Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Orbit (2005), Paperback, 656 pages
Description
Strikingly original in its conception, ambitious in scope, with characters engrossingly and vividly drawn, the first book in R. Scott Bakker's Prince of Nothing series creates a remarkable world from whole cloth-its language and classes of people, its cities, religions, mysteries, taboos, and rituals-the kind of all-embracing universe Tolkien and Herbert created unforgettably in the epic fantasies The Lord of the Rings and Dune. It's a world scarred by an apocalyptic past, evoking a time both two thousand years past and two thousand years into the future, as untold thousands gather for a crusade. Among them, two men and two women are ensnared by a mysterious traveler, Anas�rimbor Kellhus-part warrior, part philosopher, part sorcerous, charismatic presence-from lands long thought dead. The Darkness That Comes Before is a history of this great holy war, and like all histories, the survivors write its conclusion.|R. Scott Bakker holds a B.A. in English language and literature, an M.A. in theory and criticism, and is currently completing his Ph.D. in philosophy at Vanderbilt University. He lives in London, Ontario.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member DRFP
The Darkness That Comes Before is an excellent first instalment in the Prince of Nothing series. Part fantasy genre take on the First Crusade, part Apocalyptic scenario the novel is an original piece in a usually derivative area.
Comparisons are hard to make. It's almost easier to talk about what
The book does start a little slow. It reminded me of the initially disorientating start to House of Chains where we're thrown in with a character and his world, grope about with him, and then yanked out and placed elsewhere. Of course, Bakker isn't Erikson; so this lasts only some 30 pages instead of 300. TDTCB does somewhat fall into the same category as other recent "minimal fantasy" novels. Magic is relatively widespread but its use in the novel is exceptionally limited (somewhat akin to TFL books). As a result those who expect a fast moving story and lots of action ought to come prepared for a slower read or to skip this one altogether.
The vast bulk of the novel is about armies and individuals preparing to march and fight rather than them actually doing so. However, unlike the finally published Dance With Dragons, which threatened so much violence whilst still being quite boring, Bakker makes his politics not only interesting but central to the plot and unpredictable (Daenerys sitting in Meereen is not interesting and not central to the greater story whose heart lies in Westeros, where she will surely end up).
Bakker's writing itself is good. He doesn't quite have the wit of GRRM or Abercrombie but everything in the novel is solid and he's certainly not lost in his world the way Erikson is (nor does his interest in philosophy intrude the way Erikson's love of archaeology and anthropology does). Where Bakker shines best is in his characters. They're not all the most original crew but they're nuanced enough to make them seem real and endearing. Esmenet might seem the "whore with the heart of gold" of many a tale but the enjoyment she gets from her trade (at least the act itself) sets her apart from more bland, innocent harlot archetypes. Even Achamian's portly countenance is a nice detail that sets him apart from the infinite rugged heroes of other fantasy novels (besides, this story has Conphas for that - but he has his god-like delusions to set him apart).
If the above hasn't made clear I've found it quite hard reviewing TDTCB but hopefully I've demonstrated what the novel isn't and that it is very much worth your while to read. I hesitate to use the word "original" because clearly the book has many minor influences but it successfully melds them into something rather unlike any one in particular. It is a very good book though and it has me eagerly awaiting the second volume (ordered and on its way now). The story is interesting, the characters good and it's all well written. There's nothing in the book I seriously disliked. The start is a little slow but it's not at all boring and overall the pacing is very solid. It's something I very much recommend and can only hope that the series manages to maintain this quality throughout.
Comparisons are hard to make. It's almost easier to talk about what
Show More
TDTCB isn't. Compared to recent series it's certainly not the gleefully subversive First Law trilogy; it's not the meandering, too broad for its own good but occasionally brilliant Malazan series; it's not the (initially) magic lacking and court based politics of A Song of Ice and Fire; and it's not the ribald hustle of The Gentlemen Bastards either. If anything the book harks back to an earlier fantasy landmark - The Lord of the Rings with its epic scope and end of the world consequences. True, TDTCB has elements of all the works mentioned here, but they're only little pieces and Bakker is predominantly different from them.The book does start a little slow. It reminded me of the initially disorientating start to House of Chains where we're thrown in with a character and his world, grope about with him, and then yanked out and placed elsewhere. Of course, Bakker isn't Erikson; so this lasts only some 30 pages instead of 300. TDTCB does somewhat fall into the same category as other recent "minimal fantasy" novels. Magic is relatively widespread but its use in the novel is exceptionally limited (somewhat akin to TFL books). As a result those who expect a fast moving story and lots of action ought to come prepared for a slower read or to skip this one altogether.
The vast bulk of the novel is about armies and individuals preparing to march and fight rather than them actually doing so. However, unlike the finally published Dance With Dragons, which threatened so much violence whilst still being quite boring, Bakker makes his politics not only interesting but central to the plot and unpredictable (Daenerys sitting in Meereen is not interesting and not central to the greater story whose heart lies in Westeros, where she will surely end up).
Bakker's writing itself is good. He doesn't quite have the wit of GRRM or Abercrombie but everything in the novel is solid and he's certainly not lost in his world the way Erikson is (nor does his interest in philosophy intrude the way Erikson's love of archaeology and anthropology does). Where Bakker shines best is in his characters. They're not all the most original crew but they're nuanced enough to make them seem real and endearing. Esmenet might seem the "whore with the heart of gold" of many a tale but the enjoyment she gets from her trade (at least the act itself) sets her apart from more bland, innocent harlot archetypes. Even Achamian's portly countenance is a nice detail that sets him apart from the infinite rugged heroes of other fantasy novels (besides, this story has Conphas for that - but he has his god-like delusions to set him apart).
If the above hasn't made clear I've found it quite hard reviewing TDTCB but hopefully I've demonstrated what the novel isn't and that it is very much worth your while to read. I hesitate to use the word "original" because clearly the book has many minor influences but it successfully melds them into something rather unlike any one in particular. It is a very good book though and it has me eagerly awaiting the second volume (ordered and on its way now). The story is interesting, the characters good and it's all well written. There's nothing in the book I seriously disliked. The start is a little slow but it's not at all boring and overall the pacing is very solid. It's something I very much recommend and can only hope that the series manages to maintain this quality throughout.
Show Less
LibraryThing member SaintBrevity
The phrase "highly original" gets bandied about quite a bit on book jackets, especially in the genre market. This book actually earns it, while also being well written, to boot.
If I had to describe this in terms of authors, I'd probably mention Glen Cook for the refusal to take it easy on the
There's a holy land, two major religions that were born from this holy land, a new charismatic leader of the religion that doesn't occupy the holy land, a crusade, an emperor, separate schools of magic, a remote castle/monastery that teaches something that feels like zen, savages on horseback, except the savages on horseback are pretty bright, a secret war, political machinations, and religious zealotry.
This definitely has a lot of style mixed in with the substance; hopefully the author can keep the two balanced in the next couple of books of this series (yes, of course it's a series; this has "EPIC" stamped on the cover in neon fuchsia).
If I had to describe this in terms of authors, I'd probably mention Glen Cook for the refusal to take it easy on the
Show More
reader, Guy Gavriel Kay for the historical feel, Glen Cook again for the world at war feeling, and Steven Erikson for a better approach to the fantastic elements than most in the genre. Plus a little bit of H P Lovecraft for the dread and the monsters.There's a holy land, two major religions that were born from this holy land, a new charismatic leader of the religion that doesn't occupy the holy land, a crusade, an emperor, separate schools of magic, a remote castle/monastery that teaches something that feels like zen, savages on horseback, except the savages on horseback are pretty bright, a secret war, political machinations, and religious zealotry.
This definitely has a lot of style mixed in with the substance; hopefully the author can keep the two balanced in the next couple of books of this series (yes, of course it's a series; this has "EPIC" stamped on the cover in neon fuchsia).
Show Less
LibraryThing member Cauterize
"Many centuries ago, the world was nearly destroyed by the dark wizards of the Consult, and the High King's family was wiped out--or so it seemed. Then from the wild, uncharted north comes a mysterious and extraordinarily powerful philosopher-warrior, Anasurimbor Kellhus, descendant of the ancient
First of all, I am not an epic fantasy fan. I am that person who hasn't read any of [[Tolkien's]] books. I tried reading The Hobbit, only to give up 1/3 of the way in. I get frustrated by (what I perceive as) nothing happening. So, I just wanted to say this is the viewpoint I come from. Reading this book, it solidified my dislike of epic fantasy but I ended up finishing it and thinking it was better than my first impression. It is 600 pages(!) and I almost gave up around pages 100-120. However, I ploughed through and ended up getting caught up by certain characters and racing to find out what happened next.
I can't really do a good summary because there is so much going on, and too many characters. This world doesn't have elves, dwarf or the like, instead it's similar to our world around the First Crusade. There are different factions, tribes and religions. The prophet Maithanet declares war on the Holy City, Shimeh, which is analogous to Jerusalem held by the Muslims. The bulk of the story is various factions trying to control the purpose of the Holy War for their own ends, if they are prophets, Emperors, Schools of Magic or barbarians.
Bakker is very good at illuminating the games of politics that people play. I did like how Bakker was able to bring each major player to the forefront for their moment of glory, and then they fade back onto the chessboard. However, none of these players are women. This is the biggest criticism of this work, and extremely valid, is that the women are one-note and stereotypical. There is a total of three women in this whole book and two of them are whores. Yup. The last one is the mother of the Emperor, and she's seen as a Grade-A bitch by everyone. Even her son, who she masterfully schemed to put on the throne. Bakker makes the comment that she's always been a power behind the throne, but then he dumps her to oblivion after a few scenes. The two whores, they are set up to be people who will change the world, but one is certifiably crazy and so you don't like reading about her, while the other has the character of a doormat. This lack of any decent women characters is poor form.
This book is very ambitious and I would recommend it to lovers of this genre. However, it's not really for someone who is ambivalent to this genre, like me. But, I will read the next one because I really like Cnaisur, the Norse/Mongol-like barbarian warrior. His intelligence and his battle of wits with Kellhus makes this series worthwhile.
Show More
High Kings. But the return of the king's bloodline is little cause for rejoicing. For Kellhus's appearance may signal the overthrow of empires, the destruction of the sorcerous schools, the return of the Consult demons--and the end of the world." - summary from Amazon.comFirst of all, I am not an epic fantasy fan. I am that person who hasn't read any of [[Tolkien's]] books. I tried reading The Hobbit, only to give up 1/3 of the way in. I get frustrated by (what I perceive as) nothing happening. So, I just wanted to say this is the viewpoint I come from. Reading this book, it solidified my dislike of epic fantasy but I ended up finishing it and thinking it was better than my first impression. It is 600 pages(!) and I almost gave up around pages 100-120. However, I ploughed through and ended up getting caught up by certain characters and racing to find out what happened next.
I can't really do a good summary because there is so much going on, and too many characters. This world doesn't have elves, dwarf or the like, instead it's similar to our world around the First Crusade. There are different factions, tribes and religions. The prophet Maithanet declares war on the Holy City, Shimeh, which is analogous to Jerusalem held by the Muslims. The bulk of the story is various factions trying to control the purpose of the Holy War for their own ends, if they are prophets, Emperors, Schools of Magic or barbarians.
Bakker is very good at illuminating the games of politics that people play. I did like how Bakker was able to bring each major player to the forefront for their moment of glory, and then they fade back onto the chessboard. However, none of these players are women. This is the biggest criticism of this work, and extremely valid, is that the women are one-note and stereotypical. There is a total of three women in this whole book and two of them are whores. Yup. The last one is the mother of the Emperor, and she's seen as a Grade-A bitch by everyone. Even her son, who she masterfully schemed to put on the throne. Bakker makes the comment that she's always been a power behind the throne, but then he dumps her to oblivion after a few scenes. The two whores, they are set up to be people who will change the world, but one is certifiably crazy and so you don't like reading about her, while the other has the character of a doormat. This lack of any decent women characters is poor form.
This book is very ambitious and I would recommend it to lovers of this genre. However, it's not really for someone who is ambivalent to this genre, like me. But, I will read the next one because I really like Cnaisur, the Norse/Mongol-like barbarian warrior. His intelligence and his battle of wits with Kellhus makes this series worthwhile.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kgodey
The Darkness That Comes Before is the first book of the Prince of Nothing trilogy by R. Scott Bakker (which is then followed by the Aspect Emperor trilogy).
Anasûrimbor Kellhus, a monk of the Dûnyain is a descendant of the high kings whose line was thought to have died out millenia ago (he might
The world of Eärwa is well-realised, with a complex religious and political system. Bakker throws you straight into it - you figure out a lot of the history and context through character dialogue rather than exposition. Although this can be a bit confusing at times, overall it's immersive and makes the world feel very real.
The characters, on the other hand, weren't as great. The protagonist, Kellhus, is cold and manipulative, focusing only on his mission to get to his father, and he doesn't have any personality otherwise. His ability to predict and persuade people is supposedly based in the logic imparted in him through his Dûnyain training, but that's extremely implausible, so I just thought of it as superpowers. In any case, he gets whatever he wants whenever he wants it, and he isn't even likeable.
Out of the other main characters, Esmenet is self-pitying and cloying, Ikurei Xerius III is paranoid and self-absorbed, Ikurei Conphas is smarmy and power-hungry, Crainur is a murderous rapist, Serwë is a dimwit, Proyas is a zealot... I could go on. These aren't just one facet of the characters - they are almost all defined by them. Drusus Achamian was the only compelling one - his internal conflicts are the most lifelike, his love for his ex-students versus his duty as a Mandate Schoolman, his inexplicable attraction to Esmenet, and his teetering faith in the existence of his enemy all make him sympathetic.
A lack of good women characters isn't always a bad thing - especially in books with otherwise strong characters (for instance, in The First Law trilogy). However, Bakker's treatment of women is absolutely atrocious. Every woman is a harlot - from dowager to street whore. The two main women, Esmenet and Serwë both make their living via sex. There are some very unpleasant revelations in the story made about the emperor's mother, Ikurei Istriya. None of them are portrayed as intelligent, either. Even women mentioned only in passing are loose or sad - Cnaiur's wives are constantly crying and his mother was easily seduced, Serwë met with nothing but jealousy from other women - that's all we even hear about them.
All this makes for a pretty depressing book, and I'm still not sure if the worldbuilding and plotting makes up for it enough for me to want to continue with the series.
Anasûrimbor Kellhus, a monk of the Dûnyain is a descendant of the high kings whose line was thought to have died out millenia ago (he might
Show More
sound like Aragorn, but trust me, he's really not.) Answering the call of his father, he sets out to find his destiny in the city of Shimeh. Meanwhile, the Shriah of the Thousand Temples (the majority religion) has called a Holy War to recapture Shimeh, which is in the hands of heathens. This Holy War is seen as an opportunity for advancement by many, including the the Emperor Ikurei Xerius III, who hopes to conquer all the lands his empire once held. Drusas Achamian, a sorcerer and spy, is sent into the middle of these events to look for an enemy that hasn't been seen in centuries and that even he hardly believes in. Also caught in these events are the harlot Esmenet, the barbarian warrior Cnaiur, the princes Nersei Proyas and Ikurei Conphas, and hundreds of thousands of others.The world of Eärwa is well-realised, with a complex religious and political system. Bakker throws you straight into it - you figure out a lot of the history and context through character dialogue rather than exposition. Although this can be a bit confusing at times, overall it's immersive and makes the world feel very real.
The characters, on the other hand, weren't as great. The protagonist, Kellhus, is cold and manipulative, focusing only on his mission to get to his father, and he doesn't have any personality otherwise. His ability to predict and persuade people is supposedly based in the logic imparted in him through his Dûnyain training, but that's extremely implausible, so I just thought of it as superpowers. In any case, he gets whatever he wants whenever he wants it, and he isn't even likeable.
Out of the other main characters, Esmenet is self-pitying and cloying, Ikurei Xerius III is paranoid and self-absorbed, Ikurei Conphas is smarmy and power-hungry, Crainur is a murderous rapist, Serwë is a dimwit, Proyas is a zealot... I could go on. These aren't just one facet of the characters - they are almost all defined by them. Drusus Achamian was the only compelling one - his internal conflicts are the most lifelike, his love for his ex-students versus his duty as a Mandate Schoolman, his inexplicable attraction to Esmenet, and his teetering faith in the existence of his enemy all make him sympathetic.
A lack of good women characters isn't always a bad thing - especially in books with otherwise strong characters (for instance, in The First Law trilogy). However, Bakker's treatment of women is absolutely atrocious. Every woman is a harlot - from dowager to street whore. The two main women, Esmenet and Serwë both make their living via sex. There are some very unpleasant revelations in the story made about the emperor's mother, Ikurei Istriya. None of them are portrayed as intelligent, either. Even women mentioned only in passing are loose or sad - Cnaiur's wives are constantly crying and his mother was easily seduced, Serwë met with nothing but jealousy from other women - that's all we even hear about them.
All this makes for a pretty depressing book, and I'm still not sure if the worldbuilding and plotting makes up for it enough for me to want to continue with the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member clong
Bakker's series has been getting very positive reviews, and it is easy to see why. Folks who like the dark gritty fantasy of Steven Erikson but are put off by the at times overwhelming complexity of the Malazan books will find this particularly appealing.
Bakker's setting is detailed and well
An extremely impressive debut novel that left me eager to move on to Book 2 of the series.
Bakker's setting is detailed and well
Show More
sketched without being overwhelmingly complex. He has given this setting a powerful sense of history. In particular, there was something both original and fascinating about various cultures and nations and "schools" that populate this world. The cast of leading characters is also managably small. These characters all have an air of mystery, and only over time do we start to understand their motivations and goals. This is not fantasy built around the good guys vs the bad guys. Instead the characters are sympathetic shades of gray, competing factions pursuing their private goals, not knowing that some powerful apocalyptic force is about to be unleashed on their world. Kellhus is a particularly intriguing character, and yet at the end of the book he remains morally ambigious. An extremely impressive debut novel that left me eager to move on to Book 2 of the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member minealready
I never finished this book, actually I never finished the first chapter.
I couldn't read this book it was like the author grabbed a thesaurus and picked out vocabulary that would have even made Jerome Shostak have to look it up!
It made me hate the author...it felt arrogant, high handed and pissed me
*shivers*
I couldn't read this book it was like the author grabbed a thesaurus and picked out vocabulary that would have even made Jerome Shostak have to look it up!
It made me hate the author...it felt arrogant, high handed and pissed me
Show More
off.*shivers*
Show Less
LibraryThing member pstotts
There are very few books that are as ambitious as R. Scott Bakker's "The Darkness That Comes Before". Most authors would never attempt to create such a vast world with a deeply encompassing and vital intellectual history, and disparate races that have varying philosophical viewpoints and ways of
First, I will admit to being bias toward Bakker's novel. I studied philosophy both as an undergraduate and graduate student, so there is much here I recognize and appreciate from my studies. Let's just say, the complexity of Bakker's work is suited to my kind of academic geek, one who is deeply fascinated in the "why" of things, events and history. One who may be interested in Bakker's concept of the darkness that comes before, and what events result from that state of pre-rationality.
The novel is segmented into parts, each one following a different character and setting the scene for the second volume in the trilogy. Drusas Achamian is a Mandate sorcerer, plagued by the terrible and bloody dreams of his long dead predecessor. It is the Mandate school's mission to fight against the mysterious Consult, an organization whose existence has not been seen in decades. Achamian is commanded to uncover information about the plans of Maithanet, the Shriah of The Thousand Temples, the major religion of the region. Maithanet has recently declared the formation of a Holy War, a war that will take back the holy land of Shimeh. What Achamian discovers is a mystery that is potentially at the heart of this newly-declared Holy War.
Cnaiur is a Scylvendi barbarian, a survivor of the tremendous military defeat of his people at the hands of the martial prodigy, Ikurei Conphas. Soon, he meets Anasurimbor Kellhus, the son of Anasurimbor Moenghus, a man who, in the past, lead Cnaiur to terrible actions against his father that still torture his soul. Cnaiur and Kellhus make their way to Momemn to join the forces gathering for the Holy War, both with the agenda of finding Anasurimbor Moenghus.
Bakker writes with a depth to his characterization that is staggering. His characters are as complete intellectually, emotionally, and philosophically as you could possibly imagine. The world-building is unbelievable, as each region and race have their own history, reasoning, and stance to the events that unfold during the course of the novel. It is rather overwhelming and requires a great effort from the reader, but in the end, the effort pays off with a truly amazing fantasy experience.
It should be pointed out the majority of the novel is centered on setting the scene for the rest of the trilogy, to situate the reader in this finely imagined world. This setting up is, in a sense, the darkness that comes before, a pre-history that will be necessary to fully comprehend that which follows in the next two volumes. If R. Scott Bakker's "The Darkness That Comes Before" is any indication, what follows may be the greatest fantasy trilogy ever.
Last Word:
An amazing experience that will challenge for one of the greatest fantasy novels ever released. Bakker creates an incredible world, and populates it full of characters with such reality and intellectual history as to be staggeringly fascinating. This is absolutely must read fantasy literature.
Show More
perceiving the world. This novel, while a putative fantasy, is so remarkably well-conceived and executed that it feels more like a historical recollection of a lost world. In fact, Bakker liberally uses real Western civilization history and philosophy (with some aspects of Middle Eastern thought) and reshapes it especially for his world. The result is an absolutely brilliant fantasy novel that elevates the entire genre to a new level.First, I will admit to being bias toward Bakker's novel. I studied philosophy both as an undergraduate and graduate student, so there is much here I recognize and appreciate from my studies. Let's just say, the complexity of Bakker's work is suited to my kind of academic geek, one who is deeply fascinated in the "why" of things, events and history. One who may be interested in Bakker's concept of the darkness that comes before, and what events result from that state of pre-rationality.
The novel is segmented into parts, each one following a different character and setting the scene for the second volume in the trilogy. Drusas Achamian is a Mandate sorcerer, plagued by the terrible and bloody dreams of his long dead predecessor. It is the Mandate school's mission to fight against the mysterious Consult, an organization whose existence has not been seen in decades. Achamian is commanded to uncover information about the plans of Maithanet, the Shriah of The Thousand Temples, the major religion of the region. Maithanet has recently declared the formation of a Holy War, a war that will take back the holy land of Shimeh. What Achamian discovers is a mystery that is potentially at the heart of this newly-declared Holy War.
Cnaiur is a Scylvendi barbarian, a survivor of the tremendous military defeat of his people at the hands of the martial prodigy, Ikurei Conphas. Soon, he meets Anasurimbor Kellhus, the son of Anasurimbor Moenghus, a man who, in the past, lead Cnaiur to terrible actions against his father that still torture his soul. Cnaiur and Kellhus make their way to Momemn to join the forces gathering for the Holy War, both with the agenda of finding Anasurimbor Moenghus.
Bakker writes with a depth to his characterization that is staggering. His characters are as complete intellectually, emotionally, and philosophically as you could possibly imagine. The world-building is unbelievable, as each region and race have their own history, reasoning, and stance to the events that unfold during the course of the novel. It is rather overwhelming and requires a great effort from the reader, but in the end, the effort pays off with a truly amazing fantasy experience.
It should be pointed out the majority of the novel is centered on setting the scene for the rest of the trilogy, to situate the reader in this finely imagined world. This setting up is, in a sense, the darkness that comes before, a pre-history that will be necessary to fully comprehend that which follows in the next two volumes. If R. Scott Bakker's "The Darkness That Comes Before" is any indication, what follows may be the greatest fantasy trilogy ever.
Last Word:
An amazing experience that will challenge for one of the greatest fantasy novels ever released. Bakker creates an incredible world, and populates it full of characters with such reality and intellectual history as to be staggeringly fascinating. This is absolutely must read fantasy literature.
Show Less
LibraryThing member seanelavelle
The Darkness That Comes Before is the first book in the Prince of Nothing Trilogy. The great cities of the north were destroyed over two thousand years ago during the first Apocalypse. The north is nothing but a wasteland full of crumbling ruins, barbarians, the inhuman Sranc and the enigmatic
As always, discovery is one of the most enjoyable features and therefore I will not delve to deeply in to the plot, but it is thick with the clash of religions, the politics of city states and empires and the commencement of the Holy War. As a total aside, it appears that Bakker drew heavily on actual history when writing this book. The Holy War seems to parallel the First Crusade, from the early march of the Vulgar Holy War (The People's Crusade) and it's destruction to the Emperor's attempts to use the Holy War as an instrument of reconquest (Alexius I Comnenus). None of this draws away from the book as daily life in a huge undertaking is made incredibly real and detailed.
The characters are another of the great joys of the book. Gone are the stock tropes that seem to way down so many fantasy novels. The characters are deep and drawn in shades of grey, with realistic motivations and surprises, like real people. The other major character in the book is the past. The past permeates everything and colors all the characters and events of the book's present. To my mind, this is no small feat being that Bakker only slowly reveals the past and yet it's influence is always persistent.
I would highly recommend this book to anybody looking for a complex, challenging, fantasy.
Show More
NonMen. From this land a lone monk sets out on a journey to meet with his father in who had left the order 30 years before.As always, discovery is one of the most enjoyable features and therefore I will not delve to deeply in to the plot, but it is thick with the clash of religions, the politics of city states and empires and the commencement of the Holy War. As a total aside, it appears that Bakker drew heavily on actual history when writing this book. The Holy War seems to parallel the First Crusade, from the early march of the Vulgar Holy War (The People's Crusade) and it's destruction to the Emperor's attempts to use the Holy War as an instrument of reconquest (Alexius I Comnenus). None of this draws away from the book as daily life in a huge undertaking is made incredibly real and detailed.
The characters are another of the great joys of the book. Gone are the stock tropes that seem to way down so many fantasy novels. The characters are deep and drawn in shades of grey, with realistic motivations and surprises, like real people. The other major character in the book is the past. The past permeates everything and colors all the characters and events of the book's present. To my mind, this is no small feat being that Bakker only slowly reveals the past and yet it's influence is always persistent.
I would highly recommend this book to anybody looking for a complex, challenging, fantasy.
Show Less
LibraryThing member minadaddy
While I liked that this book offered a different and interesting take on fantasy, it was at times obvious that this was the author's first book. Stilted dialog, bewildering plot elements, and sometimes a tendency to overemphasize some of the least interesting parts of the story (in my opinion
Show More
anyway) lead to a somewhat disappointing read at times. However, it did show enough promise that I may pick up the rest of the books in the series. Just not right away. Show Less
LibraryThing member BayardUS
Despite a promising beginning, this series botched the characters, plot, and story structure so badly that it isn't worth reading. Whether you're looking for good writing and deeper meaning or just an entertaining fantasy story, you'll find neither here.
Let's start with story structure: despite
Considering the pure tonnage of writing here you would expect the world to be fleshed out, since that's the only thing this massive tome actually seems to try to accomplish. Instead the world is strangely muddled, as Bakker chooses to hide elements of the world from the reader for no sufficiently good reason. There is, for instance, a chronicle of an event known as the First Apocalypse that is widely known in this fictional world, even by characters that can't read the chronicle itself. Thus, every character in the book knows the full saga, but instead of Bakker allowing the reader to know about these events as well, he gives a trickle of information that never edifies. When a writer keeps the reader ignorant in a way that a character is also ignorant then that can create sympathy. When a writer keeps the reader ignorant where all the characters are in-the-know, at best it's an unnecessary irritation and at worst it creates a hole in the world building. Apparently Bakker doesn't realize this. He also keeps the reader in the dark for a huge number of pages concerning the magic system on this world, though that seemingly stems as much from his own lack of understanding of the system as it does his desire to give the reader only scraps of information.
Moving on to the plot: there are machinations between characters here, but the main plot is a fantasy take on the Crusades, where a Holy War is launched by the fantasy Christians to retake the land occupied by the fantasy Muslims. Hundreds upon hundreds of pages are devoted to depictions of the battles of the Holy War and the trials and tribulations of the army. The problem is, none of the main characters of this novel care about the war at all. They use the war for their own interests, or follow it as part of an unrelated mission, and have no personal investment as to whether it succeeds or fails. The lone character who genuinely believes in the Holy War is a character named Proyas, a second-tier character who is fleshed out little. Thus, for the hundreds of pages of battles it's impossible to care if the army takes that city or fights off that cavalry charge or if troop morale is low or high. What was Bakker thinking, making every major character care about revenge, power, control, knowledge, love, every conceivable motivation except for the one motivation of faith that actually would drive a Holy War? Thus, all the battles are mere background to the different plots of the characters.
This flaw is magnified by the fact that we learn early on that this whole war between the fantasy Christians and fantasy Muslims isn't important, because the battle between good and evil is right around the corner. The passages where dreams explore the First Apocalypse are actually interesting, and have stakes, compared to the Holy War where it seems of little import who wins or who loses- the real battle is up ahead. The fact that the real battle is never reached (is never even begun) further emphasizes the prologue nature of this series.
When the final volume "explains" the Holy War, it makes very little sense (if I'm understanding it correctly the idea was that it would allow for the world to be unified against the great evil that will soon emerge. How exactly does the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of people based on religious and ethnic differences lead to unity?). The main overarching plot is a huge mistake on Bakker's part.
Finally, on to the biggest flaw of this book, the characters. Specifically one character, Kellhus. Kellhus is at first presented as preternaturally good at manipulating people. Fine, though I think it strange that Bakker identifies homeschooling as the path to extreme social competence. But then it's revealed that he's also the most amazing fighter ever, capable of beating the best warrior in the world in single combat having only suffered one blow. Later on someone mentions that the only thing he lacks is the ability to use magic. Then it's discovered that he is one of the very, very few who can use magic, and he's the best ever at it. He's also an incredibly quick learner of everything, and even designs some siege weapons that makes everyone's jaw drop, because why not? In short, Kellhus suffers from superman syndrome, being so good at everything that he's unsympathetic, there's no dramatic tension to anything he does, and in general he's not so much a character as he is a plot robot.
I don't mean to suggest that Kellhus would be a better character if he had fewer strengths, though, since as soon as Bakker granted Kellhus the ability to manipulate people this whole character was hopeless. An author has certain limitations on what characteristics he can write, and those limitations are based on the author's own characteristics. Thus, if an author isn't smart, that author won't be able to write very smart characters. He can write characters that are quicker with a comeback, or who know a lot about a topic, because for the former the author can take time writing something that he or she wouldn't be able to think of on the spur of the moment, and for the latter the author can do research and put that in the character's mouth. How smart a character is, though, is limited by how smart the author is, since if an author were able to successfully answer the question "hmm, what would someone smarter than me do?" then that author would be the smarter person. That's not a loop that happens. In this case, the relevant limitation is that an author can't believably write a character who can understand and manipulate people better than the author can. Bakker is clearly no savant at manipulating people: the chapters showcasing Kellhus's mastery over others are thoroughly unconvincing, the theoretical underpinnings of that mastery are laughable as well. Instead we have a character mentioning bland "truths" about people and then those people begin licking that character's boots. It reminded me a bit of Ayn Rand, who populated her books with selfish lazy parasites to make the characters espousing her philosophy look better by comparison. Here we have a world populated by easily manipulated idiots in order to try to convince us that Kellhus is truly a master manipulator (and thus that Bakker can convincingly write such manipulation and understanding). Because of this the character that serves as the keystone of this narrative is not written believably or interestingly. It makes the book a mess.
This book raised my hopes in the beginning, depicting a dying world filled with monumental ruins of ages past, populated by strange creatures and a few humans struggling to survive. Then it turned into generic fantasy stuff, even including the cliche of a game with unexplained rules that symbolizes whatever the author needs it to. Then it turned into below average fantasy as the character of Kellhus gained more prominence. When it became clear that this book was going to focus on a war that no one cared about, while hiding some of the only interesting parts of the world, that it would blatantly serve as a prologue and not a complete book, and that it would take 1,800 pages to do it, it was revealed as yet another crappy fantasy series. Don't let the opening chapters fool you, this book is a waste of time.
Let's start with story structure: despite
Show More
ostensibly being a series, none of the three books here stand by themselves, instead each abruptly ends and then immediately starts up again in the next volume. Thus, The Prince of Nothing is a single book divided into three parts. Even taking this view, however, The Prince of Nothing is still an unsatisfying story because there is no resolution to speak of. Bakker proves incapable of writing a beginning, middle, and end even when given over 1,800 pages to do so. Instead, this whole series feels like one big prologue to whatever book set in this world he writes next.Considering the pure tonnage of writing here you would expect the world to be fleshed out, since that's the only thing this massive tome actually seems to try to accomplish. Instead the world is strangely muddled, as Bakker chooses to hide elements of the world from the reader for no sufficiently good reason. There is, for instance, a chronicle of an event known as the First Apocalypse that is widely known in this fictional world, even by characters that can't read the chronicle itself. Thus, every character in the book knows the full saga, but instead of Bakker allowing the reader to know about these events as well, he gives a trickle of information that never edifies. When a writer keeps the reader ignorant in a way that a character is also ignorant then that can create sympathy. When a writer keeps the reader ignorant where all the characters are in-the-know, at best it's an unnecessary irritation and at worst it creates a hole in the world building. Apparently Bakker doesn't realize this. He also keeps the reader in the dark for a huge number of pages concerning the magic system on this world, though that seemingly stems as much from his own lack of understanding of the system as it does his desire to give the reader only scraps of information.
Moving on to the plot: there are machinations between characters here, but the main plot is a fantasy take on the Crusades, where a Holy War is launched by the fantasy Christians to retake the land occupied by the fantasy Muslims. Hundreds upon hundreds of pages are devoted to depictions of the battles of the Holy War and the trials and tribulations of the army. The problem is, none of the main characters of this novel care about the war at all. They use the war for their own interests, or follow it as part of an unrelated mission, and have no personal investment as to whether it succeeds or fails. The lone character who genuinely believes in the Holy War is a character named Proyas, a second-tier character who is fleshed out little. Thus, for the hundreds of pages of battles it's impossible to care if the army takes that city or fights off that cavalry charge or if troop morale is low or high. What was Bakker thinking, making every major character care about revenge, power, control, knowledge, love, every conceivable motivation except for the one motivation of faith that actually would drive a Holy War? Thus, all the battles are mere background to the different plots of the characters.
This flaw is magnified by the fact that we learn early on that this whole war between the fantasy Christians and fantasy Muslims isn't important, because the battle between good and evil is right around the corner. The passages where dreams explore the First Apocalypse are actually interesting, and have stakes, compared to the Holy War where it seems of little import who wins or who loses- the real battle is up ahead. The fact that the real battle is never reached (is never even begun) further emphasizes the prologue nature of this series.
When the final volume "explains" the Holy War, it makes very little sense (if I'm understanding it correctly the idea was that it would allow for the world to be unified against the great evil that will soon emerge. How exactly does the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of people based on religious and ethnic differences lead to unity?). The main overarching plot is a huge mistake on Bakker's part.
Finally, on to the biggest flaw of this book, the characters. Specifically one character, Kellhus. Kellhus is at first presented as preternaturally good at manipulating people. Fine, though I think it strange that Bakker identifies homeschooling as the path to extreme social competence. But then it's revealed that he's also the most amazing fighter ever, capable of beating the best warrior in the world in single combat having only suffered one blow. Later on someone mentions that the only thing he lacks is the ability to use magic. Then it's discovered that he is one of the very, very few who can use magic, and he's the best ever at it. He's also an incredibly quick learner of everything, and even designs some siege weapons that makes everyone's jaw drop, because why not? In short, Kellhus suffers from superman syndrome, being so good at everything that he's unsympathetic, there's no dramatic tension to anything he does, and in general he's not so much a character as he is a plot robot.
I don't mean to suggest that Kellhus would be a better character if he had fewer strengths, though, since as soon as Bakker granted Kellhus the ability to manipulate people this whole character was hopeless. An author has certain limitations on what characteristics he can write, and those limitations are based on the author's own characteristics. Thus, if an author isn't smart, that author won't be able to write very smart characters. He can write characters that are quicker with a comeback, or who know a lot about a topic, because for the former the author can take time writing something that he or she wouldn't be able to think of on the spur of the moment, and for the latter the author can do research and put that in the character's mouth. How smart a character is, though, is limited by how smart the author is, since if an author were able to successfully answer the question "hmm, what would someone smarter than me do?" then that author would be the smarter person. That's not a loop that happens. In this case, the relevant limitation is that an author can't believably write a character who can understand and manipulate people better than the author can. Bakker is clearly no savant at manipulating people: the chapters showcasing Kellhus's mastery over others are thoroughly unconvincing, the theoretical underpinnings of that mastery are laughable as well. Instead we have a character mentioning bland "truths" about people and then those people begin licking that character's boots. It reminded me a bit of Ayn Rand, who populated her books with selfish lazy parasites to make the characters espousing her philosophy look better by comparison. Here we have a world populated by easily manipulated idiots in order to try to convince us that Kellhus is truly a master manipulator (and thus that Bakker can convincingly write such manipulation and understanding). Because of this the character that serves as the keystone of this narrative is not written believably or interestingly. It makes the book a mess.
This book raised my hopes in the beginning, depicting a dying world filled with monumental ruins of ages past, populated by strange creatures and a few humans struggling to survive. Then it turned into generic fantasy stuff, even including the cliche of a game with unexplained rules that symbolizes whatever the author needs it to. Then it turned into below average fantasy as the character of Kellhus gained more prominence. When it became clear that this book was going to focus on a war that no one cared about, while hiding some of the only interesting parts of the world, that it would blatantly serve as a prologue and not a complete book, and that it would take 1,800 pages to do it, it was revealed as yet another crappy fantasy series. Don't let the opening chapters fool you, this book is a waste of time.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Cecrow
In this fantasy novel a holy war is initiated between two opposing factions, which several others are attempting to usurp for their own ends - lots of gray area here. Beneath the surface lies another, deeper level of events where an ancient evil may be pulling the strings to propitiate an
This novel was riding in the 3.5 star range, but eventually its first novel jitters smoothed out to only the occasional hiccup and I learned to trust the author. It's a very engaging world, an interesting theme that recalls the real-life Crusades. Many of the characters are strongly outlined and interesting to read about, although I only genuinely liked Achamian. It's difficult to ignore the poor showing for women that others have commented on, but I don't detect a misogynist agenda. I think the author said in an interview that the way women are treated has consequences for the rest of the trilogy, so I'll put my faith in that.
R. Scott Bakker is given to deep thoughts, evident in dialogue and the often overlong internal musings. I suspect there's a lot lurking here that philosophy majors are going to love, but it's not done so overtly that it will alienate everybody else. Meanwhile I wish he was stronger at showing this world than explaining it. There were a few scenes that ended with an aggravating summary instead of finishing the drama, as if the author grew bored just as it was getting good. I'll definitely pick up the next book to see what happens, but I hope this experience improved his style.
Show More
apocalypse - very black vs white. The fantasy world is comprised of nations with lengthy histories, overlapped by religious factions and schools of sorcery. Its finest element is the Dunyain, a deeply introspective people that remind me of Tibetan monks. This novel was riding in the 3.5 star range, but eventually its first novel jitters smoothed out to only the occasional hiccup and I learned to trust the author. It's a very engaging world, an interesting theme that recalls the real-life Crusades. Many of the characters are strongly outlined and interesting to read about, although I only genuinely liked Achamian. It's difficult to ignore the poor showing for women that others have commented on, but I don't detect a misogynist agenda. I think the author said in an interview that the way women are treated has consequences for the rest of the trilogy, so I'll put my faith in that.
R. Scott Bakker is given to deep thoughts, evident in dialogue and the often overlong internal musings. I suspect there's a lot lurking here that philosophy majors are going to love, but it's not done so overtly that it will alienate everybody else. Meanwhile I wish he was stronger at showing this world than explaining it. There were a few scenes that ended with an aggravating summary instead of finishing the drama, as if the author grew bored just as it was getting good. I'll definitely pick up the next book to see what happens, but I hope this experience improved his style.
Show Less
LibraryThing member selfnoise
Promising beginning to a splashy new fantasy series. Has some good writing, great political intrigue, and things move along at a nice clip. Suffers from badly written female characters and some "attack of the cliche" moments. It's not quite at the peak of the large, splashy fantasy (think China
Show More
Mieville) and it lacks the subtle maturity of writing present in some of my favorite authors. But give the author time... Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I got as far as page 156 and I just don't care anymore. I'm quitting, maybe some day I'll return to it but I doubt it.
LibraryThing member awoods187
This book started very slow. I had trouble getting into it, but it ended up really picking up by the end. I am going to try the next one.
LibraryThing member janemarieprice
This is the first in one of two trilogies set in the same world by this author. I’ve read the first of the second trilogy and so wanted to start at the beginning. What I liked about the other book I’ve read by Bakker is he kind of throws you right into the world; there’s not a ton of setup.
Show More
Extremely detailed worldbuilding and a good helping of the literary equivalent of mood music. Character motivations are totally clear, but I suspect that a lot of that comes around in the later books. Show Less
LibraryThing member thepogoman
I found this book to be an enjoyable and original fantasy although it did suffer a bit from pacing issues. It could definitely be classed as epic fantasy, but, even though it includes swords and sorcery, it is not your typical run-of-the-mill high fantasy.
The novel mainly focuses on three
I am pretty sure that the pacing issues are a result of this being the first novel published by Bakker. The only other complaint I have is that the few female characters are pretty weak and one-dimensional. I am hoping that both of these issues improve in future works the author works to better define his voice. As such, I definitely intend to read at least the next book in the series.
The novel mainly focuses on three
Show More
characters: Kellhus, a monk who studies circumstances and controls situations and people by understanding the intricate relationships between cause and effect; Achamian, an outcast, first because he is a sorceror and second because his school is ridiculed as fools for keeping watch for an ancient evil, and a spy for his school; and Cniaur, a barbarian general who reveres death and war. There are also a number of other characters who feature fairly prominently. In various ways they are brought together and drawn into a burgeoning holy war.I am pretty sure that the pacing issues are a result of this being the first novel published by Bakker. The only other complaint I have is that the few female characters are pretty weak and one-dimensional. I am hoping that both of these issues improve in future works the author works to better define his voice. As such, I definitely intend to read at least the next book in the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member finalcut
While I think this book sets the stage for an interesting series I had a lot of problems really getting into the book itself. Bakker seems to be reluctant to build any real depth to his characters. Because of the general shallowness of the primary characters I have had trouble caring what happens
For example, the character Kellhus - the first one we meet, is introduced in a very detached way and even though we get to see things from his perspective at times I just don't care if he lives or dies. There have been a few glimpses of what he is capable of martially and, because of that, I am anxious to see him in later battle sequences but, if he dies off in one, I don't really think I'll care.
It doesn't get any better with the rest of the characters. Each goes through some pretty substantial emotional trials but not once am I left caring how they make it through them. There was never any connection between me and them.
Even with all that though I'd still read the next book in the trilogy just to see what happens with the story line because the world itself is interesting and, perhaps, is the only character I am curious about at this point.
Show More
to any of them.For example, the character Kellhus - the first one we meet, is introduced in a very detached way and even though we get to see things from his perspective at times I just don't care if he lives or dies. There have been a few glimpses of what he is capable of martially and, because of that, I am anxious to see him in later battle sequences but, if he dies off in one, I don't really think I'll care.
It doesn't get any better with the rest of the characters. Each goes through some pretty substantial emotional trials but not once am I left caring how they make it through them. There was never any connection between me and them.
Even with all that though I'd still read the next book in the trilogy just to see what happens with the story line because the world itself is interesting and, perhaps, is the only character I am curious about at this point.
Show Less
LibraryThing member MitchHogan
This book, and the series, is fantastic. Do yourself a favor and read them. A spectacularly well thought out world, characters, magic system, plots etc.
LibraryThing member stillatim
Ha! I love the reviews for this book. If you're older than 14, and have ever read anything the cover of which does *not* feature embossed gold lettering and a fire-breathing dragon Goddess, you love it. People who don't understand the 'show' vs 'tell' distinction but use it anyway, people who have
Simply put, this is beautifully written, very intelligent and suitably imaginative. Reading it is a pleasure thanks to Bakker's style; it's engrossing thanks to the characters and the story; and it's funny if you can train-spot all the historical references. They range from the first Crusade (Xerius = Alexius I; Maithenet = Urban II) through a whole range of philosophical schools from the Eastern and Western traditions.
Most of the book is written in varying degrees of free indirect style, and occasionally Bakker's need to stuff information into a scene is a bit too noticeable. But given how much information the reader needs in order to understand the world she's being thrown into, it's not too outrageous. Sometimes Bakker has too many fragments, but they weren't too obtrusive. The real problem here was pointed out by another reviewer: the women are all whores or shrews. I don't mean 'in general.' I mean there are three women in the book, and they are whores or shrews. I'll give Bakker the benefit of the doubt, and assume that he's trying to point out a fact about our world's (deplorable) treatment of women by highlighting how badly they're treated in the world of the novel - the narrator is definitely sympathetic to Esmenet, at least. I hope he's writing those characters with something clever in mind; it's more than a little obnoxious otherwise.
Show More
the vocabulary of a 12 year old, and people who are unwilling to put in any effort whatsoever hate it. I don't read much fantasy, just because I can't take much description in prose, let alone the stilted, turgid style that seems to dominate the genre. But that's not a problem here. Simply put, this is beautifully written, very intelligent and suitably imaginative. Reading it is a pleasure thanks to Bakker's style; it's engrossing thanks to the characters and the story; and it's funny if you can train-spot all the historical references. They range from the first Crusade (Xerius = Alexius I; Maithenet = Urban II) through a whole range of philosophical schools from the Eastern and Western traditions.
Most of the book is written in varying degrees of free indirect style, and occasionally Bakker's need to stuff information into a scene is a bit too noticeable. But given how much information the reader needs in order to understand the world she's being thrown into, it's not too outrageous. Sometimes Bakker has too many fragments, but they weren't too obtrusive. The real problem here was pointed out by another reviewer: the women are all whores or shrews. I don't mean 'in general.' I mean there are three women in the book, and they are whores or shrews. I'll give Bakker the benefit of the doubt, and assume that he's trying to point out a fact about our world's (deplorable) treatment of women by highlighting how badly they're treated in the world of the novel - the narrator is definitely sympathetic to Esmenet, at least. I hope he's writing those characters with something clever in mind; it's more than a little obnoxious otherwise.
Show Less
LibraryThing member SonicQuack
This first entry to the fantasy Prince of Nothing books is clearly a primer for the events to come, full of detailed character introductions and back history. The plot follows the build-up to a Holy War, following a multitude of factions and countries as they vie for power. Although the start of
Show More
the war is chronicled within this chapter most of the action is referred to, rather than experienced. This is very much a character piece and one character stands out since his arc is more exciting, mysterious and likeable than the others. Since the time spent between characters can be over a hundred pages, there are times where the politicking and ancillary characters are an obstacle to the enjoyment of the novel. It's very well written with flashes of greatness, however Bakker doesn't play any cards early in this first novel which makes it hard going for most of the time. Readers will want to pick up the next instalment, although I imagine not with any urgency. Show Less
LibraryThing member renbedell
The first book in a dark fantasy series set in a Middle Ages setting with a large cast of characters that are all unique, interesting, and exciting to read. The author throws you in the middle right in the beginning, which means I was lost the start of the book. It can jump from character to
Show More
character quickly. Each character is a well-written character though and I was always excited when the protagonist changed. It focuses on a political drama during war. There is a lot of worldbuilding with interesting cultures, religion, and motivations. The magic is light and reads more like historic fiction. I really enjoyed this book and will be continuing on with the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member StaticBlaq
Didn't grab me. The writing is solid, the scenes well written, but there was nothing engaging, or original in the content so what keeps you reading? It felt like someone writing really well in describing something without actually immersing you into it.
LibraryThing member drardavis
At first I was put off by the sheer number of peoples and places and religions and gods and character names and details, details, details. There seemed to be nothing to hold onto. But gradually the main characters emerged from the chaos, and the chaos itself wrapped around me, pulling me into this
Show More
holy war and forcing me to march along with it. Now, I’m looking forward to the battle, and hoping for victory over the Apocalypse that is taking shape in books two and three of this trilogy. This is not just barbarians and battle, it is more a metaphysical fantasy with parts that can send you wandering off following the ghosts of your own deep thoughts. Excellent! Show Less
LibraryThing member krazykiwi
Well, apparently I got over my sci-fi kick and finished this after all.
It's a big sprawling book, and as some of the other reviewers mention it has some fairly unlikeable central characters, but I found that part of it's charm. I also suspect the ones that others found sympathetic, are the ones I
Although it switched POV fairly often, I think the number of pov characters was manageable, and it was clear who was speaking when. So the style didn't bug me as much as it sometimes does.
There's a lot of politics and conspiracies and plotting, and a lot of war. I found it interesting that although sorcery and it's use or not, is a major central plot of the world itself, it was rarely used in the books, making it much less of the deus ex machina that it can turn out to be, and making it much more dramatic when it does show up.
Overall, a solid winner, and very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
It's a big sprawling book, and as some of the other reviewers mention it has some fairly unlikeable central characters, but I found that part of it's charm. I also suspect the ones that others found sympathetic, are the ones I
Show More
wanted to smack and vice versa. Esmi, for instance, is so annoying, Cnaiüs is fascinating, and I could have done with more Kellhus.Although it switched POV fairly often, I think the number of pov characters was manageable, and it was clear who was speaking when. So the style didn't bug me as much as it sometimes does.
There's a lot of politics and conspiracies and plotting, and a lot of war. I found it interesting that although sorcery and it's use or not, is a major central plot of the world itself, it was rarely used in the books, making it much less of the deus ex machina that it can turn out to be, and making it much more dramatic when it does show up.
Overall, a solid winner, and very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member worldsedge
Portions of this book dragged quite severely but the overall world developed behind it is quite interesting. Also, this book is not for the faint of heart. "Gritty" is perhaps a good word to describe the novel.
Subjects
Awards
SF Site Reader's Choice (2003)
Locus Recommended Reading (First Novel — 2003)
Language
Original publication date
2003
Physical description
656 p.; 6.93 inches
ISBN
1841494089 / 9781841494081