[Pig Iron]

Has anyone read the Garrett books? Are they good?

[Optimus Prime]

I haven't. But I can't wait for the second Omnibus to come out. I loved the first one, though Cook drove me mad with his "no map" writing ass

[Obdigore]

I don't understand what this big deal about maps/no maps is. I never use the maps anyway, since I like to envision it how I would see it...

Meh... I just want to know what he is working on right now?

[Optimus Prime]

I just like maps. It's a personal preference, helps me see the world the author has created. I guess he's working on the third book of the Instrumentalities series.....he's a hermit and stays away from the internet as much as possible....so it's hard to get information on him.

[Obdigore]

Well he is still writing for other series, and wants to do more black company books, or so he said in an interview like 2 years ago, so....

I certainly hope he is writing another Instrumentalities book, but I would love to know about when to expect it.

[Pig Iron]

Just ordered the Dark War trilogy on Amazon too, used. Couldn't help myself but don't really know where to put all books
I want another Instrumentalities novel soon ...

[Dancer+]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll be ordering some Glen Cook books very soon for after exam period time.

[thrinidir]

I enjoyed Chronicles of the Black Company (omnibus containing first three Black Company books) tremendously and the influence on Erikson is undeniable - from naming (Croaker, Raven, One Eye, Goblin vs. Hedge, Smiles, Touchy etc.), squad bickering, soldiers life and so on...you get the picture. Some feel that Cook's writing is a bit disjointed at times, some hate it that he didn't enclose the maps, but I thoroughly enjoyed his take on good/evil. If you care to read my homage to the Black Company, you can read the review here.

[Optimus Prime]

I thought the first Omnibus was brilliant. Croaker is just an awesome narrator.

Spoiler

I also liked how at the end the Lady was completely humbled yet you knew how she was evil but you still pitied her. She was very human.

[vaiski]

Really liked the omnibus as well. Book of the south seems to be difficult to find though.

[wolf_2099]

vaiski;323548 said:

Really liked the omnibus as well. Book of the south seems to be difficult to find though.

The Books of the South Omnibus is released is 5 days, June 10.

It contains the Silver Spike and Books of the South 1 and 2.

[vaiski]

Oh that's great, thanks for the info.

[Chance]

While the books of the south are enjoyable, after all its more croaker and lady , I have always found the Silver Spike really underwhelming.

What do people think ?

Saw that someone asked about the Garett books a bit back...Id say they are widely varying...noir detective stories in a fantacy setting, more entertaining then really good but some of them are fairly brilliant (Old Tin Sorrow for example is very nice) however there are a lot of them and they are a quick read.

[Aptorian]

Silverspike killed it for me aswell.

Haven't read any Cook since.

[wolf_2099]

Aptorian;324140 said:

Silverspike killed it for me aswell.

Haven't read any Cook since.

I have yet to read the 2nd sotuh book orsilver spike, but I did try reading th Dread Empire books and found them lacking.

Maybe cook can write a ton of books, but only knockes em out of the park on occasion?

Are the Instrumentals (sp?) of the Night any good?

[Obdigore]

I Love the Instrumentalities of the Night series.

I think it is Cook's best work. But it is very (not current) Political and Religious drama. If you are looking for a quick adventure book like his Black Company stuff was, this might not be to your taste (Although there is plenty of action in it).

I read his first 3 Company books, liked them, have not read the south stuff, waiting for the omnibus.

[Pig Iron]

I have ordered basically everything he's ever written (many used) and am on my way through. Reading ROTCG now (great), but before that finished Shadowline. For a really good SF-novel read The Dragon Never Sleeps, which is in print.

With some authors it's like you can open one of their books at random and read and you just love it. For me it's that way with Erikson, Tolkien, Vance, Wolfe and now Cook. Which also means I can't really give any criticism of their works, I'm too biased.

[paladin]

i enjoyed the silver spike, but the books ofthe south were not great books. my understanding is that the books of the glittering stone pick up the quality, but i havent read them yet

[Dagger]

I loved the first three Black Company books - they marked my return to fantasy after abandoning the genre entirely. Croaker was the best narrator and the final battle is a chapter I have read over and over.

[wolf_2099]

I've managed to secure all four glittering stone books, and the first book of the southbook. Just waiting for the omnibus so I can finish the south, them read the damn glittering stone.

I have the first Garret book, the two Dread Empire omnibus', Instrumentals of the Night books 1 and 2 and the Dragon Never sleeps to eventually read.

Along with 4 Dortmunder books.

After ROTCG.