The Great Ordeal

August 1, 2016
In the penultimate volume of the ambitious Aspect-Emperor series, Bakker succeeds in making incremental plot advances feel significant and thematically rich, layered with weighty philosophical discourse and emotionally resonant characters. For all its intricate, fascinating design, the ponderous pace and lack of substantive resolution is punishing. The Great Ordeal, Kellhus' army of conquered fanatics, are now eating Sranc for sustenance during their grueling journey to Dagliash. Once considered obscene, even unholy, consuming Sranc slowly becomes a debauched, sadistic celebration for the corrupted Ordealmen. Kellhus, meanwhile, plants crippling doubts into Believer-King Proyas, who comes to fear Kellhus may be a false propheta demon, not a savior. Echoing this uncertainty between being and seeming, Sorweel, hostage to the Nonmen along with Achamian and Mimara, witnesses horrors that cause all three to question their vision of Kellhus and his role in the Second Apocalypse. Esmenet, Kelmomas, and Malowebi are also principal narrators. Readers who have been awaiting the series conclusion since 2011 may be disappointed by another long wait even as they celebrate the new installment.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)