Second time’s a charm, right? (Isn’t that the saying?) I first read Gardens of the Moon in 2012. After plowing through the sequel, I lost steam. Now, 13 years later, I’m back in Genabackis with Whiskeyjack and the Bridgeburners.

This book—the whole series—is massive. There are more characters than any sane reader can remember. The world has over 100,000 years of history that matters, especially to an author formally trained as an anthropologist and archaeologist. The magic system is messy, evolving, and complex. And, as if gods were not enough, you have ascendants, elder gods, and spirits of all shades (pun intended).

The philosophical themes explored are equally staggering. Writing for tor.com, Bill Capossere notes that this series deals with:

The influence of story and myth, What it means to be human. The benefits of civilization and whether they outweigh the negatives. How we treat each other and the world around us. Enslavement in all its forms, literal and metaphorical. The impact of individual choice in an indifferent natural universe or within an indifferent or even inimical human one. The power of compassion and empathy. The horror of absence. Environmentalism. Imperialism. Inequality. Means versus ends. Native culture, The power of religion (or belief in general). How to deal with the recognition that we live in a world where everything is filtered through a limited point of view.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series is notoriously difficult to follow, with many readers claiming that rereading is not only rewarded, but required. This time around, I listen to the books while I run, then follow that up by reading online chapters summaries when I get home. This series feels more rewarding than ever.

Steven Erickson, The Gardens of the Moon. Narrated by Ralph Lister, audiobook ed., unabridged ed., Penguin Audio, 2019. The Malazan Book of the Fallen 1.