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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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36(36%)
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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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YouTube review to come!


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July 15,2025
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The first novel centered on the political intrigues preceding the Holy War, while the second zeroed in on the main part of the Holy War itself. The Thousandfold Thought delves deep into the philosophical and metaphysical dimensions of the world and its history. With captivating characters and stories, magnificent battle scenes, and evocative writing, it was a great conclusion to the Prince of Nothing Trilogy. However, the ending felt less like a conclusive resolution and more like laying the groundwork for the main story in the subsequent quartet.



  “Ignorance was ever the iron of certainty, for it was as blind to itself as sleep. It was the absence of questions that made answers absolute—not knowledge!”

I found Achamian and Esmenet to be the most captivating characters in this book. They are flawed, human characters making tough choices, grappling with their positions in a changing world, navigating complex situations, and dealing with a great deal of internal conflict. Their journeys and how they intersect and influence each other were the plotlines I was most invested in. Where they end up has me eager to see how their arcs will progress in the subsequent series. Kelhus remains a fascinating yet despicable figure; I found him more interesting here than in the previous book, getting more of his PoVs and seeing how past events have affected him and his plans.


Cnaiur's early chapters were more difficult to understand, with the obscured writing mirroring his fragmented mental state. I definitely preferred reading PoVs like Achamian and Esmenet. But the resolution of some of the politics from the first book with Conphas and Saubon, along with Cnaiur's unique perspective, was engaging to read, especially as the book advanced. The obscurity and metaphorical nature of the writing in these parts did contribute to my liking it a bit less since I was more invested in the other sections anyway. Each of the major characters had some good payoff by the end, and I am looking forward to continuing their journeys from the positions they ended up in.



  “That hope is little more than the premonition of regret. This is the first lesson of history.”

My favorite parts of the book were those that delved into the lore and history of the First Apocalypse and explained the theories behind the metaphysics and sorcery in this world. Achamian's lectures on the different schools of sorcery and how they impact reality, as well as his visions of Golgotterath and the First Apocalypse in the distant past, were fascinating. It was great to learn more about the motivations and history of the Consult and to obtain information about other races like the Inchoroi. There were also some riveting conversations speculating on the nature of souls and existence, of the physical world and the Outside, discussing intriguing ideas and implications. There is a large, detailed glossary at the back of the book with a wealth of interesting information about the history and origin of the races and kingdoms, especially regarding important events prior to and leading up to the Apocalypse. While I wish some of it had been integrated into the story itself more, it was still a great and necessary read.


The last few chapters were outstanding, with great payoff and momentous events and decisions. The storming of Shimeh, the final objective of the Holy War, was everything it promised to be: vast swathes of clashing armies, explosively glorious sorcerous battles, tense confrontations, and great character moments and resolutions. The sweeping PoVs that Bakker uses to describe battles and the amazing prose are reminiscent of epic tales. The long-promised confrontation and conversation at the end were also excellent, with riveting dialogue and philosophy, though it was dense at times and a bit confusing to clearly understand all the layers and subtext, which isn't a problem in this case since it gave the discussion more depth.


Considering this series as a whole, I enjoyed both The Warrior Prophet and The Thousandfold Thought equally, although they focused more on different aspects of the overall story. I'm definitely interested to see how the wider story of the Second Apocalypse will unfold in The Aspect-Emperor quartet since this trilogy almost felt like a prologue for larger things to come.

July 15,2025
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This book was truly remarkable!

It served as an outstanding conclusion to the first part of this series. The story was engaging from start to finish, filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The author did an excellent job of tying up loose ends and leaving just enough mystery to pique my interest for the upcoming Aspect Emperor series.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that the author had created, and I can't wait to explore it further.

The characters were well-developed and their relationships added depth and complexity to the story.

Overall, this book was a great read and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys epic fantasy. I'm already looking forward to diving into the Aspect Emperor series soon!
July 15,2025
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I stood on the stage, my heart pounding nervously. And then I took a deep breath and began to speak. But I could feel my hands shaking slightly.

Thank you for coming to my TedTalk
July 15,2025
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Immense and exhausting, this series demands a great deal of effort from the reader.

However, it also provides a wealth of rewards in the form of a richly detailed world that is presented with the depth, and at times, the dryness, of a historical record.

The term "grimdark" doesn't even begin to capture just how completely bleak and miserable this series can become.

But I say this as a compliment, as it shows the author's ability to create a truly immersive and unforgiving fictional universe.

The reader is taken on a journey through a world filled with pain, suffering, and despair, yet there are also glimmers of hope and moments of beauty that make it all worthwhile.

Despite its challenges, this series is one that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.
July 15,2025
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Finally, I finished this trilogy (which took me a large part of this year at my pace), and I can't help but bow before Richard Scott Bakker. Let it not sound negative towards the genre, but this writer is perhaps too good at writing fantasy. Such linguistic lushness, such ambiguity of characters, such depth of thought, one really doesn't often see even in "more valuable" mainstream novels. The Prince of Nothing dismisses all kinds of Heavenly Cities, the Scylvendi, and the Ciphrang to some category like Honzik's Journey, while A Song of Ice and Fire can at most nervously smoke in the corner. It can't really be compared to my beloved Abercrombie - those two, he and Bakker, are hitting the nail on the head from a different direction and with a different hammer. On the other hand, this trilogy won't be for everyone. One has to immediately come to terms with the fact that Bakker's story is not a Ferrari or a TGV, but that it goes slowly like a mining combine or like when they were moving that church in Most that time. The first part is nothing more than a prologue, during which you can only marvel at the number of characters with unpronounceable and unforgettable names. And as for the end of it, let's be honest - it is still rather open, since everything is resolved here, well... let's say partially. I will definitely read the following tetralogy (!) as well, that's clear, but in due time - first I will have to catch my breath from this experience. Because it was really a breathtaking ride for me, even though you really don't go very fast or twice comfortably with a mining combine :)

P.S. It seems that this trilogy didn't catch on in Czech (judging by the Book Database). Actually, I would be quite curious how the translation looked like, because this must have been a real pain in the neck for the translator! In any case, only the first trilogy came out here, while the other tetralogy didn't (and probably won't). What a pity! But try to read The Prince of Nothing, whether in Czech or English, give it a chance! I recommend five out of five Konstantin Šindelářs!
July 15,2025
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I have my own set of concerns and issues with this particular series. However, one cannot help but be truly amazed and impressed by the top-notch quality of the prose and the remarkable world building.

The way the author crafts the words and sentences is simply masterful. The prose flows smoothly, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind and evoking a wide range of emotions.

Moreover, the world building is equally outstanding. The author has created a rich and detailed universe, filled with unique cultures, fascinating characters, and complex storylines.

Despite my initial reservations, I find myself drawn into this world and eager to see what lies ahead. It is truly a testament to the author's talent and creativity that they can create such a captivating and engaging series, even with some areas that I may have issues with.

Overall, while I may not love every aspect of this series, I cannot deny the excellence of the prose and world building, which make it a must-read for any fan of the genre.
July 15,2025
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Alright, this was truly quite badass. However, it was only PRETTY badass. It had the potential to be DIZ-AMN! Yet, in reality, it was just, OH, SNAP.


Book 1 consisted of 600 pages, featuring some fairly dramatic moments, but mostly it was about setting the chess pieces.


Book 2 also had 600 pages. There were some very cool dramatic moments, a lot of suffering, and some very startling discoveries. Still, it felt somewhat slow.


Book 3 had 300 more pages of buildup. Then, in just 100 pages, everything went crazy, with body parts flying all over the place, and with a flourish, it was over.


I guess after the 1500 pages of buildup, I wanted my awesome resolution to be a little more fleshed out. And I also wanted it to be more of a proper resolution. This is a trilogy, and I understand that the holy war continues beyond this trilogy, and the entire story will be three separate trilogies. But usually, trilogies have conclusions that at least give the feeling of a conclusion. This book ends on a total cliffhanger.


It might sound like I'm being mostly negative, but let me be clear: I truly loved this trilogy. It was filled with interesting, complex characters, and Bakker has created a believable fantasy world of stunning complexity. He does magic in a unique and fascinating way. And when the final battle arrives, things really heat up. The last several scenes are truly stunning. I will毫无疑问 read the next trilogy in the series, and I'm excited to see what unfolds.


If I had begun this book with the understanding that this is book 3 out of 9, I would have liked it even more. So, if you decide to read Bakker's series, go into it knowing that this trilogy is just the beginning of a much bigger story.

July 15,2025
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This was a series that presented a pattern of diminishing returns for me.

I truly relished my time spent in the world that the author had crafted. However, the captivating promise that Bakker introduced right at the beginning started to flounder with the second book. And those niggling issues persisted and carried on into the third book as well.

My main complaint regarding the subsequent books was the incessant and repeated insistence on hammering home to the reader about how Kellhus is a devious character who manipulates. We had already grasped that concept in the first book, yet it was reiterated ad nauseam in the following books. Moreover, the characters seemed to remain largely the same throughout the series, with very little noticeable progression.

The lore of the world was indeed a highlight for me. But unfortunately, it was only teased, especially towards the end of the third book. Clearly, there is another series that follows this one, and hopefully, it will manage to pick up the loose ends. However, I'm not entirely certain if I'm willing to make that kind of commitment.

I do appreciate what the author is aiming for in this series. There is a significant amount of subtext and philosophy simmering in the background. But in books two and three, the repetition could become rather tiresome. The prose had its moments of being truly wonderful, but at times, it could verge on being overly flowery or purple.

Once again, it's solid stuff, but it's just not my highest recommendation, especially considering the precedent that was set early on.
July 15,2025
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The trilogy comes to a rather disappointing end. Overall, the trilogy is quite good, and Bakker has crafted a magnificently rich setting.

For me, the series has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. I gave the first book 4 stars, the second book a full 5 stars, but unfortunately, only 3 stars to this one.

The first half of the book abandoned the Holy War, and it wasn't until the second half that it returned to this central theme. I suppose I just didn't find the character Kelhus engaging enough to justify moving away from the events of the Holy War.

However, I must admit that the second half does have some excellent large-scale battle scenes that truly paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

Combining a strong finish in the second half with an average conclusion, this book earns a solid 3 stars.
July 15,2025
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The battle stuff in this work left me feeling a bit disappointed.

I believe it's because the author emulates the style of Jack Vance, where a sentence might be filled with two or three exotic and unknowable terms. While this can be a rather humorous and effective way to expand the fictional world, it makes it nearly impossible to truly care about what happens to, for example, Yalgrota Sranchammer, despite the cool-sounding name.

However, I really appreciate what the author has done with the character of Kelhus. It's almost like a meta-element, as he can perceive what would typically be another character's internal monologue and character growth, and then directly confront that character about it. I think this ultimately allows for a much more condensed and impactful story.

Overall, I'm still a big fan of the series and hope to finish it this year.

I think there are many positive parallels that can be drawn between this series and the works of Matthew Woodring Stover. The main difference being that Stover focuses on granular, intimate details, while Bakker takes a broader, big-picture approach. This, to me, is the highest praise I can give to a modern work of speculative fiction.
July 15,2025
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More of the same rapey fare. This time, the plot is broken, and the Gary Stu factor has been dialed up to 12 (it was already at 11 in book two).

Predictably, we are treated to more porn and melodrama, and now it's even more blatantly sexist. The trend started at the end of the previous book continues, with the plot making less and less sense.

Worse still, the strange events at the end of the second book are not explained here, as I had hoped. Quite the opposite, their strangeness is emphasized (at least they're not retconned away or forgotten!). Perhaps this was done to sell the other books, which I now understand are sequels to the Prince of Nothing trilogy. But my patience has its limits.

Maybe I'm dense and missed the key to understanding this stuff, but I'm no longer willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt.

I won't go into too many spoiler details, even though they're somewhat predictable. But here are some hints about what I think are serious plot problems (there are others I consider less serious):

- After being built up for so long, daddy turns out to be shockingly incompetent, and the rest of his crew is unbelievably stupid for no apparent reason.

- The main character's actions don't match his proffered rationalizations in hindsight.

- Two major characters are essentially allowed to roam free despite being known to be unpredictably dangerous.

- One of them turns out to be truly dangerous but is randomly killed due to a combination of the reckless and out-of-character behavior of another guy who didn't even know who was around and a rather predictable and literally-executed last-minute cavalry rescue motif.

- Weird battle plans that only make sense in the author's mind: In particular, what were the Cishaurim thinking? What would have happened if the Spires hadn't executed such a terrible plan? Didn't they learn from their experience in Gedea?

- Even more ridiculously undefeatable Crusaders (it made some sense earlier, but this really takes it too far!).

- Deus ex machina (other than serving the plot, the motivations in that particular subplot are completely obscure).

- A last-minute reveal (with no hint even in the POV of the deceiver!) that saves a character after building up his demise.

In summary, the lack of verisimilitude is a major flaw. The fireworks and the very annoying rapid POV shifts can't掩盖 this. It's also a major waste of words. You developed this character over so many pages for that purpose? It's very anticlimactic. What was the point of creating Proyas, for instance? Or Xinemus? Killing a major character early in a series can be effective if the death is significant. But don't wait until the end of the series to dish out pointless deaths to the characters you've built up!

Now, my pet peeve: economics. Dear author, no matter how much you love him, you're not Herbert. When writing a ridiculously knowledgeable renaissance man, keep your crude populist ideas out of his lectures. Instead, research everything he says. Or keep his lecturing off-page!

There were some cool scenes, but they hardly redeem this trainwreck. The setting and its backstory are interesting (if strange), but it would have taken a less ambiguous and more sensible ending to salvage this rambling series. It's creative and intriguing, but ultimately disappointing. Maybe Bakker will write better things as he matures.
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