
The Darkness That Comes Before
The Prince of Nothing, Book One
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
3 months free
Buy for $29.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
David DeVries
-
By:
-
R. Scott Bakker
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 - its language and classes of people, its cities, religions, mysteries, taboos, and rituals - the kind of all-embracing universe Tolkien and Herbert created unforgettably in the epic fantasies The Lord of the Rings and Dune.
It's a world scarred by an apocalyptic past, evoking a time both 2,000 years past and 2,000 years into the future, as untold thousands gather for a crusade. Among them, two men and two women are ensnared by a mysterious traveler, Anasûrimbor 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.
©2003 R. Scott Bakker (P)2012 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...




















People who viewed this also viewed...


















Too many characters with multiple names
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
On the other hand, I’m very fond of the way magic is handled, the way faith and the history of the world is rich and detailed, and of the light philosophy heavily salting the meat of the text, which is just layers and layers of political and religious conflict and subterfuge, broken up by the mysteries of the Dunyain, the reality of the gods and demons, and the unholy consult.
An all time favorite
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A hidden gen
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
One of my all time favorite fantasy series
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
So much of fantasy is fixated on high fantasy plots that rely on nonsensical/illogical twists and turns to further the story. Over and over somebody saves the day at the last second in the most improbable way. Characters are predictable, boring, and molded to unrealistic standards. Bakker averts these missteps masterfully, with characters that look/act/think like they would in the real world. You'll understand each character by appreciating who they are, not just by what they do. They fill out a story that somehow feels like nonfiction and flows with logic while remaining fantasy.
All of that being said, in some spots the book can be a bit of a slog. It's not an action-packed and there are many deep dives into the philosophies behind characters and ideas central to the book. These can be a bit intricate and don't always lend themselves to inattentive listening. I read most of this book at 1.5x speed and struggled to keep up in some spots. I will definitely take my time on the next read.
Overall I can't recommend this book enough as it's a wonderful contrast to most of what fantasy has to offer. It won't be for everyone, sure. There's no brave knight fighting evil and beating all the odds at the 11th hour. But if you're looking for a story that hits home with all of the crushing realism of the world and the flaws of humanity, then absolutely don't sleep on this one.
Absolute Gem
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Any additional comments?
It starts off slow and confusing but give it a while and it's a great read.Read if you like books that make you think
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
compelling story heavy on references
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
If you need a new fantasy series you found it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
What didn’t you like about David DeVries’s performance?
Yes, this book is challenging, but Devries' reading complicates, rather than clarifies. Very little distinction between different characters' voices makes it easy to lose track of who is saying what. Choices on inflection make it sound like he himself has no idea what's going on. Paragraphs are picked up with no breaks, missing the fact that a new idea is starting.I would often listen to a section two or three times before going to the text and finding it much easier to understand.
Any additional comments?
I'm really enjoying this story, but I'll have to somehow find the time to read the sequels without audio.Great Book, Poor Reader
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
What made the experience of listening to The Darkness That Comes Before the most enjoyable?
This is a fully realized world. Great conflicts. Original characters.What was one of the most memorable moments of The Darkness That Comes Before?
Dark dark magicians.Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I drive long distances and tend to listen in long blocks. I could easily listen for 6+ hrsI never write reviews but I loved this
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.