The Darkness That Comes Before is the first book in R. Scott Bakker's epic fantasy trilogy The Prince of Nothing. Set in a world scarred by an apocalyptic past, four people are swept up in the launch of an imminent crusade, during which they are ensnared by mysterious traveler Anasûrimbor Kellhus, whose magical, philosophical, and military talents have origins in a distant time. "[An] impressive, challenging debut . . . [the book's] willingness to take chances and avoid the usual genre clichés should win many discriminating readers." -- Publishers Weekly