Don't give up on this series. Gardens of the moon is where people usually quit. You are thrown into a world with thousands year of history in a middle of all and good luck, try to understand what is happening. Steven Erikson is expecting from you to explore on your own he wont hold your hand and explain every single thing. And believe me he will write like you should already know all that. (I have checked few times if this really is 1st book) Unfortunately that is what throws most readers. I have struggled through GoTM and almost didn't contine with second book. Thank god i did because Deadhous gates was something else, everything starts making sense (little by little) And in the end this become my favourite series. GoTM shines in reread!