The Shadow of the Torturer

~by Gene Wolfe
1981 British Science Fiction Association Award Winner
1981 John W. Campbell Award Winner
1981 Nebula Award Nominee
1981 Locus Award Nominee
1981 World Fantasy Award

Severian was raised in the Guild of Torturers, raised to serve the Autarch and obey the commands of his order. But when he falls in love with a prisoner, and allows her to die instead of suffer her sentence, he is exiled to a far away village to serve as their executioner. But, many things will befall him before he can even leave The City.

I liked the concept of the book, but I'm not so sure about the author's style, which was hard to follow (although very lyrical). And, of course, just when it starts to get really interesting... the book ends.

The first volume in the series Book of the New Sun, followed by The Claw of the Conciliator, The Sword of the Lictor, The Citadel of the Autarch, and The Urth of the New Sun.

Find in a library...