Chronicles of the Black Company #04, First Book of the South, Shadow Games (original 1989; udgave 1989)

What an ending!!!!! ( )

After having been quite disappointed by story, setting, and characterization in The Silver Spike, I found this book to be a big improvement. We rejoin several favorite characters from the original trilogy as they set out on a quest, making new friends and enemies, exploring generally interesting new locations, and delving into new mysteries. Goblin and One-Eye's hijinks continue to entertain, even as Croaker struggles with the responsibilities of command. His glacially slow developing relationship with Lady fitfully progresses, particularly in a couple of very fun scenes. We also get a couple of compelling battles.

Slight spoiler here.....I struggled with the idea that some of the very same villains that the Black Company had vanquished thousands of miles north suddenly start popping back up; to my taste, new villains with new mysteries and new back-stories would have made for a more compelling storyline. Also it is worth noting that this is the first book of the series that ends on a cliffhanger, rather than providing a satisfying conclusion; you will need to progress on to Dreams of Steel to get any sense of closure on the Books of the South storyline.

Overall, far from perfect but a worthy next chapter in one of my favorite series. ( )

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Title: Shadow Games
Series: The Chronicles of the Black Company
Author: Glen Cook
Rating: of 5 Battle Axes
Genre: SFF
Pages: 320
Format: Kindle









Synopsis: Croaker, along with the few remaining members of the Black Company, head towards a fabled city where the Black Company supposedly originated hundreds of years ago. Along the way, they pick up a "few" more members and end up battling Taken that have faked their death. Right at the end it looks like both Croaker [who is now the captain for the Black Company] and the Lady are dead, but I won't be sure until I read the next book. My Thoughts: These books are touted as "dark" and "anti-hero" and supposedly had a great influence on Steven Erikson and his epic Malazan Book of the Fallen series. I can see that but where Erikson went wrong, in my opinion, was that he left out the humor. You can only grind my nose into so much existential crap before I start to hate you as an author. And that is why I can continue to like these books. There are grand flashes of humor at just the right points so you don't get mired down in the muck of ever ongoing battles for survival. Not laugh out loud moments, at least not for me, but deft touches that brought my spirits up and enhanced my enjoyment of reading about a group of mercenaries who really have no reason to continue their existence. It was grand fun watching the Black Company just steam roll over all opponents for the first 90% of the book. They just couldn't lose. Which I think was a setup by Cook, on purpose. Because that last 10% made me wonder how these books were going to keep on going. So of course I'm going to keep reading. I was manipulated by Cook, realized it and ended up liking it. " ( )

The black company books seem to get better as the series advances. ( )

Chronicles of the Black Company was one of the best fantasy novels I have read in a long time. I was excited to begin the next set of the Black Company novels in Books of the South. Even though I read the omnibus edition I will have to post these books separately because I have much to say.

According to Goodreads, Shadow Games is apparently the fifth installment of the Chronicles of the Black Company. It is preceded by The Silver Spike. However, in the Omnibus edition, Shadow Games comes first, so this is the one that I read first.

The book continues where The White Rose left off and is still written in the perspective of Croaker who is the annalist, physician, and captain. I love reading in the POV of Croaker! You also read about some other characters in the third-person, who play important roles later on in the book.

It is entertaining, but a bit slower starting off than all the others. The thing that kept me going was One-Eye and Goblin with all their antics; they are hilarious! It is also interesting to see Lady as a more human character.The book raises more questions than it answers, so you will want to move right on to the next book. There is also intrigue and many surprises along the way.

Much of the novel is spent reading about who is left of the Black Company and their travels south to Khatoavr. They pick up many new recruits on the way and end up spending the last part of the novel in and around a city called Taglios. This is where they find their new “boss”, the prince Prah Drah (as I call him).

There are a few aspects of the novel I didn’t like. The names of the people and places are hard to remember and pronounce.There are also so many new additions to the Black Company so I didn’t really get to know them and it was hard to keep them straight. I will hopefully learn more about them in the next book.

I love the ending of the book and all the battle scenes! Those parts are really intense! I have to move right on to the next one! I definitely recommend reading this if you enjoyed the other books. ( )