The Shadow of the Torturer

by Gene Wolfe, Gene Wolf
The Shadow of the Torturer cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Fantasy
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  • ID: 4549
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780575114159
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-09-29
  • Reviews: 4

Severian, a young torturer from the guild, finds his life upended when he falls in love with a noblewoman condemned to his care. His act of mercy leads to exile, and he embarks on a journey across the vast and perilous world of Urth. Armed with only the legendary sword Terminus Est, Severian must navigate a landscape fraught with danger, forging alliances and making enemies along the way. His possession of a strange gem only intensifies the pursuit of those who seek to harm him. The Shadow of the Torturer is celebrated for its rich characters, intricate world-building, and masterful prose. Gene Wolfe's novel is a standout in fantasy literature, praised for its depth and originality. It won the World Fantasy Award for best novel in 1981 and the BSFA Award for best novel in 1982, solidifying its place as a must-read for fans of the genre.

Reviews
Grimdark Magazine · 2025-09-30
thoughtful 3.50

The novel is more reflective and philosophical than action-packed, offering slow moments for introspection. The reviewer appreciates the depth of thought and the unique narrative style.

This review notes that the novel is not overly action-packed, instead focusing on reflection, philosophising, and introspection. The reviewer appreciates the slow moments and the depth of thought that the story offers. They highlight the unique narrative style, which allows for a more contemplative reading experience. The reviewer seems to value the philosophical aspects of the story, suggesting that it is a thoughtful and engaging read. The appreciation for the novel's reflective nature and the depth of its themes is evident, indicating a positive sentiment.

Quick quotes

    The Shadow of the Torturer is not overly action-packed. There is much reflection, philosophising and introspection.

    There are slow moments that allow for contemplation and deeper thought.

    The unique narrative style offers a more contemplative reading experience.

SFFWorld · 2025-03-08
intriguing 4.50

The book's rich and intricate language paints a vivid picture of an ancient, complex world. The narrative's depth and detail create a captivating atmosphere that immerses the reader.

The reviewer is struck by the book's elaborate and exquisite language, which effectively conveys a sense of deep history and a well-established world. They appreciate the intricate details that contribute to the story's richness and complexity. The atmosphere created by the narrative is particularly noteworthy, drawing the reader into a vivid and immersive setting. While the language is florid, it is also precise and evocative, enhancing the overall reading experience. The reviewer finds the world-building to be one of the most compelling aspects of the book, making it a standout feature.

Quick quotes

    The level of depth and detail in its florid yet exquisite language hints at a world of ancient history and a complex yet well-established world.

    The narrative's depth and detail create a captivating atmosphere that immerses the reader.

    The setting is so rich and detailed that it almost becomes a character in its own right.

Cave to the Cross · 2023-10-06
compelling 4.00

The story is well-crafted with multiple layers, making it engaging for fans of hard sci-fi. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the narrative.

The reviewer commends Gene Wolfe for crafting a story with multiple layers, noting that it is particularly appealing to fans of hard sci-fi. They highlight the depth and complexity of the narrative, which adds to the overall engagement. The reviewer seems to find the story compelling and well-executed, suggesting that it is a worthwhile read for those who enjoy intricate and thought-provoking fiction. The appreciation for the story's layers and the way it is crafted is evident, indicating a positive reception.

Quick quotes

    Wolfe does a great job of crafting this story and he does have two, almost three, different layers to this story.

    I get why hard sci-fi folks would appreciate this.

    The depth and complexity of the narrative add to the overall engagement.

Reddit - Fantasy · 2010-10-14
fascinating 4.00

The book's setting is magnificent and nearly a character itself, and the protagonist Severian is fascinating. The story is compared favorably to Steven Erikson's Malazan series.

The reviewer highlights the magnificent setting of the book, which they describe as almost a character in itself. They find the protagonist, Severian, to be particularly fascinating and well-developed. The story is compared to Steven Erikson's Malazan series, with the reviewer suggesting that Gene Wolfe's work is even better. They appreciate the depth and complexity of the world-building, which adds to the overall richness of the narrative. The reviewer also notes the intriguing and well-developed characters, which contribute to the story's appeal. Overall, they find the book to be a compelling and engaging read.

Quick quotes

    The setting is magnificent (and almost a character in itself).

    Our protagonist Severian is fascinating.

    It reminds me of the feel of Steven Erikson's Malazan series, though I will go so far as to say Gene Wolfe does it better.

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