Reviews

Shadow Games, by Glen Cook

gianlucafiore's review against another edition

5.0

Grimdark at its best. The best book so far, even better than the ones of the first trilogy. Writing style has largely improved, there's a lot more introspection and character development and the war scenes are way better depicted. Overall not much to fault, it's grim, dark and with plenty of "wow" moments, especially in the last third of the book.

If you have been wondering whether to stick with the Black Company or not, read till this one at least. If you still don't like it, shame on you

sergei_ter_tumasov's review against another edition

3.0

К сожалению, не смог поставить оценку повыше (хотя очень хотел). А всё потому, что несмотря на прекрасный стиль изложения и превосходный чёрный юмор, книга получилась очень однообразная: они всё едут, едут и едут и наконец... нет, приедут (может быть, а может быть и нет) в следующей части.

А также очень не понравилось воскрешение Взятых. Такое ощущение, что у автора начала иссякать фантазия и ему не хватило двух очень уж неправдоподобных воскрешений Хромого, и он подумал, а что мелочиться, воскресим и остальных!

Разочарован, ожидал большего!!!

lanko's review against another edition

4.0

I need book 5, like, right now. Holy...

This started pretty slow and took its time to get it rolling, but when it did... damn. Masterful. It's totally deceiving because it looks way too easy but it's all part of the plan.

Foreshadowing, big plot twists and an insane cliffhanger ending. I couldn't believe the book ended. Some great new characters, but more importantly, an old favorite is back!

aepcaomhan's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Earlier books in the series are worth reading and have an amazing story and cast, but the series should have ended there. This book drags on, building more and more onto a story that had already reached the point of a satisfying ending. The new storyline and added characters could have shined in a spin off series perhaps, but being tacked onto the end and treated as a continuation lowers the quality of the work as a whole.

Spoiler

The fact that no one stays dead is an added issue I had with the book, it cheapens any potentially emotional scenes because I began to just expect them to magically appear again a few chapters later.

bookaneer's review against another edition

2.0

I spent more time looking at my phone when reaching the second half. Too many travelogue, useless plots and unsatisfying reveals. Sorry, Croaker. Even your inner quips could not save this book.

ellimister's review against another edition

4.0

So, I read these out of order. I read book 1 then 4? I must be taking crazy pills. I'm starting book 2 now.
This wasn't really a review. Uh, I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the test of the series.

iridja's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

4.5

vaderbird's review against another edition

3.0

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish

royalsunflower's review

adventurous dark fast-paced

4.0

josher71's review against another edition

Not too exciting. Maybe I'll finish it.

UPDATE: Couldn't finish it.