An Ill Fate Marshalling

Dread Empire #7

by Glen Cook

Rejecting the advice of the wizard Varthlokkur and spymaster Michael Trebilcock, King Bragi Ragnarson of Kavelin joins Chatelain Mist's coup against the Dread Empire. Ragnarson dangles the fate of his nation in the jaws of his foes, refusing to see that his one true enemy may be himself.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Dark Fantasy, War, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Ebooks

313 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1988

About the author

Glen Cook was born in New York City, lived in southern Indiana as a small child, then grew up in Northern California. After high school he served in the U.S. Navy and attended the University of Missouri. He worked for General Motors for 33 years, retiring some years ago. He started writing short stories in 7th grade, had several published in a high school literary magazine. He began writing with malicious intent to publish in 1968, eventually producing 51 books and a number of short fiction pieces.
He met his wife of 43 years while attending the Clarion Writer's Workshop in 1970. He has three sons (army officer, architect, orchestral musician) and numerous grandchildren, all of whom but one are female. He is best known for his Black Company series, which has appeared in 20+ languages worldwide. His other series include Dread Empire and and the Garrett, P.I. series. His latest work is Working God’s Mischief, fourth in the Instrumentalities of the Night series.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/glencook

Reviews

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 5 out of 5]

💀 Vanishing Unrelenting Glen Cook Mercenaries Buddy Read (VUGCMBR™) with The Overlord and My Nefarious Daughter 💀

Bloody shrimping hell of the stinking fish. This was Slightly Very Bloody Shrimping Brilliant (SVBSB™) and stuff. Really makes me wonder why I ever bother to read stuff not written by Glen Cook and stuff.



Now, I'd love nothing better than to share my too many fascinating thoughts about my yummilicious boyfriend Bragi who, like great wines, gets more yummilicious with old age this book with you, but I'm kinda sorta super extra busy food poisoning puny human tourists right now, so the Captivatingly Captivating Crappy Non Review (CCCNR™) will have to wait and stuff. (I know this is hard to take, my Little Barnacles, but please be strong and don't despair. Soon enough all puny human tourists will be disposed of, and I shall be back with my CCCNRs™ in less time than it takes to say "Fleet Admiral DaShrimp, unleash the crustaceans!")

And now let's dance and stuff.





Reading order for this series, as firmly kindly suggest by Evgeny (aka the Ruthless Glen Cook Overlord™):

① Book 1: A Shadow of All Night Falling ★★★★
② Book 4: The Fire in His Hands ★★★★
③ Book 5: With Mercy Towards None ★★★★
④ Book 2: October’s Baby ★★★★
⑤ Book 3: All Darkness Met ★★★★★
⑥ Book 6: Reap the East Wind ★★★★★
⑦ Book 7: An Ill Fate Marshalling ★★★★★
⑧ Book 8: A Path to Coldness of Heart ★★★★
⑨ Short stories: An Empire Unacquainted with Defeat ★★★★

[Eilonwy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting follow-up to the previous book in this series, because it takes place over the same time, reporting most of the same events -- until the very end, where it goes beyond what happened before. And yet, the angle that this installment takes, focusing much more tightly and personally on fewer characters, was absolutely gripping. I especially enjoyed how the bigger wars were more background, while the story focused more often on a war-game called Captures, which reflected the other action in the book on a smaller, more relatable scale. I could hardly put this down; it was completely absorbing.

This was a brilliant risk by Glen Cook, which in my opinion, paid off awesomely. It's made me eager (but also sad) to get to the final book.



(But at least this series has a final book ...)

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining installment in the Dread Empire series. This is an interesting novel, in that the first 60% covers many of the same events as the previous book, Reap the East Wind. In this case, we get (mostly) the perspectives of Bragi, Michael, and Inger in regards to those events; it really sheds some new light on the political workings of the various factions. Cook handles this format quite well, and even though we get some rehashed dialogue/scenes, it never feels boring.

Also, the ending of this book is exciting and leaves the readers with a few major cliffhangers. It's hard to believe that some fans who originally read this in 1988 had to wait until 2012 (A Path to Coldness of Heart) for the conclusion.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things fall apart; the center cannot hold. This book moves the focus of the Dread Empire series from the war in the far east (as recounted in Reap the East Wind) back to the more familiar countries of the west. Chronologically, this book begins before the events of East Wind and ends after them; the events of the other book mostly happen offstage, although in some cases we see them from a different point of view.

Again, a full recommended daily allowance of intrigue, betrayal and marching armies. Events in Kavelin spiral out of control for various reasons and things end with most of the protagonists either dead or in very precarious positions.

And for almost 25 years, that's where the series was left -- for various reasons, Cook abandoned the Dread Empire back in the late 1980's and shifted his focus to the Black Company and Garrett books. Night Shade Press deserves kudos for bringing the entire Dread Empire series back into print in a uniform edition, and more importantly for convincing Cook to write A Path to Coldness of Heart, the final volume in the series. After 20 years of suspense, I'll finally be able to find out what happened . . .

[Redsteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having finished this novel, I remember why I was so pissed that the sequel (A Path To Coldness of the Heart) took more than 20 years to be published. While not exactly ending on a cliffhanger, there were a tremendous amount of fascinating loose ends. Obviously, I really enjoyed this one. In his Dread Empire series, Cook often goes back and shows the same events from another point of view. Sometimes this works, and others it seems gimmicky at best. He does it very well in An Ill Fate Marshaling. The “big picture” in the first half this book is the same as in Reap the East Wind, but the author changes not only the perspective but also the focus of the story. While the last book’s action concentrated on Shinsan (the Dread Empire), this story focuses on events in the Kingdom of Kavelin and Hammad al Nakir (the latter being almost totally ignored in #6). This installment brings much of the POV back to Bragi Ragnarson and to his spymaster Michael Trebilcck. (as well as an agent – who I will leave unnamed at this time of the Greyfells family – You didn’t think Cook was only going to focus on the good guys, did you?). Here, the technique not only gives a fresh perspective, but also includes events that weren’t even alluded to in “East Wind” and reveals what is behind some of the events. About halfway through, “Ill Fate” forges ahead of the events in “East Wind” moving to an exciting, and in many ways tragic, conclusion. Probably my second favorite of the series. Solid 4 stars. However, as with "East Wind", what the HELL is with the Conan the Barbarian cover art????

[Newton Nitro · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Ill Fate Marshalling (Dread Empire #7) - Glen Cook | A queda de um rei! | NITROLEITURAS #fantasia #fantasiasombria #horror

Segundo volume da trilogia final da saga Dread Empire, que narra a tragédia do Rei Bragi Ragnorson!

An Ill Fate Marshalling (Dread Empire #7) - Glen Cook | 1985, 313 páginas, Tor Books | NITROLEITURAS | Lido de 06.02.18 a 10.02.18

SINOPSE

Rejeitando o conselho do mago Varthlokkur e do espião Michael Trebilcock, o rei Bragi Ragnorson de Kavelin junta-se ao golpe de estado planejado pela maga Chatelain Mist contra o Dread Empire. Ragnorson pendura o destino de sua nação com os maxilares de seus inimigos, recusando-se a ver que seu único inimigo verdadeiro pode ser ele mesmo.

O pequeno reino de Kavelin quase não sobreviveu de ser completamente aniquilado pelo Dread Empire, mas o preço da vitória pode ser muito alto. Muitos dos líderes que apoiaram o rei estão mortos; e os novos nobres que os substituíram possuem suas próprias conspirações.

RESENHA

"An Ill Fate Marshalling" começa contando os acontecimentos do volume anterior, mas do ponto de vista dos personagens envolvidos em um segundo conflito, no lado oeste da fronteira entre Kavelin e Shinzan. Mesmo voltando a eventos já narrados, a trama prende o leitor e revela muitos aspectos ocultos em Reap the East Wind (Dread Empire #6).

Cronológicamente, esse livro começa antes da saga de Etrian no Reap The East Wind, e termina logo depois, mostrando pontos de vista diferentes do livro anterior.

É também a história de como o grande protagonista da saga, o rei Bragi Ragnorson, perde o controle de seu reino.

Dread Empire é uma fantasia bem adulta, que quebra os tropos tradicionais do gênero e foge das armadilhas das fantasias de poder comuns em outras obras. O tom é cínico e bem pessimista, e os personagens mudam muito ao longo da saga, na maioria das vezes se corrompendo e se degenerando à medida que suas ilusões pessoais vão sendo quebradas.

O foco do livro está nas conspirações políticas dentro do reino de Kavelin, mas o final é bem violento e impressionante, terminando em um gancho terrível, que só foi resolvido 25 anos depois, quando Glen Cook foi convencido de finalmente escrever o final da saga do Dread Empire!

Recomendadíssmo, e agora, vendo a saga seguindo ao seu final, Dread Empire é muito bom mesmo! Meio que leitura obrigatória para os fãs de Grim Fantasy e Dark Fantasy!

ONDE COMPRAR

AMAZON
Wrath of Kings: A Chronicle of the Dread Empire - Glen Cook (Contém os volumes 6, 7 e 8 da Saga Dread Empire)
https://goo.gl/br1QtC

CONTATO

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Erika e Newton - Melhore Seu Inglês - Dicas e Aulas de Inglês - Canal do #youtube https://goo.gl/aCZNuL

Nitroblog - Canal do #youtube de Dicas para Escritores e Dicas de RPG de Mesa https://goo.gl/3ZNWbM

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[Shaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is one of those books that is a little frustrating because it is a "middle book." Interesting plot happens, it's well written, but it is transition from one part of the series to the next and in that way doesn't feel "satisfying.' However it's like, an integral part, and no doubt when I finish the series it will feel more complete.

This starts right before Reap the East Wind. I actually thought I read them out of order, but then it catches up to that book and is parallel to it for a long time. The final chapters take place after that book. It makes sense because when I was reading Reap the East Wind, I thought to myself "strange that this doesn't take place from Bragi's perspective." This book is that perspective. It is pretty good for a parallel story, and really sheds new light on certain things.

It's main success is that I am very ready to see what happens next. I can't wait to pick up the next book.

[Anthony O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The penultimate book in the Dread Empire series by Glen Cook is an odd duck. It positions itself as telling much of the same story as the previous book, Reap the East Wind, but from different perspectives. However it seems to forget that sometimes and repeats whole scenes just as you read them or with minimal additions. This only takes place for about two thirds of the book and does so sporadically, but it's odd.

The final third, however, is all new and all great. Leading directly into the final novel, A Path to Coldness of Heart - which was delayed for decades for the poor bastards who read this series in the 1980s!

Anyway, the Cookening will continue with that one next!

[Czilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The focus of the story is on Kavelin and Bragi in this omnibus and Cook's mastery of writing warfare, strategy and conflict is exceptional here. Very intriguing and exciting read.

[Zeak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all Cooks work that I've read

[Luke Coury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really not a bad book, but I was not up for a re-reading of the Reap the East Wind. I was bored through a lot of the book simply because half of it was retelling the previous book from a different view. I'm glad he did write the book because it filled some holes from the previous book that left me wandering "what the heck" and reading a confrontation from both Bragi and Varthlokkur at different times was certainly entertaining at times.

SPOILER: The meat of this book lies toward the end of it when you get to new material, but I have to say, I was getting tired of being reminded how a lot of my favorite characters from the first 3 books were no longer around WHY GLEN! WHY DID YOU KILL OFF NEPANTHE'S BROTHERS! I was also getting real tired of Inger and all the freaking political drama. But I realize its part of the universe and the book is still worth the read.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads/First reads

I should start by saying that this is the first book I've read in the Dread Series so I wasn't familiar with the characters when I started.

This novel has it all in there. There is intrigue, action, suspense, politics, Royalty, Royal armies, spies and wizards. I enjoyed this book for all those reasons. There are alot of twists and turns to the story and I found myself trying to figure out who was spying on who and who was lying to who.

King Ragnorson is not only dealing with all of that, but he is also strugglin with his own personal struggles and ultemately this is what hurts him in the long run. I found the book to be very good and will recommend it to friends.

[Joshua Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Great book, and a big improvement over Reap the East Wind Blows. Although the focus was heavily slanted toward the politics of the kingdom, I thought it was handled very well. Great characters with lots of twists and turns.

I did have a couple of minor complaints. One, I thought Bragi started to turn into Croaker at times based on dialogue and overall personality. Two, too much stuff happened "off-camera." Another 100 pages or so really could have made the book even better by showing more of the battle scenes and action that we only heard about in a few passing sentences throughout the book. Three, the Ethrian storyline seemed to have been handled too easily considering what happened in the last book.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot moved, no doubt. The story was EXCELLENT. The characters were a little flat - but the reader should by now know that the characters dont have a lot of depth. Some change a bit, but really its the epic story that carries this part of the dread empire series (really the last three books). Bragi has really lost control in this part of the saga... well, it seems like many of the characters have made bonds they dont understand and loyalties no one comprehends. The political struggles of the small kingdom reach their height it seems... enemies all around, leadership compromised, and the ancient enemy that we all thought dead may not be... the whole world is holding its breath at the end of this book.

[Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was much better than its predecessor, as the Kingdom of Kavelin and its leaders faced greater danger which led to more suspense. Things go so right for so much of the book that you can tell the "Ill Fate" is going be awful. The previous entry, Reap the East Wind, can be seen to setup or foreshadow the events and conflicts occurring in Ill Fate, so perhaps having to do that meant it wouldn't pay off until later. A few small elements which added to the enjoyment were the sport of Captures, the opportunity to see the point of view of characters we hadn't before, and having Kavelin's leaders back on the field of battle.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Glen Cook's work and always look forward to his books. Unfortunately, I just didn't care for this one at all. Maybe it was me in the wrong kind of mood or something, but the book seemed to be pretty much all about kingdom politics from beginning to end. There were virtually no action scenes, except one toward the end, but even that was given short shrift in the story.

The prose was fine and the characters were well drawn. They just didn't seem to do much of anything except intrigue. I ended up mostly scanning the book because I lost interest fairly early.

[Troy Brumfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, Great series. This is not your usual "Happily ever after", the plot twist & turns and
the characters all have human flaws. This book may be a little "dark" for some readers,however I
highly recommend it.

[Andre · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dread empire world/story continues. It has the Cook characters and focuses on the politic more and less on the action that the previous ones. I was not as hooked from the start as with some of his other novels but ended up devouring it by the end.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book that started by paralleling the events from the previous book then moving past. I'm glad I'm reading this book now rather than when the third book in the series was stolen and not finished for 20 years.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Begins at the same time as Reap the East Wind, but focuses mostly on Bragi's perspective of events, plus lots of Michael Trebilcock. Decent.

[Macha]

3 and a half stars.