4.0 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating dark fantasy story. I have always been a sucker for a regressed society, and this aspect immediately pulled me in and made me completely invested in the world that the author has created. The story was presented in a way that was extremely easy to follow, with a clear narrative arc and well-developed characters. Overall, it was quite an intriguing read that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I found myself constantly eager to turn the page and discover what would happen next. In fact, I would be very interested in continuing on with this story and seeing where the author takes it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark fantasy or stories set in a regressed society. It is a truly engaging and enjoyable read that is sure to satisfy.

This book has been sitting on my TBR for a long time, and I was quite concerned that I might hate it. The main reason for this was the听闻 that philosophy played a huge role in it, and I knew that R. Scott Bakker's perspective on humanity, free will, and determinism was very different from my own. Unlike many, my disagreement wasn't about whether determinism was plausible, but from what I had heard and seen, his nihilism and belief in determinism seemed to be very strongly connected. I worried that looking at storytelling from that philosophy would force me to accept premises that I just didn't for the story to work.

However, I had also heard that he was a genius, and I had seen his writing and storytelling compared to that of Kay and Erikson. So, I decided to give it a try.

To my surprise, the book was really good. It wasn't as bleak as I had expected, although it was still quite dark. There were no particularly heroic characters in the book, but that wasn't really shoved in your face. Instead, you just kept reading about interesting people, and every once in a while, you would think to yourself, "Geez, these people kinda suck."
I think there are probably two reasons why a lot of people might bounce off this book. First, if you're looking for a book about people making noble choices or a book that will make you feel good, this one doesn't really have that. Second, if reading about women in positions where they lack agency and are victims is deeply frustrating or boring to you, then you will probably not enjoy this book. However, I think the women in this book are written in these situations because they are subjected to cruelty and unfairness from others, not because they are stupid, foolish, or weak.
Overall, I still think this novel is really good. Bakker is a great writer, and I found the book extremely compelling. The character work was excellent, with all of the characters having unique and interesting psychologies, voices, and dynamics. The writing was also very good, although it didn't blow me away like some other books I've read. The worldbuilding was excellent, with a strong sense of history and distinct cultures.
The plot was interesting, although it didn't build to a crazy climax. Instead, it felt like a book that was focused on setting up the pieces for more fireworks in the next two books. I will definitely be continuing with the series.
Oh, and there was a battle in the book, and it was incredibly epic. Also, Bakker put the acknowledgements at the start of the novel and the map and character list at the end, which I thought was a bit of a strange choice. But, overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who喜欢dark and gritty fantasy.

8.4/10

In Spain, we often talk about several contemporary fantasy novel authors. One of them is undoubtedly George Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, Joe Abercrombie, Andrzej Sapkowski, Brandon Sanderson... But I think there are a couple of them who don't have the renown they deserve. One of them, Paul Kearney, has at least managed to see his two main stories fully published in Spain, but the other... I think Scott Bakker is the most unjustly treated epic fantasy author in our country (talking about the big names in fantasy literature, I'm not even going to get into Spanish writers, which makes me laugh). And it makes me sad to see that we are waiting as if our lives depended on it for Rothfuss to finish his Kvothe story (when he has managed to make it no longer interesting to anyone) and there are works like the saga that Bakker starts in The Darkness That Comes Before that haven't been fully published in Spanish... when it's BETTER than The Name of the Wind or The Wise Man's Fear all the way to Lima.

Anyway. Bakker resorts in Prince of Nothing to a dark story, full of shadows, that takes place in Eärwa, a pre-medieval world where two thousand years ago, the great empires in the north collapsed after the emergence of the No-Dios and its followers, the enigmatic Consult. Many have already forgotten the Apocalypse, or prefer not to think about it, but among the schools of sorcerers, one of them, the Mandate, remain the spiritual heirs of the last king of the north, Anasurimbor Celmomas, and above all of his sorcerer, Seswatha, who died in the Apocalypse, but whose memories and experiences reach the members of the Mandate in the form of dreams. Now, a forgotten descendant of the last norsirai king, Anasurimbor Kellhus, of the monastic order of the dunyainos (very unpleasant, they strive to ignore emotions and read faces to use everyone, although with a very interesting philosophy), has begun to receive dreams in which his father asks him to meet him in Shimeh, the Holy City... Just at the moment when the Shriah of the Thousand Temples, Maithanet, has decided to call a Holy War to recover the city, which is in the hands of the Fanim and their heretical sorcerers, the cishaurim.

As you can see, the relationship between Prince of Nothing and the Crusades is evident, with easy identifications. Shimeh is Jerusalem, the Shriah is the Pope, Sumna is Rome, Momemn is Constantinople, the Fanim are the Muslims, the Inrithi are the Christians, etc... But beyond this, aside from the historical identification, Bakker goes much further and does a whole philosophical work that he unfolds in this dark fantasy world with the most unusual protagonists. Achamian Drusas is a spy of the Mandate, in his forties and overweight but capable of burning half the world with his Gnosis; Esmenet, a prostitute in love with Drusas and who decides to flee from Sumna and follow the Holy War; Cnaiür urs Skiotha, a scylvendio barbarian follower of the No-Dios who decides to take his personal revenge against Anasurimbor Moenghus, Kellhus' father, for which he decides to join the Holy War and turns Logen Ninefingers or Khal Drogo into educated courtiers... and of course, Anasurimbor Kellhus, the dunyaino who will try to turn the Holy War into his personal weapon to find his father... And all this, while after two thousand years, the Consult begins to show itself again, seizing positions of influence throughout the world...

And perhaps the Second Apocalypse is approaching?

Another rereading of this remarkable work has left me in awe once again.

Every time I pick it up, it feels even better than before. It is truly an impressive debut. This time around, I paid closer attention to Bakker's writing style, which is nothing short of extraordinary.

His descriptions are so detailed, so profound. The use of proverbs, metaphors, and parables adds a great deal of insight and depth to both the scenes and the characters. He has an uncanny ability to capture the essence of a moment and distill its feeling.

The way he portrays how we experience and process what we perceive is truly masterful. It is a reading experience that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

First REVIEW:

This book is grim, dark, bitter, and humorless, yet it is one of the best first books I have ever read. The premise upon which it is founded is enormous, and I can only imagine how epic the Second Apocalypse will turn out to be.

The world-building is simply incredible. It is unparalleled in its density and realism, and at the same time, it is weaved with lore and history that can be compared to the likes of the Silmarillion.

The world materializes in front of you, with all its ruins, landmarks, architecture, costumes, scents, flavors, accents, and people. Everything is so vividly described that you can almost touch and feel it.

The plot, which is based on the Crusades, feels historical, but there is so much more to it that comes from the background. Along with the characterization, it reminded me of ASOIAF and Dune.

The story is a study in human drama, exploring themes such as vanity, insecurity, fears, ambition, religion, tragedy, triumph, and manipulation. It is written in dense prose that is full of gravity, introspection, and at times, philosophy.

I understand why many people may not like these books, as they contain much violence, injustice, and sexism. However, there is nothing silly or cheesy about them. They offer a very realistic portrayal of pseudomedieval times.

There are not many likable characters, and certainly none are flawless. But if you can tolerate such context and want to experience a dark, grandscope epic, then these books are an absolute must!

This trilogy is truly insanely interesting. My friends and I have a particular category of literature that we enjoy, which we basically refer to as "Lit grad student masturbation" (for example, Cloud Atlas, Infinite Jest). Although this term is mainly used in a pejorative sense, it incredibly accurately describes the writing style, which is very intellectually stimulating, complex, and vocabulary-intensive.

This is the first time I have come across what could be called "Philosophy grad student automanipulation," and it is absolutely enthralling, especially in the fantasy genre. In this trilogy, various philosophical schools are manifested as different types of magic, religions, and rulers.

This is also an extremely intense read. A vast amount of information is presented to you, and it is better to set aside some dedicated time to read it deeply and attempt to assimilate all the aspects of the world, political factions, and characters involved. It requires a great deal of concentration and effort to fully understand and appreciate the depth and complexity of this trilogy.

2.5⭐️

It's gonna be a NO from me. This simple statement holds a significant amount of meaning. It implies a firm decision, a clear rejection. Maybe the situation at hand doesn't meet my expectations or requirements. It could be that the offer presented is not appealing enough, or perhaps there are other factors that have influenced my choice. Whatever the reason, I have made up my mind and I am not willing to budge.

Saying "NO" can be a difficult thing to do, especially when there are pressures or expectations from others. However, it is important to stand up for oneself and make decisions that are in one's best interest. In this case, I am confident that my "NO" is the right choice, and I am prepared to face the consequences.

Sometimes, a "NO" can lead to better opportunities or a more fulfilling outcome. It allows us to focus on what truly matters and to pursue the things that we are passionate about. So, while it may seem like a negative response, it can actually be a positive step forward.

In conclusion, it's gonna be a NO from me, and I'm okay with that.

Initial review:
This book is truly superb until the very last page. It presents the First Crusade in a unique way, set in a fantasy post-apocalyptic land with the added element of magic. Sort of. There is also a great deal of philosophy and the characters are amazing. However, they are all assholes and no one is truly good. It features fantasy Mongols and a fantasy Byzantine Empire, along with magic. I have a deep love for this book.

Second reread:
After having read the entire series, I find myself back at the start. Now that I know everything, I can say that a second reading is comprehensively better than the first. It's as if I can understand so much more now, whereas a year ago I was completely lost. I can now follow the threads and all the details that were精心 prepared in advance for most of the characters. It is impressive on an entirely new level. The dialogues, the logic, and the questions that arise from the characters are of a different quality altogether. It is a terrifying and dark book, not necessarily due to all the bad things that occur, but because we as human beings are so easily manipulated. And it all boils down to the fact that we don't know ourselves well enough to be our own masters, and thus we become tools for others.

This review serves more as an overall introduction to the series rather than a specific critique of a single book. - But I sense that some individuals might require a bit of initial motivation :).

I have perused a considerable amount of fantasy literature, and what intrigues me the most in a book is robust character development and clever banter. This particular book demanded every ounce of my perseverance to make it through the first 4 - 5 chapters...yet it was undeniably worth the tenacity.

Why did it have such a sluggish start for me? Bakker has evidently invested an enormous amount of effort into his world-building, and it is undoubtedly Tolkien-esque in that regard (albeit much darker and more gritty). He expends a great deal of time establishing that foundation, and it is rather slow going initially. Additionally, my husband and I were reading it aloud to each other, and the people and place names are quite a mouthful, which contributed to the initial awkwardness.

However, once a couple of the characters emerged from beneath the enormity of his descriptions, I felt as if the book burst into life.

What I favored the most:

Command of Language - Bakker selects words that both confound and illuminate. Initially, I would reread sentences simply because the descriptions were so extraordinary. His choice of adjectives and adverbs often seems like strangers to their neighboring nouns and verbs...until you see them together and think - yes...that's perfect. During the months I have been reading his first trilogy, I have discovered that Bakker's writing style has elevated my standards for descriptive prose - I渴望 his more creative approach.

Depth of Characters - They are like onions with an endless number of layers. Many of the characters commence disturbingly flat (which also made the beginning extremely challenging), and gradually evolve into wonderfully complex individuals...with no one being purely good or purely evil. They are captivating, humorous, heart-wrenching...and they continuously develop throughout the books.

Intriguing Plot - This is truly not a one-time-read series. Even when reading the books in the first trilogy consecutively, I found the summaries at the beginning of each to be incredibly beneficial in solidifying my understanding of the various threads that are being woven. The magic borders on simply being an advanced application of futuristic science (which is a nice twist), the ancient "evil" forces involve alien beings (which is fascinating), and the concept of the race bred from the Anasurimbor line is both terrifying and captivating.

This book is truly fantastic!

I've taken the time to read some of the reviews about it, and I'm completely baffled. I just can't fathom why any English speaking individual, even those with the most basic education and a hint of curiosity to pick up this book, would consider its vocabulary 'challenging'. I don't consider myself to be a highly well-read person, yet I didn't find the words difficult at all.

And here's the worst part: these people view this so-called 'challenge' as a negative thing. They could have criticized the story for being meandering or something else, but instead, they blame the author for not dumbing it down to their level of intelligence. However, a book is supposed to be a learning experience, even in its simplest form. In our age, which is obsessed with entertainment, this fundamental concept seems to have been forgotten.

This story features some of the most incredible characters to ever traverse the lands of fantasy since the genre first gained popularity. With its depressed sorcerer and the horrifically humorous mad emperor, its world is both highly entertaining and enlightening. I wholeheartedly believe that this series is going to be remembered as one of the most iconic works of fantasy written in this century. The loss is solely yours if you choose not to read it.

Throughout the history of Science Fiction and Fantasy (SFF), especially in the past half century, numerous authors have endeavored to create the saga, a narrative epic spanning multiple volumes. Arguably, there are many mythologies that have withstood the test of a century or more and have preceded The Second Apocalypse. However, few can rival the insane talent, training, and ambition of its author, R. Scott Bakker.

The Darkness That Comes Before (TDTCB) commences Bakker's narrative in a world where an apocalypse has already occurred. The Great Names of the Nansur Empire and the nations of the Three Seas compete with each other for temporal and spiritual power. Those who can wield sorcery have united into Schools to protect themselves from religious persecution as unclean by Inrithism and its Thousand Temples. The Holy Shriah calls for a new Holy War, whether against the damned Schools within or the heathen Fanim of the South, and even his followers do not yet know.

TDTCB presents us with a number of stories, introducing us one by one into the lives of several different characters in an interesting stylistic choice by Bakker. These stories eventually intertwine towards the end of the book as his characters become inextricably linked to the fate of the Holy War called by the Shriah Maithanet. Kellhus, the son of a monastic sect that survived the Apocalypse two thousand years ago, is summoned south into foreign lands by his exiled father. Drusas Achamian, a sorcerer, doubts the ancient mission of his School while pursuing the spies of their ancient enemies, always finding nothing. The childless Emperor Xerius and his nephew Conphas, whose statecraft and martial brilliance respectively might give them a chance to restore their fallen empire to its former glory. Esmenet, a prostitute in Sumna, the religious capital of the Thousand Temples, finds herself at the center of intrigue plotted across decades and centuries simply for knowing Achamian. And Cnaiur, a barbarian chieftain who no longer believes in the ways of his people but still bears the greatest number of ritual scars for killing their enemies.

All of them will find themselves and their humanity tested, pitted against both their prejudices and their beliefs, and set in the rich and unyielding fantasy world they inhabit.

Bakker's writing is dark, vast, and holy, and his characters are deep, brooding souls, as might be expected given the savagery of their world. But it still allows for hope in the face of implacable evil and characters who strive, fight, and endure, despite the overwhelming disparity that oppresses them.

Few rare authors will offer you the opportunity to embark on such a fantasy narrative as R. Scott Bakker. While he remains one of contemporary fantasy's most under-read and divisive authors, it is worth engaging with and reading on your own terms.

Experience it for yourself.

"The Darkness That Comes Before" is the first installment of the "Prince of Nothing" series, and it is truly excellent. When G.R.R. Martin spoke of what inspired him to pen "Game of Thrones," he pointed to the Wars of the Roses. In contrast, R. Scott Baker's motivation appears to stem from the era of the Crusades. Just like Martin's work, the connection is loose yet subtly evident.

The Old World met its end in fire and destruction two thousand years ago, as the non-human Sranc and their Scylvendi allies launched an assault on the Old Empire. At a great cost and with significant sacrifice, the forces of the No-God were defeated, but the Old Empire crumbled. As time passed, history became legend, and legend eventually gave way to myth.

It is within this setting that we are introduced to the players of this grand tale. The Shriah, the spiritual leader of the Church of Tusk, has called for a Crusade to recapture the Holy City of Shimeh from the heathen Fanim. The nations assemble their armies, but the departure point for the Crusade lies in the lands of the Nansur Empire (much like Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Empire), and the Emperor has his own plans for the forces within his territory that do not align with those of the Shriah and his religious hordes.

Amidst this major event, something else is unfolding. Drusas Achamian, a mage of the Mandate School, has been spying for his School and stumbles upon a terrifying secret. The Consult, a renegade group of mages that serve the No-God, still exists, and they are谋划着 something. That something may be related to the approaching Second Apocalypse.

Cnaiür urs Skiötha is a Chieftain of the Scylvendi, a brutal warlord who aims to overcome his challenges and rise to the top among his kinfolk. His brutal nature and viciousness make him a formidable warrior. He is joined by the mysterious Anasûrimbor Kellhus, a Dûnyain monk. The Dûnyain are a monastic order, bred for intelligence and reflexes. They are taught near-mystical powers of manipulation and understanding, and they are also masters of combat, their training making them nearly Jedi-like in their abilities.

These three individuals, along with the major players from the Empire and the Western nations, come together to embark on a journey to meet with the invading forces. But what is Kellhus up to? It seems that there is something remaining of the Old World, and he may hold the key to unlocking it.

Overarching all these conflicts is the central question - is the No-God real? Is the Consult real? If they are, does that mean the Second Apocalypse is imminent?

This is a wonderful new world. The setting and the overall atmosphere remind me of Tolkien, the politics of the story are very much in the vein of "Game of Thrones," and the action is highly entertaining. Superbly written, filled with great characters and lore, and a deep, complex political situation that is a pleasure to read about. R. Scott Baker has a winner on his hands and this is one of the best fantasy books I've read in a long time. Highly recommended to any fantasy fan who loves complex plots and excellent writing.

File this under: "Why in the hell did I wait so long to read this book?"

I had just finished reading a bunch of hard sci-fi in a row and was seeking something deep and challenging in the fantasy genre. And boy, did this book deliver on every level.

From the very first page, I was completely engaged and could think of little else when I wasn't reading. The story is huge, with a large cast of characters. While not everything is spoon-fed to you, you do get enough information to know exactly what is going on.

I really liked how the climax/conclusion was more political and even had a bit of a courtroom drama feel to it, rather than just being some huge clash between armies. However, it's clear that the stage is set for some of that in the following books.

The author makes good use of flashbacks to flesh out some of the main players, and the world-building throughout the whole thing is seriously cool.

I give this book five stars and I can't wait to get into book two.