apocryphal_goose's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tomislavus's review against another edition
4.0
The Great Ordeal indeed, the densest, complex, and hard-to-follow book in the series so far. So many revelations, developments, and endings, all of them interwoven to the point of obtuseness. At parts, things get so convoluted it took me several re-reads of the same passages over and over again to grasp what is being presented, Clack-Clack-Clack. That whole chapter merits a deep re-read on its own. I am still not sure if I understand all that has happened. I hope for further clarification in the final book of this arc.
Characters are put through the wringer and tortured mercilessly throughout the book, as the title infers. Non so much as Achamian and Mimara I would say, but that is relative maybe, how to measure the suffering of people, especially in a book this grim and bloody. Esment's toil alone is a hell incarnate.
Worldbuilding and the scale for epic have been pushed ever more forward, which at this point makes me wonder, what awaits us in the final arc of the second apocalypse. A literal nuke has been detonated in the world of fantasy, something unseen before or after I am sure of it. To add to all this, the grim-dark element has been pushed to the limits, the simple yet unerring brutality of this book is indescribable, but oh so tasty.
Finally, even though I like Bakker's style where he does everything not to hold the reader's hand, I would say that this book suffers from his apparent need to be as obtuse as possible, from the vocabulary to the density of his sentences, philosophical musings aside, on a purely technical level, the story is mired in a deep pit of complexity, hence a 4 and not a 5.
Characters are put through the wringer and tortured mercilessly throughout the book, as the title infers. Non so much as Achamian and Mimara I would say, but that is relative maybe, how to measure the suffering of people, especially in a book this grim and bloody. Esment's toil alone is a hell incarnate.
Worldbuilding and the scale for epic have been pushed ever more forward, which at this point makes me wonder, what awaits us in the final arc of the second apocalypse. A literal nuke has been detonated in the world of fantasy, something unseen before or after I am sure of it. To add to all this, the grim-dark element has been pushed to the limits, the simple yet unerring brutality of this book is indescribable, but oh so tasty.
Finally, even though I like Bakker's style where he does everything not to hold the reader's hand, I would say that this book suffers from his apparent need to be as obtuse as possible, from the vocabulary to the density of his sentences, philosophical musings aside, on a purely technical level, the story is mired in a deep pit of complexity, hence a 4 and not a 5.
brents's review against another edition
5.0
This series is amazing, and this book is crazy. It's easily the most difficult to understand Bakker book so far, but after sitting on it for a few days and reading amd watching some spoiler talk stuff I just can't get this book out of my head. There is some absolutely amazing stuff in here, and definitely things I never expected to read in any fantasy book. I'm kind of obsessed with this series. I'm disappointed there is only one more book in this world.
danielmbensen's review against another edition
5.0
I can see why a lot of the people who liked the series up to this point stopped liking it. It doesn’t flatter them any more. But it’s clear what Bakker was doing in the first five books of his series: setting up this comparison of reason, emotion, and faith. One isn’t always better than the other two.
As to what actually happens in the book, we get to play with the Unmen quiet a lot. There is an unexpected giant.
As to what actually happens in the book, we get to play with the Unmen quiet a lot. There is an unexpected giant.
arlan's review against another edition
5.0
Ten years ago, I picked up The Darkness That Comes Before from a local library, and was enthralled by a level of epic worldbuilding which I hadn't encountered since Tolkien. Not just lands and characters set up as backdrops to a tale, but rather a pervading aura of myth and of history become legend which is only seen in the unplumbed depths of our own ancient chronicles.
With TGO, Bakker has continued to demonstrate that he is the foremost (if still relatively undiscovered) author of Fantasy in the 21st century by a significant margin. If you crave a world to entrap the imagination, rather than sword & board schlock to dull mere boredom, look no further.
If you seek a tale which will ultimately have you questioning the very nature of reality and the essence of your own existence, rather than another banal soap opera skinned with fantasy trappings, start reading now.
With TGO, Bakker has continued to demonstrate that he is the foremost (if still relatively undiscovered) author of Fantasy in the 21st century by a significant margin. If you crave a world to entrap the imagination, rather than sword & board schlock to dull mere boredom, look no further.
If you seek a tale which will ultimately have you questioning the very nature of reality and the essence of your own existence, rather than another banal soap opera skinned with fantasy trappings, start reading now.
elefelanterosa's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
molok's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
thep's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ganglari's review
3.0
Argh. These books are infuriating. The writing is by turn pompous and overwrought, or razor sharp. The book thinks nothing of dumping a whole history of a race in pages, including names and titles that mean nothing to the reader. And yet... there is something so fascinating in this tale. The flashes where the fool dressed in the robes of genius suddenly speaks profound truth (see! now it's got me doing it!).
I just wish it would sometimes not take itself so very, very seriously.
I just wish it would sometimes not take itself so very, very seriously.