Tales cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Technical
  • ID: 5701
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
app.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
engaging 4.00

The reviewer found the book to be a unique and captivating exploration of interconnected stories, praising its creativity and depth. However, they felt some of the transitions between tales were abrupt and could have been smoother.

The reviewer was drawn to the book's innovative structure, which weaves together a series of interconnected tales. They appreciated the author's ability to create a rich and immersive world, with each story adding layers to the overall narrative. The reviewer particularly enjoyed the way the book delves into the complexities of human relationships and emotions. However, they noted that some of the transitions between the different stories felt abrupt and could have been handled more smoothly to maintain the flow of the narrative. Overall, they found the book to be a thought-provoking and engaging read, despite some structural issues.


Quick quotes

    The way the author intertwines the stories is truly brilliant.

    The transitions between tales sometimes feel abrupt and jarring.

    The book offers a deep and nuanced exploration of human emotions.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
brilliant 4.50

The Prince of Nothing trilogy is a dark and brutal epic fantasy series that revolves around the return of an ancient evil. It is praised for its compelling characters, philosophical depth, and explosive action sequences, though some may find the brutality and philosophical musings overwhelming.

The Prince of Nothing trilogy is a significant work in modern fantasy, known for its dark and brutal portrayal of a world facing the return of an ancient evil. The series is set in Earwa, a continent resembling Europe in the Hellenistic era, and follows the Holy War against the Fanim. The trilogy is praised for its compelling characters, including Ansurimbor Kellhus, a master manipulator, and Drusas Achamian, a member of the Mandate. The books are noted for their philosophical depth, with characters often pondering the nature of life, war, and thought. The prose is superb, rewarding careful reading and re-reading, and the series is compared to Frank Herbert's Dune. The first book, The Darkness That Comes Before, is a slower set-up, while the second, The Warrior-Prophet, is an astonishing work of intrigue and action. The final book, The Thousandfold Thought, resolves the Holy War but leaves the characters' stories open, which is a minor drawback. Overall, the series is a major contribution to modern fantasy, dividing opinions between those who find it too dark and those who consider it brilliant.


Quick quotes

    The Prince of Nothing is a somewhat pitiless series. Like George RR Martin, Bakker has no qualms about killing major characters or showing the ugly, horrific side of war.

    The Prince of Nothing is not a fluffy epic fantasy full of farm boys saving the world and virtuous princesses cooped up in their towers. It is dark and it is often brutal.

    The Prince of Nothing is a major, key work of modern fantasy that deserves to be read by all with an interest in the genre.

jordanbinkerd.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2013-07-29
excellent 4.50

The Prince of Nothing trilogy is praised for its philosophical depth, complex characters, and brutal realism, making it one of the best epic fantasy series available. The series starts slow but builds into a conclusive and grandiose ending, with strong characterization and a well-balanced narrative.

The Prince of Nothing trilogy is highly regarded for its philosophical depth, drawing from concepts similar to Dune and The Lord of the Rings, but with a unique system of magic and original races and cultures. The series starts slow, with measured plot reveals and deep character development, leading to a conclusive and grandiose ending. The strong characterization and integration of story elements make it a standout in the epic fantasy genre. The reviewer appreciates the balanced narrative and the focus on themes of power, paranoia, and virtue, pushing the series near the top of modern fantasy works. However, the treatment of women in the series has been criticized, which the reviewer acknowledges but suggests readers who are offended should avoid it.


Quick quotes

    Underrated, the Prince of Nothing is one of the best epic fantasy series available today.

    The ending of the trilogy is conclusive and, most importantly, more grandiose than what one hopes it will be.

    For scope and content The Prince of Nothing truly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Erikson and Martin as the masters of modern fantasy.

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