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toast4267's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
shookone's review against another edition
4.0
This was probably my favorite book in the series so far. The book is just a blast from start to finish. It’s fun to explore this world, it’s fun to see some of the events from the Silver Spike from the Company’s point of view, and it’s fun to watch Croaker be a tricky bastard on and off the battlefield. Getting out of the north and in to a new corner of this world, and using that as an excuse to do some deck clearing and resetting makes this book feel like a breath of fresh air after the last couple entries in the series.
This book is not perfect, the things that I find myself criticizing in Cook’s other books are just as present here. Cook struggles to make anybody besides Croaker and Lady feel like fully formed characters, he can’t let his dead characters stay dead, he can’t write romance for shit, he’ll occasionally say something about women or people of color that probably passed muster back in 1985 or whatever but lands with a thud in 2024. But if you’re reading reviews for the fifth book of this series then you’ve probably already made some kind of peace with those complaints. In light of that I’ll say that this is the fifth Glen Cook book I’ve read, and it is the best Glen Cook book I’ve read, but it is still very much a Glen Cook book in all the good and bad ways that one should expect by now.
This book is not perfect, the things that I find myself criticizing in Cook’s other books are just as present here. Cook struggles to make anybody besides Croaker and Lady feel like fully formed characters, he can’t let his dead characters stay dead, he can’t write romance for shit, he’ll occasionally say something about women or people of color that probably passed muster back in 1985 or whatever but lands with a thud in 2024. But if you’re reading reviews for the fifth book of this series then you’ve probably already made some kind of peace with those complaints. In light of that I’ll say that this is the fifth Glen Cook book I’ve read, and it is the best Glen Cook book I’ve read, but it is still very much a Glen Cook book in all the good and bad ways that one should expect by now.
thevaliant's review against another edition
3.0
While I love Cooks writing, I found this book a little depressing (for the company) and have been putting off reading the next book in the series.
barsie's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
palpino's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bobbyzee's review against another edition
4.0
I just finished it a few minutes ago and Jesus effing Christ, what an ending. I'm really really REALLY trying to read other books in between the Black Company but I fail (almost) every time because, well, Glen Cook. His writing isn't the best ever and the story seems to drag here and there, but then when you least expect it you get whacked over your head with such an awesome epic concept, or a scene, or a twist that it takes a while to sober up. His imagination strikes so many chords in my mind that I can't help but read on whenever I get the chance.
This may well be, if it isn't already, my favorite fantasy series in the last 20 years. I'm four books in and even though I planned other reads after I finish Shadow Games, I'll probably say f*ck it all and just dive into the Dreams of Steel.
So, four stars for this book but the overall series is a pure five star up to this point.
Mister Cook, I'm not easily impressed but you are THE MAN.
This may well be, if it isn't already, my favorite fantasy series in the last 20 years. I'm four books in and even though I planned other reads after I finish Shadow Games, I'll probably say f*ck it all and just dive into the Dreams of Steel.
So, four stars for this book but the overall series is a pure five star up to this point.
Mister Cook, I'm not easily impressed but you are THE MAN.
spikeanderson1's review against another edition
3.0
Nice to be back with old friends...what seem like new villians are really old one's not dead...thats kind of annoying- but still, fun
markmywurd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A solid addition to the story. I enjoyed the twist at the end
zianeu's review against another edition
3.0
It had been quite a while since I'd read the book that comes just before this one in the series, so I had a little relearning to do. My husband really likes this series (I'm more a fan of the Garret P.I. books), so I'm giving it every chance.
I think the prose is a little dry. I like the story, though, and the concept.
I think the prose is a little dry. I like the story, though, and the concept.