Shadows Linger

Shadows Linger didn't quite have broad scope of the first novel, The Black Company, but still managed to move the story of that band of soldiers and wizards forward with some interesting twists and a nice set-up for the final novel of the trilogy. I enjoyed the time the author took to introduce some new characters, especially Shed the tavern owner, and give them fulfilling story arcs with good characterization. The setting for most of the novel was the far northern town of Juniper. It wa well drawn out in the novel and gave a great sense of place that really grounded this book in the dark fantasy genre that Cook was forging back in the 80's. If you like your fantasy grim and gritty, this is a great series for you. Definitely start with The Black Company as this novel picks up where that book left off and the story would be difficult to follow if not read in aequence.