This is an intriguing list and much different than broad KZbin/booktube

Always so dang insightful dude. All the comparisons drawn are honestly fascinating. I have yet to return to prince of thorns (though I never intended to leave). Mark Lawrence’s writing is truly fascinating and of course, gene wolfe’s is as well

I would have bet, and lost apparently, Lawrence had read Wolfe. There is a lot of Catholic symbolism in New Sun. Wolfe was also a Korean War veteran. Another thread for Severian would be seeing him as a soldier back from war trying to reintegrate back into society and find a new purpose. And although Wolfe tells you the ending in the first 50 or so pages that Severian becomes the Autarch, the ending of the series does reframe the narrative. Which will have to take into account on an eventual reread. Jorg's arc over the trilogy and while redemptive is a stretch, it is definitely engaging. I also wouldn't call Broken Empire a dying Earth. It appears to be post-apocalyptic, but it doesn't tell you what the apocalypse was. Red Queen's War delves more into the history of the world, at least obliquely, but you can fairly easily figure it out. It also takes place concurrently as Broken Empire so there is some crossover. But an excellent comparison. For more on freewill, keep reading Bakker.

I’m a simple man-I see sevarian in a thumbnail on a samwise video-I clicj

Choose me, I want it o/

I wasn't a big fan or fantasy. I don't know why. A few sf books snuck it in on me and I am (slowly) becoming a fan. I will have to check it out. You're rec's haven't really done me wrong. I'll throw my hat into the drawing. And don't know how I missed that, but a Pringles can on the shelf. That's some good reading. I prefer the BBQ myself.

Enjoyed the review. I'm sad that Wolfe won't be giving us any new novels, but each novel becomes a new one with each re-reading...

I just ordered all three they are the mass market new editions. I can’t wait for the show.

This series is incredible. In my mind, it will always be one of the greats, right up there with authors like Lewis. It's criminal more people haven't read it.

You’ve brought such great attention to this series! I went back and found The Library Ladder also mentioned this in his “15 Essential and Rewarding King Arthur Retellings” video. I think I’m going to pass on the giveaway since I’ve already got a massive series TBR, but I wish you much support getting the word out about it! 🧙‍♂️

These covers are gnarly. I dig em heavvvvvy. Glad you put pendragon on my radar

I am putting my name in the ring for the giveaway, you got my super interested in this series!

This makes me want to read it again.

Love this series. The new covers look nice... except for the fake red sticker.

Wow those are really nice covers! I’ll enter the giveaway.

Super keen to give these a read. Found your channel through your Wolfe videos. Never tried any Arthurian retelling stuff so definitely interested

I’m so glad to see that you will be continuing The Edan Trilogy. I read this series as soon as or in some cases became the books came out and absolutely adore it. I then listened to Allen’s audio book and can’t wait for the Prophet to be available! There is also a sequel book coming out some time this year As Darkness Gathers. It’s my most anticipated read of 2025!

I read the first book in this series decades ago, liked it, but then the local library never had any further volumes. Will flag this for future investigation.

Definitely interested. Agree that these covers look awesome and the series sounds great.

I have a friend who read this recently and has been on me about reading it. I hope to start soon!

I am definitely interested. I really enjoyed Cromwell's take on the Arthurian legend and would be interested to explore others.

I recently finished book 2 in this series and it may be my last. Beautiful prose and excellent character work got me through the two books but the SA in book 2 and overall hopeless philosophy was more than I was comfortable with. But that’s just me.

I SEE THAT KINDGOMS OF DEATH HARDCOVER. I RESPECT THE FLEX.

the only thing confusing about these books is why everyone is so confused by them lol. man people had me thinking I was going into the most difficult series of all time. it’s literally just an adventure novel. sure there are some head scratching parts but it’s not difficult at all to follow the sequence of events and put pieces together unless you read at a 5th grade level. hell Severian gives away the clues himself as you read.

Great review! I loved this book.

I saw on Nick's video that you were considering Book of the Long Sun for a future Wolfe read. I think it would be an interesting read in conjunction with The Lord of Light by Zelazny. They have some similarities and approach the theme from two different perspectives...

Awesome video Samwise! Song of Susannah is very underrated, and I was glad to see it on here. Same with Feast for Crows. Book of the New Sun wasn’t for me, but I’m glad you love the series. A lot of people do.

Thank you for this review! I’ve been curious about this series. I love the Cornwell series.

Great review, man! I enjoyed this book, but got pretty lost. After watching a deep dive breakdown of the book on KZbin I understood it better. 😂 I will continue the series at some point.

Greatest series ever..stick with it

I finished this last week and am looking forward to posting a review myself in the next couple weeks! It’s much less turgid than I was expecting, nor as bleak - though I’ve heard that comes later Anyway, happy to be a new subscriber!

Hadn't thought about the Tolkein framing. Not sure if he wants to be in conversation with LotR but there is a lot of reinterpretation in the later books. Bakker seems a lot more interested in the strength of belief and less concerned dogma other than a few key points. Am familiar with the Crudades and got the impresssion very early was Paul Atredies leading the Second Crusade. So while you do have a template for the Catholic Church, Muslims, Templars, and the Byzantines there isn't any real world correlation or commentay other than a player serving the overall story. Similarly there are a lot of Biblical references with not much creative name changes - like the Inrithi, Golgotterath or Mengedda, it isn't a critique of Xianity. But Bakker is an incredibly talented writer whose prose is both beautiful and grotesque. And while I disagree with several on Lawrence's list, not sure I want to read #1.

Fascinating and excellent review Sam! I am very interested in this series but alas, enough time there is not.

Bakker’s point seems to be humans act on base needs/instincts over intellect the vast majority of the time. We are just another dumb beast in other words

Very good commited review. A couple of remarks. Bakker definitely is not trying to take any side on religions and beliefs. He is more like criticizing the vanity behind such motivations. The selfishness. The certainty and how this can crumble. How people justify their means. He does that on every possible level. From the personal passions to the movements of nations, religions etc. I also think the series as a whole has a double edged notoriority. What people usually comment, you mentioned some of it like the darkness or the biblical tone, is more like a gradual process. It will be a growing experience for the people who read the whole of it. Bakker is a very intentional kind of writer and what he writes is very well thought and planned. He did not want to just shock people with easy superficial graphic content just for the sake of it. So many people either avoid the series because they are afraid of it or come expecting some slsughterhouse to feast on it. I think its better for those who are interested to find out for themselves what is going on with these books because they are very well written, they are thought provoking, they have very interesting complex character work, gripping realistic dialogues and a very rich setting from its history and myths to the metaphysical aspects. If they sync with his writing they will experience not only a grand story but a very unique and uncompromising vision.

Excellent review Sir. I hope you plan to continue the series. The Warrior Prophet is the best book in the first series imo.

I really appreciate your take on religious aspects in your reviews of fantasy/SF. Great work!

Recently got interested in this series, and your comments and criticisms are well thought out and explained. This book just got advanced a couple places in my TBR

I can’t wait to get to this series just for the writing alone. I’m glad you started the series so I can vicariously live through your experience in a nonspoiler capacity😂

I can't seem to find the site where people rate books based on how dark they are. Would you tell me what is called, because I didn't see it on Mark's official website?

Thanks for putting this on my radar! I absolutely loved Talesien and Merlin from Lawhead growing up. I didn't enjoy the others as much, but I was pretty young back then. Let's see if the new one inspires a re-read of the Pendragon Cycle. It's been a while. :) You should definitely check out Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles! His interpretation of the Arthurian legend feels much more grounded and true to life, while Lawhead's take leans more toward the fantastical. I really do love both, but each of these two authors tell the story through a very different kind of lens.

Stephen Lawhead is one of my favorite authors. I am about 17 percent through the book and am enjoying it so far.

When I finished the Idiot, I thought Myshkin had a very similar story to the savage from Brave New World. One who knows nothing going to a “brave new world” a new place that is home. When there they see what happens everyday and inevitably either kill themselves or leave the country completely in a catatonic state, with the pieces of broken family, friendship, and romantic interest behind them

Sorry not sorry He is much better than sanderson Much better than rothfuss And amplifies all the good traditions, which fiction once had, no moral grayness and all of this bs No humanity bad and aliens good bs

What an excellent reading year you've had! I read Crime and Punishment last year as well. Maybe it's a crime I didn't put in my Top 10. It's a brilliant book and reveals so much about Russian societal issues at the time, but I really struggled with how I felt about the ending. Hooray for Cersei and Brienne in Feast for Crows!!!

My favourite book is Pringles can

Snap! Crime and Punishment is in my top 10 video as well!

Great video. I have a bunch of Lawhead on my shelves but have never gotten round to reading any!

Found your channel through Talking Story's discord and am loving your content so far! This is a great list, and I'm going to nab a few of these for my own tbr as well (why does this list never seem to get shorter? 🤔). I really liked The Sunset Limited. I read a paperback copy of it while partially submerged in a public swimming pool a few summers ago. Let's just say that it is not a book that pairs well with a sunny day at a swimming pool full of happy children. 😂

You pitched this book so well and what a great balance to reading Bakker! Maybe I’m basic, but I love stories that explore altruism or seemingly small, impactful gestures of kindness. ❤ I also love Arya’s arc, so this sounds like a winner! Have you read Warlord Chronicles? I adore that series though it is a “stark” contrast from how you described this Arthurian retelling. I would love to get to this book someday (not sure about the series yet), but I’m first planning to read Mary Stewart’s Crystal Cave. I should be getting to that later this year, and I’m very excited about it!