The Thousandfold Thought

In the conclusion of Prince of Nothing, R. Scott Bakker firmly establishes himself as one of my favorite authors, marking a remarkable comeback.

I previously stated in my reviews that I didn't enjoy this upon the initial reading. However, rereading the first two books and finally finishing the third for the first time was an experience that I can only characterize as intense.

I won't discuss the story as it's impossible to do so without spoiling the final book of a trilogy. If you've come this far, you're aware of what's at stake and what to expect from the explosive climax of the Holy War.

Bakker's writing positions him in an extremely exclusive group of fantasy authors who have achieved a level of literary excellence. The way he writes constructs an unrivaled maze of immersion that you lose yourself in while reading. I would best describe this as a blend of Lord of the Rings, Dune, and Malazan. Epic fantasy that delves deep into philosophy and high concept fiction. The themes are masterfully executed, not just pretentious word salad but deeply profound and sophisticated concepts that deal with the intricacies of the human psyche, or the influence and perils of religious fervor and fanaticism.

The philosophy and musings on characters' thoughts, which can sometimes占据 an entire chapter, are even more weighty than in the previous books, demanding a great deal of patience and at times becoming exhausting. This isn't an especially long book, but it is challenging. My only concern, which deducts half a star, is the meandering pacing in the first half.

The vast, almost oppressively dense atmosphere and world-building are truly among the best in fantasy. Terms like dark or grimdark don't even begin to do justice to these books. Bakker hits all the marks of brutality, cruelty, abuse, hopelessness, and despair. This makes other "grimdark" books seem like YA in comparison.

The Second Apocalypse continues after this trilogy with the Aspect Emperor series, and from what I've heard, they are even more intense and even darker, which I can scarcely begin to imagine.

Super messy both literally and figuratively, but in the best possible way.

Right from the start of the book, it becomes painfully evident that Bakker had no chance of arriving at a successful conclusion with this third installment in the trilogy. However, I'm deriving so much pleasure from the story and the characters that the fact that he had to follow it up with a second series isn't a major concern.

Discussing the plot would be highly spoilery, so I'll refrain from doing that. Nevertheless, it definitely flaunted all the psycho-philosophical-sexual soap opera elements that one has come (lol) to anticipate from Bakker. And the massive climax (lol) at the end of the book was truly staggering.

It's great stuff!

Overall, despite its messiness, the book has its own charm and keeps the reader engaged throughout. The unique blend of different themes and the unexpected twists and turns make it a captivating read.

Even though the trilogy didn't end as neatly as one might have hoped, the journey has been well worth it, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the second series has in store.

I've now read this book twice. The second time around, I found myself enjoying it to a much greater extent than before. However, I do concur with the views of several other readers here on GR that the ending seems rather rushed. It's quite rare for me to say this about modern SF/Fantasy, but in this case, the novel could truly have benefited from an additional 50 - 100 pages of narrative.

The third entry in Bakker's series didn't quite reach the same level of excellence as the first two. Nevertheless, the appendices alone are, in my opinion, more than worth the price of the book.

Hopefully, the projected sequels, namely The Great Ordeal and The Horns of Golgotterath, will manage to recapture the quality that was present in the initial books of the series. This would be a welcome development for fans like myself who have been eagerly anticipating the continuation of this engaging and imaginative story.

I look forward to seeing how Bakker builds upon the foundation he has laid and whether he can once again transport readers into his rich and detailed fictional world.

Speechless. Utterly, incorrigibly fucking speechless! I am at a loss for words to describe the intensity of my emotions at this moment. It's as if my mind has gone blank, unable to form coherent thoughts or expressions. The situation before me is so overwhelming that it has left me completely dumbfounded. I stand here, mouth agape, eyes wide, and a sense of disbelief washing over me. There are no words in the English language that can truly capture the magnitude of my speechlessness. It's a feeling that defies description, a state of being where all communication seems futile. I can only hope that through my silence, others will somehow understand the depth of my astonishment and the profound impact this has had on me.

Another brilliant book, and a satisfying conclusion to one of the best trilogies I've ever read.

Bakker's excellent writing and deeply philosophical themes continue throughout this final book. His prose is engaging and vivid, painting a rich and detailed world that draws the reader in and keeps them hooked until the very end.

The book starts out slowly, carefully setting the stage for the events that will culminate in the epic climax. Just like the previous books, it gradually ramps up the stakes and the intensity, building to a thrilling conclusion that will leave readers breathless.

I know the most contentious part about this book will be the ending. Some readers are going to hate it, but I thought it wrapped up the trilogy nicely. It was not a traditional happy ending, but it felt right for the story and the characters.

Another criticism I could see readers having would be the many unanswered questions. However, I felt that these mysteries added to the depth and realism of the world. It made it feel more like our own world, where there are always things we don't understand.

Overall, I highly recommend this trilogy to anyone who loves dark, unforgiving, and deeply thought-provoking epic fantasy. It is a unique and unforgettable journey that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

This review pertains to all three volumes of Bakker's 'The Prince of Nothing' series.

First and foremost, I must express my profound admiration for what Bakker has accomplished here. It brings to mind something Guy Kay once said when questioned about why he wrote The Fionavar Tapestry - about desiring to prove that there was still vitality in the old tropes of high fantasy, as devised by Tolkien, and that novel things could be done with them rather than mere mindless imitation. I firmly believe Bakker has triumphed admirably in this regard (whereas the actual creation of something truly novel by Guy Kay, at least in Fionavar, is arguable).

From the elucidation of the Elves' immortality and a truly captivating extrapolation of what that would signify for a contingent being, to the portrayal of evil so utterly revolting and terrifying that it makes Melkor and Sauron seem like Sunday school teachers, this series truly把玩 the traditional high fantasy motifs in ways that I found extremely captivating. Coupled with a magic system founded on principles from the epistemology of different schools of philosophy and a cast of characters whose flaws render them almost excruciatingly real to the reader, one would anticipate having a smash hit on one's hands. However, that doesn't appear to have been the case, and I think I understand why.

In essence, the books and the world they present are so unapologetically dark that I believe few readers have the fortitude to follow Bakker where he wishes to lead them. The most redeeming character in the series, the downtrodden wizard Drusus Achamian, is ultimately a loser who seems only to be a relative good-guy because he is too feckless to effectively pursue his own interests. Anasûrimbor Kellhus, the character who would be the titular hero of the series as written by anyone else, is more akin to a natural force than a man, and the utter emptiness of his moral core is so alarming that it makes him both more and less human than any other character in the novel. Cnaiür urs Skiötha, another incredibly well-drawn and fascinating character, is also so driven by his damaged nature that while what he is capable of is impressive, it is certainly not something the reader is likely to identify with. Bakker clearly has a point to make in his story about human nature and even the nature of reality, but it is certainly not a point that is likely to be well-received by too many readers unless they prefer their world view seasoned with a generous helping of nihilism. One begins to wonder, as we learn more about this world and the slumbering great evil that is apparently on the horizon, why anyone would bother attempting to save such a thoroughly flawed universe anyway. Despite all of this, though, the world as Bakker depicts it is an incredibly vivid and interesting one. The hints of 'what has gone before' that are dropped in the story add real texture to this place, and the mysteries that remain unanswered are as tantalizing as those for which we do receive some explanation. It is truly fascinating to see how someone using similar tropes and building blocks as Tolkien could have constructed something so completely different and yet still so compelling.

The story itself chronicles the rise of a great crusade among warring nations against the backdrop of the ascent to power of an ancient force of evil that most of the world no longer even believes in. Behind and within this backdrop are interwoven the tales of the three main characters (Achaimian, Kellhus, and Cnaiur) as they each pursue their own goals and are inexorably led to one another. The climax of the series could be regarded as something of an anti-climax, for while each of the characters has, in a sense, discovered what they were seeking and embarked upon a new path, the much larger movements of the story (both the crusade and the rise of the sleeping evil) are left unresolved for another series to pick up on. Bakker has now released two books in this continuation of the larger story, but many readers may find it frustrating that so much of what could be considered the overarching plot of the novels is left completely hanging by the end of volume three.

Overall, I was conflicted by this series. On the one hand, I think Bakker did a praiseworthy job in constructing a world that truly did new things with the high fantasy genre, and I was always intrigued by each new mystery he uncovered; on the other hand, I ended up feeling as if I needed a shower after reading these books. The evil in it is presented so convincingly, and the very nature of the world he created is so bleak, that I simply do not relish the idea of visiting the place again. Add to that the fact that the term \"sympathetic character\" doesn't seem to be in Bakker's vocabulary, and you are left with a series that is definitely tailored to the tastes of the minority... but then again, perhaps that's a good thing.

Alright, I finally made it through! Book three was probably the weakest of the three for me, but definitely not bad at all. I know a lot of people rate this one really poorly, even call it terrible, but I can't agree with that. Sure, it was a bit slower, more philosophical, and structured differently with some new POVs and all that. But to me, that doesn't make it bad.

I actually loved Akka's storyline and his character development—it was fantastic. His journey throughout the book was engaging and full of depth. The way he evolved and grew was truly remarkable. And that mic drop ending was soooo good. It left me on the edge of my seat, eager to see what would happen next.

If I didn't already know that this series doesn't end with this trilogy, I might've been disappointed by the ending. But knowing there's more to come, I'm fine with it and really excited to see where things go next. I'm looking forward to seeing how the story will continue to unfold and how the characters will further develop.

Though for now, I think I'll take a short break, recharge with something a bit more lighthearted, and then dive back in. I need to give my mind a rest before delving back into this exciting and complex world.

This series is truly life changing.

It has had such a profound impact on me that it has, in a sense, ruined other books.

I consider myself lucky because I am easily pleased with books.

Otherwise, there would have been a plethora of negative ratings for every other book.

The way this series has captured my imagination and emotions is simply remarkable.

It has set a new standard for what I expect from a good book.

Every time I pick up a new book now, I can't help but compare it to this series.

Most often, the other books fall short in one way or another.

This series has become a benchmark for me, and I will always look back on it with great fondness and appreciation.

It has truly changed the way I view and experience literature.

I am grateful to have discovered this series and to have had my life changed by it.