4 AND ½ STARS My first experience with dark fantasy author Glen Cook could not have been more enjoyable. I always look for a good story, solid technical writing that exudes confidence, a strong vocabulary with a unique style, believable and original characters, rich atmosphere, and an overall consistency from beginning to end. It is rare for a writer to have strengths in most of these categories. Glen Cook has them all. This book is crafted masterfully like the construction of a champion chess game. Every new chapter delicately builds upon the last, with each development having an impact on the story. A single character's decision has a domino effect, creating new choices, options, and dangers of everyone involved. I found myself nearly breathless how well everything came together. If there was a criticism to be made of the book, it would have to be the handful of places where the dialogue felt too modern with phrases that didn't seem organic to the world Cook has created. Those few times pulled me out of the story, but fortunately, that did not happen often. I was so impressed with this book, I have already ordered 3 more titles from this author (The Dragon Never Sleeps, Passage At Arms, and The Black Company omnibus). Anyone interested in fantasy without the clichéd orcs, ogres, elves, dwarfs, and magical weapons, will be refreshingly surprised with this stand-alone novel. Cook has renewed my interest and faith in the dark fantasy genre. I can't wait to read more.
I only read it because I mistook Glen Cook for Monte Cook, he of TSR fame, and G.Cook's other work was well-received.Quite formulaic and traditional, it's a standard rendition of the average man caught up in epic events. The clash of cultures works well, and the simmering stew-pot of lethal politics works well, marred only by some improbable romance and questionably-founded character motivations.I have to admit my interest slackened towards the end as the political and power stalemate finally broke down into something more exciting, my immersion was a bit broken by so many names that all sounded the same, leading to some confusion, backtracking and rereading. Speed-reading probably didn't help.By the time it finally wound up, I was happy for it to do so, which is not a good feeling I suppose. The epilog and epilog to the epilog was kind of strange, almost as though the author intended to write more, but didn't, but also didn't want to just leave the plot hanging where it ended.A decent by-the-numbers romp for diehard fantasy fans, but don't expect anything groundbreaking.
Do You like book The Tower Of Fear (1991)?
Following a slow-ish start, this book has completely blown me away. I love Cook's Black Company stuff (the only other Cook books that I've read) and this might be even better. Cook shows that he's the master of the "gray" character, filling the book with multiple, overlapping POVs from all factions involved. Barring one or two characters who are just plain jerks, there are no real bad guys here; just men and women doing what they feel they need to for a cause that they feel is just.The plot revolves around the middle-east-flavored city of Qushmarrah, formerly ruled by the dark lord Gorloch and his sorceror Nakar, now occupied by the monotheistic Herodians and their mercenary Dartar tribes. Throw in an underground Qushmarrahan rebellion called The Living, who seek independence for their city; and Nakar's widow, intent on resurrecting her deceased husband. Then put a carpenter and his family smack in the middle of all of it.All of this in a standalone novel under 400 pages. Wow.
—Chris Hawks
EssenzialeLo stile dell'autore è asciutto, essenziale, e non regala nulla al lettore, nemmeno il più piccolo aiuto. La storia viene mostrata così come accade, con repentini cambi di prospettive ogni poche pagine per incastrarle nel disegno generale, regalando al lettore il compito di saldarne la forma. Ci si trova direttamente in mezzo alle situazioni, per cui sono esse a parlare e non l'autore. All'inizio si può accusare il colpo, ma se ci si lascia catturare dal meccanismo si rischia di rimanerne affascinati.La trama di questo romanzo non è particolarmente elaborata, ma le pennellate degli eventi creano un'atmosfera intrigante e in grado di costruire il piccolo mondo in cui si svolgono le vicende, senza bisogno di particolari descrizioni. Uno stile che su di me ha lasciato un segno indelebile, precursore di quello che sarà perfezionato da Steven Erikson.
—by Ax
Very Cook in the typically grey morality. I liked it well enough, but the plot is very twisty and there are approximately 427 characters to keep track of, some with multiple names depending who's talking to them, and others with multiple names because they are playing shadow games between factions.I actually found when I stopped worrying too much about the characters and just concentrated on keeping track of the plot, I did a lot better. I think I need to let this one settle a little, and then re-read it. And I think I'll probably like it even better.
—Krazykiwi
