Reviews

The Claw of the Conciliator by Gene Wolfe

flockabelli's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

jimhart3000's review against another edition

challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition

4.0

Really interesting with a good story, but kind of pretentious. The downside is that the story is written as one huge book, so there is absolutely no review for those who read the first book a while ago. Good for hard core SF or fantasy fans. Not light reading.

qwedsa123's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious fast-paced

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

2.0

zhusl33's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

wingedvictories's review against another edition

4.75

A continuation of Severian’s happy space fun time adventures, with the added bonus of Jonas. 

mattschubert22's review

adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.25

angus_mckeogh's review against another edition

4.0

These books are just so strange at this point but gratifyingly entertaining. The mix of the ancient and that which exists in a world millions of years in the future is just fascinating. Picking out things that exist in current times is puzzling and sometimes confusing. Seeing the reveals of technology which is vastly advanced from the present is moreover puzzling and confusing. But on a whole it creates a uniquely plotted story and an extremely entertaining read. If I would’ve seen these books in store without a recommendation I would’ve chalked them up to pulp fantasy trash. Beyond that it’s hard to express how intricate these books are. I am super chuffed to have found another great author with a diverse and interesting bibliography.

spanks_mackenzie's review

challenging dark medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape

brandoneckroth's review

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.25

Alright, Gene. I see what you're doing here.

You truly cannot read the first book alone. If you don't immediately move from Shadow of the Torturer into Claw of the Conciliator, you'll be lost. Book one was basically an extra long introduction into the characters and hints at the world Gene Wolfe is building. It isn't until book two that everything starts to fall into place. 

Don't get me wrong, there are still parts that even after rereading three times I'm still confused by. But the intrigue, the intellectual challenge, the metaphors within metaphors are what kept me turning page after page. And once again, Gene Wolfe's prose is beautiful and gruesome and perfect. Already can't wait to continue along with Severian on his journey.