Book of the New Sun Vol 1: The Shadow and Claw - Gene Wolfe

Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun is a story told in four books, the first of which is Shadow of the Torturer, which introduces us all to the central character of the story; Severian. As he narrates his we see the world through his eyes as he grows from adolescence to a grown man after the completion of his Torturer apprenticeship. After eventually being exiled from the Citadel for helping the first woman he truly loves to commit suicide instead of being put through the Excruciations, Severian's journey truly begins. With his trusty sword -Terminus Est and an historical stone Severian like any hero faces the first of his challenges in the outside world. ...  Read the complete review

This volume contains the first two of the four books that comprise "The Book Of The New Sun", namely "The Shadow Of The Torturer" and "The Claw Of The Conciliator". This is truly an epic odyssey as the main protagonist, Severian, a torturer's apprentice, journeys across a far future earth. The story is a magical blend of Fantasy and Science Fiction with poetic and philosophical elements. If you have read "Songs Of Earth And Power" by Greg Bear, you will know what a treat you have in store; the prose and the sheer pervasiveness definitely bear comparison. This is a book for long uninterrupted evenings, when you can ...  Read the complete review