“Let me tell you who I am, on the chance that these scribblings do survive. . . .
“I am Murgen, Standardbearer of the Black Com... read full description
“I am Murgen, Standardbearer of the Black Com... read full description
reviews
Dec 17, 2010
Adrienne
rated it: 
I liked this omnibus about as much as I expected but much less than I'd hoped. Better than the third, not as good as the second, nowhere near the first. Ah, well.
The first book, Water Sleeps, is narrated by Sleepy, who's taken over as interim Annalist in the last fifteen (!!) years since the end of She Is the Darkness. Meh. I found myself wondering why it took her so long to enact all her plans. Strangely, I didn't mind her as a narrator, but that might have been because she was the More...
The first book, Water Sleeps, is narrated by Sleepy, who's taken over as interim Annalist in the last fifteen (!!) years since the end of She Is the Darkness. Meh. I found myself wondering why it took her so long to enact all her plans. Strangely, I didn't mind her as a narrator, but that might have been because she was the More...
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May 30, 2011
Joshua
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These two books (Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live) may be my favorite in the series. Saying that about the last two books (at least for now) in a series says a lot about Glen Cook as a writer.
Yes, there are "many deaths" as the title says but each one feels fitting considering what's been established before. Some endings are happy, most are not which shouldn't surprise the reader given Cook's world thus far. The conclusion is satisfying to me in that there is closure reg More...
Yes, there are "many deaths" as the title says but each one feels fitting considering what's been established before. Some endings are happy, most are not which shouldn't surprise the reader given Cook's world thus far. The conclusion is satisfying to me in that there is closure reg More...
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Sep 25, 2011
James
rated it:
And it's over. Like many series, this one went down hill a little as it dragged onwards. The characters in the later stories (especially the books of the south onwards) just aren't as compelling or interesting as the Books of the North.
Also, especially in Soldiers Live, there seemed to be some completely unnecessary and gratuitous deaths, including characters who had no right being killed by what killed them. Also, many of the characters dropped out of the story with no explanation as More...
Also, especially in Soldiers Live, there seemed to be some completely unnecessary and gratuitous deaths, including characters who had no right being killed by what killed them. Also, many of the characters dropped out of the story with no explanation as More...
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May 14, 2010
Wm
rated it: 
Wow, this did not go in the direction I thought it would, but that's not a bad thing in this case. It wraps up the series in a way that is satisfying without being too overt and in a way that has hints of realism and the randomness that we've come to expect. It is less about awesome heroes and more about the ability to adapt to changing conditions and alliances and technologies and knowledge and, above all, the indomitable soul of the Black Company. That is, that no matter who dies, who defects,
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Dec 02, 2010
Spencer
rated it:
As far as I can tell, this is the last of the Chronicles of the Black Company. I felt this resumed the quality of the other books in the series, after a mild dip found in the Glittering Stone Vol. 1.
The end of a series is always tricky, and going in I had pretty low expectations. Given the nature of the Chronicles, and how characters come and go throughout, I wasn't sure how Cook would wrap it up while remaining true to the series. While there were parts of this that I wasn't very More...
The end of a series is always tricky, and going in I had pretty low expectations. Given the nature of the Chronicles, and how characters come and go throughout, I wasn't sure how Cook would wrap it up while remaining true to the series. While there were parts of this that I wasn't very More...
May 07, 2010
Derek
rated it:
I really enjoyed the two books contained in this omnibus. Glen Cook does a great job of sweeping you into his world and involving you with this characters. There are two more books scheduled to be released in the future, but with no update on when/if these will ever be released you could consider Soldiers Live the finale of the Black Company series, and what a finale it was.
I found myself sad and heartbroken at times as Croaker outlives a lot of his friends and allies in the Black More...
I found myself sad and heartbroken at times as Croaker outlives a lot of his friends and allies in the Black More...
Dec 21, 2010
Free Book Day 2010! At this point I have FOUR omnibuses of this series... I really need to get started on reading it.
Dec 02, 2010
Troy
rated it:
A collection of two of the best books ever written. See my detailed reviews of those books for more information.
Dec 02, 2010
Dennis
rated it:
This is the last book of the Black Company. If you have made it this far, no review will stop you from reading it, nor should they. This is a pretty solid story. It is not up to the level of the first couple of books, but even Glen Cook's weaker stories are better than a lot of other writers can produce. I thought this book dragged quite a bit in the middle, but he somehow came up with a satisfying conclusion to the series at the end. I am glad I bought it. You probably will be as well.
Dec 16, 2010
Rick
rated it:
A satisfying completion to the black company series though it leaves me asking what next for lady, croaker, and their daughter. It opened up whole new possibilities through croakers new role, ladies new powers and glimpses into other worlds and histories. Dont get me wrong though, it does end the story line nicely wrapping up the main antagonist/antagonists.
Apr 25, 2010
Raja
rated it:
The end of the Black Company saga is abrupt, as were the endings of many of its installments, but it is also satisfying. That said, my favourite compilation in the series remains the first one -- The Books of the North.
Sep 19, 2011
B
rated it:
Fair warning--this book starts off really slow; however, if you can get past the initial 100 pages or so, the book flies from there. The ending, is unbelievable. I personally am not sure whether I like it or not, but I won't ruin it for anyone. A worthy read, as always, from Cook.
Apr 10, 2010
John
rated it: 
The title is certainly apt, and the final volume, Soldiers Live, wraps up the cycle satisfactorily, but I still tend to agree with my earlier assessment: the original trilogy is good, but the "books of the south" simply go on too long with too many meanderings.
Feb 09, 2012
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Jan 29, 2012
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