History Literature / GardensOfTheMoon

* LoudLastName: When it finally dawns on Shadowthrone who he's just been negotiating with, he screams Quick Ben's last name just before the latter can escape via warren.
--> '''Shadowthrone:''' 'It is you! Delat! You shape-shifting bastard!'

* TrivialTitle: ''Gardens of the Moon'' refers to a story Apsalar's father used to tell her when she was a child. It has no impact on the book's story and only is mentioned by her at the very end once.

* SealedEvilInATeddyBear: The morally dubious mage Hairlock has his soul shifted into a puppet after he is cut in half during a battle. In this form he plots revenge against High Mages Tayschrenn for some kind of perceived slight.

* FirstEpisodeSpoiler: ''Gardens of the Moon'' combines this and DecoyProtagonist and gives both a good rattle. It's difficult to describe the plot of the novel to newcomers without mentioning that the closest thing indentifiable as a protagonist at the beginning, gets knifed within pages of taking on his comission as Captain of the Bridgeburners. Fortunately, and similarly spoilerific, he survives, but it's immensely important for the further plot progression.

Years later, the siege of Pale is reaching its conclusion on the continent of Genabackis. The city has held out for three years thanks to its high mage population and the help of the otherworldly Tiste Andii, their leader--the Ascendant known as Anomander Rake--and their enigmatic floating fortress, Moon's Spawn. In a costly climactic battle, the Malazans manage to damage and drive off Moon's Spawn and claim victory. The Bridgeburners, a legendary military company, are almost wiped out to a man, and their unofficial leader, Sergeant Whiskeyjack, learns that they may have been betrayed by high-ranking officials.

* FirstEpisodeResurrection: [[spoiler:Ganoes Paran]] gets brutally murdered by [[spoiler:Cotillion, in the guise of Sorry,]] before he can do very much at all; when his spirit wakes up at [[TheUnderworld Hood's Gates]], no less than five gods show up to bicker over his corpse. At length, Oponn--the [[TricksterGod Twin Jesters of Chance]]--point out that as he was killed by a god, any god is allowed to bring him back to life. This, of course, marks the start of the closest thing the series has to a [[TheHero Hero]].

* ForHalloweenIAmGoingAsMyself: Many people in the streets of Darujhistan are impressed by the great Tiste Andii 'costume' Anomander Rake is wearing for Lady Simtal's party. The laquered dragon mask also turns out to be more of an injoke than a disguise, since he [[VoluntaryShapeshifting can turn into one]]. [[CrowningMomentOfFunny Alchemist Baruk called it, too]]:

* LukeNounverber: A more straight example is Bellurdan Skullcrusher, a [[OurGiantsAreBigger Thelomen]] mage.

* OhCrap: In the climax, the Bridgeburners realise that [[spoiler:the cussers they buried as land mines under the streets of Darujhistan as acts of terrorism will set off the natural gas pocket under the city.]] As this would cause destruction far beyond what they intended -- and would likely kill them as well -- they quickly scramble to salvage them.

* GrandTheftMe: In the first chapter, Cotillion -- the patron of assassins -- decides to possess Sorry, a young fisherwoman in order to spy on the Bridgeburners.

* ForHalloweenIAmGoingAsMyself: Many people in the streets of Darujhistan are impressed by the great Tiste Andii 'costume' Anomander Rake is wearing. The laquered dragon mask also turns out to be more of an injoke than a disguise. [[CrowningMomentOfFunny Baruk called it, too]]:
-->'''Rake:''' As I understand such things, the event includes the wearing of disguises. Do you fear I lack taste?
-->'''Baruk:''' I've no doubt your attire will be suitable. Particularly if you choose the costume of a Tiste Andii warlord.