The book I'm in love with is truly a masterpiece. It takes us on a journey following doomed characters, nations, and factions into a Holy War where the ones at the top are oblivious to those pulling the strings. It's an EPIC tale that doesn't hold back. The characters are all morally grey, leaning towards the darker side. They show no sympathy in war, killing women, babies, and old men without remorse. The women in this book fight for survival in an unforgiving world but still can't persevere. They are all portrayed as harlots, and their lives are as miserable as can be. The magic system is unique and mysterious, adding to the allure of the story. The way Bakker weaves the tale through turmoil and inner monologue is simply mesmerizing. The inhumane acts feel truly inhuman, as if we're seeing something incomprehensible through the pages. The characters, especially Kellhus, are distinct and unforgettable. The political maneuvering in the book is top-notch, even better than that of GRRM, in my opinion.

5 stars

If it is only after that we understand what has come before, then we understand nothing. Thus we shall define the soul as follows: that which precedes everything.

I'm in love with this book......

Two years ago if somebody had said I would've liked this book, I would've laughed at his face but now....... I'm here.



This book follows some doomed characters, nations and factions to a Holy War in which guys on top doesn't even know the ones who pull the string, it's one of the most EPIC things I've ever read.

More often than not, one knew the skittering course a leaf would take through the terrace groves. More often than not, one knew what another would say before he spoke. To grasp what came before was to know what would come after. And to know what would come after was the beauty that stilled

This book does not pull any punches, the character's are all morally grey, but on the darker side, our characters don't have sympathy in the face of war, they kill be it a woman, baby or a old man. They don't remorse over people they kill they don't feel disheartended or ashamed because they beat a woman, they are all triffles to them. If your looking for a book with females that kick ass, your looking in the wrong place, here women fight with all they have to survive that unforgiving world but still they can't perservere.



Like the men are morally grey characters the women are all harlots, and it's not some glorious life as some novels potrays it to be, there life is miserable as it gets.

If we are nothing more than our thoughts and passions, and if our thoughts and passions are nothing more than movements of our souls, then we are nothing more than those who move us.

This book is a dark book, but unlike the so called Grimdark books we see on mainstream this doesn't come of as edgy but quite the opposite actually, it's more grounded at least for me. The way Bakker weaves the tale through the turmoil and the inner monologue is just mesmerizing. What I found utterly capturing in the book is that the inhumane thing FEEL inhuman, utterly it's like your seeing something uncomprehendable through the pages it's mesmerizing truly and utterly. The magic system is unlike any other I've read, It's mysterious and yet so original and feels like magic

Release from anguish can be purchased only through more anguish.

One of my favorite things in the novel is the characters, there so distinct and unlike others I've read especially Kellhus our protagonist, he's one of my favorite protagonist already, the political manuevaring in the book is top notch stuff, I liked it more than GRRM to tell the truth.

The Second Apocalypse by R.Scott Bakker is yet another massively underrated series. It consists of 9 or 10 books, with each volume being rather substantial. This review contains no spoilers, not even for the first book.

The series is set in a world called Earwa, which is a desert-like Arabian eastern world, distinct from most epic fantasies. In every sense, this series is a masterpiece. It is epic and on a huge scale, featuring numerous massive battles and a healthy dose of sorcery.

The world-building is phenomenal, and the characterization is excellent. All the characters are well-developed, though not all of them are likeable. The plot is unpredictable, complex, and has huge plot twists or revelations.

This series is an absolute must-read. It is truly that good, and the author's prose is extremely beautiful. It also contains some philosophy, which I don't mind, and it is extremely dark. In terms of darkness, it would make A Song of Ice And Fire seem like Adventure Time or Dora the Explorer.

You must read this series. PS: One day, I will write a more "proper" review for this. Read the glossary and check the map before starting the book, and you won't get lost for a second. Also, check out this video, which has some very good fan art for the series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9AXO...

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Epic fantasy often takes us on a journey to extraordinary worlds filled with magic, adventure, and heroic deeds.

When viewed through the prism of Nietzschian philosophy, it gains an additional layer of depth and complexity.

Nietzsche's ideas about the Übermensch, the will to power, and the revaluation of all values can be explored and expressed within the framework of an epic fantasy story.

The use of compelling and exquisite prose further enhances the reading experience, drawing the reader into the vividly imagined world and making them feel as if they are a part of the adventure.

This combination of epic fantasy and Nietzschian philosophy creates a unique and thought-provoking work that is highly recommended for those who enjoy both genres.

Whether you are a fan of fantasy literature or interested in exploring philosophical ideas, this book is sure to captivate and inspire you.

So, pick up a copy and prepare to embark on a journey that will challenge your beliefs and expand your imagination.

I'm calling it quits at 39%. I simply can't continue any further. After reaching the 20% mark, I found myself merely skimming through the book. Perhaps that was the real point where I knew I couldn't finish it.

I'm truly disappointed as this book was marketed as being similar to Malazan. However, from my personal perspective, it didn't live up to that comparison. I'm aware that some people have really enjoyed this book, and I'm glad for them. It's just that it didn't click with me. I couldn't seem to get invested in the story or the characters.

I think it's important to recognize that different books appeal to different people. Just because this one didn't work for me doesn't mean it's a bad book. It's simply a matter of personal taste. I'll continue to explore other books in the hope of finding ones that truly engage and captivate me.

Maybe one of the most compelling and complex fantasy reads I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

I was turned away from this series on a number of different occasions. The reason? I had read so many reviews that trashed it as self-serving pseudo-intellectual drivel.

Well, I'm truly glad that I finally put all of that aside and gave it a go. Because in my honest opinion, nothing could be further from the truth.

This book does indeed require a great deal of patience and fortitude. Bakker does you no favors in terms of holding your hand and info-dumping you to death.

As the reader, you are kind of just dropped into an already developed story on page 1. There are various factions vying for dominance of the continent they inhabit.

But that is also part of the brilliance of this book. Nothing is spelled out, yet you have enough understanding to piece together what is going on and what will eventually take place.

I sincerely hope that the next two books are this good. If so, I will absolutely fly through them like I did with this first installment.

Bravo Mr. Bakker! What a wondrous world you have created, filled with deep characters and a history that makes you want to constantly find out more about it.

I simply adored this book and can't say enough good things about it.

Despite a promising start, this series disappoints greatly in its handling of characters, plot, and story structure, making it not worth reading.

Let's first look at the story structure. Although it's supposed to be a series, the three books don't function independently. Each one ends abruptly and then immediately continues in the next volume, so The Prince of Nothing feels more like a single book divided into three parts. Even so, it's still an unsatisfying story as there's no real resolution. Bakker seems unable to craft a proper beginning, middle, and end, even with over 1,800 pages at his disposal. Instead, the whole series feels like a long prologue to whatever he might write next in this world.

The world-building, which one might expect to be detailed given the amount of writing, is strangely muddled. Bakker hides elements of the world from the reader for no good reason. For example, there's a well-known event called the First Apocalypse, but the reader only gets a trickle of information about it, which is frustrating. The magic system is also kept hidden for many pages, perhaps due to Bakker's own lack of understanding or his desire to give only scraps of information.

The plot has its issues too. The main plot is a fantasy version of the Crusades, but none of the main characters really care about the war. They use it for their own purposes or follow it as part of an unrelated mission. The only character who believes in the Holy War is a second-tier character who isn't well-developed. So, for the hundreds of pages描写的 battles, it's hard to care about the outcome.

Finally, the characters are the biggest flaw. Kellhus, in particular, suffers from superman syndrome. He's presented as being preternaturally good at everything, from manipulating people to fighting and using magic. He's so perfect that he becomes unsympathetic and more of a plot device than a real character.

In conclusion, this book starts off with promise but quickly devolves into a mess of bad writing, uninteresting characters, and a convoluted plot. Don't be fooled by the opening chapters, this is a waste of time.

Maybe it's not entirely fair to rate something that one didn't complete, but in this case, I simply couldn't go on.

This is the first book in many years that I haven't been able to finish. The main reason is that it is just plain BORING.

Not only that, but it is also extremely complicated. I've read 100 pages, and yet it isn't any more interesting or clear than the very first page.

The story seems to be going nowhere, and the writing style makes it difficult to follow.

I had high hopes for this book at the beginning, but unfortunately, it has failed to deliver.

Perhaps if I had continued reading, it might have improved, but at this point, I just don't have the motivation.

I'm disappointed that I couldn't get through it, but sometimes, you have to know when to give up.

Overall, I would not recommend this book to others based on my experience so far.

Patience grasshopper, patience...

To those who are contemplating reading this book, I would highly recommend it. However, it is important to note that you will need to possess a great deal of patience. The book is extremely well-written in terms of language, with intricate and clever plotlines that cannot be ignored. One can clearly see the effort and care that Mr. Bakker has put into this work.

That being said, the story does start off rather slowly, and there is a delayed sense of satisfaction. I mention this because I had seen many frustrated (and low-star) reviews while I was thinking about whether to begin this trilogy or not. The first 5 chapters of the book (approximately 20% according to my Kindle) can seem like a chore, as one struggles to figure out and keep in mind all the who, what, when, and where details. As the first book of 2014, with my intellectual pride and my Goodreads Book Challenge Goal in mind, I actually considered putting this on the "to revisit again later" list and picking up another book that would be more "engaging".

But at the 20% mark, everything suddenly started to gel together. Other readers have attributed this to getting used to the names, the author's writing style, or perhaps even divine intervention by the gods of books. Whatever the reason, it does and it will coalesce and move forward beautifully.

My only criticism for not giving this book 5 stars and instead considering it a 3.5 is that no book should make you feel like you need to pause and page backwards to regain your bearings for the first 1/5 of it. There are many other writers who have told intricate and complex stories that start off with a bang. However, I will say that the last 1/2 of the book was truly hard to put down, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading the second book and continuing this captivating tale. Plus, I'm afraid that if I don't read the 2nd book immediately, I will forget all of the names that the author has introduced. The aforementioned intricacy is definitely a boon to patient readers who appreciate complex world-building like that of Tolkien, George RR Martin, and others.

In my ongoing exploration of Worldbuilding on my blog, I've discovered the valuable insights and thoughts of numerous authors. Among them are LeGuin and Moorcock, but it's M. John Harrison's approach that truly intrigues me. He sets out to establish a working theory about what worldbuilding is, how it functions, and why certain writers and fans are drawn to it.

However, his views on worldbuilding have not been well-received, sparking a significant backlash from fans and writers. They have attempted to defend worldbuilding as a legitimate and unique tool for writers, yet I've never come across a response that effectively refutes Harrison's interpretation or offers an alternative theory.

Many fans regard Bakker as a strong advocate for worldbuilding and often quote his response to Harrison from an interview. The quotes give the impression of a clear and intelligent writer, leading me to anticipate a genuine attempt to defend worldbuilding, disprove Harrison, and present an alternative perspective.

Regrettably, instead of engaging with Harrison's ideas, Bakker diverts the discussion by impugning his motives. While understandable as an off-the-cuff response in an interview, it doesn't provide a comprehensive defense. After my analysis in a blog post, Mr. Bakker kindly visited my blog to address my concerns.

Given his status as a proponent of worldbuilding in his own works, I expected him to have well-thought-out insights. But as the exchange progressed and eventually fizzled out, Bakker seemed to have little to contribute on the subject. There was no indication that he had a particular approach to creating well-written, worldbuilding-focused fantasy. So, for now, I'm back to square one. Maybe one day, I'll find that excellent defense of worldbuilding, a refutation of Harrison's theory, an alternative view, or even a book that utilizes the technique to great effect. But today is not that day, and Bakker doesn't seem to be that author.

My Suggested Readings in Fantasy

A rich stew indeed! It combines the cruelty, politics, and prophecies of "Dune", Tolkien's orthography and hereditary virtue, Wolfe's tragic palimpsests, the sordid history of the Crusades, and ancient Greek elitist metaphysics and fatalism. It could have been derivative and risible with its reliance on making everything Bad Ass. But Bakker blends them all smoothly.

The central theme of the book is the relationship between knowledge and free will, and it's not just a trivial nod to the mystical deepness of these concepts. The book also explores social mobility in a predominantly feudalist world, with characters like Achamian and Serwe rising from peasantry.

The first 120 pages are relatively generic and monotonous, but then it moves to a realistic materialist view of the Crusades and an actually psychologically plausible "barbarian" and his intense mental chess with a manipulative superintelligence, Kellhus.

However, Kellhus is a bit of an insert sometimes, too strong and unerring. And the portrayal of women as helpless and afraid is a bit of a downer.

Despite these flaws, the book is impressive. The Consult, the ultimate demonic conspiracy, are well-done, and the prose often settles into beautifully observant notes. The Dunyain who come in halfway are a welcome tonic of agency and knowledge.

Bakker goes on my short list of fantasy writers who write as great writers write, and my longer list of novelists who can do philosophy rather than simulate it.

Found this in the parents' room at the hospital.

So, I've come across a great deal of Bakker-talk online. From what you read, you might think the man is either the devil incarnate or a seven-fold genius come to show the true way. A phrase I'm accustomed to hearing is'marmite book', and another is 'you'll either love it or hate it - there's no in between'. Of course, all this is just as much bollocks here as when applied to my own work. A simple click of the ratings button reveals a vast number of in betweens. In fact, most people fall somewhere between the 5* and the 1* ratings for this book (as they do for mine). Most people give it 4*, and 1* is the least popular rating.

There are numerous good things to say about the book.

I've heard it described as comprising 'dense philosophy'. In my opinion, that would make for an awful work of fiction. I've read philosophy textbooks, as well as the fiction of Sartre, De Beauvoir, and others. This book is nothing like that. It's a fantasy story with a complex plot and plenty of action. Yes, there's a bit more introspection than is typical for the genre. But philosophy? Very little. Bakker wisely chooses to use aphorisms and a measure of psychology to sprinkle around and create the ambiance.

The prose is powerful (though it can be long-winded in places), there's an abundance of cleverness and insight on offer, and the much-discussed darkness of the book didn't strike me as particularly dark at all.

At the end of the book, the threads converge and a rather decent 'climax' is delivered, ending without a cliffhanger and with a (for me) mild impetus to continue.

The intricacy of the many-part plot... well, I admired it, but I can't say it really did it for me. I guess it's a wealth of material for the epic side of epic fantasy to play with over the course of the next however many books. I perhaps wanted more focus and more character-time.

There's great imagination here, and Khellus' methods are a fresh and entertaining idea. All that really pushed this a touch below 4* for me was the fact that the whole book lacked the emotional content I enjoy. I don't need nice characters. I don't need to cheer their every move. And Bakker's character list certainly includes interesting characters - which is great. But I never really felt emotionally involved, and that dulled my enjoyment.

The Mandate Schoolman was the most engaging character for me, followed by Esmenet.

In short, then, this is a book with depth, complexity, written with skill, and well worth a look. Personally, I wasn't as swept up and held by it as I had hoped to be, but your mileage may well vary!

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I can easily understand the reason why readers, especially intelligent female readers, loathe Bakker's work.

The books are magnificently ornate, yet frustratingly overwrought, and the female characters are truly disappointing.

After reading an article suggesting that The Prince of Nothing was a good choice for impatient George RR Martin fans like me, I picked it up. Bakker's world is indeed as complex, but it is nothing like Martin's. For one thing, his narrative lacks the freewheeling, earthy raunchiness and humor that Martin's storytelling possesses. If anything, the complex sects, alliances, empires, and imminent wars are more reminiscent of Dune than anything Martin has ever written. Bakker's writing is overwrought, as if he were竭力 constructing a twenty-first century masterpiece that combines magic, apocalypse, war, graphic sex, and Greco-Roman metaphysics. If it sounds like I'm describing fantasy written by a male philosophy grad student, that's because I am. From what I understand, Bakker began imagining this story when he was in college and eventually abandoned his doctoral studies to pursue a career as a novelist.

Anyway, I have read the entire first trilogy and initially found the books engaging, but then they became increasingly annoying. It is the intellectual overreach. I am all for a bit of provocative metaphysics, but Bakker seems determined to demonstrate his philosophical proficiency, which ultimately derails what is otherwise a rather creepy apocalyptic plot. And while several of the characters, particularly Cnaiur, 'Breaker of Horses and Men,' are very well developed, Bakker's cast includes only three major female characters: a deranged Mother from Hell, the deflowered innocent, and the intellectual whore. All are presented mainly in terms of physical beauty and sexuality; any intellect, physical prowess, or feisty independence are accidental and tend to be discovered by the men rather than cultivated by the women themselves. Given how elaborate Bakker's world is, his female characters are strangely flat and powerless, defined almost exclusively through their relationships with male counterparts.

I am a bit curious to know what happens to the Consult, but I simply cannot endure another foray into obscure fantasy gnosticism or more of the whore-transformed-into-powerful-male-character-sidekick trope. I think I'll search the web for the spoiler instead.