Genres
Description
After the devastating battle at the Tower of Charm, Croaker leads the greatly diminished Black Company south, in search of the lost Annals. The Annals will be returned to Khatovar, eight thousand miles away, a city that may exists only in legend...the origin of the first Free Companies. Every step of the way the Company is hounded by shadowy figured and carrion-eating crows. As they march every southward, through bug infested jungle, rivers dense with bloodthirsty pirates, and cities, dead and living, haunted by the passage of the Company north, their numbers grow until they are thousands strong. But always they are watched--by the Shadowmasters--a deadly new enemy: twisted creature that deal in darkness and death: powerful, shadowy creatures bent on smothering the world in their foul embrace. This is the first round in a deadly game, a game that the Black Company cannot ea hope to win.… (more)
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1989-06
Physical description
311 p.; 18 cm
Publication
New York : TOR fantasy, 1989.
Pages
311
ISBN
0812533828 / 9780812533828
UPC
037145007991
Local notes
The fourth book about the Black Company ("The Silver Spike" being a side-story about characters who left the Company after "The White Rose"), and the first book in the "Books of the South" duology. Croaker is the Annalist.
Library's review
This surprised me by being the first "Black Company" novel to end on a cliffhanger rather than a reasonably resolved plot, but I didn't mind it at all -- I was going to read the second half of this duology next in any case. Croaker remains a wonderful protagonist and narrator, possibly even more so
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now that he's in charge and it is truly 'his' story. The new viewpoint character added here (Willow Swan) admittedly doesn't quite match up to the stellar secondary viewpoints in the previous books, but I still enjoyed those chapters a good bit, too. It was also fun how the first hundred pages or so parallelled the time frame of the events of "The Silver Spike" (of which the protagonists are ignorant), giving an extra layer to the early part of the story. Which, considering it boils down to "people travel quite far and then finally get sucked into a local war", was engrossing and fun from beginning to end. My sole complaint about the world is that too many idioms, expressions, concepts or even single words feel too fetched from real history. Someone can't look "caucasic" in a world without the Caucasus mountains, as a random for instance. But it's a relatively rare and definitely minor issue that would need to happen much more frequently to truly take me out of the narrative. Two thumbs up, and I sally happily forth to the next volume. Show Less
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User reviews
LibraryThing member TadAD
This picks up after the events of the first three books (see The Black Company), starting a whole new adventure for the members of the Black Company. Not only did The White Rose end, imo, on a perfect note, I don't think the story line here is quite as good. It's still enjoyable, however.
LibraryThing member saltmanz
My favorite of the Black Company books so far, though that could just be because Croaker's the narrator again. (I read The Silver Spike before this one -- a move I recommend, as this book drops some hints that would have driven me crazy had I not known they wouldn't be resolved in the series
The narration is quite enjoyable, and I found myself often chuckling out loud at a turn of phrase. My only real disappointment with the book was how easily the Company seemed to win all its battles, with mostly untrained troops pitted against the supposedly-formidable Shadowmasters.
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proper.) A number of surprises in this book, mainly some unexpected returns, and the revelation of the Shadowmasters' identities.The narration is quite enjoyable, and I found myself often chuckling out loud at a turn of phrase. My only real disappointment with the book was how easily the Company seemed to win all its battles, with mostly untrained troops pitted against the supposedly-formidable Shadowmasters.
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LibraryThing member iayork
Crows and Shadows: Reeling from the battles at the Tower of Charm in the service of the Lady, the remains of the Black Company begin a new journey - back to the Hhatovar of their origins, lost in the jungles of the south. Still under Croaker's lead the compulsion to return seems like an elephant's
Croaker's first stop is Taglios, where the Company undertakes to provide help in a struggle with four shadowmasters who are extending their own empire. Like the Taken before them, these are wizards who have little care for the humans who serve or oppose them. The Taglians are the last free people before this new dark empire and the Company needs to get rid of the bad guys before they can reach their own origin point. Unfortunately for the Company there are some Taglians who recall the legends of the times when the Black Company headed north with considerable fear, and cooperation and trust are in thin supply.
This will be the last volume written from Croaker's viewpoint (have no fear, he still will have a part to play) and it develops his new role as captain as well as a growing connection with the more human side of the Lady. The latter has expended all her power in the struggle to keep her old husband, the Dominator, from re-entering this world. Her new vulnerability doesn't make her a weak character, and her knowledge and experience make her an asset as the Black Company once again tries to extract disaster from the jaws of success.
Glen Cook proves that there is life after a trilogy as he begins the transition volumes (The Books of the South) that will lead into the Glittering Plain series. This transition of the Black Company from a tool of political empire building to an almost mystical entity with a serious, and perhaps deadly, agenda of its own makes a strong story all on its own. There are quite a few surprises to come, and Shadow Games is an example of perfect scene setting as the rules and the environment begin to change. Cook's writing continues to mature, defying the principle that a prolific writer inevitably dilutes his strength.
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last voyage to the graveyard. With the original volumes of the Company's history lost, no one knows what Khatovar really was, or why there ever was a Black Company, but the trip south stirs memories of the last free company of Khatovar, and they aren't fond ones. Danger and unwelcome friends seem to lurk everywhere. Croaker's first stop is Taglios, where the Company undertakes to provide help in a struggle with four shadowmasters who are extending their own empire. Like the Taken before them, these are wizards who have little care for the humans who serve or oppose them. The Taglians are the last free people before this new dark empire and the Company needs to get rid of the bad guys before they can reach their own origin point. Unfortunately for the Company there are some Taglians who recall the legends of the times when the Black Company headed north with considerable fear, and cooperation and trust are in thin supply.
This will be the last volume written from Croaker's viewpoint (have no fear, he still will have a part to play) and it develops his new role as captain as well as a growing connection with the more human side of the Lady. The latter has expended all her power in the struggle to keep her old husband, the Dominator, from re-entering this world. Her new vulnerability doesn't make her a weak character, and her knowledge and experience make her an asset as the Black Company once again tries to extract disaster from the jaws of success.
Glen Cook proves that there is life after a trilogy as he begins the transition volumes (The Books of the South) that will lead into the Glittering Plain series. This transition of the Black Company from a tool of political empire building to an almost mystical entity with a serious, and perhaps deadly, agenda of its own makes a strong story all on its own. There are quite a few surprises to come, and Shadow Games is an example of perfect scene setting as the rules and the environment begin to change. Cook's writing continues to mature, defying the principle that a prolific writer inevitably dilutes his strength.
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LibraryThing member Karlstar
The follow-on to the Chronicles of the Black Company. The Company, now that the Captain is dead, is returning to the south, where they originated so long ago no one really remembers what they were back then. Still trailed by some of the Taken, the Company struggles to survive, and like they always
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do, they are going to make someone pay for that survival. Excellent, gritty fantasy at a personal level, excelling at both politics and the struggles of the individuals of the Company. Show Less
LibraryThing member sdobie
Picks up immediately after the events of the first trilogy. Croaker decides to take the few remaining members of the Company south to the city of Khatovar where legend says the Black Company began. He is joined by the Lady who has lost most of her powers and abdicates her position as the ruler of
This is a weak volume in the series. The company journeys to the south and has some minor adventures until they reach Taglios, where there is a lot of political maneuvering. The book ends on a cliffhanger, so it is not really a complete story in itself. The minimal writing and heavy sarcasm throughout makes none of the story seem that serious.
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the Dominion. After a long journey, and the addition of new members along the way, the Company comes to the city of Taglios where they take charge of the city's defense against the Shadowmasters who rule the lands to south and block the Company's path to Khatovar.This is a weak volume in the series. The company journeys to the south and has some minor adventures until they reach Taglios, where there is a lot of political maneuvering. The book ends on a cliffhanger, so it is not really a complete story in itself. The minimal writing and heavy sarcasm throughout makes none of the story seem that serious.
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LibraryThing member Rhyla
Having finally settled in and gotten used to Cook's writing style I enjoyed another in the Black Company series. I am grateful for Lady's place in these books as she's been one of my favorite characters. My real complaint with this book was the ending. It seemed rushed, weak and unfulfilling. I
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wish Cook had rounded it out a bit more making this book not only part of a series but also a good story on it's own. Show Less
LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
Shadow Games was fine. There was more hinting and dancing around the interesting larger mystery of the origins of the Company than actual info, and I was a little disappointed that the villains were retreads of earlier villains (and not for any obvious reason, really,) but it was fine.
I don't love
I don't love
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the ongoing romance between Croaker and the Lady, mostly because she whipsaws between terrifying and helpless too often to really develop any sort of character. I liked her better when she was unapologetically the villain. Show Less
LibraryThing member AshleyMiller
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
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.
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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.
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LibraryThing member nnschiller
The black company books seem to get better as the series advances.
LibraryThing member clong
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
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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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.....
Overall, far from perfect but a worthy next chapter in one of my favorite series.
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LibraryThing member Andorion
What an ending!!!!!