The Sword of the Lictor (The Book of the New Sun, #3) in Beyond Reality

Dec 23, 2013 Tomislav rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy, science-fiction

There is not much one can say about book 3 of 4, in a series that is in reality a single 1000 page novel (The Book of the New Sun), that is not on the one hand a spoiler with regard to the earlier books, or on the other hand inconclusive with regard to the overall work.

However, I have to say that not much of importance happens in this volume. Sure, Severian travels throughout the land, meets strange new characters, departs from known characters, is imperiled wonderously, passes through those per ...more

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Dec 08, 2009 bsc rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, read-2009, own, fantasy

I guess I'm stopping here with this series, at least for now. I've mostly enjoyed this but have lost interest in the story and just want to read other stuff. ...more

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Jan 19, 2023 Duffy Pratt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, science-fiction

Of the four installments in this longer book, this one is in some ways the most self-contained and the easiest to follow on a surface level. It's also the one with the most connections to revelations that are truly weird. Wolfe has a knack for this - having you simultaneously thinking that you are getting what's going on and having your mind blown at the same time. For that reason, it might be my favorite of the four, but its close.

It's been 3 months since I've finished these and I'm still thin ...more

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Aug 25, 2008 Stephen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: award-winner-british-fantasy, multiple-award-nominee, award-nominee-british-fantasy, award-nominee-british-sf, award-nominee-nebula, award-nominee-locus, award-winner-locus, award-nominee-world-fantasy, far-future, science-fantasy

4.5 stars. Part three of one of the best Science Fiction/Fantasy series ever (after The Shadow of the Torturer and The Claw of the Conciliator). The Book of the New Sun Tetralogy is a superior achievement. Highly Recommended!!

Winner British Fantasy Award for Best Novel (1983)
Winner: Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (1983)
Nominee: World Fantasy Award for Best Novel (1983)
Nominee: British Science Fiction Award for Best Novel (1983)
Nominee: Hugo Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1983)
Nominee ...more

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