by Gene Wolfe
First published 1982
Severian grips the Claw of the Conciliator, a gem that once belonged to the Master of Power. This relic pulses with energy as he travels toward Thrax, the distant city where his exile awaits. His sword Terminus Est hangs at his side, but the road ahead promises dangers no blade can cut. Bizarre apes lurk in his path. Cannibalistic tribes practice their strange rituals in the wilderness. A foreigner called Jonas will cross his journey, bringing mysteries of his own. Severian must reach Thrax alive, but the forces gathering around him suggest his exile may be only the beginning of a larger fate. The Claw draws power and peril in equal measure. Each step forward pulls him deeper into a world where legendary figures cast long shadows and ancient relics shape the present. His destination waits, but the journey itself will test everything he believes about power, purpose, and survival.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, fantasy, epic
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, quest
Setting: Thrax
Period: 1982-02-01
303 pages · Paperback · Pocket