If you’re hooked on gritty, unconventional fantasy with morally complex characters, 'Dreams of Steel' delivers. The series takes a bold turn by putting the fierce Lady in the spotlight, and the story pulses with dark magic, unpredictable gods, shocking twists, and some truly wild new arrivals. Glen Cook’s raw style and refusal to coddle his characters make for a uniquely immersive experience - especially for fans who love military fantasy that’s unpredictable and leans into the shadowy side of things.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers may feel thrown by the story’s constant time jumps and shifting perspectives. If you’re attached to the original cast, you might miss the familiar faces, as several favorite characters take a back seat in this installment. The fast pace and sometimes abrupt changes during key battle scenes can be confusing, and those looking for a tidy, linear narrative (or waiting for certain plotlines to resolve) could end up frustrated.

Dark, daring, and deliciously chaotic, this is a must if you’re already a fan - but the relentless momentum and new directions might lose some readers along the way.

About:

Dreams of Steel is the fifth book in Glen Cook's The Black Company series, continuing the dark and gritty saga of the mercenary group. The plot thickens as characters face deific mysticism, new gods like Kina, and battles filled with shifting advantages that leave readers feeling disoriented. The story follows the Lady, who rises as the new leader of the Black Company, showcasing her ruthlessness and complicated nature, while familiar characters drift in and out of the narrative.

Cook's writing style is marked by its non-linear storytelling, allowing the narrative to jump between perspectives, sometimes leaving the audience in suspense about the fate of beloved characters. This approach keeps the story engaging and unpredictable. The humor and adventure are woven seamlessly throughout, making it a thrilling read despite some criticisms about narrative continuity. Overall, Dreams of Steel captivates with its unique storytelling and compelling characters, while leading into a deeper conflict ahead.

Characters:

Characters are complex, with significant development for the Lady and introductions of new figures, alongside some familiar faces.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style features shifting perspectives, humor, and a non-linear approach, creating a refreshing narrative experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot includes unexpected twists, jumps in timelines during battles, and a mixture of new and returning characters, culminating in a cliffhanger ending.

Setting:

The setting rich in deific mysticism is crucial, enhancing the overarching narrative.

Pacing:

The pacing maintains a thrilling momentum but can be inconsistent, especially during rapid transitions in battle scenes.

Notes:

Dreams of Steel is the fifth novel in the Black Company series by Glen Cook.

The story primarily focuses on the character known as the Lady.

Croaker, a central character, is out of commission for much of the book.

The narrative style alternates perspectives among characters, including secondary ones.

The book explores themes of deific mysticism and features a new goddess named Kina.

Readers noted the plot had many twists and layers, sometimes causing confusion due to its pacing.

Characters previously thought dead, like Soulcatcher, reappear in this installment.

There's a minimal love story, which some fans hope will develop further.

The series generally features dark, gritty themes and a mix of adventure and humor.

The Lady becomes the new captain of the Black Company, seeking revenge.

Fans were disappointed when the sequel promised after Dreams of Steel was instead a new beginning of a series called The Glittering Stone.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of death, psychological manipulation, and significant violence.

From The Publisher:

Dreams of Steel is Book 5 in Glen Cook's fantasy masterpiece, The Chronicles of the Black Company.

Croaker has fallen and, following the Company's disastrous defeat at Dejagore, Lady is one of the few survivors-determined to avenge the Company and herself against the Shadowmasters, no matter what the cost.

But in assembling a new fighting force from the dregs and rabble of Taglios, she finds herself offered help by a mysterious, ancient cult of murder-competent, reliable, and apparently committed to her goals.

Meanwhile, far away, Shadowmasters conspire against one another and the world, weaving dark spells that reach into the heart of Taglios. And in a hidden grove, a familiar figure slowly awakens to find himself the captive of an animated, headless corpse.

Mercilessly cutting through Taglian intrigues, Lady appears to be growing stronger every day. All that disturbs her are the dreams which afflict her by night-dreams of carnage, of destruction, of universal death, unceasing...

1990

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353 pages

Ratings (8)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (4)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (12):

Read It (9)
Want To Read (1)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

matt77

Loved It

2 months

I liked this one. It's fun hearing the story told by Lady.

What can you read after
Dreams of Steel?

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Dreams of Steel

Glen Cook

Book 6 in the series:The Black Company

Who Would Like This Book: