Product Description
Omnibus edition of 3 Glen Cook novels: Old Tin Sorrows Dread Brass Shadows Red Iron Nights ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good Stuff however....
I am only 6 books in and the story is quite frankly getting... old.

Glenn Cook is a great writer and i loved his "Black Company" series however i just can't help but to fell like i am in a never ending loop ofmore or less the same stuff with the Garrett P.I.

However i would recommend the first and the second trio book series.

Garrett P.I. does deliver however the stories just seem to peter out lose steam and focus to me.

I am not sure if i will finish the other set mostly because i am just too cheap to pay the $40 plus dollars for the 3 series set.

2nd Garrett Omnibus
This is the second omnibus of the Garrett series. I loved the first one, so I was glad I had this one waiting.
__________

***** Old Tin Sorrows.

Garrett's old commanding officer is slowly dying, and his old sergeant thinks he's being poisoned, so the sergeant asks Garrett to investigate.

This is a classic whodunit, set in a fantasy world. General Stantnor lives in a household made up of his daughter, a cook, and a whole bunch of old soldiers. And there's a mysterious lady in white seen only by Garrett. The problem is with the General's will: it's set up as a tontine, with everyone getting equal shares, but if someone dies or leaves, their share is divided among the others.

Should be fairly straightforward, right? Especially since the household has been dwindling, and the pace increases once Garrett arrives. Not in Garrett's world.

With Garrett away from the house for most of the book, we don't see much of the Dead Man, or Dean, but it's such a nice twisty murder mystery, that it's hard to mind--particularly when I've got more of the series waiting for me.
__________


****½ Dread Brass Shadows.

Garrett's sometime girlfriend Tinnie gets stabbed, and suddenly Garrett is up to his ears in redheads. It doesn't take Garrett long to realize once the second redhead shows up that Tinnie's attack was a case of mistaken identity. Still, neither Garrett nor Tinnie's family intends to let that be an excuse.

Turns out the redheads... and everyone else... are after a book of spells, each page of which can turn the wielder into someone else. And everybody Garrett turns to for help ends up wanting the book themselves.

This story is hectic and fast-paced, a nice contrast from the darker Old Tin Sorrows. It was a bit more personal for Garrett, which was nice, but it also tended to get a bit confusing following the myriad witches, wizards, gangsters, and dwarves after the book.
__________

**** Red Iron Nights.

This time, Garrett's helping out the Watch, tracking down a serial killer who's targeting young wealthy women who are taking a walk on the wild side--hanging out in the bad part of town. At the same time, he's got a job watching a wacko conspiracy theorist who's just been released from prison. Not an exciting job, but it pays well for not much work, and the Dead Man's insisting.

Garrett and his pals track down the killer and put him away... but it doesn't stop the killing. And then there are those weird green butterflies coming out of his mouth. Making things a little more tense, the daughter of the gangster boss is missing, and Garrett's told to find her as well.

This was my least favorite of the Garrett books. The serial killer mystery was interesting, but it had only the barest connection with the surveillance job. The gangster's daughter plot tied in a little better, but mostly it felt like three separate stories loosely woven together.
__________

I'm not sure if I liked the last ones a little less because I've read so many of these so close together, or if they're just not quite as good as their predecessors.

Consolidation of the 2nd Three Garrett Books
Since most of Cook's Garrett books are long out of print and very difficult to come by, you might end up having to buy this consolidation to find the individual stories. This book, "Garrett, P.I.," is the 2nd of 3 consolidations (so far). The others are "The Garrett Files" and "Garrett Investigates." This book contains the 2nd three stories in the Garrett series: "Old Tin Sorrows," "Dread Brass Shadows," and "Red Iron Nights." "The Garrett Files" contains the 1st three: "Sweet Silver Blues," "Bitter Gold Hearts," and "Cold Copper Tears." "Garrett Investigates" has the last three so far consolidated: "Deadly Quicksilver Lies," "Petty Pewter Gods," "Faded Steel Heat." The remaining two books ("Angry Lead Skies," and "Whispering Nickel Idols") still appear to be in print on their own. As was the 1st consolidation ("The Garrett Files"), this book is well bound, has good quality paper, and is well cut. As a pure average of my ratings for the three contained stories, I rate this book at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5. My individual reviews follow:

"Old Tin Sorrows:"Excellent 4th in Cook's Garrett Series.If this isn't the best of the whole Garrett series, it's right up there fighting for the slot. For all intents and purposes, there's no Dead Man in this book: it's all Garrett, with some support from Morley and a couple of appearances from Saucerhead and the Dojango triplets. It's got good pacing and keeps you scratching your head trying to figure out what's going on all the way to the end. It's also one of the darkest books in the series. Nasty stuff. But, it explains why Garrett is so fixated on his picture of Eleanor in later books. Excellent, excellent book. I rate it at 5 stars out of 5.

"Dread Brass Shadows:"Very Good 5th in Cook's Garrett Series.Unlike the previous book, this one has a lot more Dead Man in it. Unfortunately, as a counterbalance, the pacing is a bit uneven (nothing horrible, just noticeable). This book also introduces Winger. Alas, Cook's portrayal of her is inconsistent. From scene to scene, she varies from competent to incompetent at specific tasks. For instance, in one scene, she's not all that good at hand-to-hand combat. Yet, in another scene, she defeats someone whom Garrett would be afraid to tackle. Ditto for her tracking ability: at one point, she's essentially blind to what's going on around her. At another, she's picking out people Garrett misses. It's a shame, since she plays such a large part in the book (basically replacing Morley and Saucerhead). Given that, I rate the book at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5.

"Red Iron Nights:"Very Good 6th in Cook's Garrett Series.It's a good book, but the pacing could use some work. Also, Cook introduces several minor plot elements and does very little with them until the end. One of them, having to do with Morley, he doesn't do anything with (like explain it) at all. Regarding recurring motifs in the series, in this book, Cook introduces Chodo's daughter and the Parrot. His introduction of the Parrot is disappointing considering its prevalance in later books (if you don't know to watch for it, you'd miss it entirely). But, still, overall, a very good book. I rate it at 4 stars out of 5. ... Read more

Product Description
The ongoing war between Humanity and the Ulant is a battle of attrition that Humanity is losing. Humans do, however, have one technological advantage - trans-hyperdrive technology. Using this technology, specially designed and outfitted spaceships - humanity's climber fleet - can, under very narrow and strenuous conditions, pass through space undetected. "Passage at Arms" tells the intimate, detailed, and harrowing story of a climber crew and its captain during a critical juncture of the war. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Military SF In Miniature
Glen Cook writes good military SF, although he pushes purple metaphors a bit much. Passage At Arms vividly portrays the isolation and paranoia of small long-range units.This is not "space opera," but well worth reading for fans of military SF.

Tactical vs Strategic
Glen Cook's "Passage at Arms" is a hardcore science fiction military book written at a tactical level.As others have noted, it's basically a science fiction future equivalent of the chronicling of a WW2 U-boat mission.The characterizations of the main figures are very well done (the secondary characters are pretty sketchy, but they're good enough for their roles in the book), the theme is interesting, the plot is captivating, and the writing is excellent.The one technical aspect of the book that I didn't care for was present only during the first chapter or so:the prose was overly flowery and adjective-laden.I really don't know why Cook did that, but, thankfully, it died away very quickly and left a very good text that didn't get in the way of the story.With only that in mind, I'd have given the book 4 stars.But, Cook's choice to write this at the tactical level forces me to drop my rating by a star.I'm pretty sure he did this to get the "feeling" of the book the way he wanted it (i.e., the feelings of the men doing important things without any control over them or any real idea what's happening).But, essentially, the book just describes what happens inside a tin-can during a couple of missions.There's almost nothing at the strategic level that would move the story out of the personal and into the grander realm of things.I recognize that that's a personal preference on my part.So, if that doesn't bother you, I'd highly recommend the book as being Very Good (again, it's well done and captivating).But, from my point of view, I feel I have to reduce it by one star and rate it at merely an OK to Pretty Good level of 3 stars out of 5.

Incredible
This book has replaced 'Ender's Shadow' as my all time second favorite book (I'm not sure if anything will ever knock 'Lion of Macedon' out of the #1 spot). This was the first book i read by G. Cook. What a way to start. I immediately got a copy for my fater-in-law and he loved it also.

It has been said before, but is so spot on, that if you liked 'Das Boot' you will like this book. The desciptions of the life aboard 'ship' are amazing and the battle sequences are awesome. If you are any kind of fan of miltary or space sci-fi you will love this book. and if you do, will also like 'The Dragon Never Sleeps'. It is kind of a sci-fi version of the dread empire, kind of.

Das Boot meets the Battle of Britain with a dash of 12 O'clock high
Cook creates a universe, a conflict and a sense of war at the retail level in a Das Boot setting (close and stifling) at a Battle of Britain moment (never have so few...) in a conflict.He finds a way to create the excitement of battle without disturbing the overwhelming sense of ennui of an endless patrol in a a claustrophobic ofenvironment.He uses the 12 O'Clock high premise (complete an impossible number of missions and you can go home) effectively, if somewhat deceptively.His characters are sketched a bit incompletely, but even that works.The last 20 pages are a triumph and a fullfillng end to a good story.

Good, gritty military sci-fi
Cook does an excellent job of depicting real people as soldiers, with their flaws, their individuality, and their feelings.Similar to the tone of the Black Company series, in a dark-humored, gritty, way. ... Read more

Product Description
For Garrett, P.I., loyalty and love come a close second to survival...

Garrett's attempt at domestic bliss with the fiery Tinnie Tate is sidetracked when he waylays a pair of home intruders and learns they've been paid by an unknown source to kidnap Tinnie. But as Garrett rushes to find out who is trying to push his buttons, his best friend is attacked. Now, Garrett has to track down both malefactors.

Unless they're really one and the same-in which case Garrett might be next... ... Read more

Product Description
After the devastating battle at the Tower of Charm, Croaker leads the greatly diminished Black Companysouth, in search of the lost Annals. The Annals will be returned to Khatovar, eight thousand miles away, a city that may exists only in legend...the origin of the first Free Companies.

Every step of the way the Company is hounded by shadowy figured and carrion-eating crows. As they march every southward, through bug infested jungle, rivers dense with bloodthirsty pirates, and cities, dead and living, haunted by the passage of the Company north, their numbers grow until they are thousands strong.

But always they are watched--by the Shadowmasters--a deadly new enemy: twisted creature that deal in darkness and death: powerful, shadowy creatures bent on smothering the world in their foul embrace. This is the first round in a deadly game, a game that the Black Company cannot ea hope to win.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

More of the Same
Glen Cook's Shadow Games, the Fourth book involving his Black Company and the first book of subsequent duology provides more of the same as the first three books. What is more of the same? Well, you get good writing, interesting plot lines, interesting characters, some pretty cool, unique ideas, and, overall, a really fun read. It also means that you've seen a lot of this stuff before. The book lacks the originality of the first trilogy, it's a little more predictable, a little less exciting. That being said, if you liked the Black Company, you'll like this. It's a worthy addition to the series.

The plot follows the remnants of the Black Company, now led by narrator Croaker, as they go in search for the Company's origins. Along the way, they get caught up in a major war with a group of dark, unknown sorcerers (who may be affiliated with some members of the Taken). The story is pretty interesting, but the best part of Shadow Games is the continuing revelation that is the Lady, once the most powerful ruler in the world. The other returning characters don't experience much character development in Shadow Games, but the Lady sure does. And her character development is excellent. She has become one of my favorite characters in the series. Further, her interactions with Croaker have become increasingly entertaining. Croaker, too, continues to remain an intriguing protagonist/narrator.

As I said above, the series is starting to get a little repetitive by the time Shadow Games came out. If you didn't like the previous Black Company books, don't bother with this one. But if you liked the others, and are looking for a quick read, you can't go wrong here. It's probably not quite as good, overall, as its predecessors, but Shadow Games is pretty darn good.

Very Good, But What a Cliffhanger
"Shadow Games" is a fine Glen Cook "Black Company" book.If you've read the previous books in the series (The Black Company (Chronicles of The Black Company #1), Shadows Linger: A Novel of the Black Company (The Second Chronicle of The Black Company), and The White Rose: A Novel of the Black Company (Chronicles of The Black Company)), you should like this one.It had been a long time since I had read the previous books, and reading this one felt like coming back to an old friend.There are some differences between this book and the previous ones, though.First, this book is centered more on the Black Company's travel and not on a specific military campaign.Second, most of this book leaves the reader puzzled because, like Croaker, we don't have enough information to figure out why certain things keep happening.And, finally, the cliffhanger ending is a doozy.If you don't have the next book in the series handy (Dreams of Steel (The Fifth Chronicle of the Black Company)), you're going to be very upset when the ending rears up and leaves you hanging by your fingernails and screaming in despair.But, overall, given what the Black Company series is, I'm very pleased with it and rate it at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5.

A New Start !
This is a new start for the series. Primarily called The Books of the South. I've read some not so nice reviews about this book and I was like "really". I finished this book faster than any other book not only in this series but overall. I read this book in a matter of two days. I was hooked on this book.

After the events that took place at the end of The White Rose novel, Croaker being hailed as the new captain decides to disband the company and allows all to either join him to take the Annals back to their origins, Khatovar, or go to wherever their hearts desire. The Black Company is split in two with Croaker, The Lady, One Eye, Goblin, Murgen, Otto and Hagop deciding to travel together.

As they travel down south across jungles, journey in ships while fighting boat pirates amongst other hardships, the Company begins to grow. Soon they acquire a legion of men from all lands with The Nar from Gea-Xle being amongst the best men the company have ever had. As they traverse south strange things begin to occur which Croaker alone seems to be able to witness. A new evil is lurking in the shadows.

While on there way to Khatovar, they are approached by royalty from the city of Taglios. The Company it seems may have a new contract on its sleeves. As Croaker accepts his new contract, no one can or will tell them of the Companys history when they came up north from Khatovar nearly four centuries ago. Its a thorn in Croakers spine. So thus begins a new chapter for The Black company.

I thought this was one hell of a book. You can smell the fresh start. I love all the places they come across on their journey south. Its exciting. In this book you get to see Croaker really begin to build his Captaincy in this book. Up until then he was The Annalist/Doctor to at which he still is but he begins to venture into a new foray. The Lady now reborn, of sort, is a bit lost about her "new self". One Eye and Goblin continue with there feuding. All the while these new Shadowmasters begin there march to Taglios.

This is one of the best book in the series in my opinion. I enjoyed it more than The Black Company, Shadows Linger and The Silver Spike novels. Its about as good as The White Rose for me. Things get much better/worse for The Company soon. Read on !!

A weaker continuation of the series
Picks up immediately after the events of the first trilogy. Croaker decides to take the few remaining members of the Company south to the city of Khatovar where legend says the Black Company began. He is joined by the Lady who has lost most of her powers and abdicates her position as the ruler of the Dominion. After a long journey, and the addition of new members along the way, the Company comes to the city of Taglios where they take charge of the city's defense against the Shadowmasters who rule the lands to south and block the Company's path to Khatovar.

This is a weak volume in the series.The company journeys to the south and has some minor adventures until they reach Taglios, where there is a lot of political maneuvering. The book ends on a cliffhanger, so it is not really a complete story in itself.The minimal writing and heavy sarcasm throughout makes none of the story seem that serious.

don't give up on series due to this
I don't get michael moorcock or geln cook-- when on they are some fo best in world -- then they either have ghost written or write a stinker like this --this book is far from the good stuff of the first 3 and silver spike [which are some fo best fantasy books ever]The next one is sorta blah as well and I'm 80% done with Bleak season which has moments.[sometimes I wish the series was from the perspective of the stump which you will know what I mean when ya read!]
[hint glen!]

I can only hope that things get nicer after bleak...

This one can almost be skipped by the callous. ... Read more

Product Description
In TunFaire, a city of gorgeous women, powerful sorcerers and dangerous magic, the beautiful, criminally insane daughter of a comatose crime boss has some lascivious designs on private investigator Garrett-who now has to figure out why everyone is suddenly after him. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Great Mental Candy!
Ever since the first of the series, Swet Silver Blues, came out,
I have been a fan of Garrett, P.I. Whispering Nickels is one of the
best of the series if not THE best to date. It may say something that
my purchase was of a spare copy!.The next in the series, Cruel
Zinc Melodies, readily follows from this book and I cannot wait until 2 November for Gilded Latten Bones!

Garrett #11 - goons in green pants
Whispering Nickel Idols is a new dawn for Garrett - he's growing up at long last, is a respectable businessman, and maybe is even thinking about settling down with Tinnie Tate.Way back in Dread Brass Shadows we had early 30's Garrett starting up running to keep in shape, and now it looks like he's accepting he's not 20 anymore.Over the first 10 Garrett novels, he seduced, or was seduced by, femme fatales of every stripe - redhead, blonde, brunette, and of course the raven haired Belinda Contague.Also, there were various goddesses, aliens, ghosts, crossdressers, and an attemped seduction by a ratwoman.Lets not forget too that Tinnie Tate may be a gnome, or just short (its not clear - Garrett is an unreliable narrator).But at long last, Garrett appears to embrace monogamy, at least in theory.

If growing up is the underlying theme of these last few Garrett novels (Cruel Zinc Melodies continues the trend), then the actual plot remains loads of fun.We have a sleazy lawyer (but I repeat myself), a magic basket of kittens, a street orphan, a rural cult with a noted lack of sartorial style and an interest in pain and despair, and seemingly random cases of spontaneous human combustion.Oh, and its Chodo Contague's 60th birthday party, and Garrett is an honored guest of Belinda Contague at said shindig - until the place catches fire and Chodo goes missing (which is hard to do voluntarily when you are in a wheelchair after a stroke and cant move).

How does all of this fit together?Garrett has to figure that out with a little help from the Dead Man, the fairies in the walls at Macunado St, John Stretch and his rats, and anyone else he can talk fast to.

The ending here is a little neat, and perhaps the book is a few pages too long.But that's just more time to spend while Garrett natters away merrily.While not the best of the Garrett series, its still worth five stars for all its joy and whimsy.Garrett is the best, and funniest, cross-genre fantasy hardboiled detective going around.

I'm a little late to the party
Unlike some of these other people, I actually just started reading the Garret series last year, I stumbled on them and then ended up buying the whole series. I love them, I love how they read, so easy and I get right into them and then when I'm done, I'm dissapointed that it's over. I hope he keeps writing this series because it's like an old friend you can't wait to see.

An OK book, but could have been Great with a Good Editor
Glen Cook's book "Whispering Nickel Idols" is an "OK" book. By "OK", I mean that I would recommend this book as one to read if your in the need for some mindless reading entertainment and want to be amused by witty sayings done by the main character. With a good editor, it had the possibility to have been a great book. Specific observations:

1) This book's feel is best described as "choppy". It has 81 chapters in it, one of which is ONE page of written material. This had to have been deliberately done (or agreed to) by the author. Much like a MTV music video, which used quick "cuts" to create tension in your viewing, this created tension in the reading of the book. Tension which was, quite frankly, not needed or desired.

2) The writing flow was also choppy. I can summarize the book as so: Garrett goes out, does something in 2-3 sentences while making witty sayings/whining about something/whining about money/admiring Tinnie/talks about or visits friends, then comes back and either checks on Dead Man/talks to dead man/drinks beer/talks about Dean/looks at something in door/goes to sleep.

3) Garrett keeps complaining throughout this book. Look, I get it. He's a curmudgeon. I'm tired of hearing him complain. After the third time of him complaining about getting up in the morning it became irritating. Have him do something for goodness sakes.

4) Other than Garrett, the author takes some great characters....and does absolutely nothing with them. No expansion of them, no revelations, no nothing. The two main female characters in this book could have been sooo much more. Heck, there could have been tension between them throughout most of the book (and for good reason) over the main character...and that could have been an interesting subplot. Note to author: Sometimes readers take an interest in the other characters, especially since they've been in how many of the books?

5) The ending was a complete letdown. I'm only telling you that so you won't be disappointed. A whole book....to get to that. Ouch.

The really irritating thing about this book is that with the proper editor, this book could have been really good. Cook's creativity, grasp of his characters, ability to see things and write about them is outstanding. His basic idea of what he wants to do with the book is sound. But he needs someone he trusts to tell him when he's gone too far with some things and not far enough with others (like, oh, moving the story along and not having it repeat it's basic form over...and over...and over again). Just my opinion, your mileage my vary.

Utterly Ridiculous
After reading 90 pages, I still had no idea what the story was about.The book went into the trash. ... Read more

Product Description
Since the end of the war, there had always been bigotry against non-humans in TunFaire. Even though many species had sacrificed in battle, some groups of humans thought the "Golden Rule" translated to"Humans rule. Now give us your gold." With the streets descending into bloody race riots, and the organized "human" brotherhoods flexing both physical and economic muscle, TunFaire was a hairsbreadth from total chaos. Garrett is a wise-guy private investigator who speaks loudly and carries a big stick.Backed by a circle of friends no one would wish on their worst enemy Garrett is caught in a conspiracy of hate that pits man against.everybody!

Praise for Glen Cook:

"Lively homage to Chandler and company, with plenty of suspects, sex, and corpses...Cook turns fantasy inside out!" --Locus

"Garrett spouts argot and attitude worthy of the hardest-boiled detective who ever pounded mean streets...fun to read!" --Fantasy Review

"Fast-paced adventure that combines sword and sorcery with hard-boiled detective fiction!" --Library Journal ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Garrett saves a brewery ... in fine style
This is the ninth Garrett PI novel, in which he tangles with shapeshifters and dabbles in politics...well, not elective politics.More the "street demonstration" type...but I get ahead of myself.

Coming late to the Garrett series, it has been a joy to read all 12 (no.13 is out in Nov 2010) novels pretty much one after the other.Amazingly, they all held up to being read in that fashion, since they have been being written biannually since the mid 1980's.This time around, Garrett is working for the Watch and an old client both, amidst a background of political intrigue as the long war in the Cantard is over, and the soldiers are coming home to discover their city is not really fit for heroes.

As it turns out, the long war in the Cantard is not quite over yet, due to some left over Venageti special forces.Then there is the "human rights" movements - the title is a lovely quip in a black way - and murder.Garrett and the Dead Man aren't speaking, there is an irritating parrot out there somewhere, and Belinda Contague is still crazy and into Garrett, if that's not a tautology.Throw in a little Tinnie Tate, some Morley Dotes, and it's a great story, even if you get completely lost in it.

This is a superb mix of noir detective story, fantasy adventure, and humour.Garrett is one of a kind.

Nice!
For those who haven't noticed yet, Garrett is most similar to the classic series of Nero Wolfe novels, with elements from Dashell Hammett's novel's atmospheres.Except that these mysteries are set in a fantasy world."The Dead Man" is the analogue to Nero Wolfe, and Garrett is similar to Archie.Even Fritz is symbolized by old Dean.But what it steals in form, it makes up doubly in quality.The Garrett novels are so superb as to be infinitely re-readable.

This particular story is about midway through the story, and so it does not stand alone.Please find a list of his novels "in order" on some website and read them "in order" before reading this one, or you'll miss the importance of many of the events... for example, why the Dead Man went to such lengths to talk to an old geezer would be a mystery to new readers.

This one is very complex.The "human rights" movement is in full swing, and meanwhile, a family of changelings have targeted a prominent family for "replacement."Garrett is severely fooled several times in this one, and the reason why so much carnage had to happen in the book is unknown to me.Much of the violence is not very well justified by the plot or even by artistic necessity.

Furthermore, later novels don't revisit the afflicted family very much.Perhaps Cook was trying to get rid of the recurrent quality of some of the plotlines he began in previous Garrett books.Certainly the later novels have a tendency to be odd in content and atmosphere compared to the early ones.I consider this one to be the last "classic" Garrett novel.

Synopsis:Garrett is asked as an afterthought, by Mr. Weider, the beer magnate, to work security at a party he is giving.It turns out that many ethnic cleansing type "human rightists" will be using the party as a meeting ground, and that a group of changelings are targeting the Weiders for replacement - and everyone else for extortion.Therefore, Relway and Colonel Block tell Garrett to join "The Call" (a rabid human rights group)as an infiltration gambit, and Belinda Contague (the queen of TunFaire's mafia) asks Garrett to take her to the party so she can have a sit down with the human rightists.

Garrett's girlfriend Tinnie, and Mr. Weider's daughter are both miffed by his snubbing them and taking Belinda to the "ball" instead, Crask and Sadler are out for revenge against Belinda and Garrett both, and Garrett is at one point hired by Marengo North English - the head of "The Call."Finally, the Dead Man and Garrett seem to be on the outs, yet the Dead Man still manages to pursue one of his long time hobbies, to Garrett's public chagrin.There are so many overlapping plotlines in this one, that you may have to read it twice.It's worth it.

Two more books to go...
From what I understand, Glen Cook had finished the next Garrett book, due out in March 2002(?) and called Heavy Leaden Skies. He is planning one more Garrett book and then appearently the series will end. :/

Unique series--but where to from here?
Cook's Garrett series, culminating in Faded Steel Heat, is some of the best and most unique fantasy I've read.The basic shtick of the series is that it places a cynical, film noir-style private eye in a setting of magic and monsters.Cook's attention to realism and detail make the juxtaposition believable and the plots are always suitably complex.There is also a large dollup of dry humor, the kind that makes you wince as much as laugh.I can't believe that the series was not more widely read; it's better, in my opinion, than Cook's much darker Black Company series.

As you can tell, I'm a fan.So here's my concern: Now where?I don't want to give away the plot for those who haven't read Faded Steel Heat.But it seems to me that this novel, much more so than its predecessors, wraps up loose ends and would make the series difficult to continue.A few characters are left dead, and others seem defeated.The web of remaining characters may have become too tangled to draw out into further plot lines, or at least plot lines involving those characters.And what would a Garrett novel be without Morley and the Dead Man and Tinnie and company?Much less fun, that's for sure.Cook has written his way out of seeming endings before, but this sure felt more final than any of the previous books.

I don't know.I do hope more TunFaire novels are in the works.But that's not for me to decide.Mr. Cook, if you read this, please give us more of Garrett!Any idiot could write hero-slays-dragon generic fantasy; but Garrett and his world are like nothing else out there.Let him tell us another tale from the Garrett files . . .

good, but...
I found FSH to be oddly disjointed, compared to earlier Garrett novels (particularly the seamless Old Tin Sorrows, by far the best of the series).Often I had the impression that Cook expected me to understand something that he hadn't bothered to explain, simply because Garrett had understood it -- or perhaps because similar situations in previous novels *had* been spelled out explicitly.Every so often, I'd find myself reading a page three or four times, convinced I'd missed something, because the next page was inexplicable (e.g., the sudden appearence of the Dead Man in the later part of the story).

That said, this was a good, morally ambiguous, sprawling monster of a plot.Without spoiling anything, I can say that this book finally unifies a lot of plot threads that have lurked in the Garrett books for years.The 'all-star-cast' nature of it makes me wonder, actually, where Cook intends to go next.His own military experiences have informed so much of the series' development that I was a bit shocked at the back-cover text of the book announcing the 'end of the war', and now I wonder if the setting can sustain itself without that constant source of angst and suffering.

I can't recommend this as a *first* Garrett novel -- look in used bookstores for some of the earlier, now out-of-print books.Especially Old Tin Sorrows -- did I mention that it's incredible? :-)But as the latest entry in the series, it does its job admirably -- even with the jerky, disjointed nature of the storytelling. ... Read more

Product Description
Some feel the Lady, newly risen from centuries in thrall, stands between humankind and evil. Some feel she is evil itself. The hardbitten men of the Black Company take their pay and do what they must, burying their doubts with their dead.

Until the prophesy: The White Rose has been reborn, somewhere, to embody good once more.

There must be a way for the Black Company to find her...
... Read more

Customer Reviews (160)

Dark and Ugly, and That's Ok
Glen Cook's titular company of black is a band of hardened mercenaries. These rough, near-villain men fight for the highest bidder, honor-bound only to their contracts. Cook shows (not tells) the exploits of these storied band of mercenaries, though the eyes of their medic and annalist, Croaker.

The Black Company has a thematic styling that you're more likely to find in detectives and murder mysteries then a high fantasy tale. There are no shining knights pitted against evil wizards here. Instead of stark black and white, the Black Company wades waist-deep in grey.

The Lady, a mysterious and likely entirely evil being, dominates most of the world. By accident, the Company finds itself in the employ of a Taken, one of the Lady's powerful henchmen.

Any moral qualms they might have had are calmed when they see the brutality of the rebels. The Black Company might be caught between a war of two evils, but they always honor their contracts. Well, most of the time at least.

The noir elements resound throughout almost every element of the plot. Not only is the company forced into an evil vs. evil conflict, but Croaker falls into a fatal fascination with the Lady herself. However dark things get, it never goes pitch black. Eventually, they catch a break, even if it's at the expense of someone else; the silver lining is always tinged with bitterness.

Croaker is an interesting character to view the events of the book through. Cook gets you deep in his battle-worn skin.You might not agree with him, sometimes he might repulse you, but you understand and empathize with him.

The sparse writing leaves many spaces for interpretation. Often, Croaker will decide not to record certain facts, or admit to not telling the full story. He's surprisingly reliable, but there's the sense of being told the story second hand. You'll also find no maps in The Black Company, leaving most of the geography up to your imagination and the few sparing details. Cook is very much telling a human story instead of world building.

I'm forced to compare him to Steven Erikson, as he's the only other non-Tolkien-esque fantasy author I've read. When stood against Erikson, Cook is far narrower in focus. All we see of the world is what Croaker sees and knows. Ancient histories are reduced to rumors, and the writings of dead cultures are indecipherable more often than not. Yet, this small window into a great world tantalizes more then it frustrates.

While the style may be lacking in details, The Black Company is more then intriguing enough to quickly pull you through the entire volume (and it's sequels) in no time at all.Cooks pacing is excellent; the moment when you think you're about at the end of a thread, a dozen more threads of intrigue appear for the observant reader.

The Black Company is not a pretty book.It is not beautiful. It's covered in dirt and blood. Yet it fascinates because it reflects so much of the ugly in our own world. As much as we aspire to beauty, we still must contend with the nasty that's right before (and in) us. That's why The Black Company works; it's a mirror that shows every hideous scar and wart.

What?!?
I can't help wondering what person thinks this is the greatest series/novel ever written. What type of reading do these people do? I mean I'm glad when anyone reads anything and yet I have a hard time with this one. Also, I can never trust an Amazon.com review again. I bought the compilation based on the HUNDREDS of great reviews and yet was hard pressed to finish the first novel...which was so poorly written that I had to check that it wasn't translated from a different language by a blind idiot. None of the dialog made any sense and the story had so many plot holes it was practically dropping words onto the floor. One page a character would be 'all powerful' causing everyone within hearing range to quake while the same character is pinned hopelessly under debris on the next page. A monster will kill everyone in a castle easily one page and just nick a character and run away scared the next. WTF? I'd love to hear everyone who loves this book justify themselves, please comment if you have the time.

A good start!
In this, the first of Glen Cook's "Black Company" Chronicles, the author introduces us to a company of mercenaries.They are not the first nor (we hope!) the last in this company's storied history and, as such, the story is presented as one of the company's many exploits and told from the perspective of the annalist who records company history.This can make it a little tough to get into the story, especially since the wealth of fantasy literature seems to be dominated by third person story telling.But, once one becomes accustomed to Cook's (or should I say "Croaker's"?) writing style, the story flows well.We're introduced to an interesting plot, pitting two sides against each other, neither of which can be clearly labeled as "good" or "evil".In this, the Black Company fits perfectly...they've mercs and the ethics of it all just don't come in to play.

This isn't a traditional world-building fantasy novel, either and, while this can leave a lack of detail in places, it fits well with a story driven by mercenaries, moving from town to town and battle to battle, analyzing people and places not on the beauty of their cultures but on the threat they pose to the company and mission.While different from the norm (and it is an occasionally stale norm), this helps the reader to focus in on the company as characters and drivers of plot, rather than the surrounding circumstances.

Overall, this is a compelling read but one I had some difficulty with because of the style.It is, however, a worthwhile read and a necessary one if you're to follow it up with the superior (in my opinion) "Shadows Linger", which continues the plot.

Definitely Worth Your Time
I have been reading fantasy novels for years now, and I am ashamed to say that I had been putting off Glen Cook's the Black Company for far too long. I've never been particularly interested in fantasy focused so closely on military. Indeed, I was bored silly by Steven Erikson's Malazan series, a series which draws frequent comparisons to the Chronicles of the Black Company. I can now say that I regret delaying so long. The Black Company is well worth your time.

The Black Company is the first book in Glen Cook's Chronicles of the Black Company. It follows an elite mercenary unit (the titular Black Company) which is enlisted by a fairly evil Empire to take part in its war against a rebel faction. The story is told through the perspective of Croaker, the Company's historian and physician. The narrative is, then, limited to that which Croaker directly sees or hears about. As such, the reader often learns of major events after they have happened or, sometimes, only in passing. While the limited perspective can be frustrating at times, it turns out to be quite rewarding, as, through Croaker's eyes, the war takes on a very personal feel which would surely be lost from a third party perspective.

Indeed, the Black Company was unique when it was written (1984), for taking the realm of fantasy down to the perspective of the lowly soldier. As opposed to most fantasy novels, which focus on the leaders and great heroes, the Black Company focuses on the soldiers with whom those leaders and heroes are rarely familiar. Although this technique has become more prevalent in recent years, few authors have managed it as well as Glen Cook.

Croaker will never be accused of grandiloquence. Through his perspective, the story telling is generally direct and gruff. He doesn't waste time describing every town or person he encounters in detail. You would be hard pressed, for example, to physically describe more than one or two of the members of the Black Company. But in a day where bombast and excessive levels of detail reign supreme (see e.g. Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, Steven Erikson, etc.), brevity truly does become the soul of wit. It is always refreshing when someone can tell a full story in under 400 pages.

To be sure, the story is not as complex as is, say, the story in A Song of Ice and Fire or in the Malazan series. The cast of important characters probably numbers around two dozen. But the characters the story does focus on are delightful. Although the vast majority of the characters are hard, battle weary soldiers or mages of limited morality, Mr. Cook manages to imbue each of them with different, unique personalities that make the reader want to learn more about them. Indeed, I found the Taken, Mr. Cook's equivalent of Tolkien's Nazgul, to be utterly fascinating. Unlike the Nazgul, which were vague embodiments of evil, the Taken, while certainly evil, have individual personalities and wage political wars against each other. Also, each has his own unique skills and abilities. Shapeshifter can, for example, take pretty much any physical form he desires. Stormbringer can, well, bring storms. As the story is told from the perspective of a mere soldier with no magical powers, Croaker's description of the Taken and their powers is wonderful. Frequently, characters in fantasy novels take magic for granted, but Croaker's amazement with and terror of the Taken is delightful, particularly given that, despite his fears, Croaker and the Company fight alongside the Taken.

Many other reviews have described the Black Company as morally ambiguous or, at the least, a work with minimal moral sentiment. Croaker has his own sense of morals which are, probably, stronger than the vast majority of the characters in the novel. His moral preferences do, in fact, become very important at the story's conclusion. I did not find the story morally ambiguous as I did Martin's Song of Ice and Fire. I consider the role morality plays in the book as closer to that it plays in the Godfather. In both, we root for the protagonists not because they are good people, because they are not, but because they are the protagonists doing battle against other bad people. But, like Vito Corleone, Croaker has his own code of honor and morality that gives him, even if it is minimal, a moral superiority over most of the other characters.

Further, many reviewers have described the Black Company as among the most realistic fantasy novels. I agree with this sentiment to an extent. Because it is told from the perspective of someone actually fighting the wars, we see the fantasy genre from the bottom up, rather than the top down. We see what it is actually like for the soldiers who are, generally, ignored in most other fantasy. But it is a stretch to otherwise call the Black Company realistic. This is a world where wizards run rampant, producing frequently ridiculous magic, riding magic carpets and defying death constantly. Heck, there is even a were-leopard. The Black Company gives us a more realistic look at how a fantasy novel might unfold were it actually to happen, but it is difficult to call it realistic.

All that being said, if you haven't already picked up this novel, you're missing out. I was hooked after about twenty pages. The final battle scene was utterly breathtaking. Indeed, I was genuinely excited as I read through the novel as a whole. Unlike with other military fantasy novels, like Erikson's Gardens of the Moon, I actually wanted to know what happened next. I actually cared. I did find the conclusion a bit disappointing. Perhaps I had become so accustomed to (and appreciative of) the moral ambiguity that the conclusion simply didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story. The limping finish is the main reason why I gave the Black Company 4 instead of 5 stars.

Nevertheless, I am excited to pick up the next book in the series in a way that I haven't been for some time. Glen Cook has created something special here. Don't miss out.

Not for me
I starting reading this book on the recommendation of a friend. It is one of his favorites, but I didn't like it at all. After several attempts, I put the book away for good. I couldn't even finish it. ... Read more

Product Description
Private Investigator Garrett has agreed to play bodyguard for a kid who is being threatened by creatures that defy description. But before Garrett can make heads or tails of the story, the kid is abducted-and the chase begins.

"Cook brings a dose of gritty realism to fantasy." (Library Journal) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Good, but not as good as...
...his other works in this series. I'm a Glen Cook fan, I don't really read anyone else in the sci-fi genre, but this particular book of the Garret, PI series left me with questions. Just seemed like there were too many loose ends, the plot kinda meandered around, and it wasn't as focused as it could have been. That said, even a fair Glen Cook novel is a better read than just about any other sci-fi out there.

A mystery within a mystery
This is book#10 in the Garrett PI series, and it really helps if you have read the first nine.By now, Cook is telling linked episodic stories, which was not so much the case with books 1-5 or so.Other reviewers have mentioned the plot, so I dont need to, really.

Garrett is a noir PI in a grimy fantasy city - kind of like if Lankhmar was populated by Tolkien, and to top it off a generations long war strangely like Vietnam has just been won by the good guys - well, Garrett's guys.Kinda.Garrett tells his stories in the first person, and you know, I think he's a little bit of an unreliable narrator from time to time.

Into this crazy backdrop we have little grey men (and, notably, women) poking around for reasons of their own.Its a gutsy call to throw sci-fi into what is already a blend of fantasy and detective genres, but Cook makes it work.Really though, the story swirls around Garrett - there is no real central villian to be defeated, more a mystery to solve - and this mystery is really insoluble, given we have a magical society trying to understand alien technology and psychology.Even the Dead Man never really gets it, but we as readers do, to an extent.

For the last hundred of so pages of the book, we have Chodo Contague's 60th birthday party hanging over our heads too, as a not so subtle reminder that there are other troubles in the water besides the current case.

The story is really about TunFaire, Garrett's home, and how it is changing with the rule of law (well, of Deal Relway) and the integration of non-human refugees and ratpeople.Garrett's role in that change is significant, something he rarely realises himself, but when you look back over 10 books, he seems to have a genuine role as a catalyst for change.

This is Glen Cook writing, so there is humour, crackling dialogue, and weapons-grade fun. If you like either fantasy, or Raymond Chandler, you could do a lot worse than pick up the whole lot of Garrett tales (#13 coming out in November 2010 or thereabouts) and read them through in turn.

Whodunnit is right.
Normally, I love Glen Cook's writing, and especially his Garrett novels. I suppose that's why it's so hard for me to believe he actually wrote this. Come on, Glen; admit it. You were so busy working on other projects that you let a fanboy crank this one out and put your name on it. Absolutely terrible effort in a series known for some pretty decent work.

cook has a ghost writer? or did his son do this?
all the 3star and less reviews are fairly accurate.. this book just cant be written by glen cook. there are way too many inconsistencies in character and fact from prior books. all the other books in this series i just couldnt put down. this? im having a hard time getting through a chapter at a time. i wouldve guessed this to be cook's first stab at writing had i not known better. suffer through it if you really like the series, but dont waste your money on it new. i wouldnt pay more than a buck for this one... pew!

Gah!What Happened?
This is the 10th in Cook's Garrett series ("Sweet Silver Blues," "Bitter Gold Hearts," "Cold Copper Tears," "Old Tin Sorrows," "Dread Brass Shadows," "Red Iron Nights," "Deadly Quicksilver Lies," "Petty Pewter Gods," "Faded Steel Heat," "Angry Lead Skies," and "Whispering Nickel Idols"). I don't know who really wrote this, but Glen Cook should track him down and take him to court.Well, perhaps I exaggerate.However, from all the gaffs in this book, it looks like Cook didn't bother to review his notes from the rest of the series before he wrote this one.Here are some of the problems that leapt out at me:

- First of all, where did Garrett's love interest, Katie, come from?Usually, he finds these women as part of his cases (either the principal or a player).In this case, we start out the book with her already there.She has no background and plays no part in the book.He doesn't even mention Tinnie (whom he had gotten back together with at the end of the previous book -- a couple of weeks in Garrett time) until half way through the book.

- Second, Playmate is way out of character.In all the other books, he's a simple, honest person.In this one, he's essentially a walking Dead Man or a more honest Morley Dotes:a sophisticated, educated, smooth talking, cynical person.Plus, Cook specifically notes that he's NOT really 9 feet tall.Yet, in all the other books, he IS 9 feet tall.A couple of books ago, Cook graphically portrayed him in a situation at Morley's restaurant as being bent over to fit inside.My guess is Cook needed some way to work a specific type of character in as a principal and a 9 foot tall, simple guy wouldn't work.So, he just changed him.

- Similarly, Singe has miraculously graduated from a smart, though barely articulate, rat woman into practically an Einstein.

- Ditto for the Rose triplets.Specifically, Doris and Marsha.In all previous books those two grolls were dumb as stumps.Even more importantly, only Dojango spoke "English" (that was why he was around -- to translate).Doris and Marsha ONLY and SPECIFICALLY spoke grollish.

- And, finally, near the end, Cook mentions that the Tates have DWARF blood somewhere back in their line.That's not correct.Again, specifically, in all previous books he's mentioned that they have ELF blood in them.

Then, there are the "logic" errors (I know, it's fantasy, but still...).For instance, in one case Cook has Doris hold Garrett up to a fourth floor window.AFAIK, that should be at least 40 feet up.Yet, Doris and Marsha are 20 feet tall.Even with very long arms, they couldn't reach above 30 feet.Then there's the fact that the "Visitors" are described as ugly, yet everyone thinks they might be elves.In all of these books, elves are alway extremely handsome/beautiful:it's an elvish characteristic.There's no way anyone should consider these "Visitors" to be related to elves.

Another BIG problem is the problem itself.It might be a spoiler, but since it's implied in the official write-ups and becomes obvious at the very start of the book, I'll bring it up:there are space aliens in this book.I'm sorry, but aliens just have no place in a fantasy/detective novel.It's just silly.Even worse, Garrett plays the two-backed beast with them.Repeatedly.Often.Ugh.

And finally, Cook seems to have lost the detective part of his fantasy/detective mixture the Garrett books are supposed to be.Outside of some minor leg-work during the first half of the book, there's no real mystery and no detectiving.In fact, the last half of the book doesn't really do anything at all.It's just Garrett doing his alien experments, setting up some personal stuff, getting back at Morley, and the aliens finalizing things.That's it.All done.What a waste.

If you're still reading this, by now, you'll probably guess I'm not happy with what Cook's done to the series with this book (and I LOVE this series -- it took me years to find all the books again to re-read them).So, I have to give this book a sadly well-deserved 1 star out of 5.If you've been following this series since the beginning, the book will give you nothing but grief.If you've never read a Garrett book before, you might get a few giggles out of it, but you won't have any of the history (even though Cook's "modified" it) to understand what's going on.There's really no reason for anyone to read it. ... Read more

Product Description
When sorcerers and demigods go to war, those wars are fought by mercenaries, "dog soldiers," grunts in the trenches. And the stories of those soldiers are the stories of Glen Cook's hugely popular "Black Company" novels. If the Joseph Heller of Catch-22 were to tell the story of The Lord of the Rings, it might read like the Black Company books. There is nothing else in fantasy like them.

Now, at last, Cook brings the "Glittering Stone" cycle within the Black Company series to an end . . . but an end with many other tales left to tell. As Soldiers Live opens, Croaker is military dictator of all the Taglias, and no Black Company member has died in battle for four years. Croaker figures it can't last. He's right.

For, of course, many of the Company's old adversaries are still around. Narayan Singh and his adopted daughter--actually the offspring of Croaker and the Lady--hope to bring about the apocalyptic Year of the Skulls. Other old enemies like Shadowcatcher, Longshadow, and Howler are also ready to do the Company harm. And much of the Company is still recovering from the fifteen years many of them spent in a stasis field.

Then a report arrives of an evil spirit, a forvalaka, that has taken over one of their old enemies. It attacks them at a shadowgate--setting off a chain of events that will bring the Company to the edge of apocalypse and, as usual, several steps beyond.

Glen Cook is the leading modern writer of epic fantasy noir, and Soldiers Live is Cook at his best. None of his legion of fans will want to miss it.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (48)

The End...At Last ???
Receiving this book in the mail that day I was anxious, scared and downright in awe. Finally I had reached the end of a series. A series that I spent months of my life reading and re reading several times over. This book is even thicker than the previous two and overall the largest. I took my time with this book because I know Mr. Cook had to unravel EVERYTHING in this book. Right ?

The Company now living in The Land of Unknown Shadows after retrieving the fallen held under stasis under the plain. Its been about four to five years since the end of Water Sleeps. Sleepy is now the "official" Captain of the Black Company while Tobo and several others from The Land of Unknown Shadows run the Company. Croaker , The Lady, Murgen, One Eye and a few others are still amongst the Company but have left it all to Sleepy and her administration.

Soulcatcher along with Mogoba, Narayan Singh and The Daugher of Night along with her spiritual goddess mother Kina are still in the homeworld. All is not well in that world with chaos and uneasiness keeping the people of Taglios in fear.

While Croaker not a young man by no means has become quite a figurehead in the Company. His repuatation still follows him around. Things take a turn for the worse when an old enemy sets of a chain of events that reignites an old flame in himself to finish some "old business." This leads him to what he has dreamed of his entire adult life. Khatovar !?

All the while Sleepy at unease wants to cross the Glittering Plain and get back to her homeworld to settle her own score with the pyschotic Soulcatcher. Meanwhile, Soulcatcher waits in desperation for The Company to come back so she can finish them off once and for all.

Also, The Daugher of Night along with Narayan are within grasp of their beloved Year of the Skulls. They can practically taste it with help from Thi Kim, the saviour representing Kina.

This book is littered with about nearly everything from the series. Lots of things are realized and yet many still are left in the grey. Croaker and The Ladys relationship toward the Daugher of Night is so heartwarming. You can't help but feel sorry for all three of them. All three have be bound by a life of struggles and have remained not only a disruption throughout the series of The South, but in each of their minds they have suffered immensly because of it.

This book is about loss and new starts. Self realization. New things gained while old things lost. Its the end of an era and the beginning of an age. The outcome for The Year of the Skulls and Croakers own fate is mind blowing. I was in shock on how Mr. Cook decided to end the series. Yet I felt that this really isn't the "bonafide" end, but, lets say sure he closed the door but left a window open to a whole new start for The Company. Read it and you'll see what I mean. Great work Mr. Cook. Its been a pleasure !!!

Looking back and (hopefully) forward
I had to have been one of the first people to read this series. A friend loaned me the first book and I was entranced. But nothing was available anywhere. I wrote Mr. Cook (got the address from his publisher, no Email stuff at that time) and he was kind enough to sell me two books containing the first three books of the series, and wrote a nice letter to go along with them. Now it's 2010 and here's a look back.

The last book in the series? GREAT!A real closure!Several authors, vastly popular and known world-wide, write great stories and then completely flunk the ending, leaving the reader wondering what really happened. I won't say their names but the initial RL is a hint. This one DOES let the reader leave the book with almost all the questions answered. (Pretty hard to write this long a series and not leave a few questions).

Again, looking back, the series is still one of my all-time favorites and perhaps THE all-time favorite. What would I like now? A prequel. If I had the 'druthers', I would start it just before the time that One-Eye and Tom-Tom joined the Company and continue, perhaps in a two-part series, up to where Book One of the series begins.

A follow-on book? Nah, all my favorite toons are either dead or in a state of advanced senility and I will never be as enchanted about the new additions

Soldiers Live, but Most Die
If You've started the South Books then continue through the other books or jump to this one.
If you haven't and you want to know how the company ends then jump to this one.
If you haven't started the book of the south and want the fantastic ending of the first trilogy left as it with so many possibilities then don't touch any of these books.Read The Silver Spike.It has more developed characters and an actual resolution.Soldier's Live does has a resolution, but it is disappointing and a bit ridiculous.

If you managed to make it through the rest of the Glittering Stone then this book does raise the bar again.However, the raise is marginal at best.All of the people who gave the company character and flavor have been marginalized.Their deaths become cliff notes; the last brief sentence of a chapter.Even characters who were well developed in other books simply "died during the fighting."It becomes sort of like a game.You start a chapter and guess who'll die at the end.Apparently Croaker forgot to "get it all down as it happened" during those key events, using witnesses.My favorite chapter is when a trap is sprung and the book doesn't tell you if the characters died.The book has just reached a point where if you've a character and they were in a tight spot you know they didn't make it.

The company despite it's brilliant leader who is apparently a genius, even compared to Croaker, frequently stumbles in dire situations.Glen does attempt to explain by contrasting the two Captain's strategies, but its hard to believe how blind the Captain is.

The book does have an upside.Two characters eventually join The Company and remind you how well developed the people of the North were.They also help Croaker "reawaken," which causes his writing to become more like that of the Northern books.Of course the book has several episodes of catch and release of key villains before it finally winds down.When it does you feel disappointed that the ending was so anti-climatic.No personal duels, no confrontations between old enemies at all.The villains just sort of "they got killed" too.

If you've made it through Water Sleeps and want to see how things get resolved then march on.You put up with 4 books of catch and release you deserve some closure.If you haven't started any of the books of the South.DON'T.Just read Soldier's Live if you want to know the series ends.The end pays off a little, but with no connection left to it's Northern past I find myself caring little about the Company or future books.Unless they follow Croaker.Those could be redeeming.

About the Series as a whole
Glen should have added a chapter telling how one of Soul Catcher's shadows was sent North to kill The White Rose, Case, and Smed's just to finish cleaning house.After the first two Books of the South, I found it hard to care about the characters who weren't from the North.As fewer and fewer of them survived the books lost focus on the Company and spent too much time on individual characters.There are no more outside influences or events worth putting in the annals other than what the current annalist is doing.This left me a bit disenchanted with the series after how enthralling the first trilogy was.

Confusion Abounds.
The book starts off almost exactly where Water Sleeps left off except several characters who had been awake are now suddenly still beneath the Glittering Stone...Oh well.

Not Free SF Reader
A very neat little twist indeed, contained in this story for that grumpy old man Croker.Very apt use of the title, and I was pleasantly surprised by the end.I really thought I wouldn't like this much at all.Cook has done well to finish the series very far from anything you thought might happen, but in a very satisfying manner.Nicely done.

Back From The Dead And Missing It
Welcome to the final (really!) volume in Glen Cook's Black Company Series.For years now the Black Company has been roasted, nearly wiped out, resurrected, and buried again.Suddenly, for four long years, no one dies.Peace seems to have broken out but, if you know the Black Company, this is only a rest before disaster breaks out all over again.Even living in a world like the Land of Unknown Shadows can only save the Company for a while.Sooner or later Taglios will call them and they will cross the Glittering Plain one more time.

The good news is that Croaker is back as narrator.While he has ceded his captainship to Sleepy, he and Lady are still figures to be reckoned with and they are ill suited to inaction.Back on the Taglios side Soulcatcher is still the Protector and their daughter BooBoo is still the living avatar of Kina.New nightmares sleep under the plain and old friends suddenly return from the dead.There's just too much fun to be had launching suicidal campaigns.

The lesson of this volume is that The Black Company really is its own worst enemy.All the key players manage to outsmart themselves, and people die who shouldn't have to.The price for putting Kina to rest may very well be the destruction of at least one world.Croaker's dark commentary notwithstanding.And typical of this entire series everybody gets betrayed at least once.Despite all this, the ending is perfect, a classic example of Glenn Cook's knack for zigging just when you expect him to zag.This is one of the best of the Glittering Plain story arc notable as much for its subtlety as it is for action. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

very enjoyable political/intrigue military sf
comparisons to dune with this book are fair in the context of the almost too convoluted politial and family relations that the principals have.the military element is typical excellent cook material.I was somewhat unsympathetic with col. storm's need to keep his word to not kill Dee despite circumstances even early in the book.

the time-line moves to present the early life of deeth were initially somewhat disjointed, later fleshed out 2 sides of the final conflicts.

Edit - I reread this in April 2008.I would add that the political intrigue reminded me more of Dragon Never Sleeps than, say, Tower of Fear.I still remain unsympathetic to Storm's promise to not kill Michael Dee, his half-brother, despite being mutually willing to horribly maim each others' children.Cook makes Dee out as such a manipulating scumbag so early (even before we learn about Fearchild, Valerie, etc) that the reader is left baffled that this guy is still alive after centuries of this.

I did enjoy rereading this book a lot.Functionally it is a stand-alone novel, as the 2 remaining starfisher books are very different in tone and would be more accurately described as a 2-book series set in the Shadowline universe following the adventures of one of the (few) surviving characters from Shadowline.

It's a travesty...
that this book has been out of print for so long.In my opinion this is Glen Cook's best book (although at times I think that The Dragon Never Sleeps may be almost as good).

This is the story of the Storms - a family of mercenaries in the far distant future and their generation-spanning vendetta against Norbon w'Deeth - the head of a massive criminal syndicate who blames the Storms for the deaths of his family and the near destruction of their criminal empire in a raid on his homeworld.The book can be enjoyed on a deeper level than as just a straightforward military sci-fi story, however.I don't want to give everything away but, for those who are interested, I recommend checking out the dedication. Also, I highly recommend the book The Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley - Holland. Every time I reread the book I enjoy looking for parallels I haven't noticed before.

One of the main strengths of the book is in the characters.The story is very effectively told through multiple points of view and you really come to care about each of the characters,Even the villains are, if not likeable, at least understandable and compelling, doing what they do because of their carefully detailed histories and psychologies.

All - in - all, this is not just one of the best ever one of the best military sci-fi novels ever, but one of my all time favorite books.

It's a travesty...
that this book has been out of print for so long.In my opinion this is Glen Cook's best book (although at times I think that _the Dragon Never Sleeps_ may be almost as good).

This is the story of the Storms - a family of mercenaries in the far distant future and their generation-spanning vendetta against Norbon w'Deeth - the head of a massive criminal syndicate who blames them for the deaths of his family and the near destruction of their criminal empire in a raid on his homeword.The book can be enjoyed on a much deeper level than as just a straightforward military sci-fi story, however.I don't want to give everything away, but for those who are interested, I recommend checking out the dedication.Also, I highly recommend the book _The Norse Myths_ by Kevin Crossley-Holland.Every time I reread the book I enjoy looking for parallels I haven't noticed before.

One of the main strengths of the book is the characters. The story is very effectively told through multiple points of view, and you really come to care about each of the characters.Even the villains are, if not likeable, at least understandable and compelling, doing what they do because of their carefully detailed histories and psychologies.

All-in-all, this is not just one of the best military sci-fi novels ever, but one of my all time favorite books.

Shadowline
If you liked DUNE you will certainly like this book. It seemed a bit confusing in the beginning, but all characters and situations tie into each other throughout the book. You take a thrill ride all the way to the end.It keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves you wanting more. ... Read more

Product Description
Starfish: Treasure troves of power. They were creatures of fusion energy, ancient, huge, intelligent, drifting in herds on the edge of the galaxy, producing their ambergris, the substance precious to man and the man-like Sangaree alike. In deep, starless space the herds were protected by the great harvestships of the Seiners, or Starfishers - the independent, non-Confederation people who dared to skirt the deadly boundaries of Stars' End and battle the Sangaree. It is with them on the harvestship Danion that Confederation agents Mouse Storm and Moyshe BenRabi have to fly and fight, probing mystery and myth. And where BenRabi, man of many names, must surrender his dreams and his mind itself to the golden dragons of space and their shepherds, the gathering... Starfishers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Gritty Intrigue and Espionage
The second book in Glen Cook's //Starfishers Trilogy// begins 16 years after the events of the first, //Shadowline.// || Mouse is now a commander in the intelligence services of the Confederation Navy. He and his partner are sent into deep cover on edge of the galaxy to spy on the elusive Seiners. These are humans who have refused to join the galaxy-spanning federation and who maintain their independence by having monopoly control over the rarest element in the universe, ambergris, which makes faster-than-light travel and communication possible.

While //Shadowline// juxtaposed the professional waging of war with an integrated, devoted family, //Starfishers// centers on the struggle any individual endures in trying to fit into a society, and how much of their individuality they may forfeit in the process. While Mouse is a major character, the focus here is on the inner struggles of his partner, BenRabi, who is undergoing an existential crisis while being pursued, behind enemy lines, by one of the more deadly ghosts from his past. The story successfully pits gritty intrigue and espionage against the trials of a man trying to map the line between his true self and his socially constructed identity. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (13)

This is how you write a fantasy book!!
First of all, let me just thank reviewer David Lessnau. He recommended this book in another review on Amazon.I got into fantasy just a short time ago but found it difficult identifying good original fantasy works.Many of the great classics apparently were written in the 70' and 80' and I would not have been able to find them without this site.Amazon reviews work!!Anyways, back to "The Tower of Fear".Glen Cook is a fantastic writer."The Tower of Fear" was my introduction to Glen Cook, and it will not be the last time I'll read his works."Chronicles of the Black Company" looks interesting."The Tower of Fear" contains several story lines with multiple,complex and multi-layered characters.Usually a warning sign for me.Almost inevitably one of those story lines ends up being boring.Cook avoids this however, and puts together believable characters with interesting stories to tell.(I have to admit though it took some time getting used to the weird names.Several times I had to review the cast to see who was who).The world building is superb and I love how it all fits together.The "Tower of Fear" is a fast, fun, scary, dark and enjoyable read.It all comes together and ends with a great finish.I was however, disappointed with the two epilogues.Better to just end with the last chapter.But hey, that's just a personal opinion.Great book, I highly recommend it.

Masterful Plotting
4 AND ½ STARS

My first experience with dark fantasy author Glen Cook could not have been more enjoyable.I always look for a good story, solid technical writing that exudes confidence, a strong vocabulary with a unique style, believable and original characters, rich atmosphere, and an overall consistency from beginning to end.It is rare for a writer to have strengths in most of these categories.Glen Cook has them all.

This book is crafted masterfully like the construction of a champion chess game.Every new chapter delicately builds upon the last, with each development having an impact on the story.A single character's decision has a domino effect, creating new choices, options, and dangers of everyone involved.I found myself nearly breathless how well everything came together.If there was a criticism to be made of the book, it would have to be the handful of places where the dialogue felt too modern with phrases that didn't seem organic to the world Cook has created.Those few times pulled me out of the story, but fortunately, that did not happen often.

I was so impressed with this book, I have already ordered 3 more titles from this author (The Dragon Never Sleeps, Passage At Arms, and The Black Company omnibus).Anyone interested in fantasy without the clichéd orcs, ogres, elves, dwarfs, and magical weapons, will be refreshingly surprised with this stand-alone novel.Cook has renewed my interest and faith in the dark fantasy genre.I can't wait to read more.

One of Glen Cook's better Books
Glen Cook writes an exceptional book.There are three main factions, all vying for a "win" in a great and fading city.The wins are mutually exclusive.Each faction is led by a smart, capable leader who has tactical and stratigic goals.Each has motivations that are both clear and obscure.This is a book about smart people competing against each other and dealing with unexpected events, bad luck, and people showing human failings and insights.There are very realistic portrayals of cpeople and I came to care for many of the characters.Balance this story against books where the hero comes up with a plan, competes against powerful but incompetent advesaries, and chugs toward a successful conclusion.

Power is balanced with flaws, cunning against bad luck, morality against emotional weakness.

I am a Cook fan and this was one of his best books.Highly recommended.[Best was probably The Dragon Never Sleeps- space opera.]

His Best Ever!
I throughly enjoy Glen Cook's Black Company series and I am just starting book 5, "Dreams of Steel", but I have to say that by far "The Tower of Fear" is his best work that I have read so far.It reads like something from Greek Mythology. If there are any movie producers out there who are looking to make a blockbuster film then you need to contact Cook soon and get the rights to this story.But if you do, PLEASE do it justice and don't make it cheap and cheesy.

Fantasic book
This is one of if not the best book by Glen Cook.If you liked the Black Company series you'll love this book.The personalities are original and well developed as well as the world in which the story takes place.Absolutely loved this book and have read it several times.I've read almost every single book by Cook including all the Black Company and Garret Files as well as several of the out of print ones and this is as good or better than any of them. ... Read more

Product Description
At the edge of the galaxy lay the Fortress known as Stars' End, a mysterious planet bristling with deadly automated weapons systems, programmed to slaughter anyone fool enough to come within range. But who built this strange planet of death, placing it within view of the Milky Way's great lens... and tantalizingly close to the hydrogen-filled feeding grounds of the interstellar dragons known as Starfish and the priceless ambergris they create?

Should the harvestships of the High Seiners, known as Starfishers, gain control of that arsenal, they need never fear the Confederation's navy nor the armies of the human-like Sangaree again. But intelligent life everywhere now needs the might of Stars' End--and the expertise of agents Mouse Storm and Moyshe benRabi. For in the midst of the Sangaree wars, a far more sinister enemy approaches, coming from the depths of the galaxy, in hordes larger than a solar system.

From Glen Cook, the Master of Modern Heroic Fantasy, comes Stars' End, the final novel in the Starfishers Trilogy, a seamless blend of ancient myth, political intrigue, and scintillating futuristic combat action. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent Cook novel, in a different style
There was once a rumor that Cook was several different authors, given the different styles of each of his series.This book was part of what helped to create that rumor.

In some ways the Starfishers stories are submarine warfare and the Manhattan project in space.Think of that approach as providing a structural gloss to this story of war and triumph.

Cook develops his plot lines, twists in the new story elements and wraps them up cleanly.While this is a new release for Nightshade, it is a re-release of an excellent book by Cook that actually made me hope for more books in the same setting.You could set a Traveller campaign here, the scope would support adaption to a movie, the book comes to a satisfying conclusion that does not leave one cheated or elements unresolved.But it comes to a conclusion without ending the setting, so that other stories are possible, just not needed.

Not too much more I can say without spoilers, but I was pleased when I read the original release, I'm pleased to see it again.Excellent science fiction of the old school type with complete characters and a clean internal logic.

What can I say, I'm still buying books by the author many, many years after I bought this one. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

fun series
This is an omnibus of the first three Garrett fantasy/mystery novels. Garrett is a P.I., a human with no special magical powers, who lives in a world peopled with a variety of supernatural creatures. He lives with his partner, "The Dead Man," who's a Loghyr--450 pounds of dead flesh housing a mind that's capable of telepathy and telekinesis and tele-what-have-you... when he feels like it, anyway. He also has a butler/housekeeper/cook named Dean (who's perpetually trying to hook Garrett up with one of his innumerable personality-rich nieces), and a penchant for redheads.
__________

Sweet Silver Blues.

In this introduction to the series, an old marine buddy of Garrett's has died and made Garrett an executor of his will... a will in which he left a fortune in silver to an ex-flame of Garrett's, who was apparently also an ex-flame of his friend's.

So Garrett has to go back to the Cantard (where the war over silver mines is ongoing) to find her, and it rapidly gets complicated.

There's magic and mystery and espionage and action and even a little romance, though Garrett's idea of romance doesn't involve monogamy.

I had a little trouble keeping all the characters straight in the beginning, but even so, I was hooked.
__________

Bitter Gold Hearts.

Here, Garrett is hired when a Stormwarden's son is kidnapped. But he's not hired to find the son, or to deliver the ransom--he's asked his advice, then he's paid and sent on his way.

The plot thickens when a young woman of the household hires Garrett's friend Saucerhead for protection, on Garrett's advice, and ends up dead, and Saucerhead nearly so.

This story was more of a classic mystery, and I really enjoyed the twists and turns and figuring out whodunit and why. Since it was the second book, I was familiar with the characters, which made it easier to follow, as well.
__________

Cold Copper Tears.

This one is even more twisty. We're introduced to religion and street gangs when what looked like an ordinary (read: boring) security guard job that Garrett passed off to a colleague ends up with Garrett being attacked and the colleague turning up dead after returning Garrett's advance and saying he got a better offer.

The client disappears and Garrett finds himself up against a cult headed by a would-be god. In addition to his usual allies, he has Maya, head of a street gang who he'd known as a child. But she's not a child anymore, as she keeps reminding Garrett.

I appreciated how each book seems to reveal a little more of Garrett's universe, and this one, with an abundance of intrigue, was fascinating. I was a wee bit squicked by the age difference between Maya and Garrett, but then so was Garrett.
_________

These stories are a nice blend of fantasy, mystery, and humor, and I understand why so many fans of the Dresden Files recommended them. Garrett's voice isn't quite as vivid as Harry's--he's very much the hard-boiled private eye from those 40s movies. They also remind me a bit of the Nero Wolfe series, which is one of my all-time favorites. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.

Garrett and Associates
The Garrett Files (1988) is an omnibus edition of the first three novels in the Garrett Files series, including Sweet Silver Blues, Bitter Gold Hearts and Cold Copper Tears.TunFaire is an old city, with the royalty and wizards uphill and the criminals downhill in the slums.Outside the city are the estates of the rich.

Garrett is an ex-Marine who has spent five hard years fighting the Venageti within the Cantard.After completing his enlistment, he hung out his shingle as a private detective.Now he has his home and office inside the city gates in the commoner section.

Garrett has a partner in the detective business.The Dead Man had been killed four hundred years previously, but is neither dead nor a man;he is a four hundred fifty pound Loghyr whose body might be dead, but whose mind is definitely still alive.He can read the mind of anyone within a score yards or so of his body and can project thoughts into the minds of anyone within the same radius.He is also capable of other psychic tricks within that restricted range.

The Dead Man is very smart and extremely well informed on historical details, but he is also incapable of moving on his own.Garrett is the active partner, gathering facts and reporting back to the Dead Man.The Dead Man compiles these facts and then deduces certain conclusions, often sending Garrett out to collect additional specific information.

In Sweet Silver Blues (1987), a friend of Garrett has died and the registered will appoints Garrett as one of the executors.Denny Tate had been a cavalryman in the Cantard and had been in the lucky regiment that overran a Venageti treasure caravan.Denny mustered out with a goodly amount of metal.

When Willard Tate takes him into the basement to see his son's silver, Garrett finds much more than he expected.The basement contains one hundred thousand Karentine marks in silver and other metals.No way that could be Denny's share of the plunder.Willard explains that Denny had been trading in metals, buying gold when the price of silver is high and buying silver when the price of gold is high.

Denny's will left most of the fortune to Kayean Kronk.Supposedly she is an old flame from his army days, who had kept writing letters to Denny after he was returned from the Cantard.After Garrett finished reading a few of the letters, he knew that he would take the job.Of course, he would have to return to the Cantard to find the heiress.

In Bitter Gold Hearts (1988), the Dead Man is working on the tactics of Glory Mooncalled in the Cantard.He has bugs moving around on the wall map in the pattern of past campaigns.The grumblings and mutterings are trying Garrett's patience.

Garrett had been drinking heavily the night before, so the pounding on the door aggravates his hangover.Some lackeys in the colors of Stormwarden Raver Styx are hanging around outside guarding a half-fairy named Amirantha Crest.She has come down from the Hill to offer him one hundred gold marks to accompany her to the Stormwarden's residence.

After some typical verbiage to establish his importance, Garrett collects the money and then goes back with her to the household.The Stormwarden's secretary -- Domina Willa Dount -- wants Garrett's advice on the kidnapping of the Stormwarden's son.The Stormwarden is in the Cantard and her secretary would prefer that her son is released before she returns.Willa Dount describes the circumstances and shows him the ransom note.He provides her some useful tips and concurs in her thinking on the matter.

The Stormwarden's consort interrupts their discussion and Willa Dount handily brings him to heel.Then she dismisses Garrett, explaining that his very presence would be enough to warn the kidnappers to stick to the rules.As he leaves, Amirantha intercepts him in the hallway and asks about the interview, then she makes a date to meet him at the Iron Liar.Garrett notices a black-haired looker in the hallway -- she also notices him -- and learns that she is the Stormwarden's daughter Amber.

In Cold Copper Tears (1988), Garrett is taking a vacation from the clients, but Jill Craight gets past Dean and hires him to protect her from break-ins by persons unknown.She refuses to accept his excuses and pays him an exorbitant retainer.Garrett takes the money and sub-contracts the job to Pokey Pigotta.

Later, Magister Peridont -- a big-wig of the Church -- tries to hire him to discover who is behind the mud-slinging among the Orthodox clergy.The scandal has been spreading and may carry over to the Church itself.Garrett listens to the man and begins to like his approach, but turns down the job.

Later, a darkelf half-breed youth gang tries to kill Garrett as he walks toward Morley's place.One of the gang is an albino.He fights them off and takes three knives, then continues on to Morley's.

Garrett gets more than his usual stares when he arrives.Morley takes him upstairs to the office and plants him in front of a mirror.He has blood all over the left side of his face;a breed had gotten in one good cut that he hadn't even noticed.

These story have elements of noir detective stories.They also have some obvious similarities to the Nero Wolfe novels, although Garrett shows more intuition and independence than Archie Goodwin.Unlike most private detectives, however, Garrett is not a loner;he has friends and calls upon them as needed.

Highly recommended for Cook fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of a tough detective, casual magic, and a psychic genius in the parlor.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Great fun, loved it
Garrett Files combines the murder mystery and science fiction/fantasy genres.Add to the fact the writer includes a LOT of humour and you have three delightfully enjoyable books in one.The plots are easy to follow; the characters are fully developed, and very likeable.I liked these stories so much I immediately bought all the Garrett series:
Garrett, P.I. (3 book compilation)
Garrett Investigates (3 book compilation)
Garrett on the Case (2 book compilation)
Highly recommended.

Great detective/fantasy work, enjoyable set of books
This set of 3 books by Glen Cook does a lot to show the flexibility of this author, when contrasted with his Black Company series (I have yet to read the other series he has written).The three novels showcase the protagonist and his household in a number of lights, against enemies that are generally competent in their own right. Without spoilers, I felt that the detached resolution of book 3 was somewhat detached/anticlimatic, but overall this is a very enjoyable read.

Consolidation of the First Three Garrett Books
Since most of Cook's Garrett books are long out of print and very difficult to come by, you might end up having to buy this consolidation to find the individual stories. This book, "The Garrett Files," is the first of 3 consolidations (so far). The others are "Garrett, P.I." and "Garrett Investigates." This book contains the first three stories in the Garrett series: "Sweet Silver Blues," "Bitter Gold Hearts," and "Cold Copper Tears." "Garrett, P.I." contains the next three: "Old Tin Sorrows," "Dread Brass Shadows," and "Red Iron Nights." "Garrett Investigates" has the next three: "Deadly Quicksilver Lies," "Petty Pewter Gods," "Faded Steel Heat." The remaining two books ("Angry Lead Skies," and "Whispering Nickel Idols") still appear to be in print on their own. Regarding the physical book itself, I was very surprised by how good the quality was. When I was a youth I used to get books from the SFBC and the quality was less than stellar. This book appears well bound, has good quality paper, and is well cut. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what printing my book is. The date on this Amazon page is 1988. But, I can't find a date on mine anywhere (it's brand new). My cover is also different from the one I've seen associated with this ASIN/BSIN (I've put a copy of mine here since there's no publisher provided one). Regardless, this is a very good book to have. As a pure average of my ratings for the three contained stories, I rate this book at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5. My individual reviews follow:

"Sweet Silver Blues:" Excellent Start of the Garrett Series. This is the first of Cook's Garrett series. It's an excellent, humorous combination of Fantasy and early Detective novels (Raymond Chandler is the usual comparison). What always strikes me about this series, and especially this book (since it's the first), is how Cook's writing makes it feel like the world he's describing actually exists (and has existed for some time). It's like the history, geography, and people are THERE and he's merely opening a window to their world. This is an excellent book which I highly recommend to anyone who likes either Fantasy or Mystery. I rate it at 5 stars out of 5.

"Bitter Gold Hearts:" Very Good 2nd in the Garrett Series. This is the 2nd in Cook's Garrett series. It's a very good book, but isn't quite as good as the first in the series. The deficiency isn't anything major: it's just that I noticed a couple of the secondary characters whose personalities drastically changed from scene to scene (more so than the variability of human nature would allow). The additional role Cook gives to the Dead Man makes up for it, though. I rate it at a very good 4 stars out of 5.

"Cold Copper Tears:" An OK 3rd in Cook's Garrett Series. This is the 3rd in Cook's Garrett series. It's an excellent book for the first 99%, but, unfortunately, the ending fizzles. Oh, Garrett and the Dead Man figure things out nicely. All the 'i's are dotted and all the 't's crossed. But, instead of involving us in the denouement, Cook relegates the final cleanup to a background role. It just lacks that visceral feeling of closure. Solely because of the ending, I can rate this book at only an OK 3 stars out of 5. ... Read more

Product Description
Regrouping in Taglios, the surviving members of the Black Company are determined to free their fellow warriors held in stasis beneath the glittering plain. Journey there under terrible conditions, they arrive just in time for a magical conflagration in which the bones of the world will be revealed, the history of the Company unveiled, and new world gained and lost...all at a terrible price.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (48)

What's the Point?
Back in April 1985, Cook published The White Rose: A Novel of the Black Company (Chronicles of The Black Company).At the end of that book, Cook has Croaker come up with the idea of taking the Black Company and its Annals back to Khatovar.Supposedly, that's what the books following the original, excellent, three books are supposed to be chronicling.

In June 1989, Cook published Shadow Games: The Fourth Chronicles of the Black Company: First Book of the South.In its 311 pages, it picks up where "The White Rose" left off and covers the Black Company's 3,000 mile trek to its new base in Taglios and the siege of Dejagore (300 miles south of Taglios).Croaker narrates.

In September 1989, Cook published The Silver Spike: The Chronicles of the Black Company.Its 320 pages pick up at the same point as "Shadow Games," but form a spur off the timeline.It has nothing to do with the Black Company's trek towards Khatovar.It's narrated mostly by Philodendron Case and Smeds Stahl

In April 1990, Cook published Dreams of Steel (The Fifth Chronicle of the Black Company).Its 352 pages center around Lady's rebuilding of the Black Company after Dejagore and runs to the birth of the "Daughter of Night."Essentially, it's centered in Taglios and makes no progress towards Khatovar.Lady narrates.

In April 1996, Cook published Bleak Seasons: Book One of the Glittering Stone (Chronicles of The Black Company).Its 320 pages are mostly a rehash of the siege of Dejagore from the inside.But, it does jump around in time and provide some snippets about 5 years after "Dreams of Steel" (centered in Taglios).Again, no progress towards Khatovar.Murgen narrates.

In September 1997, Cook published She Is The Darkness: Book Two of Glittering Stone: A Novel of the Black Company (Chronicles of The Black Company).It's 480 pages actually move towards Khatovar.The book moves the Black Company the remaining 500 miles to Kiaulune (Shadowgate).It actually ends at the Fortress in the middle of the Glittering Plain.Murgen narrates.

In March 1999, Cook published this book (Water Sleeps: A Novel of the Black Company (Chronicles of The Black Company)).Its 480 pages happen 15 years after "She is the Darkness" and most of it occurs either back in Taglios or en-route back to the Glittering Plain.For all intents and purposes, the only members of the Black Company in it are Sleepy, One-Eye, and Goblin.Sleepy narrates.The biggest problem is that any progress towards Khatovar (i.e., anything meaningful past the end of "She is the Darkness") happens in the last 70 pages of the book (and this looks like it's as close as they're ever going to get).Everything else consists of the leg-work needed to get back to where they were before.So, in real (our) time, it took Cook 14 years, 6 books (maybe 5 depending on how you count "The Silver Spike"), 2,264 pages (or 1,944, depending on "The Silver Spike"), 4 narrators, and about 22 years of internal (book) time to "finish" this portion of the series.From what I can see, most of that was unnecessary filler.Now, in its own right, this book isn't too bad.It has some internal logic problems (people appearing where they shouldn't be and doing things they shouldn't do).So, stand-alone, I could see giving it 3 stars.But, my charity ran out with the last two books of the series.So, I'm rating it a Not Very Good 2 stars out of 5.If you've gotten this far in the series, you probably want some closure.So, I recommend getting it from the library instead of spending your own money for it.

The Company is down, but not out !
After the events in She is the Darkness, The Company is in big trouble. Roughly fifteen years have gone by since and whats left of The Black Company are hiding in Taglios like mice from cats. This was a huge shock for me and how things turn out. I must add I embrace Sleepy as a character and a tactician. She is smart. She's a fresh addition to the novel. Sleepy was introduced in Bleak Seasons and She is the Darkness, but like Murgen prior to Bleak Seasons, she is in the shadows. Now begins the Book of Sleepy.

Sleepy is the understudy of Murgen. After The Company is put down when they attempt to reach Khatovar, Sleepy unofficially along with Sahra and Tobo take reign of The Company. One Eye and Goblin are around but let the forementioned three take the responsibilites. Soulcatcher and Mogoba are the resistance against The Company with Narayan and The Daugher of Night keeping a low key trying to bring on their never ending task of the Year of the Skulls.

Sleepy and The Company are bunkering down trying to bring their brothers out of a suspended state all the while not trying to attract Soulcatcher. Its a tricky game Sleepy plays and she plays it well. Soulcatcher is no fool either, but she always seems to be a step behind The Company.

The Nyueng Bao are along for the ride as well like in previous books, they too have to endure it all. More and more of Kina and Khatovar and the history of The Company is revealed but not enough. What comes out leaves you in suspense. This book is definantely a mystery about all the matters that are occuring within the book.

Again, another spectacular book by Glen Cook. I found that in this book many things change radically in an instant and are fully realized in the next novel Soldiers Live. Great stuff

Great book!
Great book!It fits well with the rest of the series, much better than the books of Murgen, though, in my opinion.

A return to good narrative
I should provide the disclaimer that I love Mr. Cook's writing in general.I've finished two complete series of his novels now, and barring a few miscreant experiments, his voice is unmatched in conveying a realistic story in fantastic settings.This installment is a return to the clear narrative voice, parting with the oddity of "She is the Darkness" and "Bleak Seasons".I agree with most critics who say these two novels were the weakest of the Black Company series because of their peripatetic perspectives and vague imagery, though I still regard the siege of Dejagore to be brilliant storytelling.Fortunately, Water Sleeps is told from one solid perspective, offers some details of the previous novels to help the reader get back into the plot, and provides the strong characterization The Black Company is renowned for.It is easily the strongest of the 4 glittering stone novels and can be easily enjoyed on its own.

Not Free SF Reader
Another of the weaker Black Company novels, as the Company is still in a bad place.If you had not made it this far in the series, you could be excused.If you are enjoying it, you will still like this book, and it does get better later.Perhaps for completists, but I still liked it, and if it was possible would give it a 3.25.


... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Water Sleeps and Soldier's Live-- read them again and again
I have the whole series, and while I recommend starting at the beginning and reading the whole series start to finish, I do recommend reading them. I reread the whole series start to finish, and while it could have been more sonorous, it would not have carried one of Cook's points.

Observant readers may sense a lack of continuity between stories. This is intentional. The idea is that the Annals have been added to by a variety of writers, (Croaker, Murgen, Lady, Sleepy and Croaker again, then the twins) and that each has is their own perspective, style and ax to grind. Of course, whichever one you are reading avows their own lack of bias, but that's part of the fun. You get a real feel for the individual characters as they tell the Company's story their own way.

Another idea behind the story line is that the company lives on though members die and employers betray, even though one raggedy old former captain has managed to hang on. Well imagined and amazing, though not designed for those who need fairy tale endings. All does not always end well, but we survive. Croaker's apotheosis at the end leads you to wonder about some mysteries in Bleak Seasons and She is the Darkness, but any sort of certainty would spoil the effect of the Company slipping into legend as it recrosses the Plain.

More than your ordinary slash and burn military fiction, Cook through Sleepy and Croaker takes the reader on a journey that is in places fun, exciting, amusing, tragic, and compelling while dealing with the harshness of military life in a world where everyone else is the enemy. It is always worth rereading.

An Awesome Read
Word of warning: if you like your fantasy fluffy and with elves, stay far away from the Black Company!

Glen Cook's Black Company novels are meaner than a basket full of rattlesnakes and tougher than old boot leather. It's a dark world full of evil sorcerers, all of whom fear the men of the Black Company. They are a band of veteran mercenaries for whom kicking ass and taking names are all in a day's work, and impossible missions just another nut to crack. This is down to earth epic fantasy that trudges through the mud and the blood.

The Many Deaths of the Black Company is the fourth of four omnibus editions. If you haven't read any of these books yet, start with The Chronicles of the Black Company, and then the Books of the South and The Return of the Black Company. Many Deaths contains the novels Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live, the last two books that wrap up the series (although Cook stated in a 2006 interview that he has two more unpublished ones, A Pitiless Rain and Port of Shadows). You will have much more enjoyment starting from the beginning.

Great book, poor editorial review
Books that make up this omnibus are great.That being said, the editorial review's quote doesn't come from either of these books, but instead from a previous work in the series.Murgen's narration ends with She is Darkness.

Great series
I liked the original books the best, but these definitely kept me interested.If you're looking at this page I'd recommend it!

Great works by the creator of the genre
I began reading Glen Cook after I finished the nine completed books in Steven Erikson's Malazan series, which I consider the best books I have ever read. His tribute to Cook made me pick up the Black Company books, and I enjoyed them as much as Erikson's work. It's obvious that Cook influenced Erikson and appropriate that he pays him homage. That I feel Erikson is even better as a world builder in no way diminishes the great books that Cook has written, and as the person who essentially created the epic military fantasy genre, he deserves all the accolades he receives. ... Read more

Product Description
The vendetta in space had started centuries before "Mouse" Storm was born with his grandfather's raid on the planet Prefactlas, the blood bath that freed the human slaves from their Sangaree masters. But one Sangaree survived - the young Norborn heir, the man who swore vengeance on the Storm family and their soldiers, in a carefully mapped plot that would take generations to fulfill. Now Mouse's father Gneaus must fight for an El Dorado of wealth on the burning half of the planet Blackworld. As the great private armies of all space clash on the narrow Shadowline that divides inferno from life-sheltering shade, Gneaus' half- brother Michael plays his traitorous games, and a man called Death pulls the deadly strings that threaten to entrap them all - as the Starfishers Trilogy begins. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Gritty, Real Sci-Fi
Glen Cook is one of those talented writers who have managed to succeed in writing both science fiction and fantasy. His latest, //Shadowline//, is science fiction, the first book in the Starfisher Trilogy. Though set in the distant future amongst the stars, //Shadowline// has a somewhat feudal feel about it. The story revolves around Mouse, the youngest son of a Mercenary King, who despite his father's best efforts to keep him from the gun-for-hire life, has been drawn back in by a blood feud centuries old. Cook is an excellent writer, bringing gritty realism to a world that defies belief. Sadly, as with most trilogies, //Shadowline// only sets up the rest of the story. Despite that, it's a gripping piece of work. The setup includes a broken planet, alien intrigues, mercenary honor, a war of proxies, and a vast conspiracy that leaves the protagonist with no family, no home, and little hope of ever avenging himself. Cook introduces characters and events spanning 300-odd years, and by the end of the book has brought all the seemingly disparate storylines together, drawing Mouse into the life from which his father so desperately wanted to protect him. This is a fantastic first book in what looks to be an excellent hard sci-fi war series.

Reviewed by Jonathon Howard

Fantastic favorite
This is one of my all-time favorite science fiction books.A great read, plots within plots, great lines, great story-telling.A complete novel on it's own, this book is also the first book of the "starfisher" trilogy, following Mouse and friends.Riveting stuff. ... Read more

Product Description
Some days it doesn't pay to lift your sodden head off the desk blotter.Take it from me, Garrett, private eye. If you're cute and female, look me up, my address is in wizard-run TunFaire, where the paranormal plays daily. Look at my partner. Someone stuck a knife in him centuries ago, and he's been sedentary ever since. Dead, but not dumb, if you get my drift. And there's all these supernatural races clogging the streets-elves, trolls, pixies, ogres, dwarves, and some of the strangest are among my friends. Even they bring trouble, and when trouble comes knocking, don't open the door.You think I'd learn. Maybe that's why I got roped into the case in Angry Lead Skies. My bulky friend Playmate talked me into protecting Kip Prose, an annoying kid touched by brilliance and a bit of paranormal ability, whom he claimed was being threatened by skinny gray creatures with bulgy black eyes. According to Kip, the attackers weren't after him at all-just trying to get to his friends Lastyr and Noodiss. But before I could get him to explain who they were, Kip was abducted, and the chase began?.In Whispering Nickel Idols, trouble came from two sources: a streetwise priestess and her bucket of kittens, part of the ancient prophecy of the cult of A-Lat (curse this god-plagued city!). And a message from Harvester Temisk, mouthpiece of Chodo Contague, kingpin of kingpins, who slumbered in coma-land while his beautiful, psychotic daughter ran the Outfit. Temisk believed someone was deliberately keeping the Boss helpless and wanted me to snoop around. Then Chodo up and vanished. Add to that a mysterious plague of burning deaths and the fact that suddenly everyone was trying to kill me, I had plenty to figure out?. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Marilka Rising
Doomstalker (1985) is the first Fantasy novel in the Darkwar trilogy.It is set on a world far away in time and space where the meth live.In the Upper Ponath, they live in ignorance and poverty, but elsewhere the silth rule a world of technology and spaceflight.

In this novel, Marilka is a ten year old meth in a litter of three pups.Her dam is Skiljan, head of a loghouse in the Degnan packstead.

Kublin is another pup in the litter.He is small and weak, but has more intelligence than the other male littermate Zamberlin.

In this story, Marilka and Kublin like to explore together.Marilka has less fear -- as appropriate for a female -- but Kublin follows her into very fearful situations.They have been testing their limits with the Machen Cave, where the Wise hold their rituals.

Kublin detects something within the cave, but Marilka can only sense the presence of old Pohsit, the sagan of the Wise.But as she gets closer, Marilka begins to detects something scary within the cave.Both decide to go elsewhere.

Pohsit has decided that Marilka is a silth.Marilka doesn't know what a silth is, but Pohsit wants her dead.And the death of Marilka will also lead to the death of her littermates.

Marilka and Kublin learn to run around and tire out Pohsit.But they keep returning to the cave.Although Marilka can now sense the thing, she still doesn't know what it is.

Then the worse winter in living memory comes to the Upper Ponath.The Degnan huntresses gather meat and the males collect plants and firewood.Then the nomads invade the Upper Ponath in large numbers.

Other meth packsteads in the area are overwhelmed.Then hundreds of nomads come to Degnan.The nomads lose many to the Degnan pack, but they eventually overrun the packstead.

Runners sent to the packfast return with three silth.These kill or drive away the remaining nomads, but they take the three Degnan survivors back to the packfast.They insist that Marilka shall become a sister, as the silth call themselves.

This tale exposes Marilka to advanced technology, but doesn't lead her to admiration of the sisters.She is trained in three ways, including the use of her powers.But much is withheld from her by the sisters.

This story presents a change in the author's style.Over a decade after his first novel -- The Heirs of Babylon -- and the start of five series, the author tries something new.His previous works were about human cultures or something very similar.

In this tale, the author depicts truly alien creatures loosely based on wolves.Then he shows a cultural clash between the primitives and the more advanced society.And he shows this conflict through the eyes of a primitive.

This story ends with a cliffhanger.The next installment --Warlock -- will reveal the extend of the disaster.Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Cook fans and for anyone who enjoys tales of alien cultures, witch powers, and young heroines.

-Arthur W. Jordin

The Cold White North
What would you do if you lived in a world where every year the winter became colder, the food more scarce, and wild bands of marauding warriors came to steal your children, food, and lives. This is the world of Marika as she struggles to find her place in it. Witches, wizards, and warriors - All the making's of a great tale. I highly recommend this and all the books in the darkwar trilogy. ... Read more