One of the most remarkable works of literature reaches the conclusion of its first arc with this book.

It accomplishes this in a truly magnificent manner, bestowing a resplendent and satisfying closure upon the narrative of this initial trilogy.

Moreover, it skillfully arranges the elements and lays the groundwork for the upcoming arc.

The anticipation to embark on that next journey is palpable.

It's as if the storyteller is leading us on a thrilling adventure, and we are eager to follow every step of the way.

This book not only brings a sense of completion to the first part but also fills us with excitement and curiosity for what lies ahead.

It's a testament to the power of great literature to engage and captivate our imaginations.

We can't help but count down the days until we can immerse ourselves in the next installment of this epic tale.

A thrilling conclusion to The Prince of Nothing Trilogy, Bakker once again showcases his remarkable talent and proves why he deserves to be discussed more frequently in the literary world. The way he builds fear and tension, hinting at the unknown horrors that lie beyond, is simply masterful. I don't think I've ever been as captivated by a character as I was by Anasûrimbor Kellhus. He is truly a terrifyingly unique creation, one that keeps you on the edge of your seat, nervously praying for the safety of everyone else around him. His actions and motives are so complex and mysterious that you can't help but be drawn into his web. Some mainstream authors could definitely learn a thing or two from Bakker's writing style and ability to create such a captivating and unforgettable story. It's a shame that he isn't more widely known, as his work is truly deserving of greater recognition.

I completed The Prince of Nothing trilogy approximately a week ago. After that, I needed to take some time to truly understand and absorb not only the story itself but also the numerous implications that Bakker presented to me.

The Thousandfold Thought was the one that I liked the least among the three books, yet I still had a great deal of affection for it.

The remainder of this review is actually more focused on the trilogy as a whole.

The combination of the prose and the themes/philosophical musings was perhaps my favorite aspect of the trilogy. This is quite significant because it is rarely the case for me.

The pacing, the epic action, and the intricate worldbuilding were my second favorite elements of the series. From the very first page, I felt completely immersed and engaged.

The character development was well executed and definitely above average within the genre. However, as I continue with the series, I do hope to witness Bakker's growth in this area. Akka is my favorite character (I love how he is a middle-aged, sentimental badass), although Kellus is one of the most fascinating fantasy characters I have ever come across. My heart goes out to Esmi, and the Scilvendi demon was so dynamic.

I have only heard wonderful things about Aspect-Emperor, so I am extremely excited to begin reading it this summer once the semester concludes!

May just be the best climax I’ve ever read.

It was like a thunderstorm that suddenly broke out in a clear sky, catching me completely off guard. The tension had been building up steadily throughout the story, and then, all of a sudden, it exploded into a frenzy of emotions and actions.

The characters were pushed to their limits, and their true natures were revealed in the most intense and dramatic way. I found myself on the edge of my seat, my heart pounding, as I raced through the pages, desperate to see how it would all end.

The author had masterfully crafted this climax, using vivid descriptions and powerful language to bring the scene to life. It was a moment of pure literary genius, and I will never forget it.

Coming to the third and final part of the The Prince of Nothing series, Bakker once again sets the bar extremely high. He presents a highly ambitious story that attempts to convey far more than it actually shows. Simultaneously, his ideas keep evolving. Although he partially manages to achieve this, the overall result leaves a rather "bittersweet" impression.

After a long and arduous journey, passing through death and despair, the Holy War, now stronger than ever, is led by a living God. This God will bring mankind against the ancient Shimeh and its gates, seeking unfulfilled vengeance.

At the heart of the Holy War, Kellhus readies himself to face his father and his secrets. His father is as powerful as he is and can even see through the "Thousandfold Thought". However, as an ancient enemy reveals its true face, what Kellhus discovers along the way will disclose something far more dreadful than he anticipated. This could potentially lead him to his own destruction.

On the other side, Achamian, wounded and betrayed by the one he loved most, finds himself in the most difficult period of his life. He is caught between his beloved Esmenet and his School. Meanwhile, Cnaiür, seeking revenge on Moënghus, Kellhus's father, descends deeper into madness, and only death can stop him.

The Holy War is nearing its end, but the war that will bring the Second Apocalypse has just begun, and the return of the Ruiner-of-All is closer than ever.

From start to finish, this series proves to be one of the most challenging, yet quite provocative, and ambitious endeavors that strive to surpass the ordinary standards of Epic Fantasy. Indeed, Bakker succeeds in doing so here as well, in the final part of the series, presenting a story that creates expectations as perhaps no other has before.

The book, though much smaller than the previous two, fails to fully meet these expectations. Bakker offers a more philosophical story than usual, although to be fair, he is not an ordinary author. This leaves much to be desired in the final book of such a series.

Nevertheless, even with this small misstep, his ideas remain strong enough. The last 100 pages or so showcase his very unique talent, which continues to impress. It also leaves many promises for his next books.

All in all, the book is undoubtedly much weaker than the previous two. But when we consider what Bakker has brought so far, we cannot help but believe that he will be able to overcome this in the future and further improve as an author.

This was indeed a remarkable finale to the Prince of Nothing series.

Undoubtedly, it ranks among the best dark fantasy series I've come across in recent years. Bakker's fictional world is rich and multi-layered, and his narrative is captivating, filled with countless twists and turns. What makes it even more engaging is the abundance of unforgettable characters and Bakker's unique writing style.

The final installment focused on the conclusion of the Holy War story arc and Kellhus's confrontation with his father. Besides that, there was a plethora of other elements to hold one's attention as the various factions continued their plotting and intrigue, while the Consult made their presence felt in the wider world.

The story was excellent. It was brimming with action and intrigue, and also incorporated some thought-provoking social commentary in a seamless manner.

Kellhus's and his Dûnyain Logos philosophy have always been the most fascinating aspects of the story for me. Although it leans towards nihilism, I appreciate its recognition of cultural indoctrination.

However, the Prince of Nothing series is not without its flaws. It is an extremely dark world populated by interesting yet rather evil characters, and contains some fairly dark content. So, if you're looking for a light read, this series is not for you. Nevertheless, I never felt that the tone became too bleak, thanks to the way Bakker managed to temper the horror and darker moments. This was aided by his decision not to present any of the characters as likable or worthy of rooting for, and his somewhat detached narration style.

The most significant flaws for me were the ingrained misogyny at every level of the story and the overuse of certain tropes. Bakker claims that the misogyny was a deliberate choice, but I'm skeptical. If it was intentional, he was far too subtle, as I missed the point. I can understand the presence of cultural misogyny in the world-building, but I'm less inclined to excuse it in other aspects of the story where it has no cultural basis. Additionally, this series, especially this book, has overdone the madness trope. Half of the characters seem insane! While I have no issue with each individual character's story arc, when combined, it makes the trope feel overused and a bit lazy.

Despite these flaws, they did not overly detract from my enjoyment of the series. It was outstanding in many ways and held my attention from beginning to end. I simply believe that with a few adjustments, this series could have made it onto my all-time favorites list!

Overall, I felt that this was a great conclusion to a memorable series. It wrapped up several ongoing story arcs while leaving enough openings to pique my interest in reading the sequel series.

Rating: 4.5 stars. I'll round down to 4 stars on my official GR's rating to account for its few irritating flaws, although it does seem a bit harsh.

Audio Note: David DeVries did an excellent job with the audio. It's a shame he wasn't retained for the sequel series!

A strong conclusion to this epic series! I truly relished this book, being a huge enthusiast of Bakker's writing style.

The story itself was astonishing. The plotlines and twists, the unexpected events here and there, and the extremely real characters all contributed to its allure.

I also just became aware of the numerous outstanding minor characters in the series. These are characters who are not in the spotlight but whose actions have significant impacts nonetheless. Some of them include Earl Athjeari (incredibly resourceful in battle tactics, always thinking two steps ahead), King Saubon (a self-made king, dubbed the Blond-Beast by his foes), Yalgrotta (the giant, always there to encourage his comrades in battle), Prince Proyas, and so many more.

Scott Bakker merits praise and respect for this entire series. Its scale is vast, and its world is vividly alive. It is by no means an easy read, as dark and gritty as it can be. However, if you have a penchant for epic fantasy with a grand scale, flawed and complex characters, and a series that challenges your intellect, then you will surely enjoy this.

The characters of Kellhus, Achamian, and Cnauir are among my favorite characters that I have encountered in the realm of fantasy. (The conception and portrayal of Kellhus alone is an accomplishment in my opinion.)

Now, on to the Aspect Emperor series.

You are reading the Malazan series.

This series is a remarkable work of fantasy literature. It takes readers on an epic journey through a rich and complex world filled with diverse characters, political intrigues, and intense battles.

The Malazan series is known for its detailed and immersive world-building. The author has created a vast and vivid universe, complete with its own history, cultures, and magic systems.

The characters in the series are equally captivating. They are complex and multi-dimensional, with their own motives, desires, and flaws. Readers will find themselves rooting for some characters and despising others as they follow their adventures.

Whether you are a fan of fantasy literature or simply looking for a great read, the Malazan series is definitely worth checking out. It will transport you to a world you will not soon forget.

So, grab a copy of the Malazan series and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure.

Incredible writing! It truly is a remarkable piece that leaves me longing for more.

The words seem to dance on the page, captivating my attention from the very first sentence.

The author's ability to paint vivid pictures and evoke strong emotions is simply outstanding.

I find myself completely immersed in the story, eager to see what will happen next.

Every paragraph is filled with rich details and engaging prose that keeps me hooked.

I can't help but wonder what other amazing works this writer has in store.

I am definitely looking forward to reading more of their writing and experiencing the same level of excitement and inspiration.

This is the kind of writing that makes me fall in love with literature all over again.

I hope the author continues to share their talent with the world and gives us many more wonderful stories to enjoy.

Despite the lower rating, I don't truly believe this installment was significantly worse than The Warrior Prophet.

The distinction lies in the fact that whereas the previous book capitalized on the momentum generated by the outstanding "The Darkness that comes before", this one succumbs to the flatness of its predecessor.

I initiated reading this already weary of the numerous flaws of The Warrior Prophet and unfortunately, all I received was yet another 500-page-long dosage of those very same issues.

The characters remain one-dimensional, Kellhus continues to be seemingly perfect in every regard, everyone persists in crying over trivial matters, key concepts are still reiterated to the reader every couple of pages, the dark atmosphere remains a farce, and the sex element remains absurd.

Regarding the sex content, I'm quite certain Bakker is having a bit of fun at our expense. Seriously, why else would one describe the bark of a tree as "phallic"? It's rather absurd, don't you think?

The ending essentially amounts to a lengthy dialogue on metaphysics, which might have been engaging if it hadn't been precisely the same extensive dialogue on metaphysics witnessed a dozen times before.

The epic battle for Shimeh felt like background white noise: uninteresting, mildly irritating, and completely lacking in excitement.

I feel a sense of sadness for this trilogy, and an even greater bitterness because I adored the first book.

Halfway through reading this book, I found myself really struggling. It felt like a real slog, and I was beginning to wonder if I would even make it to the end. However, something amazing happened in the second half of the book. The story took a turn that completely blew my mind, and the ending was especially powerful. It left me completely floored and in awe of the author's talent.

This book is definitely a trilogy for the ages. It has all the elements of a great epic: complex characters, a rich and detailed world, and a thrilling plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I can't wait to start the sequel series soon and see where the story takes me next.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves science fiction, fantasy, or just a great adventure story. It's one of the best books I've read in a long time, and I'm sure it will become a classic in the genre.

From the very first book, I had a hunch that I would eventually reach a point where I simply couldn't endure the aspects of Bakker's writing style that I didn't like. In fact, I was rather surprised that I managed to get through two books. The second book was actually excellent, despite its overwhelming focus on Kellhus.

I persisted with this third book for several weeks, but I only made it halfway through. I have now given up. I just can't take it anymore. I can't stand the pretentious philosophical drivel that saturates every moment Kellhus is on the page. This book is such an extreme form of literary masturbation that I feel unclean for having read it. My Nook may never be the same again, and neither will I, for having touched it while reading this.

There are characters where you know you're not supposed to like them. Take Joffrey Lannister from A Song of Ice and Fire, for example. He's an obviously loathsome character from almost his first appearance. The reader is never expected to be sympathetic to Joffrey, but we're also not bombarded with paragraph after paragraph, every time he appears, about his supposed perfection, his ultimate intellect, his flawless schemes and strategies, the way he manipulates and dominates other men, and so on. It was truly unpleasant to read the words on the page every time Kellhus was present, or every time he was being discussed, and especially every time the narration was from his own thoughts.

For a while during this book, I found myself rooting for the Fanim, for Conphas, for the Consult - anything to bring Kellhus down, even just a little. I would rather see the Second Apocalypse destroy this fictional world than have to read another word about Kellhus.

I may not be a skin-spy, but I predict a different kind of apocalypse for them. I have closed the book and will never open it again. They are all dead to me.