Sunday 27 March 2016

The White Rose (third novel in the Black Company series)

(Originally posted on Tuesday, 28 July 2009)

My rating: 8/10 (high re-reading value)
Please read my post from April 2009 to find out about my rating.
Please read my post from May 2009 to learn about Glen Cook’s style of writing.

As in the previous novel, the second half of The White Rose is much better than the first. I’ve read some reviews which said the ending was disappointing, but for me it was very good and enjoyable. It just HAD to be this way. The final battle is not huge, like in the first book. It is neither similar to the ending of the second book. It is very original on its own, just like most themes in Glen Cook’s books.

As for the first half of The White Rose, the action is a little slow. The current plot is intervened with a side plot connected with an older story, which tells us about a crucial moment from the past. It is quite interesting to see what happened then, but it could be told faster. What was very annoying for me was the way this side plot was told, namely the letters. Not one letter, but several separate letters, which were delivered to The Black Company, hiding in a very secret place. Quite unbelievable. I think the reason for these letters was that Glen Cook wanted to switch perspectives back and forth, but for me the effect was just annoying. As I said the story itself was quite interesting, but a little slow at the start.

The second half of the book is much faster and more action-packed. There are also some enjoyable twists to the plot and Glen Cook’s style of writing is just unbeatable. The ending closes the first Black Company trilogy. I can’t say anything more, because I don’t want to spoil anything.

Overall The White Rose is very original and enjoyable. It’s more than just good.
(8/10)


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