Reviews

The Claw of the Conciliator expands and enriches this universe in unexpected and stunning ways. In this second book, Gene Wolfe dares to take us places (pun very well intended) which, I for one, was not expecting at all. Severian's arc is one of the best I've ever read, even though sometimes his choices are frustrated, if not stupid. Having read this series twice before, I can tell you that some of the whackiest and most awesome moments in it are in this installment. Now onto The Sword of the Lictor!

sambora's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

"There is no magic. There is only knowledge, more or less hidden."

Claw is unquestionably great, but it undoubtedly has a few more repetitive beats than the first entry; our characters being captured, held, only to escape and flee multiple times throughout the story.
Despite this, the actual meat of the book - the lore and the world-building, as well as the characters, the riddles and set-pieces... All were fantastic!

There also seemed to be much more cryptic and subtle foreshadowing here than in Shadow, which I am aware will enhance my experience once those promises pay off, as well as on rereads, but made the page-by-page experience this first time through a bit of a waiting game, however exciting that wait is.

There are so many memorable scenes in this entry, looking back it's hard to believe how much happened in just these few hundred pages. It makes it feel so epic and dense.

A short aside; I really hope we see Jonas again! No spoilers though please! He was such an intriguing character that, while Severian was slow to pick up on the clues about his origin, I was not, and to have him whipped away before learning more was a real tease narratively.

"All time exists. That is the truth beyond the legends the epopts tell. If the future did not exist now, how could we journey towards it? If the past does not exist still, how could we leave it behind us?"

I'm am thoroughly enjoying my time with this series so far! I will certainly be starting book 3 very soon.
I also want to mention, the Folio editions are absolutely stunning, and the artwork is mesmerising and intriguing. Serious props to Sam Weber and the Folio Society for putting together such fantastic pieces.
Please can we have a Folio Edition of the Hyperion Cantos next?

Anywho. A strong 4 stars for The Claw of the Conciliator! Very very good.

gipanu's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

grayjay's review against another edition

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3.0

The story of Severian, exiled journeyman of the guild of torturers, continues.

This volume meandered more than the first! While it opened the story up, or expanded the world, in a few new directions, it didn't seem to have a discernable plot.

I didn't mind it. I liked the scene with the Undine. I like that in this "dying world" sort of sci-fi, magic is coming in at the end of volume 2.

prbowler's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

ireadboooks's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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