The Darkness That Comes Before
Synopsis
Strikingly original in its conception, ambitious in scope, with characters engrossingly and vividly drawn, the first book in R. Scott Bakker's Prince of Nothing series creates a remarkable world from whole cloth—it's language and classes of people, its cities, religions, mysteries, taboos, and rituals—the kind of all-embracing universe that has thr… Strikingly original in its conception, ambitious in scope, with characters engrossingly and vividly drawn, the first book in R. Scott Bakker's Prince of Nothing series creates a remarkable world from whole cloth—it's language and classes of people, its cities, religions, mysteries, taboos, and rituals—the kind of all-embracing universe that has thrilled readers of Stephen R Donaldson and George R.R. Martin.It's a world scarred by an acopalyptic past, evoking a time both two thousand years past and two thousand years into the future, as untold thousands gather for a crusade. Travelling among them, two men and two women are ensnared by a mysterious traveler, Anasurimbor Kellhus—part warrior, part philosopher, part sorcerous, charismatic presence—from lands long thought dead. The Darkness that Comes Before is a history of this great holy war, and like all histories, the survivors write its conclusion.With this stunning debut, R. Scott Bakker is poised to become one of the next great fantasy writers of his generation. The Darkness that Comes Before proves again that epic fantasy can be intelligent, majestic, and terrifying.
Awards
Tone
Content Warnings
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Reading experience
The tone balances profound philosophical bleakness with a relentless, gripping narrative drive. Readers will encounter a powerful sense of awe mixed with despair, alongside intellectual stimulation. At a 4/5 darkness intensity, the narrative unflinchingly presents graphic content, bleak themes, and significant suffering. While relentless, the darkness serves profound thematic explorations rather than gratuitous shock. Propulsive in structure, the narrative builds a vast, intricate world while driving forward with relentless political and personal conflict. The emotional rhythm offers little respite, maintaining a constant tension that demands engagement.
What makes this different
Few works in modern fantasy dare to interrogate the very nature of belief, consciousness, and self-deception with the philosophical rigor Bakker brings to his opening volume of The Prince of Nothing. Where most epic fantasy treats its characters as agents of destiny, Bakker dismantles that assumption entirely, constructing a world where ideology, religion, and psychology shape human behavior with almost suffocating determinism. The result is a crusade narrative unlike any other — sprawling and morally corrosive in the best possible sense. The reading experience is deliberately demanding. Pacing is measured, the prose dense with invented theology and competing factions, and the tone carries the weight of a civilization that has already survived one apocalypse and may not survive another. Surprises here are rarely the plot-twist variety; instead, they arrive as slow revelations about character and motive that reframe everything preceding them. Readers drawn to George R.R. Martin's political complexity or Gene Wolfe's layered, intellectual depth will find Bakker operating in genuinely rare territory — a fantasy that treats its audience as thinkers first and adventurers second.
Who is this for
"The Darkness That Comes Before" is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy sprawling epic fantasies with morally ambiguous characters and a dark, philosophical tone. It caters to those who appreciate intricate world-building, where societies, religions, and mysteries are meticulously detailed. Furthermore, it appeals to readers who seek challenging narratives that don't shy away from brutal realism and complex ethical dilemmas. Readers familiar with the intricate political machinations and grim realism of George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" will find a similar depth in "The Darkness That Comes Before." Furthermore, fans of Stephen R. Donaldson's often bleak and philosophical prose will appreciate the challenging intellectual and emotional journey offered by R. Scott Bakker's world. However, readers who prefer a more optimistic narrative with clear-cut heroes and less moral ambiguity might find "The Darkness That Comes Before" disheartening. Its dense prose and unforgiving tone are not suited for those seeking a light, escapist fantasy experience.