The Tyranny Of the Night by Glen Cook

The Black Company by Cook was one of my all-time favorite series.   This book had similarities but was far more confusing.  A child, taken from their family and trained as a warrior is the main character.  He is tasked by his capricious ruler to infiltrate an enemy.   

The book reeks of dark magic and evil people.  Else, the slave warrior, is very pragmatic but also confused.   His infiltration is confusing because the enemy keeps changing.  Accidentally Else discovers a way to kill the sorcerous creatures of the night and this puts a target on his back.  The target seekers are demi-gods who want Else’s knowledge destroyed.   Interestingly enough, Else does not seem to extrapolate his experience into a broader threat.

The number of characters and the alliances of same are mind boggling.   I found my self glossing over sections because I wasn’t sure who was supposed to be friends and enemies.   Perhaps that was Cook’s intent.   I don’t know.

I do know that although I liked the book, I certainly didn’t like it nearly as well as ANY of the many Black Company books.

I will read the sequel as I am a glutton for punishment and I hope to discover that Cook becomes less verbose, more intent on the plot and less intent on introducing a new character or enemy on every page. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.