The White Rose

Glen Cook

Book 3 in the series:The Black Company

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you crave a darker, grittier type of fantasy with morally grey characters, "The White Rose" is your jam. Glen Cook builds a world where mercenaries, not heroes, take the spotlight and absolutely keeps you guessing with plenty of plot twists and unpredictable turns. The unique first-person perspective from Croaker, along with inventive magical creatures and a refreshing lack of traditional fantasy tropes (bye dragons and elves!), will appeal to anyone who loves realism with their magic. If you enjoy tales where the lines between good and evil blur, and where every victory comes with a price, you'll be hooked here.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers found the prose a bit sparse, making it tricky to picture the setting or remember who's who among a hefty cast of characters. The single-viewpoint narration can leave gaps in the bigger picture of the world, and female representation gets mixed reviews, with some wishing for more depth or agency for women in the story. And if you're not a fan of stories with shades of moral ambiguity and a sometimes brutal, bleak atmosphere, this may not be your cup of tea.

A compelling, no-nonsense finale to the first Black Company trilogy: dark, twisty, and full of unforgettable characters. If you like your fantasy hardboiled and your loyalties flexible, don’t skip this one.

About:

'The White Rose' in the series 'The Black Company' by author Glen Cook is a well-written story with a unique narrative style that keeps readers engaged. The book explores a world where interests clash rather than a simple battle between good and evil, making it an enjoyable and intriguing read. The plot unfolds with surprising twists involving key characters like Raven, Darling, and The Lady, leading to an unexpected end battle that sets the stage for future developments in the series.

The book presents a complex narrative with multiple storylines converging and intertwining, providing a realistic portrayal of soldiers in a war-torn world. Characters like Whisper, Toadkiller Dog, and Tracker stand out for their strong personalities and unique traits, adding depth to the already richly detailed storyline. The White Rose saga concludes in a way that leaves readers both satisfied and eager to delve deeper into the magical world created by Glen Cook.

Characters:

Characters are complex and morally ambiguous, showcasing distinct personalities that deepen across the trilogy, often subverting typical heroic portrayals.

Writing/Prose:

The writing employs a first-person narrative that prioritizes character development over detailed scenery, utilizing a sparse yet engaging prose style that enhances humor and depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features dark themes revolving around a group of mercenaries navigating a complex war. Mysterious alliances unfold, leading to surprising twists and a climactic finale.

Setting:

The setting is characterized by the eerie and fantastical Plain of Fear, filled with dark elements and a variety of magical creatures that enhance the story's ambiance.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, beginning somewhat slowly but accelerating as the narrative unfolds, cleverly interweaving multiple storylines.

A breath of a breeze whined in the coral, stirred the leaves of Old Father Tree. They tinkled off one another with the song of wind chimes. To the north, the glimmer of change lightning limned the hor...

Notes:

The White Rose is the third book in The Chronicles of the Black Company series.

The story is narrated in the first person by Croaker, who is the Company’s physician and annalist.

The Black Company consists of mercenaries who are often portrayed as morally ambiguous rather than strictly good or evil.

The main characters, including the Lady and the White Rose, are complex and well-developed, providing depth to the story.

The books are known for their unpredictable plot twists and suspenseful storytelling.

The series avoids typical fantasy tropes like dragons and wizards, focusing instead on more relatable conflicts and human motivations.

Glen Cook's writing style uses sparse prose and concise descriptions, emphasizing character development over scenery.

The narrative alternates between different characters' perspectives, adding layers to the storytelling.

The conclusion of The White Rose ties up many plot threads while also setting up new storylines for future volumes.

There is a notable lack of good female characters, with critiques about the portrayal of women in the series.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Readers should be aware of violence, dark themes, and potential misogynistic elements within the story.

Has Romance?

There are elements of potential romance, particularly involving Croaker, but the focus remains on the narrative and character development.

From The Publisher:

The third volume in an epic military fantasy series following a group of hard-bitten mercenaries caught in the middle of a war between The Lady and The White Rose

She is the last hope of good in the war against the evil sorceress known as the Lady. From a secret base on the Plains of Fear, where even the Lady hesitates to go, the Black Company, once in service to the Lady, now fights to bring victory to the White Rose. But now an even greater evil threatens the world. All the great battles that have gone before will seem a skirmishes when the Dominator rises from the grave.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

1985

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320 pages

Ratings (14)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (7)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (21):

Read It (16)
Want To Read (3)
Not Interested (2)

What can you read after
The White Rose?

The Dragonbone Chair
Tad Williams
medieval inspired world
epic fantasy trilogy

About the Author:

Born in 1944, Glen Cook grew up in northern California, served in the U.S. Navy, attended the University of Missouri, and was one of the earliest graduates of the well-known "Clarion" workshop SF writers. Since 1971 he has published a large number of SF and fantasy novels, including the "Dread Empire" series, the occult-detective "Garrett" novels, and the very popular "Black Company" sequence that began with the publication of The Black Company in 1984. Among his SF novels is A Passage at Arms.

After working many years for General Motors, Cook now writes full-time. He lives near St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife Carol.

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