'With The Great Ordeal, the penultimate book in The Aspect-Emperor series, Bakker begins to betray the final mysteries of his cosmos, feeding and goading readers more than in any of the preceding novels... Page for page, this volume was a most haunting pleasure to read.' - Bakkerfans

'The Great Ordeal is a stunning addition to the series, go and buy it as soon as it is available. Seethes with intelligence, action and revelation and is a worthwhile continuation of the smartest epic fantasy of our generation.' - The Wertzone

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 Great Ordeal is the new novel in R. Scott Bakker's acclaimed Aspect-Emperor series, set in a vivid world of myth, war and sorcery. A series that stands alongside the finest in the genre, for its grand scope, rich detail and thrilling story.

Books by R Scott Baker:

Prince of Nothing Trilogy
The Darkness That Comes Before
The Warrior-Prophet
The Thousandfold Thought

Aspect-Emperor
The Judging Eye
The White Luck Warrior
The Great Ordeal
The Unholy Consult

Novels
Neuropath
Disciple of the Dog
Light, Time, and Gravity

* Review copies mailed to the online, print and blogging press * Featured on www.orbitbooks.net and in the Orbit ezine

About the Author
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.

Reviews
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. -- Ian C. Esslemont, author of DANCER'S LAMENT
The worldbuilding is once again top notch. Bakker's richly detailed narrative creates an imagery that virtually leaps off the page. The Middle Eastern setting of the western Three Seas remains a welcome change from the usual generic medieval environments found in most fantasy sagas... Indeed, Bakker's creations remain head and shoulder above all other SFF settings on the market today... A compelling read that sets the stage for everything Bakker fans have been hoping for for so many years! -- PAT'S FANTASY HOTLIST



Book Information
ISBN 9781841498317
Author R. Scott Bakker
Format Paperback
Page Count 512
Imprint Orbit
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 620g
Dimensions(mm) 232mm * 152mm * 38mm