-
The Darkness That Comes Before
- The Prince of Nothing, Book One
- Narrated by: David DeVries
- Series: The Prince of Nothing, Book 1
- Length: 20 hrs and 44 mins
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Audible Premium Plus
$14.95 a month
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
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Warrior-Prophet
- The Prince of Nothing, Book Two
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: David DeVries
- Length: 23 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Steering souls through the subtleties of word and expression, Kellhus strives to extend his dominion over the Men of the Tusk. The sorcerer Achamian and his lover, Esmenet, submit entirely, only to have their faith - and their love - tested in unimaginable ways. Meanwhile, the warrior Cnaiur falls ever deeper into madness. Convinced that Kellhus will betray their pact to murder his father, Cnaiur turns to the agents of the Second Apocalypse and strikes an infernal bargain. The Holy War stands on a knife edge.
-
-
beautifully written, and performed to perfection
- By Efrat on 12-15-20
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
The Thousandfold Thought
- The Prince of Nothing, Book Three
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: David DeVries
- Length: 17 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Darkness that Comes Before drew thunderous acclaim from reviewers and fellow fantasy authors. Listeners were invited into a darkly threatening, thrillingly imaginative universe and introduced to one of the genre's great characters: the powerful Anasrimbor Kelhus. Bakker's follow-up, The Warrior Prophet enticed readers further into the richly imagined world of myth, violence, and sorcery. The startling answers to these questions are brought into focus here, in the conclusion to the trilogy.
-
-
DeVries lifts a dreary snuff-orgy.
- By Leni on 06-17-18
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
The Judging Eye
- The Aspect-Emperor, Book 1
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: Kevin Orton
- Length: 19 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A luminary in the fantasy genre firmament, R. Scott Bakker returns fans to his acclaimed Prince of Nothing universe with The Judging Eye. Aspect-Emperor Kellhus is waging a terrifying war, subjugating all nations in his path. There are those willing to stand together against him, but these rebellious souls must act quickly and decisively to thwart his mad schemes of power and domination.
-
-
A complete letdown
- By Marlene on 03-10-13
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
The White-Luck Warrior
- The Aspect Emperor, Book 2
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: Kevin Orton
- Length: 25 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Critically acclaimed author R. Scott Bakker has received widespread praise for his colorful characters and action-packed plotting. In this sequel to The Judging Eye, Anasûrimbor Kellhus, the first true aspect-emperor in a thousand years, continues his trek into the Ancient North. Meanwhile, the exiled wizard Achamian leads a mission to the legendary Sauglish ruins. Tensions mount when the White-Luck Warrior, assassin and messiah both, arrives, bringing violence in his wake.
-
-
I think Kevin Orton needs to learn phonics.
- By Joshua on 09-19-16
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
The Great Ordeal
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: Kevin Orton
- Length: 21 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As Fanim war drums beat just outside the city, Empress Anasurimbor Esmenet searches frantically throughout the palace for her missing son, Kelmomas. Meanwhile, and many miles away, Esmenet's husband's Great Ordeal continues its epic march farther north. But in light of dwindling supplies, the Aspect-Emperor's decision to allow his men to consume the flesh of fallen Sranc could have consequences even he couldn't have foreseen.
-
-
This Narrator Has Got to Go
- By Stephanie C. on 08-06-17
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
Prince of Thorns
- By: Mark Lawrence
- Narrated by: James Clamp
- Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Author Mark Lawrence has won over audiences everywhere with Prince of Thorns, his exciting debut novel. Nine-year-old Prince Jorg is forced to watch as his mother and brother are slaughtered. Fleeing the palace, Jorg joins a bloodthirsty band of thugs. But he’s determined to take back what’s rightfully his, so he returns to the castle a few years later - unaware of the dark and powerful magic that awaits.
-
-
It sticks in your head.
- By Door on 09-07-13
By: Mark Lawrence
-
The Warrior-Prophet
- The Prince of Nothing, Book Two
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: David DeVries
- Length: 23 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Steering souls through the subtleties of word and expression, Kellhus strives to extend his dominion over the Men of the Tusk. The sorcerer Achamian and his lover, Esmenet, submit entirely, only to have their faith - and their love - tested in unimaginable ways. Meanwhile, the warrior Cnaiur falls ever deeper into madness. Convinced that Kellhus will betray their pact to murder his father, Cnaiur turns to the agents of the Second Apocalypse and strikes an infernal bargain. The Holy War stands on a knife edge.
-
-
beautifully written, and performed to perfection
- By Efrat on 12-15-20
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
The Thousandfold Thought
- The Prince of Nothing, Book Three
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: David DeVries
- Length: 17 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Darkness that Comes Before drew thunderous acclaim from reviewers and fellow fantasy authors. Listeners were invited into a darkly threatening, thrillingly imaginative universe and introduced to one of the genre's great characters: the powerful Anasrimbor Kelhus. Bakker's follow-up, The Warrior Prophet enticed readers further into the richly imagined world of myth, violence, and sorcery. The startling answers to these questions are brought into focus here, in the conclusion to the trilogy.
-
-
DeVries lifts a dreary snuff-orgy.
- By Leni on 06-17-18
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
The Judging Eye
- The Aspect-Emperor, Book 1
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: Kevin Orton
- Length: 19 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A luminary in the fantasy genre firmament, R. Scott Bakker returns fans to his acclaimed Prince of Nothing universe with The Judging Eye. Aspect-Emperor Kellhus is waging a terrifying war, subjugating all nations in his path. There are those willing to stand together against him, but these rebellious souls must act quickly and decisively to thwart his mad schemes of power and domination.
-
-
A complete letdown
- By Marlene on 03-10-13
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
The White-Luck Warrior
- The Aspect Emperor, Book 2
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: Kevin Orton
- Length: 25 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Critically acclaimed author R. Scott Bakker has received widespread praise for his colorful characters and action-packed plotting. In this sequel to The Judging Eye, Anasûrimbor Kellhus, the first true aspect-emperor in a thousand years, continues his trek into the Ancient North. Meanwhile, the exiled wizard Achamian leads a mission to the legendary Sauglish ruins. Tensions mount when the White-Luck Warrior, assassin and messiah both, arrives, bringing violence in his wake.
-
-
I think Kevin Orton needs to learn phonics.
- By Joshua on 09-19-16
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
The Great Ordeal
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: Kevin Orton
- Length: 21 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As Fanim war drums beat just outside the city, Empress Anasurimbor Esmenet searches frantically throughout the palace for her missing son, Kelmomas. Meanwhile, and many miles away, Esmenet's husband's Great Ordeal continues its epic march farther north. But in light of dwindling supplies, the Aspect-Emperor's decision to allow his men to consume the flesh of fallen Sranc could have consequences even he couldn't have foreseen.
-
-
This Narrator Has Got to Go
- By Stephanie C. on 08-06-17
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
Prince of Thorns
- By: Mark Lawrence
- Narrated by: James Clamp
- Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Author Mark Lawrence has won over audiences everywhere with Prince of Thorns, his exciting debut novel. Nine-year-old Prince Jorg is forced to watch as his mother and brother are slaughtered. Fleeing the palace, Jorg joins a bloodthirsty band of thugs. But he’s determined to take back what’s rightfully his, so he returns to the castle a few years later - unaware of the dark and powerful magic that awaits.
-
-
It sticks in your head.
- By Door on 09-07-13
By: Mark Lawrence
-
The Black Company
- Chronicles of The Black Company, Book 1
- By: Glen Cook
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Some feel the Lady, newly risen from centuries in thrall, stands between humankind and evil. Some feel she is evil itself. The hardbitten men of the Black Company take their pay and do what they must, burying their doubts with their dead - until the prophesy: The White Rose has been reborn, somewhere, to embody good once more. There must be a way for the Black Company to find her....
-
-
Hard Boiled Morally Ambiguous Epic Fantasy
- By Jefferson on 03-18-11
By: Glen Cook
-
The Trouble with Peace
- By: Joe Abercrombie
- Narrated by: Steven Pacey
- Length: 21 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Savine dan Glokta, once Adua's most powerful investor, finds her judgment, fortune, and reputation in tatters. But she still has all her ambitions, and no scruple will be permitted to stand in her way. For heroes like Leo dan Brock and Stour Nightfall, only happy with swords drawn, peace is an ordeal to end as soon as possible. But grievances must be nursed, power seized, and allies gathered first, while Rikke must master the power of the Long Eye...before it kills her.
-
-
Pacey’s Performance is Award-Worthy
- By Tkinsey3 on 09-16-20
By: Joe Abercrombie
-
The Steel Remains
- By: Richard K. Morgan
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 15 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In just a few short years, Richard K. Morgan has vaulted to the pinnacle of the science fiction world. Now he turns his iconoclastic talents to epic fantasy, crafting a darkly violent, tautly plotted adventure sure to thrill old fans and captivate new readers.
-
-
This isn't your father's gay hero!
- By Kindle Customer on 01-23-09
-
Gardens of the Moon
- The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 1
- By: Steven Erikson
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 26 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins.
-
-
A Good Story Told Very Badly
- By Brandon M. Salazar on 03-29-19
By: Steven Erikson
-
The Unholy Consult
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: Kevin Orton
- Length: 21 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Unholy Consult, the Men of the Great Ordeal have been abandoned by Anasurimbor Kellhus, and the grand crusade has dissolved into cannibalism and chaos. When Exalt-General Proyas, the Prince-Imperial Kayutas at his side, attempts to gain control of the lost Men and continue their march to Golgotterath, it rapidly becomes clear that the lost Lord and Prophet is not so easily shaken from the mission.
-
-
Bakker still too impressed with himself
- By Josh on 10-17-17
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
Heroes Die
- The First of the Acts of Caine
- By: Matthew Stover
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 22 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Renowned throughout the land of Ankhana as the Blade of Tyshalle, Caine has killed his share of monarchs and commoners, villains and heroes. He is relentless, unstoppable, simply the best there is at what he does. At home on Earth, Caine is Hari Michaelson, a superstar whose adventures in Ankhana command an audience of billions.
-
-
Finally, an epic worthy of Stefan Rudnicki
- By Douglas E. Noll on 02-04-12
By: Matthew Stover
-
Rhythm of War
- Book Four of The Stormlight Archive
- By: Brandon Sanderson
- Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
- Length: 57 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After forming a coalition of human resistance against the enemy invasion, Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant have spent a year fighting a protracted, brutal war. Neither side has gained an advantage, and the threat of a betrayal by Dalinar’s crafty ally Taravangian looms over every strategic move. Now, as new technological discoveries by Navani Kholin’s scholars begin to change the face of the war, the enemy prepares a bold and dangerous operation. The arms race that follows will challenge the very core of the Radiant ideals.
-
-
Meh - boring
- By Louis on 11-22-20
-
The Blade Itself
- By: Joe Abercrombie
- Narrated by: Steven Pacey
- Length: 22 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he's on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian - leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies. Nobleman, dashing officer, and paragon of selfishness, Captain Jezal dan Luthar has nothing more dangerous in mind than fleecing his friends at cards and dreaming of glory in the fencing circle. But war is brewing, and on the battlefields of the frozen North they fight by altogether bloodier rules.
-
-
A 22 hour Prequel
- By Kindle Customer on 06-13-19
By: Joe Abercrombie
-
The Lies of Locke Lamora
- Gentleman Bastard, Book 1
- By: Scott Lynch
- Narrated by: Michael Page
- Length: 22 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An orphan’s life is harsh - and often short - in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly. Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game.
-
-
Narrator is a bit too much
- By Brandon Yapel on 03-02-20
By: Scott Lynch
-
A Little Hatred
- By: Joe Abercrombie
- Narrated by: Steven Pacey
- Length: 20 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal's son, the feckless Prince Orso, is a man who specializes in disappointments. Savine dan Glokta - socialite, investor, and daughter of the most feared man in the Union - plans to claw her way to the top of the slag-heap of society by any means necessary. But the slums boil over with a rage that all the money in the world cannot control.
-
-
Rough listen.
- By Jared Clark on 01-08-20
By: Joe Abercrombie
-
The Axe and the Throne
- Bounds of Redemption, Volume 1
- By: M. D. Ireman
- Narrated by: Matt Cowlrick
- Length: 22 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is a fool's errand, and Tallos knows it, but against his own better judgment and the pleading of his wife, Tallos has committed himself to a voyage north. His lifelong friend's eldest sons are said to have been taken by Northmen, a raiding people ill-reputed for their savagery. The boys are already dead, Tallos knows, and in that dark place of grim reasoning he wishes only to find their corpses quickly so he can fulfill his promise and return to his wife. Instead, he finds something far worse.
-
-
A book of Good & Horrible things.
- By Amazon Customer on 11-28-18
By: M. D. Ireman
-
Before They Are Hanged
- By: Joe Abercrombie
- Narrated by: Steven Pacey
- Length: 22 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Superior Glokta has a problem. How do you defend a city surrounded by enemies and riddled with traitors when your allies can by no means be trusted, and your predecessor vanished without a trace? It's enough to make a torturer want to run - if he could even walk without a stick.
-
-
Can't stand to hear the word grimace' any more.
- By Max on 08-29-17
By: Joe Abercrombie
Publisher's Summary
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.
What listeners say about The Darkness That Comes Before
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Andy
- 06-28-12
Finally in audiobook!
I have been waiting and waiting for this to finally come out in audiobook. And just in time for summer! Great writing - a bit overwrought, but in a good way - like a blend of MAR Barker and HP Lovecraft and Gene Wolfe.
I got these in book form on a lark when they came out and have gotten most of my family and friends to try it out. In that same spirit, I am writing a review so that someone out there will also give it a try and like it.
If you like Joe Abercrombie, Brent Weeks, or any of the new school reflective fantasy (as in fantasy more reflective of our real world - its what I call it anyway), I suggest you give it a try.
Lots of Characters and intricate language, do yourself a favor and find the printed book's character list and lexicon appendixes online somewhere as a companion to the audio version.
37 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cody
- 07-12-12
Rough start, solid overall.
David DeVries voice drove me absolutely nuts when I listened for the first fifteen minutes. I gave it a chance because I thought it could shape up to be an excellent story.
I'm glad I gave it a shot because the story and narrator quickly evolved into something great. The story is interesting and mysterious and most of the characters are really well done. The first half of the book is a lot of world building and character introductions, while the last half really gets into the meat of the plot and builds the premise of what is to come.
Right after I hit submit on this review I will be purchasing book 2.
29 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Joe
- 08-30-12
A very strange series
Would you listen to The Darkness That Comes Before again? Why?
I believe that I would listen to the entire series again, yes. It is very deep and complex, and at some times even confusing. I pride myself as an attentive listener of audiobooks, I don't jsut put them on and then tune them out, and at times I had a little trouble following along. However, this is in no way a refutation of the book or the series. They are both wonderfully written and performed.
What did you like best about this story?
I'd have to say that I liked the depth of all the characters the best. Baker does an amazing job at characterization. Each and every one of them is complex, conflicted and unique.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
While I didn't laugh out loud or cry while listening to The Darkness That Comes Gefore, I did have a strong reaction to the entire series. The main character, demands one from the reader. Love him or hate him, you will feel something towards him.
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tom
- 11-12-15
holy Shrial shit batman!that was a good listen
i knew it would be a good listen because it was a great read! This series is every bit as enthralling as Erikksons Malazan series, and Ruthfuss's Kingkiller chronicles.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Geoff
- 04-23-15
Great Book, Poor Reader
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.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ian Nichol
- 09-13-12
I never write reviews but I loved this
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+ hrs
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ryan
- 12-05-15
Heavy world-building, but didn't engage me
I got about 2/3 of the way through this one and just couldn't sustain interest. This is elaborately plotted fantasy in which many factions and individual players are scheming for control of a world with a lot of history. A religious leader has appeared to organize one group of kingdoms into a Holy War against another country. "Schools" of magicians aligned with one group or another play their own shadowy games. A decadent emperor and his ambitious young nephew have their own agendas. A wandering monk with exceptional powers of psychological manipulation gets involved, and recruits a northern barbarian from a Mongol-like people.
Bakker doesn't do much in the way of easing the reader into his world, but throws us into the middle of the political games, leaving us to figure out who's who and what's what. While I can appreciate that kind of challenge and did find the world-building somewhat interesting, the storytelling just didn't engage me.
The major problem I had with it is that it simply doesn't feel very organic. Bakker clearly had some Big Ideas, and mapped out a complex plot and gave his main players complex motivations, and I applaud him for that. However, for my taste, he's too focused on moving the chess pieces and not enough on giving us a visceral connection to the world and characters. One guy from one kingdom does one thing, and another guy from another kingdom counters with a brilliant stroke, but so what? It's hard for me to care when I don't have much of a feel for either kingdom or either guy. When he does get into backstories, it's mostly to tell us information about the character, rather than really get in the person's head.
For political machinations in a fantasy world, A Song of Fire and Ice is still my go-to series. The characters there feel more like people in a lived-in reality. This one, I'm sorry to say, didn't offer me a comparable experience.
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Derek
- 06-09-13
Absolutely amazing, second read
If you could sum up The Darkness That Comes Before in three words, what would they be?
Unique epic fantasy.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Darkness That Comes Before?
Nearly everything about the novel is memorable. There are some characters that fascinate me more than others, but even the ones I am less interested in remain gripping. The intellectual, moral, philosophical and political complexity of the story is amazing. I read it 5 years ago, read the whole series, in fact, and came back to this now. And it is still amazing.
What about David DeVries’s performance did you like?
I don't normally read epic fantasy, so am not accustomed to this many characters and wondered if the vast creativity and the suspense would translate into audio. DeVries' capacity to do a dozen different accents, and another half-dozen tones of voice, made this a really good audio book. That is not to say there are not a lot of complex names and geographies to keep in your head as you listen, but Bakker is writing to an intelligent audience.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Just loved it (again). And just bought the second in this series.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Fong Liu
- 05-25-18
reading is horrible--too fast
I could not get past the first few chapters. reading was too fast, I kept missing details.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Chris
- 06-10-18
Probably better as a paperback
Lots of cliches, and a quick reading style. There's an abundance of names tossed at you from the beginning that doesn't work well as an audiobook because you can't go back an reread a paragraph or review a name from a few pages back easily.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jay
- 05-07-14
Good read!! Bad Narrator!!
Please, Please, PLEASE.... get Steven Pacey to record this!! For whatever reason... the reader/storyteller just doesn't get it. I have had SO much trouble listening because his reading, voices and timing are just plain OFF.
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Timothy
- 07-30-20
Narrator ruins a good book
I have read the book(s). And I enjoyed them. But I lasted about 5 minutes with this audio book. The narrator is, being polite, not good. Super flat, monotone reading. It sounds like a computer program reading the book. I don't want to be cruel. But some quality control should be done over the narration.
What I thought was a sure bet, as I have read the book(s), turned out to be a disaster. I feel like I wasted my money :-(
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 09-03-17
Serious adult fantasy
Written before the time of adult gritty TV and Film. This story takes gritty fantasy to the next level. Huge story arc fantastic characters. An Original good vrs Bad story.
A huge book. Nice to be able to get through it quickly listening this via the audio version. Narrator did a fair job. So many characters to portray must have made it tough creating so many voices. Throughly Enjoyable. Well recommended.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Neil
- 01-22-17
Please don't take notice of the below reviews
What made the experience of listening to The Darkness That Comes Before the most enjoyable?
Awesome book. If you like an adult-version of Bakker mixed with the depth of of Frank Herbert's 'Dune' then this could be for you. Forget Tolkien, Martin and anyone else. This is dark, complex and easily the best Fantasy series of books I have ever read. Outstanding.
What other book might you compare The Darkness That Comes Before to, and why?
Dune, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones. This book is for adults and has the complexity and depth that 'wipes the floor' with anything else i have read or listened too. Fantasy for adults.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
From beginning to end
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It touched me on an intellectual level. It is complex, dark with many characters. I found it better listening to the audiobook than reading it.
Any additional comments?
The narrator is American, which doesn't normally work on fantasy books inspired by the middles/dark ages, but his characterisations are excellent. Overall, he does a great job.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mr
- 06-04-14
Awful Narrator
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
I agree whole heartedly with the previous reviewer. Get a narrator like Steven pacey to tell this story. The current reader is terrible and unsually for me, i gave up listening after about two hours and put the radio on. Ive often found the narrator can bring a book to life while this one simply detroys it. One stars all round, but in all honesty I might be doing the author an injustice because of the poor reader. Sort it audible and ill try the book again!
Would you ever listen to anything by R. Scott Bakker again?
Yes
How could the performance have been better?
Listen to it yourself and you will understand why. A little emotion, different accents/voices. Too stiff, too wooden. I've heard computer generated voices with more fluency.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 02-17-21
difficult to follow the narrative
the story line is very unclear, the characters pop in and out is the story, couldn't understand what's happening. I usually really enjoy this type of book, but unfortunately this one is not one of those. It could be just me and my expectations.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 06-07-20
Not your average Sword and Sorcery!
A complex world of intrigue, politics, violence, faith and magic are explored with meandering, intertwining events that delve into the history and destiny of the people of Eärwa.
I love the story and characters in this book, and I was hooked from the epilogue onwards, with its probing internal monologues to the epic events that unfold. However, this is a story you have to engage with and not just have on as background distraction
I am no audio book aficionado, but I have listened to many recently and have found that a poor choice of narrator or an odd reading style can be really jarring and make a book hard to engage with. For me this is not one of them.
The rhythm can be a little flat at times, but the reader does a fantastic job of injecting drama and urgency at the right moments, and distinct character voices brings everyone to life. I don't envy his job of coping with really complicated names of people and places, as this was something that made me struggle with reading it for myself. So bravo for that! He certainly did as good a job as the text would allow as some passages are very heavy with unusual words, unique to the world of Bakker's creation.
.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- N. D. Offay
- 06-06-19
Mediocre at best
I was unable to finish this. None of the characters were engaging or memorable and even the often touted philosophical content was sparse and nothing special.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 10-08-18
Sets up the series beautifully
The lore of this book can be a little overwhelming at first with all the different places, schools, characters, battles and religions referenced in this novel. It's certainly not a casual read and will require some patience and time invested to fully grasp the different factions and their iintentions but its well worth it.
The world is well described and takes you on an adventure and almost feel like you're there with the POV way it goes through events from different characters perspectives.
This book is the first in a series and beautifully sets the hook for the coming books and events.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kindle Customer
- 08-23-18
the start of a great series
I read this series 10 years ago and thought it would mix things up to listen to it in the "re-read". The story is still enjoyable and boldly sets out its own lot in the crowded realm of epic fantasy. The narrator does an excellent job of providing the characters with distinct voices and lends authority to extended ponderings from the author that could have come off as farcical in lesser hands. Recommended for those seeking something a little different and darker.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Angela Farley
- 09-01-20
Good narration, fairly gritty
It's a bit obnoxious in the philosophical parts, but I knew that going in. The female characters are very very dull so far, but I'm hoping that changes throughout the next books.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 02-11-19
Difficult to get into, but great once you do.
Similar to Lord of the Rings, it can get dense at times. Bear with it though, it will be confusing as the author plunges the reader right into the story. But as the story continues and it becomes more clear it gets much better.
Just as much philosophy as fantasy, a great book for those with time.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 06-30-18
Pretentious rubbish
This waste of time seems written by a man who believes himself far more intelligent then everyone else. But couldn’t decide wether he wanted to be a poet or a storyteller. Ultimately fails miserably at both. I only wish I had taken the advice of the previous reviewer
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Alexandra Kennedy-Clark
- 08-10-15
A lot of people I respect loved this book. Not I
I abandoned this book after about five hours. Only the second audio book I have abandoned in three years.
A lot of people, ok, 4, but people I respect. Literally a lawyer, a banker, a doctor and an astronomer all loved and recommended this book. The guys I play DnD with twice a month. We all read fantasy fiction, and they highly recommend this book.
I just couldn't get into it. Perhaps I'm an intellectual lightweight, perhaps it's a book you need to read rather than listen to. I found it confusing, heavy on deep detail but narrow on engaging plot. If you like R.R. Martin, Abercrombie and Rothfus but disliked The Decline and fall of the Roman Empire, this book may not be for you.
I would love to rate this book higher given that some very well red guys loved it, but it wasn't for me..
5 people found this helpful