"Prince of Nothing I: The Darkness that Comes Before"
By Jack Mulvey
April 11, 2022
The first Apocalypse is long over and a new Holy war gathers. As the banners are called to Holy war a new prophet rides to find his father and the ever-present reminder of forgotten terrors hangs over the Three Seas like a waiting storm.
This is the plot of the first novel in R Scott Bakker’s epic fantasy trilogy. “The Darkness that Comes Before” sets a strong opener that does not hold back or pull any punches and throws the reader into the deep end at the beginning.
“The Darkness that Comes Before” not only builds and introduces the reader to a unique and interesting fantasy world but also wears its historical inspiration on its sleeve. Despite the grand scope Bakker does not neglect character writing and builds a strong cast of fascinating and layered characters that exist within this rich and well-constructed world. The story follows Two central figures in this story. A sorcerer and spy named Achaiman follows the trail of a possible second apocalypse foretold to him by the dreams of a long-dead legend. And Anasûrimbor Kellhus a monk sent to find his father in the very target of the great Irithi Holy War the Holy City of Shimeh.
A very important warning to any new reader is that this story is dark and dense. From the political assassinations and corruption to large-scale wars and slaughter this novel does cover some of the darker sides of human nature and most if not all of the main characters make morally questionable choices in order to survive. Bakker is not an author who holds new readers' hands and picking up this book for a quick read or a first novel is not recommended as it is a dense and complicated read.
Overall "The Darkness that Comes Before" is a strange, dark, and fantastical take on typical fantasy novels. It has aspects that both fans of Tolkien and fans of medieval history will adore, all wrapped up in a grim and engaging package.