This series is interesting, but the impossibility of the perceptive
abilities of the "hero" never let me truly get pulled into the story.
Not to mention that this has to be the least likable "main character"
I've ever come across. It's gotten to the point that the only reason
I continue reading is with the hope that some plan finally goes
awry for Kellhus, than to see whether the greater story is actually resolved.
Then again, pulling the reader in by hating the protagonist is still
pulling the reader in.

Okay, I can see why this series isn't for everyone. Gratuitous sex is frequently used as a means of control (almost as a weapon) among characters in this world, the anti-hero Kellhus can be hard to sympathize with or relate to, and Bakker clearly likes to argue philosophically with his readers (I personally don't understand why anyone could perceive an author who actually argues as a negative but oh well).

That being said, there's absolutely no way such a genre-transcending series - with its parallels to our own belief-controlled world, the constant intrigue between all the morally ambiguous factions (this is why people love Martin, right?), and the numerous plot twists - should be ranked so low on the author's list.

While the likes of Rothfuss and Sanderson (outrageously ranked at #3 and #8 respectively for series that aren't even finished yet) simply tell straightforward, cookie-cutter adventure stories that require no thinking on the part of the reader, Bakker actually demands you to question topics such as faith, love, loyalty, and cruelty among others. No, this series isn't one to make you feel all happy and giddy but I do think the author of the rankings was a little unfair by dropping Bakker to such a low position.

Where to begin... I did read all of the three books in a short amount of time, but by the end I was left wondering why I didn't cut my losses after the first novel. The author has an excellent way with words and does a great job showing subject matter from different viewpoints. I also really enjoyed some of the philosophical points in his books. The main character annoyed me beyond reason. Kellhus was an infuriating character. Absolutely perfect in every possible way, and he knows it and manipulates everyone around him... oh yea, and he never fails... at anything. So it became a bit of a bore. I only continued reading because I was praying something terrible would happen to him, but it never did! The author would go on for pages almost every chapter describing his awesomeness. He also had a tendency to give overly long explanations about every little detail of every scene - its like alright I get it already! Save a little for my imagination! This isn't progressing the story line any. So a bit long winded, much like this review lol.

I'm not sure why this series has fallen so far down this list. It seems like the author of this site is prejudiced in favour of newer books (or at least books that he has read more recently), because it used to be around #7 and that is where it should likely still be.

Anyway, this trilogy is one of the best series I've ever read. The only other thing that can really compare is Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen. It's been years since I read the PoN, but it still remains one of my all-time favourites. The main character, Kellhus, is so superhumanly awesome, he really is one of the most kick-ass characters in fantasy. There is some very cool history poured into these books, with a fleshed out, fully realized world, an innovative sorcery system, and a plot that is veritably epic in scope. The Prince of Nothing is much more deserving of the accolade "epic" than say, A Song of Ice of Fire. There is also a great deal of philosophical musing to be found here - more so than any other fantasy book probably. I found that this didn't really detract from the story; quite the opposite in fact. It made it even more - yup, you guessed it - epic.

It seems that a lot of people have issues with the unadulterated sexuality present in these books and argue that Bakker reduces his female characters to either whores or scheming manipulators. The reality is that Bakker is not endorsing misogyny in any way; he is simply offering a realistic depiction of how women got by and were related to back in medieval times. As for the all the sex, well, I for one didn't have a problem with it. But if you're made uncomfortable reading about sexually explicit scenes, then you might want to steer clear of this series. Because it has A LOT of that.

For those of you who like your fantasy truly epic and very well-written, it doesn't get any better than this.

The Prince of Nothing trilogy is what the bible should have been

I read this series over three days in a gluttonous reading frenzy. It completely put me off reading anything for the next six months....I kid you not. Does that make it good or bad?

Great, great book. Really liked the philosophical aspect of it, and the constant wtf is going on writing that made you pay attention to what was happening. Kind of wish Kehlus didn't have such a Jesus complex though.

I hated this series, it didn't go anywhere and in no shape or form can be compared to Abercrombie or Steven Erikson.

@ haroos - interesting, the things you pointed out as weak points are why I like these books so much. Unconventional characters with incredible depth and epic scale of the story seldom get better than this.

even if you ignore many parts about the foretold hero, who is a ridiculous hero, the characters of people around him are terrible.
i have never read a book in which every question and answer brought so much introspection by the character, to the point of disbelief.
and sometimes i got the feeling that the writer tries a shock treatment by writing extremlly graphic scenes, sometimes even needless scenes.
needless to say i didn't like the series, i think it's over rated.
way way over rated.

Amazing .. Couldn't put it down. Afterwards I did feel a
touch deranged tho Didn't think the Judging Eye was as good , but still towers over most fantasy writing as a whole.

i had given up on fantasy for close to 15 years and this series brought me back. bakker's prose is assured and lush- not perfect by any means, at times he can get a little wordy and overblown- but for fantasy it's a dream come true. the story is multilayered with revelations of further complexity and depth cropping up throughout the story. the characters are multifaceted and well thought out. they have failings, some crippling, and are very human, with human joys and sorrows; and when a character is somehow more than human it is well explained and integral to the story. there is some of the old fantasy cliche of polarization of good vs evil. the evil in this series is just that: twisted and degenerated with no hope for redemption. however, the good is less absolute, there is no aragorn or gandalf. the characters all have their own motivations, some honorable, some much less so- everyone "good" is working toward their own ends. whether that ends up helping the "good" side remains to be seen. but throughout, the author shows a keen eye for what moves and compells men to their actions. the magic system is the most well thought out i have encountered. bakker is a student of religion and philosophy and he has developed a semi-unique system for his world including an ontology and a metaphysics; there is even an place for the power of faith and divine revelation. using this philosophical framework he almost seamlessly derives an explanation for the power of sorcerors (that section was bad-ass). his actions scenes, especially those involving magic are intense, and his dramatic ones moving enough to make you cry. why? because the characters involved are so fully realized by then that you can't help your response. this what any story cannot work without: you have to know your characters like old friends; they have to be human enough to both exult and share sorrows with. this series is not for the young. the violence is graphic and the sex is always pornographic and sometimes horrific.

As dark as anything I've read (could almost be called horror/epic Fantasy), but damn good! Part of the horror factor is the "bad guys" are super perverse, and the sex-violence combination is hard to ingest at times. I would not recommend it for the innocent reader.

However the battles, and magic are especially well crafted. And you really hate the baddies in this one! This book defines "anti-hero", and I loved that about the series. Each character is really unique, nothing cliche here. There is a deep complexity of emotional issues and especially mind games (to a level I've never encountered - fantastic stuff!). The relationship between Khellus and Achaimian (may have spelled those wrong - going from memory here) who are, I think, the two main characters, is especially riveting.

And the series has a lot of promise. There is a 4th book (also very good), and a total of 9 (3 trilogies) is planned in total. Also worth noting, is the appendix of book three - a super detailed historical outline of the world. After reading that I was excited about future books. His world building is supreme, and his background in philosophy and anthropology really come through in the writing. It all makes for EPIC fantasy at it's best.

I really enjoyed this series although I found myself slightly confused by some of the events at the end of the third novel. However, having read The Judging Eye, the first book of the next series I feel more certain of the first series. I've read a lot of reviews of this series and the most common complaint seems to be about Bakker's heavy use of sex. While I admit that it's a theme he leans on heavily, I didn't personally find it detrimental to the story.

I would definitely recommend this series.

I have read books all my life (i�m turning 50 next year) and for the past 4-5 years I have discovered fantasy. Devouring book by book in series after series and so on. Steven Erikson and George RR Martin is truly amazing and I search eagerly books in the same vein.
R.Scott Bakker is a writer that comes as close as you get. The Prince of Nothing trilogy depicts a dark and violent world where no one ends up as a hero. The characters are numerous and complex and very satisfyingly described.
I warmly recommend this series!

First, this is a great site. Very informative, thoughtful and insightful. Lots of books mentioned that I've read and loved, many I haven't and am looking forward to reading.

Prince of Nothing, though... It teetered on the edge of being a good read so I kept at it but after the last page felt totally unfulfilled. I wanted to care about the characters, even became angry at some of their choices but in the end couldn't figure out what the whole trilogy was about or why it was important.

I read good reviews on it and am baffled. It's as if I didn't read the same book as those people. I guess I just didn't get it.

I honestly don't see why the writer is lauded for his writing. I thought the first third of Darkness was often ridiculously sophomoric. I mean, eye-rollingly bad writing (IMHO). I hate quitting a book before it's done, so I pushed forward. It gathered enough steam for me to finish the first book, but that is all. I felt no urge to continue. I know preferences and tastes vary from person to person, but for me, this writer is below par. Hard for me to believe so many people hold him in such high regard. Heck, I liked Russell Kirkpatrick better than this guy.

The first book was very good, the second awful and the third landed somewhere in the middle. The author's use of sexual tension in almost every facet of his characters lives really starts to get old(and I actually like sexual tension). But if you can find your way around whores rehashing how whory they can be and your general man rape domination squences, it is a really well told tale.

Great series. The characters are well developed and the plot moves fairly well. The ending of the first novel does not seem a good point to end, but was probably due to publishing details. Overall, great series.

Good stuff.