I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. Glen Cook's fantasy novels have a sharp edge and unique style, with dark undertones flowing throughout even the most lighthearted bits of the story. I really like that. In his science fiction he tries something similar. It doesn't QUITE work as well though...In the back of my mind I was comparing this to the recent Battlestar Galactica series. Despair fills this novel from almost the first chapter. One of the most compelling characters dies very early in the book, and it left a bit of a sour taste that none of the others for the rest of the story were quite as interesting. There ARE strong, larger-than-life characters though, and Cook writes these personalities well enough to keep my interest.I had my suspicions as to how the book would end, and for the most part I was right. Although the "how" of it caught me a bit off guard at points. My final thoughts? I've read a lot of science fiction in my life, and this was something very different. Flawed. Interesting. And for as negative as this review may sound, I am itching to read the next in the series. My excitement for what happens next negates the quibbles I have with the book. I know enough about Glen Cook to know to expect the unexpected, there's a surprise around every corner, and why am I sitting here writing this when the next book is sitting here next to me?
Dark and ominous. I generally like this style, but this took a while to get into. Perhaps because it is part of a pre-existing storyverse of which I didn't have any familiarity, it felt like it dumped me into the middle of things. The extremely disjointed timeline was also confusing, jumping forward and back to at least five different time periods, all of which depend on each other.That said, it grabbed me in with the feeling of doom surrounding the entire story, and I nearly begged some of the characters to survive the disaster which haunted every page.The series improves after this. Dramatically. Not that this is a bad book, but the next two books in the series are even more enjoyable.
What do You think about Shadowline (1983)?
I read this trilogy years ago, and I recalled that I had really liked it, but couldn't remember anything further. I reread this first book while on vacation and enjoyed it a great deal. Cook does a good job in a relatively short book of painting the picture of a group of mercenaries whose time is drawing to a close. The first book did not leave me with the overwhelmed feeling of impressiveness I recalled from the trilogy as a whole. I'm not sure if this is because I'm now older and seeing it in a different light, or because I haven't read to the third book yet. I intend to read forward and find out. Regardless, Shadowline is a worthwhile read.
—Lesley
Story of a hardened mercenary Gnaeus Storm brought into an unwanted conflict by schemes of both his brother Michael and mysterious Sangaree Deeth. Soon old grudges will surface and families will clash, brother against brother, family against their own, revealing plot within plot resulting in death of almost entire Storm family and most probably end of standalone mercenary armies. Masato Storm The Mouse will survive the onslaught only to continue this never ending vendetta against the Sangaree who brought death to his family.[return][return]Reads like a classic Greek tragedy story of revenge that only brings doom to participants. Glen Cook is great as always.[return]I cannot wait to see what happens in the Starfisher trilogy #2 and #3.[return][return]Great book, recommended.
—Zare
