Such as the magic ‘warrens’ which are so prominent throughout. They dont really explain how these work rather than just talking about them as if you already know. While this did still work, I did spend almost the entire book wondering if I had missed some important passages which ‘clued us in’ to their actual workings.

While there were some really great characters- favourites for me being Kalam/Quick Ben, Anomander Rake etc – some were definitely on the weaker side. Captain Paran for one I think was the weakest. His turning point where he suddenly became vengeful – well that was convenient. Of course the explanation I think was that he was under Oponn’s influence – which again, the motives were not explained. Toc the Younger seemed to have a pretty quick change of heart also.

Anyway, minor complaints – thoroughly enjoyed this book in the end, but it was definitely not the easiest thing to read.

Gardens of the Moon has taken me longer than usual to read but I’ve not struggled with it as much as you. I think the opening few chapters could do with being rewritten as a prologue though, since the time span encompassed by them is a little jarring. Worth persevering though, the final 100 odd pages are cracking stuff.

I love that there are plot lines everywhere and that elements of the worldare slowly being explained – sometimes a book or two later. I also love that just as I’m get to grips with what is going on, something else is thrown into the mix that adds a whole new element.

My only hope is that it all ties together at the end.

Glen Cook wrote even rawer and blunter than Erikson but I found his bleak prose refreshing after reading nine of Erikson’s tomes.

Honestly, Erikson’s last few books have been very hard to get into, because the sheer number of plotlines and characters weaving in and out gets very tiring work to follow. But that’s a whinge for another day!

I’ll try and catch you on twitter.

Rahul