(I apologize before-hand if we are not allowed to post spoiler threads about TUC as of yet; I browsed the spoiler policy topic but admittedly I'm a bit excited and upset as of writing this so I perhaps read it a bit hastily. I saved the his text so I can repost it at a more appropriate time if that is the case)
Hello everyone, I just finished the book and I want to hear you your thoughts about the ending and the story in general now that it is concluded (?).
Cliffhanger ending The first question I asked myself as I put down the book having read the last page is whether the ending is a cliffhanger or if the world is really doomed. It seems to me that the namesake of the series has only just begun and the obvious approach would be to write another series about the de facto second apocalypse. That beggars the question, however, whether there is any feasible hope for humanity (and thus whether there are credible options to base a story upon where the second apocalypse is averted); virtually all warlike men have or will perish with the exception of Zeumians (spelling?). Same should be true for the schools.
Kellhus demise What did you guys think about this? I'm personally a bit confused since it seemed on the one hand that Kellhus was descending, greeting the great ordeal, but then at the same time perishing to a chorae. I'm assuming he actually did perish tho, and maybe the figure that greeted the great ordeal was some hologram or something. I'm a bit undecided on Kellhus ending, whether it was credible that he died the way he died. I mean, shouldn't he have noticed Kelmomas presence?
Kellhus: good or bad? I have to say that it was finally concluded that Kellhus was in fact a bad guy. While admittedly he was fighting the consult in earnest; it seems that he was in fact (willingly or in enslavement/possession) basically going to make Earwa a living hell.
Dunyain claiming the consult I personally loved this twist, so good, so smart, and so obvious even though I hadn't conceived anything like this could happen. Masterly, Bakker!
Momen story arc pointless? I fail to see how anything in Momemn made any sense to the overall story of of the book. Sure, there are some connections to the ending with Kelmomas becoming the No-God and everything, but WHY did Kellhus care about what happened to Esmenet at all? I thought Bakker was perhaps unto something when Kellhus states that Esmenet is the only darkness he experience but that ultimately wasnt given any follow-up
Kayutas Why didnt this guy DO anything in the books, really? it really did feel like he played no part whatsoever, whereas all other of the anasurimbor children had some important part to play
Malowebi Not really sure why he was present in the book: his depicting of Kellhus' actions could just have been through Kellhus' point of view rather than having this guy dangling by Kellhus' side cursing Likaro.
Kellhus grandson (Mr. Crabfingers) what the hell happened to this guy? I'm really disappointed this wasn't followed up at all in the book, ESPECIALLY considering TUC is essentially the same book as TGO and just disappeared randomly.
Cnauir What really did happen here in the end? it seemed that he was possessed by the four horned brother, same as kellhus perhaps, but what happened when he walked into the whirlvwind? I think his parts were really well-written however, and even if he seemingly had no purpose to the overall story I really liked his parts. There is just something titanic in the phrase "the most violent of all men" (especially from Proyas' PoV during the first meeting between the believer-kings and Kellhus in the beginning of TTT) I'm wondering whether Cnaiur could be Bakker's best written character. Such violence combined with such intellect.
Akka Same question as with Cnauir. I'm a bit bummed about this personally. I thought Akka was really the hero of the book and it would have been nice to see some sort of redemption for him. It was just a bit anti-climatic the ending (if it can even be called such) for Akka.
Serwa I really liked Serwas development in this book, but im a bit curious what the whole point was of fighting the dragon when there was seemingly no follow up to it? It kinda felt like they could all have waited for Kellhus to finish his encounter with the unholy consult.
General thoughts on the book I might have come across as a bit negative here. I usually have a negative first impression of books, especially when speed through them which admittedly is the case here. I think a lot of my negativity turns on whether we get another book in this series or if this is really the end. There are just too many unanswered questions I think. Overall I did like the book however, Bakker's writing is excellent as usual and the story is high paced and filled with awesomeness basically.
[EDIT Madness: Spoiler tags.]
EDIT: sorry for not addin spoiler tags (DOH!!), thanks Madness!