[The Citadel of the Autarch] concludes Wolfe's masterpiece, The Book of the New Sun. Severian the Torturer completes his travels on Urth by becoming Autarch and preparing to embark on a journey to the stars. It is possible that we have not seen the last of Severian, but it is not necessary that we see any more for this series to loom as a major landmark of contemporary American literature. Once again, there is hardly a word out of place or an ill-chosen detail. And also once again, there is no purpose in even beginning this book without having read the first volumes of what is, in fact, a single gigantic novel. Wolfe has wrought a genuine marvel here….

R. G., "Upfront, Advance Reviews: 'The Citadel of the Autarch'," in Booklist (reprinted by permission of the American Library Association; copyright © 1982 by the American Library Association), Vol. 79, No. 5, November...