General > Author Q&A
Unholy Consultation - *SUPER SPOILERIFIC*
Tyrin:
Congrats on the book, Mr. Bakker! (and also, much thanks for writing a series that has brought me such entertainment!)
One question I've had since TJE was concerning the identity of "the traveler" that seeks out the Skin-eaters in the first few pages of the prologue. Is this traveler an agent of Kellhus, the Mutilated, or someone else entirely?
Nil Sertrax:
Hey Mr. Bakker thanks for popping in and answering some questions. I only have about a million of them!
I don't know how much you peruse this forum or some of the other forums where your writings are passionately discussed. If you do look at these forums you may note that a prevalent reaction to the ending of TUC was confusion. I count myself one of your most passionate fans. I already read TUC twice. I've read the first three books in the PON series at least three times all the way through. I've read the four books in the AE series twice and am currently almost through my third read of TJE in anticipation of going through TAE series once again.
I think that this series is my favorite fantasy series of all-time and second place isn't even close. It is so different from almost everything else out there. The beautiful prose contrasted with the grittiness of the setting and story weave a powerful spell.
With that said, I was thoroughly confused by the ending of TUC. I thought that many of the scenes that were unclear upon my first read would yield greater clarity upon my second. Particularly, I felt the like the entire conclusion, from the gold room forward, felt rushed and opaque. I consider myself to be well read overall, a careful reader and fairly intelligent. What I am not, is a student of philosophy. I was willing to allow for the possibility that the failure to comprehend was solely mine as I am not familiar with the deeper philosophical underpinnings of the second series. When a reread failed to yield additional clarity I came to this forum and to Westeros to see what others had gleaned.
I was disappointed to find the lack of any consensus. Is the ambiguity intentional? I feel like the end reads like a reprisal of the scene from PON where Kellhus pulls Serwe's burning heart from his breast. The imagery is striking but the impact is lessened due to the ambiguity. If I recall, you've always stated that the editing of the "burning heart" section was poor and that you would clarify it if you had a chance to write it again. I still have only vague speculations regarding how that occurred even given the benefit of the whole series (was he possessed by Ajokli or interacting with the outside in some way?).
Are you disappointed in the reaction thus far? Are we missing something that that you, as the author, feel is obvious or is the ambiguity intentional?
Regardless, thanks for taking the time to interact with your fans. Despite my dissatisfaction with the ending I still think that that your series is fantastic and I can't wait to begin reading the No-God in the hope that greater clarity awaits!
Anwurat:
Is Meppa going to show up in the next series or is his story over?
Also, can you confirm that Kellhus actually failed in the end and didn't pull off some trick to fool Ajokli and the Consult?
CondYoke:
Thank you for birthing the monster that has occupied me for the last several years! While I finished reading, I'm still gnawing on the gristle and chewing the fat, always the best part of the meal...
I wish I had a meaningful question, but beyond the title, I don't want to spoil the story for myself, so I will only ask that perpetually annoying reader question... how long? Have you inked a deal yet? Will it grow from 2 to 3 books, or are you set on 2?
Also, you mentioned on TPB that the film/TV rights were optioned. Have you heard of any movement on that project? And if it moves forward, how much creative control will you retain?
Again, I can't thank you enough for writing the kind of epic fantasy I need to read as an adult. So much of the genre left me behind when I turned 20. Congratulations on an awesome book and series.
Cû'jara-Cinmoi:
And thank you all. From a commercial standpoint, this series pretty much has everything going against it. I feel as though it's been a tight knit circuit from the very beginning, which is to say, every bit as dependent on enthusiasts as on me.
--- Quote from: MSJ on July 28, 2017, 06:57:25 pm ---I know you will not spoil future books. But alot of speculation on Kellhus, is he the other decapitant, in the Outside and so on and so on. My question, is if he is dead, he did make it to the Outside, correct?
Also, will there be a time jump in the next series or will it pick up where we left off?
--- End quote ---
Well, Ajokli can't find him.
The next installment picks up several weeks after the disaster at Golgotterath.
--- Quote from: Walter on July 28, 2017, 07:00:16 pm ---Hi Mr. Bakker, huge congratulations on finishing The Aspect Emperor. I thought the final book was the best of the lot.
If it isn't too spoiler-y, can you let us know what the image of Kellhus that everyone sees floating down from the Horn is? It seems clear that the Judging Eye sees the Carapace beneath it, but what was making it ever look like Kellhus was there? Was it the same kind of Tekne that the Mutilated used to project an image of Shae in the Golden Room, or was something else at work?
--- End quote ---
Yes. It's a holographic projection, simply meant to keep the Great Ordeal - and the Schoolmen in particular - pinned in place while the Oar comes rattles back to life. As Madness can tell you, I rewrote that bit a number of times trying to make it obvious-and-allusive (on a reread of the Descent and the Shauriatis ruse I think you'll notice it), but hindsight is a motherfucker when it comes to threading those kinds of needles.
--- Quote from: Tyrin on July 28, 2017, 07:17:00 pm ---
One question I've had since TJE was concerning the identity of "the traveler" that seeks out the Skin-eaters in the first few pages of the prologue. Is this traveler an agent of Kellhus, the Mutilated, or someone else entirely?
--- End quote ---
Just an agent of the Ministrate, I fear. I use a lot of throwaways to hide the players.
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