Shadows Linger

Torn between 3 and 4 stars but I'm giving four. First half was weak to the point I was worried but the second picked up and it began to feel like Black Company again and it redeemed the book overall. Shed grew on me and I even learned to stomach the constant changes between first and third person narrator. (Still hope it was done first and last time here.)

I liked the ending though I wasn't expecting such a “happy end” (it's still grim dark so don't take it literally). I was also expecting some new Taken based on the story's development but luckily(?) it never happened.

Loved the communication between Croaker and his girlfriend but I have no idea why she's toying with him like this. It's kinda getting ridiculous given who she is. We shall see.

So far, definitely the best fantasy series I have ever read. Amazing for a book written in the early 80s!
It starts a little slow and confusing, since it uses a new setting and completely new characters, but then everything starts to fall into place in surprising ways - and some of the known (anti)heroes gradually show up to interfere with the apparently independent events. The psychological evolution of the main character (Shed) is extremely credible, well-done and fulfilling, the events evolve in surprising and captivating ways, the bigger picture is skilfully drawn-up, the very dark atmosphere succeeds in creating a grim and oppressive feeling.
It is a great mystery, noir and espionage book, less so a war one (similar to the first, it has very little actual combat for what is supposed to be a military fantasy).
I have just 2 minor complains: the first will probably get twists/changed in the next books (the side the Company goes to in the end, I disliked that); and the writing, which is very straight forward, with an endless stream of very short sentences (I find that tiring, not to mention unartistic - no Gene Wolfe here). Still, the great story gets through despite the unpolished style, and is so good that it creates an addiction: I feel I have no choice now but to read the next books in the series, as soon as possible (good thing I already have all 9 of them).
Highly recommended for grimdark fans.

Really enjoyed the second book in the series. It was a very fast read, and I couldn't put it down. It further expanded on the tale of the struggle between the Black Company and the Lady, with the near return of the Dominator as well. This book covers the company's dealings after their victory at Charm, and mostly focuses on a new challenge (the Black Castle) in Juniper.

The author didn't do too much re-explaining of what things you should have recalled from the first book (I'm looking at you, Harry Potter series) and added a few new main characters (Shed and Asa) to the plot. The author does a wonderful job of hiding and revealing interesting plot twists.

Overall a very enjoyable read which stayed in line with where the first book was going. I enjoyed reading more about the struggle between the Lady and the Dominator, and watching the company itself evolve (or moreso get torn apart and have to deal with it).

This book is an improvement on book one in every way, and I think a very impressive book. It becomes multi-POV and the second POV really enhanced things. Croaker's annuls POV managed to be more emotional, philosophical and thought provoking despite keeping the matter-of-fact, sparse style of a soldier. The last third of the book was really good and has me excited to pick up the next one.

I also wouldn't really classify this book as military fantasy, and it's very different from book one, so I would recommend people who were meh on book one to try this one atleast. I'd say Shadows Linger has a fair amount of spy, crime, mystery, and horror elements and is only military insofar as it is following a group of people who are soldiers.

My only negative for this series so far is the writing style. I like Cook's prose. He is very effective, and I think people meme the short sentences thing a bit too much (although he does like short sentences). But something about it sets my brain on fire after a few chapters. I had to read this short book in 20ish page bursts because after around that much, I just had to do something else. Maybe I will get more into the flow of it for book 3, but I could see that being the chief barrier to this becoming an all time favorite, because otherwise I think this book was gasoline.