The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker

‘Canadian author Bakker’s impressive, challenging debut, the first of a trilogy, should please those weary of formulaic epic fantasy. Odd, fascinating characters in a world full of trouble and sorcery.’ No clunky analogy of medieval Europe here. But he also reminds us of the out-and-out strangeness that fantasy can engender, in a way no one has since Clark Ashton Smith. He gets right away from the ‘downtrodden youth becoming king’ aspect of epic fantasy in his very impressive first novel – The Darkness That Comes Before . Martin, or his fellow Canadians Steven Erikson and Guy Gavriel Kay. Go read it now, as the publisher’s blurb proclaims – “Something remarkable has begun. ‘ The Darkness That Comes Before is something special… A stunning first book, brilliant setting and characterisation, and if this was just a warm-up then the entire series is going to set a new standard for fantasy writers everywhere. Steven Erikson, Author of Gardens of the Moon

Take note, one and all, something remarkable has begun here.…’ Scott Bakker’s first novel in The Prince of Nothing series inspires both confidence and anticipation–this is fantasy with muscle and brains, rife with intrigue and admirable depth of character, set in a world laden with history and detail. ‘Exquisitely intelligent and beautifully written, R. Anderson, bestselling author of Horizon Storms ‘Bakker has created a gourmet feast for hungry fantasy readers, exquisitely prepared, carefully seasoned, and served with pomp and ceremony… The Darkness That Comes Beforeis truly a satisfying experience.’ The characters are among the most memorable and well-portrayed I can think of in recent fantasy fiction. ‘The publisher’s hype compares to The Lord of the Rings or Frank Herbert’s Dune, and gratifyingly the hype is not misplaced. ‘The Darkness That Comes Before is a strikingly original work, the start of a series to watch’ ‘”Intelligent” is a term trotted out so often by publishers that it has become almost worthless – which is hard for the likes of Bakker, whose truly is intelligent, and original, and all those other overused words.’

The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker