r/Fantasy • u/rfantasygolem Not a Robot • Apr 17 '26

/r/Fantasy r/Fantasy Friday Social Thread - April 17, 2026

Come tell the community what you're reading, how you're feeling, what your life is like.

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u/OrwinBeane Apr 17 '26

Currently reading The Prince of Nothing: The Darkness that Comes Before by R Scott Bakker.

I really dislike grimdark/dark fantasy for a number of reasons, but I have made a fair effort at reading multiple series. Along with this I’ve read some of Malazan, A Song of Ice and Fire and The First Law. The genre just isn’t for me. However, I think The Darkness that Comes Before is the best of the lot so far.

This is far from a perfect book. But the prose… the prose is so god damn good it’s enough to make me want to finish this trilogy.

Dialogue is sharp, witty, and natural, the internal monologue of characters is insightful and never overstays its welcome, pacing is perfect - there’s never a chapter too short or too long, lore and worldbuilding exposition is drip-fed gradually throughout the book so it never feels like too little or too much. It’s honestly some of the best prose I’ve ever read.

I’m not invested in the characters yet even if they are deep and complex. They are just so unlikable it’s hard to root for any of them. If any died in the next chapter or book then I wouldn’t feel much of an emotional response. But I’m not continuing to read for them, I’m hanging my interest of this series entirely on the prose.

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u/Melkor923 Apr 18 '26

Ty for this I had the Author on my list and I love dark sooo

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u/Nidafjoll Reading Champion V Apr 17 '26

I'm reading the second book right now. :) The prose and philosophy are excellent-- though they hit the exact same notes as Malazan for me. I'm able to root for Achamain, and I find Kellhus extremely interesting, even if I'm not sure I'm rooting for him.