R. Scott Bakker

7/10
Too much of the build-up to what should have been, and eventually was, an exciting climax, was bogged down in endless ruminations by assorted characters, especially Cnaiür. While some self-reflection adds to the story and helps explain things to the reader, too much has numbing effect on both the pace and the reader.

It felt to me as though the author suddenly realized he needed to flesh out some of the backstory, the ancient foes and battles, and when he did, the flow of the current story was interrupted. I have yet to read through the "encyclopedic glossary", which may help with my understanding.

I found Esmenet, Akka, and Proyas to be compelling characters. They were the ones I cared most about, maybe because they seemed the most human to me.

When Bakker has published the third book in the follow-up trilogy, I will probably read that series, too. But no rush...… (more)

I don't think it's a good sign when I am almost as confused at the end of a book as I was near the beginning. Good thing this is book 1 of a trilogy!

I know my rating of this book was influenced by the fact that I read it over the course of an entire month, with stretches of many days between reading sessions. But I still know so little of who the characters really are and why they are the way they are, although there have been hints.

I liked it well enough to continue the series and I'm hoping my ratings go up!
7/10… (more)

I would've given this 5 stars except for details great snd small that the author has apparently forgotten since finishing the Prince of Nothing series.

Most jarring of all, Achamian now remembers Esmenet selling Mimara into slavery. In the PoN series, she has hidden this from everyone, almost even herself, saying her daughter is dead. It's Kellhus whi gets it out of her, and this is a transformative moment for Esmenet's character, perhaps one of the most important. It also makes a monster of Achamian for letting her sell her child when he could have easily helped them out.

I'm probably ranting at this point, so I'll be bringing this to a close before saying apparently now Esemenet remembers having seen someone called Ikurei Xerius III (can't be a typo, she never met the old emperor).… (more)