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The Return of the Black Company (The Chronicle of the Black Company #7-8)
by
Glen Cook
“Let me tell you who I am, on the chance that these scribblings do survive. . . .
“I am Murgen, Standardbearer of the Black Company, though I bear the shame of having lost that standard in battle. I am keeping these Annals because Croaker is dead, One–Eye won’t, and hardly anyone else can read or write. I will be your guide for however long it takes the Shadowlanders t
...morePaperback, 672 pages
Published
September 15th 2009
by Tor Books
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The continuation of the quest of the Black Company to find their origins as "the last of the Free Companies of Khatovar." Unfortunately, both the Company, and us readers, are stalled within sight of this goal as they must deal with a new war, the politics of both their new employers and their new/old enemies, and other complications.
The conflicts presented in these stories are interesting, but maddening because it's already past time for the "Khatovar" quest to e...more
The conflicts presented in these stories are interesting, but maddening because it's already past time for the "Khatovar" quest to e...more
Adrienne
rated it
A part of me wanted to like Murgen. But mostly I resented him for not telling the story I wanted to read, especially after the last cliffhanger ending.
This book is also a great example of why I typically don't read the sprawling multi-volume epics (and yet what are the sequels to [link: The Chronicles of the Black Company] but sprawling multi-volume epics?). A storyline that once felt tight and well-planned has mushroomed into something unwieldy. This should not have been much longer...more
This book is also a great example of why I typically don't read the sprawling multi-volume epics (and yet what are the sequels to [link: The Chronicles of the Black Company] but sprawling multi-volume epics?). A storyline that once felt tight and well-planned has mushroomed into something unwieldy. This should not have been much longer...more
This series just keeps getting better. The switch in narrator/Annalist takes some getting used to after spending all those pages with Croaker, but it's a good switch and a needed one really since Murgen brings a different point of view and an additional (strong) back story in to the mix. A lot happens -- some of it expected, some not. And there's enough change in relationships, situations and alliances to keep everything from going stale.
Content warning: these two novels have more i...more
Content warning: these two novels have more i...more
This book started off a bit oddly with Murgen (the Narrator) sliding between locations and times with little or no warning. This was obviously intentional, but was not clearly explained at first that that is what was happening. Once I realized it though it proved an interesting way of revealing back story without using a recap.
There are sections that hint as to what is happening on the Glittering Plain, which while they give hints and are interesting, I found to be generally difficult ...more
There are sections that hint as to what is happening on the Glittering Plain, which while they give hints and are interesting, I found to be generally difficult ...more
I have mixed feelings on this portion of the Chronicles of the Black Company. On one hand, the move into the new territories added some fresh elements to the story line, and moved the plot in some interesting directions. On the other hand, I found much of the reading to be difficult due to the annalist's propensity toward falling through time. There were several portions which were simply confusing, and the pacing just wasn't as consistent as the other books.
Like the other books, ...more
Like the other books, ...more
This book covers the first half of the Glittering Stone saga. Murgen takes a stab at being Annalist and does a great job at it. The stakes have risen and the Black Company finds themselves in a perilous position by the end, setting up a million questions in the mind of the reader.
These two books in my opinion are a step up from the Books of the South and set up an amazing conclusion in the next collection "The Many Deaths of the Black Company."
These two books in my opinion are a step up from the Books of the South and set up an amazing conclusion in the next collection "The Many Deaths of the Black Company."
Like all of the books of the Black Company series, I find the dialogue and the writing excellent. The one point I will knock the series for is that the whole collection (with the exception of the Silver Spike) is one book. It means that this story doesn't end, here, but instead ends in Soldiers Live, two books further on.
And of course, I have now started Water Sleeps. Soldiers Live, I'll see you shortly.
And of course, I have now started Water Sleeps. Soldiers Live, I'll see you shortly.
A great series became even greater... I love the humor Murgen injects in his writing, even if Croaker thinks that Murgen is too self-interested. There are some fantastic lines, and the by-play between the Old Crew members is wonderful. There were several points where I laughed so hard the bed shook!
I need to go back to the Malazan series, but at this point, 10 or so months after I read them, I have to give the Black Company the edge. Not by much, but I have really loved the last ...more
I need to go back to the Malazan series, but at this point, 10 or so months after I read them, I have to give the Black Company the edge. Not by much, but I have really loved the last ...more
I really liked his first trilogy. I also like how he writes it form the first person POV. And as I'm continuing to read the chronicles of the Black Company, he's found a very clever way to switch persons for the POV. It says a lot about his versatility of writing style when he can change narrators like that, and not only has he switched narrators, he does it well. I can really appreciate the depth of his writing being able to create a whole new way of looking at things and it not get so old. The...more
I love the series. POV changes, but that did not trouble me, I actually recognise that potential all along. Chronicles, right?
Well, what I like about the Black Company is that it illustrates more or less everyday guys in war in a truthful way. The protagonist are neither heroes nor saints, their first priority is survival. The no nonsense writing form Cook is refreshing.
Well, what I like about the Black Company is that it illustrates more or less everyday guys in war in a truthful way. The protagonist are neither heroes nor saints, their first priority is survival. The no nonsense writing form Cook is refreshing.
The new Black Company omnibus definitely satisfies, especially in the wake of the cliffhanger ending of Dreams of Steel, which supposedly concluded The Books of the South, but in reality did nothing of the kind.
This omnibus comprises the first two books of the four-book Glittering Stone quartet, and while the end of this volume isn't a cliffhanger in the strictest sense, it's close. At least I have plenty of other books in my queue to read while I anxiously await the conclusion...
This omnibus comprises the first two books of the four-book Glittering Stone quartet, and while the end of this volume isn't a cliffhanger in the strictest sense, it's close. At least I have plenty of other books in my queue to read while I anxiously await the conclusion...
A compilation of 2 of the best books I've ever read. You should get this or the books individually and read them. For more details see my reviews of the the individual books.
Note: This is my suggested point to start the Black Company series. You can go back and pick up the previous books if you want to later.
Note: This is my suggested point to start the Black Company series. You can go back and pick up the previous books if you want to later.
I really enjoyed Murgen as the new annalist for the Black Company. Story moved well, and his perspective (though a bit confusing at first with the jumps back in time) was quite refreshing.
I'm really looking forward to the 4th Omnibus in this series so that I can find out what happens (this book really leaves you hanging).
I'm really looking forward to the 4th Omnibus in this series so that I can find out what happens (this book really leaves you hanging).
This series started well and stays strong. It has a very classic swords & sorcery feel, like a latter-day "Appendix N" series. Very nice. The only problem is that as soon as I finish one I want to read the next one!
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Great dialogue as usual. Unusual twists and turns that keep you reading. A must-read for Black Company fans.
Elijah
marked it as to-read
Got this for free! Still haven't read the first two, which are sitting around, but soon!
Soulcatcher should definitely be in the category of Most Notable Villainesses. The Black Company books get better and better.
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finished it loved it!- have to catch up on this and 2 other reviews when i get more than a few minutes on here
Is it wrong that I laughed through the last chapter of this one?
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Glen Cook aka Greg Stevens is a contemporary American science fiction and fantasy author, best known for his fantasy series, The Black Company. Cook currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri.
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