The Great Ordeal

Praised by fans and critics worldwide, R. Scott Bakker has become one of the most celebrated voices in fantasy literature. With THE GREAT ORDEAL Bakker presents the long-anticipated third volume of the Aspect-Emperor, a series that stands with the finest in the genre for its grandiose scope, rich detail and thrilling story.

As Fanim war-drums beat just outside the city, the 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 further 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. And, deep in Ishual, the wizard Achamian grapples with his fear that his unspeakably long journey might be ending in emptiness, no closer to the truth than when he set out.

The Aspect-Emperor series is the successor to Bakker's Prince of Nothing saga, revisiting the same world twenty years later. THE GREAT ORDEAL follows The Judging Eye and The White-Luck Warrior, and delivers the first half of the conclusion to this epic story. Returning to Bakker's richly imagined universe of myth, violence and sorcery, the Aspect-Emperor continues to set the bar for the fantasy genre, reaching new heights of intricacy and meaning.

“Terrifying and astonishing. Here is world-building on the grand scale it should achieve. Here are emotions and stakes driven to a pitch that will squeeze every reader breathless.”

Leaves most of the competition trailing - Guardian

Powerful, engrossing, ferociously intelligent

A class act - SFX

Exquisitely intelligent and beautifully written

R. Scott Bakker is a student of literature, history, philosophy and ancient languages. He divides his time between writing philosophy and fantasy, though he often has difficulty distinguishing between them. He lives in London, Ontario.

Praised by fans and critics worldwide, R. Scott Bakker has become one of the most celebrated voices in fantasy literature. With THE GREAT ORDEAL Bakker presents the long-anticipated third volume of the Aspect-Emperor, a series that stands with the finest in the genre for its grandiose scope, rich detail and thrilling story.As Fanim war-drums beat just outside the city, the 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 further 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. And, deep in Ishual, the wizard Achamian grapples with his fear that his unspeakably long journey might be ending in emptiness, no closer to the truth than when he set out.The Aspect-Emperor series is the successor to Bakker's Prince of Nothing saga, revisiting the same world twenty years later. THE GREAT ORDEAL follows The Judging Eye and The White-Luck Warrior , and delivers the first half of the conclusion to this epic story. Returning to Bakker's richly imagined universe of myth, violence and sorcery, the Aspect-Emperor continues to set the bar for the fantasy genre, reaching new heights of intricacy and meaning.

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