175 pages in to Gardens Of The Moon (first time) and wow this cleared up so much I read just a few days ago. Super helpful. Thank you. Was enjoying it and am not a heavy fantasy reader. My boss turned me on to this series and I'm giving it a shot. So far so good overall.

Currently reading. I prefer more defined magic systems so I'm not exactly excited while reading. After this review though I'm definitely going to finish it now.

McCammon's description of Demon's boogers is the only negative part of this book. lol.

I thank you so much for explaining this book. I saw it in a store selling used books. It left me with so many questions. haha.

That's a great cat!

I've only finished the first two books so far, but an interesting concept these discussions have brought up both times now is this idea that the words we use in our language can mean different things to different people. As individuals, we might have similar definitions for the same word, but they aren't exactly the same. I have found this concept relevant recently as I try to understand transgenderism. Personally, I have a very binary view of gender, but something I have to understand is that most people don't, including most who claim that they do. When people use the words "man" and "women," they are invoking nebulous concepts that go beyond some surface-level attribute; they often include other intangible characteristics in their understandings of those terms.

Great review. Love this book. "The man with the Tall Hat". Starwars is fantasy

This totally made it easier for me to make a decision of what version to buy as a gift to my gf. I went for the Harper Collins 2014 edition. Great video 👍🏼👍🏼

There's a lot of transgender centric fiction literature out there but it's not trad published. Nearly all indie if its published at all and a lot is free to read on sites like BigCloset. Some of it is genre and in fantasy but a lot of it is all over the place in genre.

Always thought Fiddler was the best character in a world full of gods and monster he’s just a normal guy getting his job done

One of these days I’ll get to watch live… Lonesome Dove is by far my favorite book of all time. There are 4, not 3, books in the series: 1) lonesome dove, 2) streets of laredo, 3) dead man’s walk, 4) comanche moon….all are good, but LD by far the best. Enjoy! Can’t wait to hear your views on it!

Was going to take you up on the offer to join in the pub but sadly, woke up with back spasms and haven't been able to sit in my pc chair. Getting old isn't for sissies!

I didn't like the movie maybe the book will change my mind.

Britton has a point regarding Malazan, the fandom doesn't do itself many favours but most of the people hyping up the challenge and difficulty, from my experience, are those that bounced off of or don't like the series.

Oy vey those darn white males

I discovered Mistborn while playing the Dishonored series for the first time. They both blew my mind. To this day they feel linked to me in vibe, and I haven't found anything quite like them. The Malazan talk is getting me hyped back up for Memories of Ice.

Great video! Really enjoyed the structure of this video and your descriptions. Very interesting. I've purchased this book and am looking forward to it!

It's not a matching Hobbit (2004) or Silmarillion (2007), that is of a different series. (which I have) They made a similar Hobbit (2023) of the LotR (2021, Red/black) you have there, as did they for the Silmarillion (2022, which is absolutely stunning). Which is the series I would like to have as well. lol

Kalevala.

Watched this entire video before realizing I already understood everything that happened. I guess that’s a good thing. 😂

What a party. Despite the book crimes.

Very, Very helpful, Matt. I'm in the market for a Kindle and after what you said in comparison, I think the Kindle Paperwhite 8GB would be the perfect fit for me. I learned a lot from you as you were easy to understand. Plus, you didn't make wild noises, fling your arms, talk way loud and other crazy movements people on here that give their "opinion".!! Thank you Matt.

I couldn't get into Dan Brown, my patience for conspiracy theories irl is paper-thin at the best of times. I think it was Angels & Demons I was reading and in Chapter 2 suddenly there's an invisible hovercraft that takes the main character from America to Sweden in 10 minutes or something. This was 7 or 8 years ago so i could be misremembering but I remember thinking it was bullshit.

Thank you Evie for always clarifying what everyone is reading 😆

How bad is the graphic content in this book? Is it gross-out? The story sounds interesting, the structure sounds amazing, but I’m hesitant to pick it up because of the content/trigger warnings. (To get an example of me, & I don’t know if you’ve read these books but, I liked Bunny by Mona Awad, & I’m liking The Hike by Drew Magary, but I had to dnf Tender is the Flesh because the content was too gross for me). Also, I should note that I haven’t read a fantasy before so this would be my starting point.

Love the books gareth, I have read the first two and they have actually inspired an entire portion of the world and a bunch of enemies that I made for a dungeons and dragons campaign I am running

I think a better way to describe the pacing of the story is, instead of roller coasting more like a snowballing story, seeing as everything just picks up and the story gets more intense and fast paced as the story goes on, otherwise a perfect review, I agree that I liked gutter prayer more, but I did like this one’s finale more.

I love this book, this review was nearly 100% accurate, the only thing is that when they mention Cari being a worshipper of a god they call her an initiate, not a priest.

Hey Matt I just started Gardens of the moon last night and it's so good! I hope this enthusiasm continues only time will tell...

Was super helpful, thank you! Was going to get Signature, now changed my mind. Instead will invest that money in difference in Original kindle Case🎉

“Ralph:The most boring name in fantasy” excuse me you forgot King Bob in the Magicians Nephew lol

"It's quite a large city" is quite an understatement, considering Nessus is larger than some US states

was only listening and so had to go back to make sure you put air quotes on perfect memory

Aaah this was such great fun (except for the Dutch slander... I see where we stand with each other now 🥲). Hahah no but really nice picks and I am super curious to hear all of your guys' thoughts on the books. Can't blame Evie for rejoining last minute, this is way too fun!

Loved this whole discussion! Oh how I wish Johanna would start Liveships! So glad Evie opted in as well!

Stupid time zones. 😠 Great stream but commenting to the cat instead of in the chat - just not the same.

I am here for the Ishiguro love ❤ great writer

This was a lot of fun

This is the eternals and Kirbys 4th world

This is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it back in the 80s and it made me a Zelazny fan. It is a fantastic meld of spirituality and cynicism, of fantasy and Science Fiction, of humor and gravitas, and it may also be, in its own particular way, the best superhero novel ever written.

What's your bogan level at Matt? What part of 'Straya did you live in?

Thank you

I use larger fonts so need a bigger screen this may drain the battery. I’m thinking about the scribe to use at home. I use the paper white signature and it helps.

Redneck culture is ubiquitous.

Hopefully i someday find a McCammon book that clicks with me because I got 100 pages into Swan Song and all it did was make me want to re-read The Stand 😂

That's a amazing collection. As someone who hated Rings of Power and didn't like the disrespect I'm glad that we can all sit back and take a moment to approach the amazing stories that Tolkien left us with. Even the movie trilogy for that matter

Being Human was a great show, though I admit it sounds really corney but it's actually a fairly dark show about a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost living together in Bristol trying to reintegrate themselves back amongst humans while tackling devious forces. Ran for 5 series and I loved it. Vampires are pretty terrifying but there is more variety to their role in the series i.e struggling addicts, predation, extremists etc.

I was recently in a used book store and they were selling a 1974 book club edition box set for $25. Its clearly not a particularly special edition or anything and the text is sooo tiny that its almost unreadable, but I really dug the throwback cover/spine design so had to pick it up for the price. Its the only copy I have and its motivated me to finally read LoTR (I only recently got into reading fantasy). Cool to see all these other awesome editions that you have!

Thank You for this interview. I love Gareth's books and I'm looking forward to the continuation of the books 💜