Completing the journey of Severian, our erstwhile member of the Torturers' Guild.
Cast out for the crime of mercy on a criminal.
He wanders the strange, bizarre world of The Urth.
On the path to his destiny that he started when he killed a woman rather than see her continued torture.
This giant in the field of fantasy remains one of the greatest ever.

In her forward for the reprint of the first volume, Shadow & Claw, Ada Palmer mentions the idea of a cluttered future. In her forward for Sword & Citadel, she discusses what happens offstage during the hero’s journey. She references a scene from the Jacobian play Pericles, Prince of Tyre, in which King Antiochus dies offstage after being the driving force for the hero. This technique, intended for the audience’s reception, demonstrates the effects of what’s not being shown or said.

What we see doesn’t always complete our perceptions, but the audience still expresses relief at the antagonist’s death or weep at the loss of the hero’s loved one. Even if it’s a mention or a monologue, the offstage event manages to move the audience. Sword & Citadel mentions significant events and incidents, like character deaths and battle outcomes, through a few sentences (if not omitted) from our narrator, Severian.

Severian’s journey in Sword & Citadel doesn’t cover the beginnings and endings of important events. Unlike classics such as The Odyssey, Severian starts scenes and sequences in media res. Instead of recounting all of the hero’s encounters and triumphs, Severian focuses more on his philosophical reflections. His internal monologue seems to hold more importance than what’s happening around him.

We, the readers, learn more about the world, including unexpected twists, but the majority of the second volume focuses on Severian’s thoughts. And because he’s an unreliable narrator, the fragmented events might as well not share the entire tale.

Like in the first volume, Sword & Citadel features characters that come and go. These minor characters and short-term companions play a part in Severian’s journey, but they don’t significantly impact his narrative arc. Unlike key figures that serve the hero’s journey (i.e., the villain, the mentor), the characters Severian meets contribute to his philosophical reflections. Like him, the people he meets and interacts quietly pass by with modest impressions.

For instance, he temporarily stays at the home of a humble mother and her son. Among his reflection of them, he noted the comfortable state of their home, a stark contrast to the romanticized architecture (i.e., towers) of his home.

A classic that continues the story of a generation (and my childhood). A deep story, confusing like real life.

If you can enjoy putting some work to your reading time, this book is a masterpiece. One of the purest form of originality and uniqueness there is! A genre in itself. Solid book! Its a bit of work but its totally worth it!

Simply one of the best dark fantasy series ever and this installment is especially strong. I love Wolfe's use of suspense as he carries the story of Severian and company through their danger-filled adventure. I recommend this to anyone looking for some tense and compelling fantasy that is so well written it should be considered a classic of literature.