokus and the others. Coll recognises that she has been possessed and tells Crokus to take her to his uncle Mammot immediately.
Lorn and Tool enter the barrow and despite their own misgivings decide to proceed with releasing the Tyrant.
On their way back to Darujhistan, Sorry adopts a new name, Apsalar. Kruppe and Murillio are following them to guard Crokus and bring news of the Malazan presence to Baruk.
Paran encounters a band of Rhivi, amongst them a young girl who has the bearing of Tattersail. They disappear before he can investigate further. He then comes across the injured Coll and the two men strike up a friendship.
===The City of Blue Fire===
Rallick meets an agent of The Eel who warns him that Ocelot has accepted a contract on Coll's life.
Rake and Baruk have a long meeting, during which they explore the motivations for Rake's actions amongst other topics. Later, Baruk leads him to the sleeping Mammot and Rake points out that the scholar might have got too close in his research and might become possessed by the tyrant.
Meese warns Crokus that he is wanted for killing a guard and advises that he and Apsalar remain hidden at Mammot's house. Unbeknown to all three of them, a Tiste Andii assassin is watching the house to kill Crokus when he leaves.
Kruppe and Murillio arrive at the Phoenix Inn. Murillio leaves soon after and is accosted by Circle Breaker, who passes on a message concerning Turban Orr. Rallick meanwhile is hunting Ocelot.
Whiskeyjack tells Kalam to make a final attempt at contacting the Assassin's Guild. Quick Ben cannot trace Sorry. Fiddler gives Whiskeyjack a moral talking to. 
Paran arrives at the city gate with a delirious Coll. A guard organises a wagon to convey the injured man to the Phoenix Inn. Rallick thwarts Ocelot's attempt to assassinate Coll and kills the Clan Leader.
Serrat regains consciousness and realises she has been knocked out by someone as she was about to make a move on the coinbearer. She vows revenge and leaves by Warren. Crokus and Apsalar have moved to the attic of the Phoenix Inn in the meantime.
A surgeon is attending Coll, and Paran considers breaking his sword. Kalam arrives and Paran orders him to fetch the squad's healer immediately. Kalam returns with Whiskeyjack and Mallet, who is able to save Coll. The Sergeant uses a device from the Emperor's days to get in touch with Dujek. They exchange updates on the current situation in Pale, Darujhistan and Genabackis as a whole. Dujek is about to defy orders of the Empress and intends to take on a new enemy, called the Pannion Seer. Paran agrees to stay with the squad but asks for Whiskeyjack to remain in charge.
Lorn and Tool take the Jaghut Tyrant's Finnest and return to the surface.
Crokus and Apsalar leave the Inn whilst Serrat is again foiled in her attempt to kill him.
Rallick reaches Murillio's room. His wound turns out to have been healed to the point of looking like a week old scar, but he is weak from the loss of blood. Murillio has suspicions regarding the identity of The Eel and leaves to find him.
Baruk also wants to meet The Eel and Kruppe agrees to arrange it.
Paran gets more information about Dujeks's plans from Whiskeyjack.
Lorn and Tool part ways as she heads for Darujhistan whilst Tool remains behind to observe the Tyrant as he emerges.
Crokus and Apsalar reach K'rul's belfry where they find the body of Ocelot. Observing Moon's Spawn, Crokus briefly sees five huge winged shapes leaving it.
===The Fête===
Murillio accuses Kruppe of being The Eel but Kruppe uses magic to make him forget about it. Baruk realises that Mammot's nephew is the coinbearer, although this does not seem to be news to the scholar. Rake confirms Mammot, too, will be at the Fête.
Circle Breaker swaps shifts with a fellow guard to work at Simtal's Fête. Lorn meets up with the Bridgeburners and takes over command, which seems to anger Whiskeyjack. 
Yet another attack by Serrat on the coinbearer is foiled, this time by someone whose voice she recognises. She is told that he is protected care of the Prince.
Raest leaves his barrow and is attacked by Silanah and four other dragons, whilst Crone observes the fight from the air.
Lorn plants the acorn in a garden and goes in search of the coinbearer. Kruppe senses that Crokus has additional, outside protection. He also considers that his secret identity is about to be revealed but is not concerned.
Crokus and Apsalar are heading for Simtal's estate where, in the meantime, the Bridgeburners are reporting for guard duty. Kalam threatens the barkeeper at the Phoenix Inn to tell the Guild to get in touch or else. 
Baruk and Rake arrive at the Fête with Rake dressed as a dragon. Rake is introduced to Orr and Simtal but his name means nothing to them. Murillio and Rallick observe as Kruppe meets Baruk and his guest.
Orr realises that one of the guards is the spy he has been hunting for but, before he can get to the man, Rallick provokes Orr into a duel. Murillio in the meantime seduces Simtal. The duelling parties move out to the terrace and Rake volunteers to be Rallick's second. The Bridgeburners recognise him and Whiskeyjack orders the sappers to keep something handy in case they need a diversion. Crokus is looking for Challice and Kruppe hands Circle Breaker a message from the Eel with news of retirement and reward for the agent. 
The duel is over quickly as Rallick kills Orr with a thrust to the heart. Rake is introduced to the Cabal witch Derudan and mentions a threat close-by, but won't give details. Rallick informs Simtal that Orr is dead and that Coll will be reinstated. Murillio throws his dagger on the bed as he leaves, knowing he will be the last to have seen her alive.
Crokus kidnaps Challice.
Raest is swept away from his battle with Silanah into Kruppe's dream, where he is attacked by Tool, who severely damages the Tyrant. K'rul appears, offering Raest the choice of being killed by Tool or to accompany K'rul to the gates of Chaos. Raest chooses neither, instead escaping by transferring to another body elsewhere.
Paran and Kalam come across Sorry, who is standing in front of an unnatural wooden block in a glen in Simtal's garden. She rebuffs an attack by Kalam but does not counter. Her odd comments cause Paran to get Mallet, who confirms that Sorry is no longer possessed but that there is still a presence in her which has been protecting the girl. Mallet decides to help that entity, trusting it does not mean to harm Sorry.
Vorcan asks Rallick to come to the garden with her whilst Crokus finds out that Challice did not betray him but does love someone else. They part acrimoniously. Crokus then observes from a hiding place as Vorcan and Rallick speak to Kalam. The three are joined by two others and Apsalar. He hears how Vorcan accepts a contract from the Malazans to kill the members of the T'orrud Cabal, then all leave, apart from Rallick, as his presence dampens the activities of the alien block, which otherwise seems to be growing alarmingly. Rallick asks Crokus to warn Baruk about the threat facing the Cabal.
The Tyrant has taken possession of Mammot and is attacking the guests at the Fête. He is opposed by Quick Ben and the witch Derudan. When one of Raest's energy bolts hits Paran's sword, the Captain finds himself in another realm where Tool is battling the Finnest of the Jaghut. Once Tool is exhausted, Paran takes over. Their efforts give the Azath House time to mature enough, to then be able to take in the Finnest. Paran reappears at the Fête where Quick Ben unveils seven Warrens to combat the Tyrant. Just as he and Derudan have exhausted their sorceries, Hedge appears and throws a Moranth munition, which leaves a crater where the Jaghut stood. As they observe in horror that Raest seems to be sembling again, he is taken in by the roots of the Azath House.
Soon after the sappers head off to blow up the intersections. Moments later, Kalam realises that this will ignite the gas supply of the city, incinerating all and everyone. He races off to stop Fiddler and Hedge.
Paran is briefly pulled into the Shadow realm, where he is attacked by a Hound but only wounded before the Hound releases him. He speaks with Cotillion and agrees to give his sword to The Rope, which breaks Paran's connection to Oponn. Returned to the Fête, Paran leaves to go after Lorn.
On his way to Baruk, Crokus notices that Moon's Spawn now hangs over the city. He is observed by Lorn, who releases a Galayn Demon Lord to go after Anomander Rake whilst she follows the coinbearer. Baruk and Derudan feel the release of the Demon and, moments later, the death of two of their fellow Cabal members. Faced with a Demon Lord, Hedge and Fiddler have abandoned their plan and with Kalam run back to Simtal's. 
Lorn's attack on Crokus is thwarted by members of the Crimson Guard. One of them enlightens Crokus about his role as coinbearer. Lorn escapes severely wounded but is killed by Meese and Irilta. Paran finds her and refuses to hand over the Otataral sword to Oponn, who have appeared. Crokus in the meantime witnesses the battle between Rake and the Galayn. Rake kills the Demon then tells Crokus to go and assist Baruk, who is in danger.
Baruk and Derudan are attacked by Vorcan but survive due to the interference of Serrat, who is killed by Vorcan, and Crokus, who knocks Vorcan out by throwing bricks at her. Vorcan then disappears.
Coll overhears the Bridgeburners conferring with Dujek, who tells them that the Host is now officially outlawed. He offers to help them get out of the city. 
Rallick prevents the injured Vorcan from pursuing Tiste Andii by entering the new Azath House with her. The Tiste decide to abandon the quest.
Kruppe, Murillio and Crokus are reunited.
===Epilogue===
Mallet is worrying about Whiskeyjack's leg and Quick Ben is thinking of a scheme that will make the Sergeant howl when he eventually hears of it. The Bridgeburners are leaving by Moranth to join Dujek's Host apart from Fiddler and Kalam who, with Crokus, are taking the former Sorry, now called Apsalar, back to her homeland of Itko Kan. Circle Breaker, a fellow passenger on their boat on his way to retirement, observes as Crokus throws Oponn's coin into the water.
==Trivia==
*Although published in 1999, the novel was written in 1991–1992, eight years before the rest of the series and a number of minor inconsistencies can be found between this volume and the following. Orfantal, one of the Tiste Andii, changes gender between Gardens of the Moon and Memories of Ice, and the pre-ritual T'lan Imass are referred to as the T'lan, whilst the correct name is Imass. The former error was corrected in the US edition of the novel, but the latter one was not. Fans sometimes refer to these inconsistencies as "GotMisms".
*The novel first saw life as a feature film script co-written by Erikson and Malazan co-creator Ian C. Esslemont. According to Erikson, the script was heavily influenced by the 1973 film version of The Three Musketeers and Raiders of the Lost Ark,From the Cutting Room Floor: Steven Erikson Chat Fragment - A Critical Dragon - See 11:40 and primarily covered the events occurring in the last quarter of the eventual novel as well as the assassins' rooftop fighting sequence from earlier in the book. The tone was also quite different, with Erikson saying, "we were thinking along the lines of 1001 Nights, Indiana Jones-style of humour… It's deadpan jokes all the way through, that kind of thing." The first time the Bridgeburners appeared in the script was when they were installing munitions beneath the brick street below Baruk's window. The film concluded like the novel with Raest's attack.From the Cutting Room Floor: Steven Erikson Chat Fragment - A Critical Dragon - See 13:30/15:15 After failing to sell the script, Erikson began reworking the story as a novel and the Gardens of the Moon film script was eventually lost. Erikson and Esslemont also produced a second film script titled Blackdog Blues. A prequel to Gardens of the Moon, it covered the Malazan Genabackan campaign. The script still exists, but only on a large floppy disk and is compatible with an obsolete word processing program.http://www.elbakin.net/interview/exclusive/Elbakin-net-s-entretient-avec-Steven-Erikson2http://www.tor.com/2010/09/27/questions-for-steven-erikson-on-gardens-of-the-moon-start-asking
*Erikson's first draft of the novel was written over four and a half months on a Brother WP 500 word processor while "living in poverty on Saltspring Island" in British Columbia. Upon completion, his manuscript was rejected by several publishers. The original 1991 draft "began with the Siege of Pale. The prologue set in Malaz City was there, but nothing of the possession of Sorry, the Hounds, Shadowthrone, and Ganoes Paran." These elements were all added after Erikson took a second look at the manuscript while living in Dorking, England. Erikson worked on the changes in a pub called The Bush. This time with the aid of a newly acquired agent, Erikson found a home for his novel with Bantam UK. Follow this link for Erikson's detailed account of the writing and publishing process.
*Gardens of the Moon was nominated for a World Fantasy Award in 2000.http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/nominees/
* In his first attempt at writing Gardens of the Moon, Erikson presented the story from Anomander Rake's point of view. After writing three pages, he abandoned the draft as he came to the conclusion that his twenty-something self could not authentically convey the thoughts of a character who was several hundred thousand years old. He later found that avoiding Rake's POV gave the character a sense of presence and power that would have been difficult to duplicate with his own POV.https://steven-erikson.org/anomander-rake-and-point-of-view/
*Erikson cites Frank Herbert's Dune as an inspiration for dropping the reader into the story and forcing them to tread water for quite some time before they are able to piece it together. The "structure of Gardens of the Moon is ripped off straight from Dune.Ten Very Big Books podcast See 51:00
*Erikson says, "I guess if I had regrets regarding Gardens of the Moon is that there are many instances where one more phrase or line could have just made it so much easier for the readers...in terms of picking up on the subtextual and foreshadowing elements."Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 1 - See 25:50
*The poem the referencing the Book of the Fallen that opens the book (and the ten book series) was written after the first draft of the novel was completed. Erikson recalls writing it after a long night of pub trivia in a bar called "The Bush" in Dorking, England.Steven Erikson Discusses his Book of the Fallen poem that opens the book and series - Philip Chase - See 7:15
*Looking back at the writing of the Malazan series, Erikson says, "There are elements of some of those books, like Gardens of the Moon, where I really wince and cringe. Basically the writing style of Gardens of the Moon was heavily influenced by the fact that it was being published in the UK, and my editor at least wanted some elements stylistically to resonate with English readers. And so, like the use of 'lad' and 'lass', for example. That was never part of [the Malazan] lexicon and became part of it, initially, in Gardens of the Moon." Erikson says he originally had to insert "a lot more, sort of active aspects in terms of what's framing the dialogues. And it became then a process of slowly training my editor back to my style of 'he said', 'she said'. And it took me a couple books to get there. So there were sort of outside influences on how Gardens of the Moon is written, stylistically, that were not originally there. And so, parts of me would love to go back and just fix all that and then get rid of some really clunky lines and that kind of thing. [But] life's short."Chatting With Nutts - Episode #18 ft Steven Erikson - The Fantasy Nuttwork - See 1:34:30
*Erikson admits that Gardens of the Moon "is a pretty strange title" but says, "I liked it. It felt different from everything else out there, in terms of fantasy, 'cause it's a poetic allusion that's set within that world--within the Malazan world--so it felt quite different."Chatting With Nutts - Episode #18 ft Steven Erikson - The Fantasy Nuttwork - See 1:39:50
*Erikson sent maps of Genabackis, Darujhistan, and Quon Tali to the publisher to be included with the novel. But he says the publisher "decided that there were too many maps, so the Quon Tali one was dropped. This had the unintended effect of annoying map-loving readers who couldn't find Malaz City, Itko Kan or Unta anywhere on the included maps. As a map-loving reader, to this day I wince over that. But some decisions do not belong to the author, alas."DLC Bookclub - House of Chains - Malazan Book of the Fallen - Chapters 18-19 - See comment from @stevelundin5705 aka Steven Erikson
*Some later editions of the book include a new preface from the author discussing the origins of the book, fan reaction to its publication, and Erikson's reflections on his work. Read it here.
==Cover gallery==
<tabber>UK covers=
Image:GoTM_UK_AR.jpg|United Kingdom cover art Bantam (1999)
Image:GM cover UK bantam 2008.jpg|United Kingdom cover art Bantam (2008)
Image:GM cover UK bantam 2009.jpg|10th anniversary cover art Bantam (2009)
|-|US covers=
Image:USGoTM.jpg|United States cover art Bantam (2004)
Image:GM cover US tor 2009.jpg|United States cover art Tor (2009)
Image:Tor MMPB 3.jpg|United States cover artTor MMPB
Image:Tor HC.jpg|United States cover artTor HC
Image:GM cover US subterranean 2009.jpg|United States cover art Subterranean Press (2009)
|-|Czech covers=
Image:Czech GotM Cover PlanetA9 2022.png|Czech cover art PlanetA9 (2022)
Image:Czech Talpress TPB (reprint).jpg|Czech cover artTalpress TPB (reprint)
Image:Czech Talpress TPB.jpg|Czech cover artTalpress TPB
|-|French covers=
Image:French Buchet Chastel TPB.jpg|French cover artBuchet Chastel TPB
Image:French C-Levy TPB.jpg|French cover art C-Levy TPB
Image:French C-Levy.jpg|French cover artC-Levy
Image:GotM French cover May 2018.jpg|French cover artLEHA
Image:GotM French Cover Jan 2022.jpg|French cover art 2022 pocket edition
|-|German covers=
Image:GM cover DE goldmann 2000.jpg|German cover artGoldmann (2000)
Image:1 Die Gärten des Mondes (Blanvalet).jpg|German cover art Gardens of the Moon
Image:Die Gärten des Mondes (Blanvalet) Paperback 2012.jpg|German cover art paperback Blanvalet (2012)
|-|Japanese covers=
Image:GotM Japanese cover 1.jpg|Japanese Cover Art (1)
Image:GotM Japanese cover 2.png|Japanese Cover Art (2)
Image:GotM Japanese cover 3.jpg|Japanese Cover Art (3)
|-|Polish covers=
Ogrody Księżyca 1.jpg|Polish cover art Wydawnictwo MAG (2000)
Ogrody Księżyca 2.jpg|Polish cover art (collector's edition)Wydawnictwo MAG (2004)
Ogrody Księżyca 3.jpg|Polish cover art (second release)Wydawnictwo MAG (2012)
|-|Russian covers=
Image:Russian ACT HC.jpg|Russian cover artACT HC
Image:Russian EKSMO HC.jpg|Russian cover artEKSMO HC
Image:Gardens of the Moon, Russia.jpg|Russian editionEksmo, 2014
|-|Spanish covers=
Image:Spanish Los Jardines de la Luna.jpg|Spanish cover artLos Jardines de la Luna (2017)
Image:Spanish Idea Factory TPB.jpg|Spanish cover artIdea Factory TPB
Image:Spanish Timun Mas HC (part 1).jpg|Spanish cover artTimum Mas HC (part 1)
Image:Spanish Timun Mas HC (part 2).jpg|Spanish cover artTimum Mas HC (part 2)
|-|Other covers=
Image:Bulgarian Bard TPB.jpg|Bulgarian cover artBard TPB
Image:Dutch JMM HC.jpg|Dutch cover artJMM HC
Image:Dutch Luitingh TPB.jpg|Dutch cover artLuitingh TPB
Image:Gardens of the Moon Greek Cover.jpg|Greek cover art
Image:Hungarian Alexandra.jpg|Hungarian cover artAlexandra
Image:malazan01.nb.jpg|Italian cover art Armenia (2004)
Gardens of the Moon - European Portuguese.jpg|European Portuguese cover art SdE (2016)
Image:Romanian Tritonic.jpg|Romanian cover artTritonic
Image:Turkish GotM Softcover.jpg|Turkish softcover artIthaki (2022)
Image:Turkish GotM Hardcover.jpg|Turkish hardcover artIthaki (2022)
</tabber>
==Notes and references==
==External links==
*Gardens of the Moon on Wikipedia
*Beginners guide to Gardens of the Moon characters
* Gardens of the Moon Q&A at Tor.com
* Ten Very Big Books podcast - Gardens of the Moon
* Gardens of the Moon: Chatting with Steven Erikson, Part 1 - Claudia Iovanovici
* Gardens of the Moon: Chatting with Steven Erikson, Part 2 - Claudia Iovanovici
* Gardens of the Moon: Chatting with Steven Erikson, Part 3 - Claudia Iovanovici
* Steven Erikson Discusses his Book of the Fallen poem that opens the book and series - Philip Chase
es:Los jardines de la Luna
de:Die Gärten des Mondes
it:Giardini della Luna
pl:Ogrody Księżyca
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