Fantasy · Epic fantasy · Adventure
Gardens of the Moon
The first Malazan Book of the Fallen. A vast empire is trying to take another free city while soldiers, mages and gods all pursue their own aims. The book drops you into a deep, long history without explaining it.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1999
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 497
- Format
- Book 1 of 10 in Malazan Book of the Fallen
Read this if you want a dense, enormous fantasy world with soldiers' grit and are happy to piece things together yourself.
Skip this if you want clear exposition or a gentle on-ramp, because this opening book is famously demanding.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Gardens of the Moon
- What is Gardens of the Moon about?
- The first Malazan Book of the Fallen. A vast empire is trying to take another free city while soldiers, mages and gods all pursue their own aims. The book drops you into a deep, long history without explaining it.
- Who should read Gardens of the Moon?
- Read it if you want a dense, enormous fantasy world with soldiers' grit and are happy to piece things together yourself. Skip it if you want clear exposition or a gentle on-ramp, because this opening book is famously demanding.
- How long and how fast is Gardens of the Moon?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 497 pages, first published in 1999.
- Does Gardens of the Moon have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, War.
- Can I borrow Gardens of the Moon for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Gardens of the Moon; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Gardens of the Moon?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Black Company, The Way of Kings, A Game of Thrones.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Gardens of the Moon
-
The Black Company
A leaner war story from the ranks of a mercenary company, with the same grit and morally tangled loyalties.
-
The Way of Kings Another giant, many-book epic with ancient magic, if you want a more accessible start to a big series.
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A Game of Thrones
Large-scale political fantasy with many viewpoints and an unforgiving tone, but tighter in focus.
Fantasy
