Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #440278 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 592 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Darkness that Comes Before is a strong, impressive, deeply imagined debut novel. However, this first book of an epic fantasy series is not accessible; it reads like a later volume of a complicated ongoing series. Author R. Scott Bakker has created a world that is very different from JRR Tolkien's Middle-earth, yet in depth of development comes closer than most high-fantasy worlds. In addition to providing five appendices, Bakker attempts to make his complex world clear to readers by filling the prologue and opening chapters with the names of characters, gods, cities, tribes, nations, religions, factions, and sorcery schools. For many readers, this approach will have the opposite effect of clarity. It's like demonstrating snowflake structure with a blizzard. --Cynthia Ward, Amazon.com

Synopsis
A score of centuries has passed since the First Apocalypse. The No-God has been vanquished and the thoughts of men have turned, inevitably, to more worldly concerns... Drusas Achamian, tormented by 2,000 year old nightmares, is a sorcerer and a spy, constantly seeking news of an ancient enemy that few believe still exists. Ikurei Conphas, nephew to the Nansur Emperor, is the Exalt-General of the Imperial Army and a military genius. He plots to conquer the known world for his Emperor and dreams of the throne for himself. Maithanet, mysterious and charismatic, is spiritual leader of the Thousand Temples. He seeks a Holy War to cleanse the land of the infidel. Cnaiur, Chieftain of the Utemot, is a Scylvendi barbarian. Rejected by his people, he seeks vengeance against the former slave who slew his father, and disgraced him in the eyes of his tribe. Into this world steps Anasurimbor Kellhus, the product of two thousand years of breeding and a lifetime of training in the ways of thought, limb, and face. Steering souls through the subtleties of word and expression, he slowly binds all - man and woman, emperor and slave - to his own mysterious ends. But the fate of men - even great men - means little when the world itself may soon be torn asunder. Behind the politics, beneath the imperialist expansion, amongst the religious fervour, a dark and ancient evil is reawakening. After two thousand years, the No-God is returning. The Second Apocalypse is nigh. And one cannot raise walls against what has been forgotten...

Customer Reviews

High standard but not for everyone
The Darkness that Comes Before is an impressive debut. The world that R. Scott Bakker has created is complex and multi-layered, dark and gritty. Thrown into the mix is cultural differences, religion, language, schools of wizadry, fanatic zealousness, greed, political intrigue, love, betrayal, conflicting loyalties, each facet showing an amazing depth in its detail.
Bakker writes with confidence, providing a fine, well rounded ensemble cast, all of them 'human,' that is, flawed, with their own dreams and ambitions.
His world is extremely grim, and sometimes seems to take itself a little too seriously, unlike, say, Joe Abercrombie's recent trilogy, but it is intelligently written, although not the easiest of reads. From the outset the detail is there, in terms of names, places, history, concepts, almost to the point of feeling a little overwhelming.
The author is clearly passionate about psychology and philosophy, and these two threads underpin the whole book. The concept of human psychology that his central character employs to understand and manipulate all those around him is interesting and original, although it does seem at times like a psuedo-scientific version of new-age self-help manuals, you know the type - 'understanding body language,' and the concept makes the central character remarkably unappealing!
Bakker's world and style aim for dark realism, reminiscent of Martin and Erickson, and i would place him between those authors - not possessing Martin's skill at characterization or humour, but definitely showing more heart than Erickson. To truly enjoy a book I need that sense of empathy - worrying about characters, smiling when they smile, caring for them, about them, and that is where Erickson falls flat on his face, but there are a few characters here that do inspire that kind of feeling (although not all, including a suprisingly cold and soulless central character). I care what happens to them enough that i want to buy the next instalment, anyway. And i suppose, that is what it is all about.
Overall it is an intelligently written, captivating piece of fantasy, although its adult themes and depth of detail mark it out as not for everyone. There is potential for this series to be truly great.

Not poor but not good either
Entertaining enough but doesnt compare to the very best of the genre...will appear dated and be pretty much forgotten in ten years time.

The work of genius
Wow, what an amazing book. Bakker's debut novel is packed with political intrigue, philosophical poignancy, awesome characters and complex and involving story lines.
The tone and writing style is reminiscent of one of the greatest books ever written, Frank Herbert's Dune. R Scott Bakker has amazing talent as a writer. This book truly exceeded my expectations.

A warning though, initially it is an arduous book to read, because it's packed with unpronounceable character and place names, as well as a deep and complex history of the world. But all this contributes to the believability of the setting and ultimately a very satisfying and rewarding book. This is largely responsible for the negative reviews on this site, but ignore this if your looking for a novel which offers more than a fancy cover.

The Darkness That Comes Before is a refreshing addition to the fantasy genre and I can't wait for the next books in the series, which should be good because ... "What comes before, determines what comes after."