The Citadel of the Autarch
Author: Gene Wolfe
Year: 1982
Abstract:
Severian goes to the Ascian front to fight for the Autarch. Enroute, he runs into Vodalus, the arch-nemesis of the Autarch.
Severian also runs into his old flame, Agia, who is now insane, and wants to kill him. After a major battle, Severian is one
of the few soldiers still alive. The Autarch himself rescues Severian, and reveals to him the secret that has baffled Urth for
thousands of years.
| Advanced Mind | |
| Exploration/Quest |  |
| Military/Fighting | |
| Horror | |
| Magic |  |
| Advanced Technology | |
| Time Travel/Alternate History | |
| Science | |
| Aliens/Beasties | |
| Contemporality |
Other books in this series: Book of the New Sun
The Shadow of the Torturer [1980]
The Claw of the Conciliator [1981]
The Sword of the Lictor [1981]
The Urth of the New Sun [1987]
Spectre's Review
Well, this kind of fizzled. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, but it just didn't seem to have as much as the second or
third book in the series. As usual, Wolfe's vocabulary is superb, though at times painful. I've done a bit of research on
some of the terminology, and it is quite accurate, and really does help to liven the story up when you can tell exactly what
weapon an individual is using and stuff like that. The great secrets that the story leads up to are all quite predictable, and
not very 'Urth' shattering. However, the world is very interesting, and perhaps someday we'll return to it.
Spectre's Rating
Hmm. Kind of fizzled there in the end.