Showing results by author "R. Scott Bakker" in All Categories

In a world scarred by an apocalyptic past, evoking a time both 2,000 years past and 2,000 years into the future, untold thousands gather for a crusade. Among them, two men and two women are ensnared by a mysterious traveler, Anasûrimbor Kellhus - part warrior, part philosopher, part sorcerous, charismatic presence - from lands long thought dead. The Darkness That Comes Before is a history of this great holy war, and like all histories, the survivors write its conclusion.

A luminary in the fantasy genre firmament, R. Scott Bakker returns fans to his acclaimed Prince of Nothing universe with The Judging Eye. Aspect-Emperor Kellhus is waging a terrifying war, subjugating all nations in his path. There are those willing to stand together against him, but these rebellious souls must act quickly and decisively to thwart his mad schemes of power and domination.

Steering souls through the subtleties of word and expression, Kellhus strives to extend his dominion over the Men of the Tusk. The sorcerer Achamian and his lover, Esmenet, submit entirely, only to have their faith - and their love - tested in unimaginable ways. Meanwhile, the warrior Cnaiur falls ever deeper into madness. Convinced that Kellhus will betray their pact to murder his father, Cnaiur turns to the agents of the Second Apocalypse and strikes an infernal bargain. The Holy War stands on a knife edge.

The Darkness that Comes Before drew thunderous acclaim from reviewers and fellow fantasy authors. Listeners were invited into a darkly threatening, thrillingly imaginative universe and introduced to one of the genre's great characters: the powerful Anasrimbor Kelhus. Bakker's follow-up, The Warrior Prophet enticed readers further into the richly imagined world of myth, violence, and sorcery. The startling answers to these questions are brought into focus here, in the conclusion to the trilogy.

In The Unholy Consult, the Men of the Great Ordeal have been abandoned by Anasurimbor Kellhus, and the grand crusade has dissolved into cannibalism and chaos. When Exalt-General Proyas, the Prince-Imperial Kayutas at his side, attempts to gain control of the lost Men and continue their march to Golgotterath, it rapidly becomes clear that the lost Lord and Prophet is not so easily shaken from the mission.

As Fanim war drums beat just outside the city, Empress Anasurimbor Esmenet searches frantically throughout the palace for her missing son, Kelmomas. Meanwhile, and many miles away, Esmenet's husband's Great Ordeal continues its epic march farther north. But in light of dwindling supplies, the Aspect-Emperor's decision to allow his men to consume the flesh of fallen Sranc could have consequences even he couldn't have foreseen.

Critically acclaimed author R. Scott Bakker has received widespread praise for his colorful characters and action-packed plotting. In this sequel to The Judging Eye, Anasûrimbor Kellhus, the first true aspect-emperor in a thousand years, continues his trek into the Ancient North. Meanwhile, the exiled wizard Achamian leads a mission to the legendary Sauglish ruins. Tensions mount when the White-Luck Warrior, assassin and messiah both, arrives, bringing violence in his wake.

Villains take center stage in this collection of 19 dark and magical stories. Listeners will be cheering for all the wrong heroes as some of the most fearsome, devious, and brutal antagonists perform savage deeds towards wicked ends. And why not? These characters are the champions of their own stories - evil is a matter of perspective. Contributors also include Mark Adler, Bradley P. Beaulieu, E.V. Morrigan, Peter Orullian, Matthew Ward, Kaaron Warren, Deborah A. Wolf, and Janny Wurts.