Stephen ’s Reviews > The Shadow of the Torturer > Status Update
Stephen
is 60% done
Gets really slow in the second half in a way that feels purposeful but to me condescending. Theres this big duel the author sets up and then the mc spends like 3 chapters meandering toward it. There’s even a half a page dedicated to defining what a duel is. In another hands I think I’d appreciate that but it really annoyed me here. Just was too obvious maybe.
— Aug 18, 2026 02:18PM
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Celluloid Doll
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Aug 20, 2026 02:22PM
Honestly I think that bit is great, feels incredibly antagonistic towards the audience for basically no reason it rules
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Celluloid Doll wrote: "Honestly I think that bit is great, feels incredibly antagonistic towards the audience for basically no reason it rules"He does it twice! You think Severian is going to journey to Thrax with this scam artist and his giant friend but he goes pawning. I respect it but I don’t think I care enough about him or the world yet to really enjoy it. I’m not sure why as this sort of thing is up my alley. Agia was a good part of that arc and I appreciate the pity you feel by the end of it.