I must’ve read a different book than y’all. This isn’t the worst of the trilogy, not by a long shot.

It seems that my perception of this book varies greatly from others. While some may have labeled it as the worst in the trilogy, I beg to differ.

Perhaps it’s because I was able to see the unique qualities and strengths that this particular installment possesses. The story might have taken a different turn than expected, but that doesn’t necessarily make it bad.

In fact, I found myself engaged and intrigued by the plot developments and character arcs. The author’s writing style, though maybe not to everyone’s taste, had its own charm and allure.

So, before dismissing this book as the worst of the trilogy, I would encourage others to take a closer look and give it a fair chance. You might be surprised by what you discover.

When you are deeply invested in a series, it is always with a sense of trepidation that you approach the conclusion of the main trilogy. There is always the fear that it will end in a way that you don't like or that will somehow diminish the luster of the earlier stories. However, Bakker has truly outdone himself with this finale.

The action scenes in this book are some of the best I have ever read in the fantasy genre. They are intense, exciting, and keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The last few hundred pages are a non-stop thrill ride, with brilliantly written prose that will leave you breathless.

This is a truly fantastic book that deserves all the stars. It is a fitting conclusion to an amazing trilogy and a must-read for any fantasy fan. Whether you are a long-time fan of Bakker's work or a newcomer to the genre, you will not be disappointed with this final installment.

The Prince of Nothing series by R. Scott Bakker is a captivating exploration of control and choice.

The story delves into the lives of various characters, each facing different forms of control. Esmenet, a prostitute, is controlled by the men and culture around her, having little agency over her own life. Cnaiür and Achamian are controlled by their internal beliefs, which conflict with their desires and actions. Kellhus, on the other hand, is a master manipulator, using the passions, history, and beliefs of others to achieve his own ends.

The series also explores the concept of free will. Are the characters truly in control of their own actions, or are they merely products of their environment? The existence of The Outside, a metaphysical space that may damn souls to eternal torment, adds another layer of control to the story.

This examination of control and choice is not only relevant to the fictional world of the series but also holds a mirror up to our own world. We, too, are subject to various forms of control, whether it be social, cultural, or internal. The series encourages us to question these forms of control and strive to break free from the chains that bind us.

Overall, The Prince of Nothing series is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will appeal to fans of dark fantasy and those interested in exploring deeper themes.

What a truly disappointing conclusion to what was otherwise a highly promising trilogy.

Bakker seems to almost abandon the Holy War for the majority of the story, only to hastily wrap it up in a finale that is somewhat disjointed and thoroughly confusing. This conclusion lacks any real depth of understanding, leaving the reader feeling unsatisfied.

Instead of a coherent and engaging narrative, the reader is bombarded with a cerebral cacophony of redundant "mumbo-jumbo". This excessive and often meaningless language really begs the question of the story's purpose, especially when it comes to the importance of Khellus' father.

By the end of the story, it becomes painfully clear that Bakker is more interested in setting the stage for his next series rather than providing a satisfactory conclusion to this one.

It is perhaps worth reading if you are truly desperate to find out what happens with the Holy War, but do not expect to completely understand how and why things unfold in the way they do. The lack of clarity and the rushed ending really detract from what could have been a great series.

I’ve come to enjoy this series very much.

It is a truly remarkable piece of work that delves into the darker and more brutal aspects of life.

The story is so gripping that it keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Each character is fascinating in their own right, with unique personalities and backstories that add depth and complexity to the overall narrative.

The writers have done an excellent job of creating a world that is both believable and engaging, filled with twists and turns that you never see coming.

Whether you’re a fan of action, drama, or mystery, this series has something for everyone.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read that will keep them entertained for hours on end.

It’s a must-read for anyone who appreciates quality storytelling and well-developed characters.

So if you haven’t already, give this series a try and prepare to be blown away.

Great! I've truly enjoyed it from start to finish. The experience has been thoroughly engaging and captivating. I find myself eagerly anticipating what lies ahead after the darkness that precedes. It's like a mystery waiting to be解开. And then there's the matter of Consult. What will become of it? Will it play a significant role in the events to come? I'm filled with curiosity and excitement, wondering how all these elements will unfold and intertwine. It's as if I'm on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next chapter to be revealed.

Great

I can't help but be intrigued by the possibilities that lie before us.

I need to take some time to truly digest what I just read before I can offer more in-depth thoughts and analysis.

However, I can already tell that this trilogy is absolutely phenomenal!

The storylines are captivating, drawing the reader in from the very first page and keeping them hooked until the very end.

The characters are well-developed, with their own unique personalities, motives, and flaws, making them feel like real people rather than just fictional creations.

The world-building is also top-notch, with a rich and detailed setting that adds depth and authenticity to the story.

Overall, I highly recommend this trilogy to anyone who loves a good read. It's definitely one of the best I've come across in a long time!

Bueno, I maintain the five stars for this trilogy, and I would give more if I could. Let's break it down.

In "The Thousandfold Thought", we encounter the natural continuation of "The Warrior-Prophet". After all that has happened in the previous books and the revelation of Anasurimbor Kellhus as the Last Prophet, after all the deaths in the various battles, the struggle against the desert and disease, the Holy War has before them the lands of Xerash and the Sacred Amoteu, and within this, the goal of all they have lived for, the Holy City of Shimeh. But many things have changed. Drusas Achamian has returned from his captivity by the Scarlet Spires only to find that Esmenet is now Kellhus' wife. Xinemus is broken both physically and emotionally after attempting to rescue Achamian. Ikurei Conphas is considered a traitor but is now the new Emperor, and Cnaiur the Scylvendi is now his jailer. Serwë has died... and Kellhus dominates the Holy War, although his goal remains simply to find his father. And of course, the Consult continues to move behind the scenes, with the threat of the Second Apocalypse and the return of the No-God hanging in the air.

With all these cards on the table, Bakker constructs a piece of a conclusion for this first part of his story, and he does it on many levels. The last chapters of the book seem to me a gem of fantasy literature in terms of pace and composition. He is able to harmonize the great battle for Shimeh, which must be one of the most epic things I have read since the Battle of Helm's Deep (with the final confrontation between the Scarlet Spires and the Cishaurim as a completely terrifying magical battle, and the more up-close fight between the Holy War and the Kianene, who have more than one card up their sleeve), the most intimate resolution of the outstanding issues between Esmenet and Achamian, and the philosophical encounter between Kellhus and Moënghus. All of this perfectly squared, and giving us throughout the book a great sense of depth, drama, and almost overwhelming irreversibility.

There should be a damn effort to obtain the rights to Bakker's work, but it doesn't seem to have interested anyone in Spain, and it's a pity because the story continues in a subsequent tetralogy... So I'm self-motivating to read it in English... We'll see how it turns out...

Update: This has been upgraded to a full 5 stars. The writing is truly incredible. The climax is dramatic and features some of the best fantasy battles I've ever read. What I said in my previous review still holds true. The series becomes more dense here, but after reading all 7 books, the ending of this one makes more sense. And yes, I even more firmly believe now that this is a 7-book series rather than just a trilogy. This book has an ending to the series, but it feels like the beginning of something bigger, which is fine with me because the Aspect Emperor books are where the series really hits its stride.

I finished this book a few days ago and have been trying to figure out what to say in a review. I'm still not entirely sure. What I do know for sure is that I liked this book and series quite a bit. While I don't think it ever reached any super highs that would put it among my "favorites", all of the books were very consistently good with only minor issues.

As for TTT itself, throughout most of the book, it was shaping up to be my least favorite in the series. Even though it was shorter in length, I felt that both the prose and the general storyline became more dense and confusing. It didn't have the really awesome political machinations of book one or the large-scale battle sequences of book 2 (mostly). Instead, it's a much more philosophical book that really leans into it hard, along with the accompanying metaphysics that drive the magic of the various factions. At times, it became a little muddled for me.

However, the climax of this book really brought all of what I was looking for in this series. It was the ultimate culmination of what was set in motion in book 1, and you get to see characters unrestrained. It was chaotic, brutal, and amazing. Also, you get much more exposition about the Consult in this book, and they might be some of the most interesting villains in any fantasy series I've read. I loved getting their POVs, even though their perspective and motivations are quite hard to identify with. There are also some other reveals along the way that are quite nice, but may not be everything you were hoping for, seeing as there is a follow-on quartet of books. The characters continue to shine, especially Achamian and Esmenet. Kellhus is still very much Kellhus, for better or worse, but there does seem to be less "let's immediately fawn over this dude" in this book.

What was a miss for me? Mainly, I just wanted more. Even though the climax of the book is extremely epic, the very end conclusion feels a bit of a dud. It feels more like clearly setting up the next series rather than giving a really satisfying conclusion to this one. Unlike other series made up of multiple sub-series, like Red Rising for example, I don't think you'll have that sense of closure at the end of the book where the series could easily stand on its own. The other negative for me was that a lot of the deep philosophy stuff definitely went over my head and hurt my enjoyment. That doesn't make it bad, just something that doesn't work as well for me.

Final thoughts are that I'm really happy I picked up this series, and I'm definitely moving on to Aspect Emperor. I love the brutal world, extremely cool magic, politics, factions, most of the characters, and the villains.

R. Scott Bakker has penned a highly controversial series known as The Second Apocalypse.

This series encompasses all the elements that epic fantasy books demand. There are intense battle scenes that grip the reader, detailed character development that makes the characters come alive, alien races inhabiting a fantastical world, and splendid magic fights that leave one in awe.

It already has an abundance of elements for readers to sink their teeth into. Moreover, it boasts two main essentials: grandiose backstories that add depth and abundantly grotesque monsters that stun the readers.

Interestingly, philosophies are seamlessly integrated into the magic system in this series. I was truly shocked by the reading experience, which offers such extraordinary subversion to the fantasy genre.

On the other hand, this series is grim and gritty, and for most readers, it could result in a depressing reading experience. It contains the turmoil and mayhem of battle scenes, the despair of sieges, and sinister and frenzied characters who either devote to the gods or not.

Our protagonist, Anasûrimbor Kellhus, is an extremely unlikable character by the standards of the fantasy genre. His repulsive point of view would repel most character-driven readers new to this fantasy series, but it is flesh and compelling to some veteran fantasy readers.

This is precisely why the series is so controversial among readers, with multiple aspects that can be discussed, much like the Malazan series.

The writing style is very dense yet not overly wordy, making it quite readable. On the contrary, its unique writing impresses me as if archaic relics are being revived by the writing itself.

It is not too flowery, allowing the story to unfold smoothly, yet it is subtle enough to make one crave more meanings from the subtexts. I feel that the writing perfectly portrays the morbid and gruesome scenes, and there is a lot of that in the series!

Each book of the series is too visual to be read at bedtime; perhaps it requires the reader's courage to step into the threshold of The Second Apocalypse world. Actually, the writing undoubtedly radiates authentic artistry, like a pure gem of a masterpiece in the fantasy genre.

It extracts verbosity from words and condenses them into sublime sentences. I'm really keen on the descriptions of some specific scenarios related to horrific monstrosities. The monsters in this world are truly brought to life by Bakker's writing.

They are not mere appendages to the plot or used as plot devices; they feel as if they have been lurking in our real world, not just in the series. The book not only reflects the horrible things that could occur in our lives but also manifests the nightmare as the reality of illusory demons.

The motifs of what we believe in this series move throughout as philosophic themes, asking readers whether religion could turn worshippers into blindfolded mobs, endangering those with different beliefs. This series demands attention to focus on these motifs.

The story in The Thousandfold Thought is not overly difficult. It is the conclusion of the holy war, where Kelhus finally finds his father and discovers the trigger point of the holy war, which begins to intertwine with other forces in the holy war.

The colloquies with Kelhus's father are very thrilling, and its analysis dissects the demeanor of societies and human consciousness, etc., specifically presenting the blunt thesis to the readers.

Kelhus is an interesting character compared to the regular fantasy characters I've read. But I completely understand why a model like him wouldn't be praised among readers due to his complexities and exposed statements.

I don't entirely agree with his observations, but I appreciate them all. In retrospect, I think Kelhus is like us, real human beings, even though the majority of people despise him.

I grew up in a family where the members have been doing similar things like him, but without his knowledge and insight. My sister always wants to manipulate other people by saying the right thing at the right moments and showing that she is convincing and generous in socialization.

Doesn't it sound like Kelhus? But she never admits it because in real life, everyone needs to wear a second mask in public. We are all walking on the precipice of mundane life, afraid of judgments, as if we are too cautious to bear the consequences of enmity from others when we judge other people.

My sister is like my father, just trying to exhibit the surface of kindness towards others, but deep inside their thoughts, they are similar to those people who use the same method as Kelhus. For me, they are more disgusting than fictional characters.

Although it's reasonable. Why? In the 21st century, basically, our lives are based on money, work, and reputation. Of course, not just those things sustain life, but when we are working with acquaintances, colleagues, or even with families, we all pretend and hide our own thoughts inside.

Bursting feelings could jeopardize long-term relationships or careers. Always be cautious first before showing your criticisms to people who are close to you. The unspoken work principles in workplaces are similar to that. Always give other people a good impression rather than risking losing your reputation.

Anyway, I may reedit this review as I haven't written anything about the magic system and the philosophy in this book..... It's an excellent conclusion of the Prince of Nothing series for those people who want a novel reading experience. Highly recommended!

Why is this not more talked about from lovers of fantasy?

It is truly a mystery. For lovers of literature in general, it seems almost like blasphemy that this work is not more widely discussed.

I have lost count of how many passages in it have raised the hairs on my arms. The story telling is simply masterful.

Just consider this passage: "Soundless light broken through beads of dew. Dark canvas faces steaming. Shadows stretching from engines of war, slowly shrinking. Hues of grey bleeding into a canopy of colours. The far tracts of the sea flashing gold. Morning. The beginning of the world's slow bow before the sun."

It is so atmospheric and engaging that it draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are right there in the scene.

Also, Akka is really bad ass. I hope he survives the next books.

The author has taken the Crusades, portrayed the second coming of the Messiah and the feishagers, and presented it all in a completely Tolkienesque manner. Here, for the story and idea alone, it must be given 5 stars. However, the author's indulgence in sex, including of a mass and violent nature, begins to be disturbing.

This work combines historical elements with a touch of the fantastical, much like Tolkien did in his renowned works. The description of the Crusades and the anticipation of the Messiah's return add an air of mystery and grandeur.

But the excessive focus on sexual themes, especially when they involve violence and mass participation, detracts from the overall quality of the work. It makes the reader uncomfortable and takes away from the otherwise engaging narrative.

Nevertheless, the author's ability to create a unique world and tell a story with such vividness and detail is值得称赞. If the author could tone down the sexual content and focus more on the other aspects of the story, it could potentially be an even better piece of work.