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The Darkness That Comes Before (Prince of Nothing Series #1)

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The Darkness That Comes Before (Prince of Nothing Series #1)

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Overview

The Darkness That Comes Before is the first book in R. Scott Bakker’s epic fantasy trilogy The Prince of Nothing. Set in a world scarred by an apocalyptic past, four people are swept up in the launch of an imminent crusade, during which they are ensnared by mysterious traveler Anasûrimbor Kellhus, whose magical, philosophical, and military talents have origins in a distant time.

“[An] impressive, challenging debut . . . [the book’s] willingness to take chances and avoid the usual genre clichés should win many discriminating readers.” —Publishers Weekly

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About the Author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590201183
Publisher:	The Overlook Press
Publication date:	09/02/2008
Series:	Prince of Nothing Series , #1
Pages:	608
Sales rank:	110,264
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

R. Scott Bakker is a student of literature, history, philosophy, and ancient languages. His books include the Prince of Nothing trilogy: The Darkness that Comes Before, The Warrior Prophet, and The Thousandfold Thought. The Aspect-Emperor series is a sequel series that includes The Judging Eye, The White-Luck Warrior, The Great Ordeal, and The Unholy Consult. He lives in London, Ontario.

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With the first book of his Prince of Nothing saga, R. Scott Bakker has begun the assemblage of an all-encompassing world scarred by an apocalyptic past. In a setting that evokes both the past and the distant future, two men and two women encounter a mysterious traveler who they accompany on a great crusade.

Canadian author Bakker's impressive, challenging debut, the first of a trilogy, should please those weary of formulaic epic fantasy. Bakker's utterly foreign world, Earwa, is as complex as that of Tolkien, to whom he is, arguably, a worthier successor than such established names as David Eddings and Stephen Donaldson. Bakker creates an extraordinary cast of nationalities and races involved in an enormous holy war set off by an unseen prophet, Maithanet. (Appendices help keep the history and personalities straight.) He casually drops for half the story an increasingly important character, Anas rimbor Kellhus (aka "the Prince of Nothing"), who finally returns without a breath of exposition. The amiable and wise sorcerer spy Drusas Achamian binds the myriad narrative threads together. Drusas's love for Esmenet, a too-experienced prostitute, provides some tenderness amid the abundant slaughter. In the book's most harrowing scene, which fans of gentler fantasy will find too graphic, Esmenet is raped by a creature who, despite its human appearance, is likely demonic. If this ambitious novel lacks the beauty of Tolkien as well as the sense of pure evil that suffused Middle-earth with genuine terror, its willingness to take chances and avoid the usual genre cliches should win many discriminating readers. Agent, Ralph M. Vicinanza. (June 15) Forecast: Blurbs from Steven Erikson, John Marco and Kevin J. Anderson, plus good press for the 2003 Canadian edition, will help bring attention to a deserving book that's going to sell largely through word of mouth. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

The Darkness That Comes Before (Prince of Nothing Series #1)

The Darkness That Comes Before (Prince of Nothing Series #1)

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