Literary Fiction
The Shadow of the Torturer
1980·303 pages
Young Severian, an apprentice torturer on Urth, is exiled for showing mercy and begins a dark journey beyond his city.
Owned
No reviews yet
Owned
Young Severian, an apprentice torturer on Urth, is exiled for showing mercy and begins a dark journey beyond his city.
About
Details
The Shadow of the Torturer is the first volume in the four-volume series, The Book of the New Sun. It is the tale of young Severian, an apprentice in the Guild of Torturers on the world called Urth, exiled for committing the ultimate sin of his profession -- showing mercy toward his victim -- and follows subsequent journey out of his home city of Nessus.
What's Inside
will contain mild spoilers
Sexual content
AI
Moderate sexual content with some explicit scenes, though not frequent. Or implied sexual threats, not graphically depicted.
Violence & gore
AI
Extreme violence and torture; graphic depictions central to the protagonist's role.
Profanity
AI
Minor use of strong language, not a dominant feature.
Substance use
AI
Minor references to alcohol or drugs, not central to the narrative.
LGBTQ+ Rep.
AI
No evidence found in available sources.
Religious content
AI
Moderate religious themes with some ritualistic elements in the world-building.
Magic & witchcraft
AI
Moderate fantasy magic with occult undertones in the setting.
Occult / demonology
AI
Occult elements present as part of the fantasy magic system.
Political content
AI
Moderate political themes tied to societal structure and power dynamics.
Self-harm / suicide
AI
No evidence found in available sources.
Abuse & suffering
AI
Major themes of systemic cruelty and suffering due to the torturer's guild. Or implied sexual threats, not graphically depicted.
Other
AI
No information found.