Customer Reviews

Shadow Games: The Fourth Chronicles of the Black Company: First Book of the South (Chronicle of the Black Company)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Black Company is one of the great creations of modern fantasy. In a genre in which most stories are starkly black and white--really great good guys and really bad villans--the Black Company (contra its name) lives in grey.

Shadow Games is the fourth book in a series on the the Black Company, a mercenary band in a sword and sorcery world. The first three novels told the story of how the Company came into the service of Lady, a sorceress of great power who rules a purportedly evil empire in the northern part of the Company's world. Eventually the Company rebels against the Lady and joins the White Rose, a reincarnated hero who opposes the empire. At the end of book three, the Rose, the Lady, and the Company join forces to defeat an older evil. A related book, Silver Spike, follows the subsequent adventures of the Rose. In Shadow Games, Lady and the last members of the Company travel south to the legendary city of Khatover from which the Company originated many centuries before.

I enjoyed Shadow Games and recommend it (although NOT as an initation to the series). But I didn't quite like it as much as the first three novels. There is less character development. Old villans get recycled for reasons that are not entirely clear. A cliffhanger ending forces you to buy the sequel. Shadow Games also marks the beginning of Cook's fascination with the quasi-Indian philosophy and mythology that, in my judgment, detract from the later books. If I had it to do over again, I probably would have stopped with the first three novels.

This book picks up right after Raven, Darling and Silent have gone one way and Croaker and the 6 remaining Black Company members have gone another accompanied by the Lady. Croaker is leading the remnants of the Black Company, the last of the the Free Companies of Khatovar back in time to thier beginning. He is searching for their lost histories, for the Annals of the Black Company that were lost in the Southlands as the Company moved North. They find more mysteries in this book and lose a few things as well.

They are given artifacts of the the company prior to their leaving the southland, they find descendants of their long lost brothers. Croaker begins to see things no one else does, has he lost his sanity? They find pirates, foes and Shadowmasters, long lost friends and some very old enemies. You will find lots of hints of things to come.

Croaker has changed some in this book. He is more like the Old Man in the first books. Yes, Croaker's humanity,insecurity and romanticism are still there, but he has turned downright sneaky and nasty when it comes to dealing with opponents. Whether they be internal power struggles, a little disiplining of the troops (One-Eye and Goblin go at again) or all out battle - Croaker handles them like the Black Company vetern.

This book is definitly worth reading, but it will hook you on the series all over again. I don't know about you but I HATE waiting for the next book in a series. So make sure you get the next one as well, so you don't have to wait for the solution to this cliff hanger. While you're at it , you might as well get the forst & second book of the Glittering Stone, too. It'll drive you crazy waiting to find out otherwise.

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.

And what a cliffhanger! In past books, despite being part of a series, each has had a sense of resolution, a clear delineation between episodes. Not so here, with an ending so bald and precipitous one could almost imagine The Howler wailing in his grave. If you are following this series, be prepared to buy both "Shadow Games" and the following volume "Dreams of Steel" together, otherwise you will certainly discover yourself cursing the walls sometime in the middle of the night.

As already hinted as well as revealed by an earlier reviewer, Cook again turns to blithely resurrecting previous characters. I say again, for unlike the previous reviewer's comments, as those of you who have been following the series from the beginning should recognize, raising the dead has become a common Cook convention, previously encountered in the multiple reappearances of the Limper, Raven and Bommanz. That this should occur again here with other thought to be deceased characters should by now come as no surprise. Cook has always displayed a predilection for playing fast and loose with his plots and storylines. Nor do I feel this work is a departure or decline from his earlier novels, only more of the same standard fast-paced, swiftly rendered fare we've come to expect of the author, work that can be enjoyable as long as not too closely scrutinized. Complaints here about a lack of character development seem inapt, as since when have the majority of Cook's characters been anything more than mere cartoonish cutouts?

Despite the tone of criticism evidenced here, I continue to read and largely enjoy this series, turning to it when I am seeking light diversion. For such moments Cook's writing continues to be entirely successful, providing a cast of heroes and villains in adventures that while in many ways conventional and similar, make up in action and fast-paced fun for what they lack in imagination or depth of development. Like the characters and plots of many of the spaghetti westerns or samurai movies, they hold the same attraction when recycled as Star Wars: sheer escape and better rendered than most of the other conventional fare out there. But if you're looking for original ideas or development of story, imaginative world building or depth of characterization and description, you'd be advised to look elsewhere. Cook's outings to date have not compared with other authors such as Marcos, Martin, Stover, or Erikson with whom his work has been broadly linked.

If you are a fan of traditional heroic fantasy, and looking for something to fill the void while awaiting new offerings from the authors mentioned above---looking for the American equivalent of, say, David Gemmell---this series, as long as you are not too demanding, will likely not disappoint. Uncomplicated, energetic and fun, written in a style never pretending to be what it is not.

Reeling from the battles at the Tower of Charm in the service of the Lady, the remains of the Black Company begin a new journey - back to the Hhatovar of their origins, lost in the jungles of the south. Still under Croaker's lead the compulsion to return seems like an elephant's last voyage to the graveyard. With the original volumes of the Company's history lost, no one knows what Khatovar really was, or why there ever was a Black Company, but the trip south stirs memories of the last free company of Khatovar, and they aren't fond ones. Danger and unwelcome friends seem to lurk everywhere.

Croaker's first stop is Taglios, where the Company undertakes to provide help in a struggle with four shadowmasters who are extending their own empire. Like the Taken before them, these are wizards who have little care for the humans who serve or oppose them. The Taglians are the last free people before this new dark empire and the Company needs to get rid of the bad guys before they can reach their own origin point. Unfortunately for the Company there are some Taglians who recall the legends of the times when the Black Company headed north with considerable fear, and cooperation and trust are in thin supply.

This will be the last volume written from Croaker's viewpoint (have no fear, he still will have a part to play) and it develops his new role as captain as well as a growing connection with the more human side of the Lady. The latter has expended all her power in the struggle to keep her old husband, the Dominator, from re-entering this world. Her new vulnerability doesn't make her a weak character, and her knowledge and experience make her an asset as the Black Company once again tries to extract disaster from the jaws of success.

Glen Cook proves that there is life after a trilogy as he begins the transition volumes (The Books of the South) that will lead into the Glittering Plain series. This transition of the Black Company from a tool of political empire building to an almost mystical entity with a serious, and perhaps deadly, agenda of its own makes a strong story all on its own. There are quite a few surprises to come, and Shadow Games is an example of perfect scene setting as the rules and the environment begin to change. Cook's writing continues to mature, defying the principle that a prolific writer inevitably dilutes his strength.

I too am tempted to say "this isn't up to the standards of the first 3". But I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that, when I discovered Cook, this was his most recent book. So I had to wait for each installment afterwards. I wish I had followed the rule I instituted when it became clear Robert Jordan was NEVER going to finish his series. I should have waited until Cook was done, and then read them all.

But it's a testament to my fanaticism that I just HAD to read each book as it appeared. I still give it 5 stars because I found the new storyline with the now-powerless Lady very intriguing. Cook also had my curiosity at max with "the crow" and the hints that old villains might return.

Overall, the rest of the series was ultimately excellent so this book has to get 5 stars for starting it all.

"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.

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 !!

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.

After this, the series starts to lose its way a little, but this installment is still quite good. There are some nasty problems with more than one shape shifter, and of course, those undead wizards are still highly problematic for those in the company.