Water Sleeps

The Chronicles of the Black Company #8

by Glen Cook

Regrouping in Taglios, the surviving members of the Black Company are determined to free their fellow warriors held in stasis beneath the glittering plain. Journey there under terrible conditions, they arrive just in time for a magical conflagration in which the bones of the world will be revealed, the history of the Company unveiled, and new world gained and lost...all at a terrible price.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Military Fiction, Epic, War

470 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

Glen Cook was born in New York City, lived in southern Indiana as a small child, then grew up in Northern California. After high school he served in the U.S. Navy and attended the University of Missouri. He worked for General Motors for 33 years, retiring some years ago. He started writing short stories in 7th grade, had several published in a high school literary magazine. He began writing with malicious intent to publish in 1968, eventually producing 51 books and a number of short fiction pieces.
He met his wife of 43 years while attending the Clarion Writer's Workshop in 1970. He has three sons (army officer, architect, orchestral musician) and numerous grandchildren, all of whom but one are female. He is best known for his Black Company series, which has appeared in 20+ languages worldwide. His other series include Dread Empire and and the Garrett, P.I. series. His latest work is Working God’s Mischief, fourth in the Instrumentalities of the Night series.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/glencook

Reviews

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 5 out of 5]

➽ And the moral of this rerereread is: I've said it before and I'll say it again, I was a complete, utter harebrained moron the first time I read this book. I mean, I only gave it a miserable 3.5-star rating at the time, which seems to indicate I wasn't quite right in the head back then.



How I missed the scrumptious scrumptiousness of this installment is beyond me. Subterfuge and misdirection! Illusions and deceits! Abductions and deals with villains! Ambushes and wicked ploys! The glittering plain (aka the Plain of Fear 2.0)! Spoiler spoiler spoiler and spoiler spoiler spoiler!

There's so much gloriousness in these pages, I might implode any second now. This is simply too much!



And now I can't wait to rererereread the book again 😬.

👋 See you next time.



[February 2022]

💀 The Black Company is Recruiting Again Buddy Rereread (TBCiRABR™) with the MacHalos and stuff 💀

“What did we do today to frighten the world?”

This is the one question all wannabe villains should ask themselves when reflecting upon their evil deeds of the day if you ask me. This also happens to be the one question no Black Company member ever need ask themselves at the end of the day. Just be your usual, wicked little selves, scheming ladies and nefarious gents of the Black Company (or is it nefarious ladies and scheming gents? I forget) and the world will be plenty frightened and stuff!

➽ And the moral of this rereread is: thou shalt fear Sleepy’s the Black Company’s most scrumptious diabolically Machiavellian shenanigans. And their downright malicious somewhat vengeful wrath. Yes, thou shalt.



👋 To be continued and stuff.



[September 2018]

💀 Buddy reread with the clueless new mercenary recruits Elena, Mark and Maria over at BB&B. Under the wicked supervision of our Ever-Stalking Black Company Overlord (ESBCO™), of course 💀

Previous rating: 3.5 stars. No comment.
New rating: 12.45896785 stars.

➽ And the moral of this reread is : hallelujah to our Lord Shrimp and stuff! I finally saw the light, read this book right, and rated it appropriately! We are all saved! The world will not blow up and all puny human life on this planet will not be somewhat terminally terminated! Yay and stuff!



Okay. So. I have desperately been trying to understand how I could have read this slightly wondrous book so wrong the first time around, and finally came up with the following theories:

① I am a complete, total, utter idiot.

② I was drunk as a hormonal puffer fish on his first night on the town Mariana Trench pub crawl when I first read the book.

③ I was high as a rabid barnacle on crack when I first read the book.

④ My evil twin momentarily took over while I was reading the book and proceeded to read it revoltingly wrong on my behalf.

⑤ One-Eye cast an extra strength confusion spell on me, as suggested by my Nefarious Love Child, thus clouding my ever foolproof judgement.

⑥ ① + ② + ③ + ④ + ⑤

⑦ All of the above.

➽ And the moral of the moral this reread is : Shame is me and stuff. I think I better hide for a while, in a futile attempt to atone for my most despicable sin.



💌 A very private message to Sleepy: I might have previously said that you were a flat, dull, unemotional character not Glen Cook’s most exciting character. Maybe. Perhaps. I might have been a little wrong. Maybe. Perhaps. Now will you please marry me? I think you’re kinda sorta amazing. Maybe. Perhaps. And if you don’t want to marry me, no problem. I’ll just send the murderous crustaceans to kidnap you. And then I’ll lock you up in the High Security Harem and stuff. Tada!

💌 A very private message to Goblin: I 💕lurves💕 thee, you cranky, dried-toad looking sorcerer. Will you be my Double Great?



[Original review]

☠ The Search and Rescue Mission is On Buddy Read (SaRMiOBR™) with my fellow mercenaries Evasive, Slowpoke and Cleaver ☠

Actual rating: 3.5 stars. No, intergalactic amazement is not me this time.

It's okay. I can do this. I rated a book in this series less than 18 stars. But it's okay. I can do this. Of course I can. I am strong. I am invincible. I have survived Stupidly Stupid Highly Flammable Ground-Breaking Crap (SSHFGBC™), I can surely survive a less than perfect instalment in the Mostest Perfectest Series of all Time (MPSoaT™). Come on, nefarious little me. NO CRYING. Breathing in, breathing out. Breathing in, breathing out.



Yeah, I know I could have used a different gif than the one in my pre-review. But guess what? I didn't. Ha.

Oh I know what you're thinking, my Little Barnacles. You're thinking I'm slightly exaggerating again. I mean, a 3.5 rating is pretty good, right? Not in Glen Cook is a God Land (GCiaGL™) it isn't! Hence the total despair, utter grief, and complete desperation. BUT. Things are looking up. I originally gave this book a 3-star rating. Then I DNFed read How to Flirt with a pathetically boring Naked Werewolf. Horizons broadened, crap meter off the scale, perspective restored and stuff. Tada! 3.5 rating for Water Sleeps (And So Do I). If I was somewhat insane, it would probably have occurred to me that if I read enough Pieces of Crap (PoC™) back to back, I'd end up giving this book the 18-star rating it deserves. But I'm not, so I didn't. Oh no. Absolutely not.



But anyway. I'm pretty sure you are all terribly anxious to know what went terribly wrong didn't go so well in this instalment, so let's get to it.

Homework. Yes, that's right, homework. That's the main problem with Water Sleeps (And So Do I). I wish I could say I came up with this brilliant analogy all by my little self, but I didn't. I shamelessly stole it from this very good review. Credit given where credit due, peace on earth and blah blah blah. Yes, I'm afraid this book kind of felt like some mandatory reading assignment to me {insert screams of horror and dismay from my inner Glen Cook is a God Fangirl (GCiaGF™) here} Don't get me wrong, this instalment is very interesting and very important in the grand scheme of things. Because you learn tons of, well, very interesting and very important things. And stuff. Especially when it comes to the Company's origins and history. But bloody hell, is it tedious. Why, you ask? Here's why:



Meet our narrator and Master of Yawns, Sleepy. Such a perfect name for such a flat, dull, unemotional character. Sleepy seems to be dead inside. And I see the logic in it, but it doesn't make for a very charismatic MC. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, Sleepy's character is complex, conflicted and blah blah blah, but I felt no connection whatsoever there. Which pretty much ruined the book for me. And it makes me mad because Sleepy could have been an amazing character. Such a devious mind! Such Machiavellian plans! Such cunning awesomeness! This could and should have been a dream come true. But it wasn't {insert sighs of gloom and sorrow from my GCiaGF™ here}.



Sorry, can't help it.

The rest of the cast? THANK GOD GLEN COOK FOR THE VILLAINOUS VILLAINS! Had it not been for our Bat-Shit Crazy Chick of the Thousand Voices (BTCCofSV™), my rating would have gone down down down. I love that loony. She is such an evil bitch. It's absolutely divine. She could definitely teach Sleepy a thing or two when it comes to loosening up and unleashing the wacky.

Company-wise, things tend to get pretty dull when my favourite Grumpy Wizardly Grandpas and the Problematic In-Laws are not around. MY Murgen's wife friend has tons of potential but turns out to be a dull bore. Sigh. Had you told me only a week ago I wouldn't give a damn if most of the Company died, I would have had you suited up in a straitjacket cute little white outfit with very cool sleeves and sent off to an insane asylum a very relaxing place. But that was last week. And now my life has no meaning.



Yes, that's exactly how I feel right now. And no, I am NOT going to cry again. Absolutely not ← oh please, don't tell me you didn't know I was going to do that! Silly Little Barnacles. You never learn, do you?

Oh, before I forget, there is one other thing this instalment desperately lacks: epic battles and uber cool fights. Delightful bloodshed. Glorious beheadings. Delicious dismemberments. And stuff. Okay, I guess that's more than one thing. Huh. No wonder I didn't like this book as much as I did the previous ones.

So at this point you're probably wondering why the freaking hell I didn't give this book a 0.9999 rating, and decided to go for a 3.5 one instead. Some of the boldest barnacles among you might even doubt my sanity ← this is an outrage. Fleet Admiral DaShrimp has been notified. Expect a visit from the murderous crustaceans shortly. I have to admit that I am not -hum- overly enthusiastic about Water Sleeps (And So Do I). But. And this is a BIG BUT here. No, actually there are several BIG BUTs here not to be mistaken for BIG BUTTS, obviously ← this is the lamest joke ever, I know. But I'm in mourning here, and trying to cope with grief and loss, so cut me some slack:

① This is Glen Cook and Glen Cook is a God.
② This is The Black Company and The Black Company is the Mostest Perfectest Series of All Time. And for All of Eternity.
③ See ①
④ See ②
⑤ This book is kidnapping heaven.
⑥



QED.

You're welcome.

»» And the moral of this review is: Glen Cook, I still worship you, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bring the AWESOME back!!!



*pats herself on the back for managing to write this review without revealing Sleepy's biggest secret* did you click on this spoiler hoping I would tell you what the BIG SECRET is? Hahahaha. You're so funny.

· Book 1: The Black Company ★★★★★
· Book 1.5: Port of Shadows ★ ← I have no idea where this book came from, or what it's about. Pretty sure I never read it.
· Book 2: Shadows Linger ★★★★★
· Book 2.2 (short story): Shaggy Dog Bridge ★★★★★
· Book 2.3 (short story): Bone Eaters ★★★★★
· Book 2.4 (short story): Letha of the Thousand Sorrows ★★★
· Book 3: The White Rose ★★★★★
· Book 3.5: The Silver Spike ★★★★
· Book 4: Shadow Games ★★★★★
· Book 5: Dreams of Steel ★★★★★
· Book 6: Bleak Seasons ★★★★★
· Book 7: She Is The Darkness ★★★★★
· Book 9: Soldiers Live ★★★★★
· Book 10: Lies Weeping ★★★★



Worry not, brothers and sisters of the Black Company, for deliverance is near! We shall behead, impale and generally slaughter the wickedly twisted and villainous bad guys, and efficiently extricate you from your current predicament!!!! BBB Mercenaries to the rescue!!!

[Choko · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** 4 ***

Mercenaries, we are almost there!!! A buddy read at BB&B

We have been through a lot. War is tough on everybody. It has been especially devastating on the once vast and powerful, legendary Black Company. It has been 14 years since the core of the company, including the brains of Croacker, the Talent of Lady and the heart of Murgen, walked into the trap set for them by Soulcatcher in the Glittering Stone Plain.... Everyone presumes they are dead and the remnants of the Company scattered to the wind and mostly destroyed. No one has seen anything resembling the structure of a war mercenary unit since that time, The Catcher and Mogaba feeling very secure in their place of power, ruling together with Swan and the aging Princess over the ever poorer and increasingly disheartened populous of Taglios... Little bothers their sense of security, except the constant messages in forms of illusions, smoke, signs on the walls, or small hit and run attacks some pesky little group of agitants keeps coming up with... "Water sleeps!!!" and other small promises of revenging for brothers long gone... But it is enough to still keep those tyrants on their toes...

Sleepy wishes for nothing more than to be able to cuddle up in a corner with a blanket and spend hours in sleep, dreaming of better times and prettier things... After all, that was the escape always available during a tough and cruel childhood... But at thirty something, the heavy responsibilities on Sleepy"s shoulders are a far cry from childhood times. After all, back then personal survival was the only goal. Now, 14 years after Sleepy, Goblin, One Eye and several other soldiers of the Company were unable to reach the rest of the group before they entered the treacherous Plain of Glittering Stone, the only thing they can do is try to retain some semblance of a memory of what the company used to be. By virtue of being literate, and also the chosen by the Captain and Murgen annalist apprentice, Sleepy is the new record keeper and standard bearer of the barely existing company. Only few members of the gang are from the times before Dejagorie, and the rest are tag alongs, most attaching themselves for having no better choices, but having no true concept of what The Company stands for or is realy supposed to be like. At this time, Sleepy has resorted to guerilla warfare, hit and run tactics, and trying to keep the flow of intelligence going in order to plan and plot.

See, because of Murgen's powers of sleep-walking and Astro-projection, the remainder of the gang has found out that the company brothers stuck in the Plain are ALIVE! They are just stuck in a magically induced stasis, thanks to Soulcatcher and her machinations. So, Sleepy has sworn that they are going to free them and once that is accomplished, recruit for the rebuilding of the Company and avenge themselves on all responsible for the treacheries perpetrated on them and the deaths of all their comrades. Some lofty goals for mare slip of a soldier...

This book was very different from any of the previous ones, mainly because it was written from the point of view of Sleepy. There is a feeling of distance, a much more objective way of recording this period in the Company's history, and it sound almost clinical at times. We miss the humor of Croacker and at times the absolute self-absorption and importance Murgan wrote himself into the annals with. They had a self-centered way of storytelling which we could easily identify with. On the other hand, I think Sleepy was the perfect person for delivering the enormous information we acquire during this chapter. Sleepy is a local born and raised, the first one since we have been with the company, who is more religious than not, brought up in a culture where the individual is lesser than the whole. No wonder Sleepy will downplay personal feelings and achievements and concentrate on the overall picture. Also, the revelations which we deal with here are sooooo huge, that in order for us to truly grasp the scope of what is happening, a subdued, more quiet voice is the perfect vessel for our preparation to enter into the final phase of our journey.

So, once again Glen Cook knew exactly what he was doing, and this book did exactly what it was intended for - it set us and the Company in a perfect position for the big grand last hurrah!!! Honestly, this setup distresses me a bit, because I can taste in the air some big losses and maybe even unthinkable heartbreaks awaiting us in the last installment of this series, which makes me very nervous to reach for the book that will be our Good-buy!!!

If you love military Fantasy and have not yet this series yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? READ IT!!! This series is unique in many ways, but most of all, we see this genre from the eyes of the rank and file up, not the other way around as is the tradition. I love it and already morn the fact that all things, no matter how good they are, still have to come to an end... Glen Cook, you are one devious, and wonderful master of storytelling! Thank you!

I wish you all Happy Reading and may you never run out of great books!!!

[Markus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The books must be written. The truth must be recorded even if fate decrees that no man ever reads a word I write. The Annals are the soul of the Black Company. They recall that this is who we are. That this is who we were. That we persevere. And that treachery, as it ever has, failed to suck the last drop of our blood.

Fourteen years ago, the last of the Free Companies of Khatovar marched out onto the Plain of Glittering Stone. After the most devastating incident in its history, carefully executed by an old nemesis, only a shattered remnant remained capable of escape. Those few continued to resist the tyrannic rule of the newly appointed Protector of All Taglios, all the while carefully waiting for the opportunity to go to the rescue of their lost brethren.

This was definitely an enjoyable book. It did not lack for action in any way. Still, it somehow reminded me too much of Bleak Seasons, another great book with very little plot advancement, where the most fascinating characters of the series were all absent. Sleepy started with the promise of becoming as great an annalist as Croaker and Murgen, but in the end I thought the writing was not as good as in the previous instalments.

That, however does not mean that the book was bad in any way. Water Sleeps does its job very well. And that job is to set the scene for the last of the Chronicles of the Black Company, and the conclusion to what is now one of my favourite fantasy series.

3.5 stars

[Maria Dimitrova · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Port of Shadows was released I put this one on hold. As a result it took me almost a month to get back to Water Sleeps. In fact I almost abandoned the series altogether. But under the influence of my beloved and wise beyound her years spouse Sarah, the brave fellow newbie Mark and the Evil-Overlord-turned-sort-of-a-Grumpy-Uncle Evgeny I eventually picked it up again and let me tell it was just the sort of trearment my heart needed after that disasterous instalment.

Things didn't end well (then again do they ever!) for our beloved mercenaries in the last book. And Sleepy and Sahra are left to keep what's left of the Black Company alive. Fast forward 15 years and those two have become quite adept at the games the Company likes to play with their enemies. At first I wasn't too trilled by Sleepy's analist style and to be quite honest I never grew to really like it. However, the story itself was great and extremely engaging once things started happening. I loved Sleepy's devious mind and the way she schemed to get the Captured back. Tobo was a bit of an annoyance for the first half of the book but I believe he will grow out of that phase and become an useful member of the Company. Sahra had her moments too. I loved how she played everyone in the Palace under the guise of Minh Subredil. Goblin and One Eye were, of course, awesome in their own particular (and by now very familiar) fashion.

In the end I really loved this book despite missing all of my favourite characters and I'm really glad I didn't let one bad experience ruin it all for me. And now I have one more book in the series to read before the long (and most likely eternal) wait for the 11th book.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! Definitely one of my favorites in the series. Sleepy really is a great narrator, and I liked how much different it was from the previous couple of books, while still maintaining the overall feel/atmosphere we've come to expect from a Black Company novel. There are some emotional moments towards the end, and in many ways this book seems to be setting up the series for the epic climax which is sure to come in Soldiers Live.

Water Sleeps is essentially about a rescue mission, building off the shocking cliffhanger at the end of She is the Darkness (yet taking place fourteen years after this previous installment). In addition to this adventure, we also learn quite a bit about the overall world and mythology within the series. The pacing is great, and really kept me turning the pages.

Bonus points for strong female characters.

[Allen Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's stuff I legit remember being in this one that was actually in SHE IS THE DARKNESS, so I didn't remember very much about this one, but I loved it. Very Count of Monte Cristo here. Huge lore dumps are my jam. A little slow and the climax of this one isn't as good as the previous book, but still one of the top tier books of the series.

[Aida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely 5... I loved this volume with all my heart.
This volume was amazing! Definitely one of my favorites in the series.
The narrator was so great and friendly. At first, I thought I don't like sleepy at all but in the end, I fell in love with her. I really hope we have sleepy as the narrator in the next book.
In this book, we get a lot of information about the world of black company and also the other worlds!
The pacing of this book is awesome and at the end because of the twists of the story, I felt I read several books, not just one. :-D
--------------
خب به فارسی هم فقط کافیه بگم دیگه عالی ترین از این نمیشد و واقعاً از روند ماجرا حظ کردم و عاشق راوی این کتاب شدم. جنس روایتش بی نظیر و دوست داشتنی بود. پس قطعاً یه ۵ ستاره‌ی ۱۰۰ امتیازی دریافت میکنه!
-----------------

[Jake Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite one yet so far. I could get liking it less, but thought it was thematically the most rich, had some of the absolutely coolest reveals, was the most emotionally impactful, and makes the last few books better in hindsight.

8.9

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this series, back in 2015, I would never have imagined how involved in it I would become or how convoluted the story would end up. This book has much less in the way of warfare and violence and much more in the way of history, languages, and religion.

Sleepy has become our Annalist, recording the exploits of the pitiful remains of the Black Company. She is our second female Annalist, following in the footsteps of Lady. She also proves to have a devious mind—which one needs if one is going to lead the Company. Sleepy may not want the leadership position, but she knows that the Black Company does not abandon its own and there are a number of members (including Croaker, Lady, and Murgen) trapped by sorcery under the Glittering Plain. The hope is that Croaker and Lady will still be sane enough when rescued to resume the helm.

Sleepy also knows, from reading the old volumes of the Annals, that the Glittering Plain is no place for sissies. You've got to be quick, careful, and crafty. She excels at planning, but sometimes gets paralyzed during the action. Thankfully she has several companions who can prod her back into action.

Water sleeps. The Black Company can bide its time. But it seems the time has come.

Soldiers live and wonder why. Next book coming up soon on my list and I am looking forward to it!

Book number 396 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project.

Cross posted at my blog:

https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
“Y después, cuando acaece la avería o el fracaso, no eres capaz de entender como ignoraste lo que era obvio”.

Novena y penúltima novela de la famosa Compañía Negra. He decir que esta novela me costó empatizar con ella en un principio con los personajes, además estaba confundida después de los acontecimientos de la novela anterior. Sin embargo, poco a poco fui siguiendo el hilo de la historia y empecé a encariñarme una vez más con todo.

“No pertenezco a una hermandad empática y compasiva. Aquellos que nos ofenden, deben estar preparados para enfrentarse a momentos de molestia extrema, si Dios, en su magnanimidad, se digna a obsequiarnos con la oportunidad de infringírsela”.

Desde un punto de vista argumental considero esta novela una de las más lentas. Te da incluso la sensación que en conjunto apenas ha ocurrido nada. Eso sí acabas conociendo a aquellos personajes que no eran más que meros secundarios estas ultimas entregas y acabas cogiéndoles cariño.

“Creían que la paz, la prosperidad y la seguridad resultarían inevitablemente si todo el poder pudiese concentrarse en las manos de la persona adecuada con la suficiente fuerza de voluntad. Y más menos, resultó ser de ese modo”.

Sinceramente quiero ir al décimo y último publicado y terminar de una vez con esta saga. La otra parte de mi llora porque no quiere acabarla. Ha sido y está siendo un viaje maravilloso y una vez lo termine no sé si seré capaz de superarlo.

“Todo el mal sufre allí una muerte infinita”.

[Eilonwy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed. I'll try to come up with a coherent review later today!

[Milda Page Runner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, what's not to like?
- I always enjoyed reading about a women disguised as a men living among the guys and succeeding there.
- Imagine fighting guerilla/partisan war having two old mischievous wizards Goblin and One Eye on your team, not to mention the usual Black Company's bag of tricks - it's just pure fun.
- Mind blowing revelations about the Plain of the Glittering Stone.
- Encounters with semi-gods and demons.
- Dungeons'n'Dragons/ horror type adventure in Icy Caverns.
And all that spiced up with G.Cook's signature cynical sarcastic dialogues. I had a blast.

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the best books in the series so far. It was entertaining and compelling from start to finish.

Things pick up 14 years after the shocking events that ended She is the Darkness. Sleepy is now annalist, standard bearer, and acting captain of what remains of the Black Company. The Company are in Taglios working to undermine the rule of Soulcatcher and the Radisha. The days of armies in the field are gone. The Black Company works from the shadows. The main goal is to discover a way to gain entry through the shadow gate so they can return to the Plain of Glittering Stone for a rescue mission.

Sleepy is a likable character with a distinct voice of her own. She was a very different sort of leader than Croaker, Lady, or Murgen. A new leader for a new time. Murgen's wife Sahra and her son Tobo play large roles and are both interesting characters. It was also great to see both One-Eye and Goblin feature more heavily than they have in recent books.

There was some exciting revelations towards the end that shed light on some long term mysteries. I'm looking forward to seeing how things develop in the next book.

Rating: 4 stars.

Audio Note: Macleod Andrews narrates this book and does a competent job. As he usually does.

[S. ≽^•⩊•^≼ I'm not here yet · Rating 4 out of 5]

نقشه خدا چه می تواند باشد اگر قرار است آدم های نیک در جوانی از دست بروند و شرورها صحیح و سالم زندگی کنند...

کتاب نهم (البته دهم ولی من جلد 1.5 هنوز نخوندم) جنگ زنان بود.
هر وقت دوران افسردگی پسا گلنی رو پشت سر گذاشتم میرن کتاب بعدی... زمان اهریمن ترین شرور دنیاست.


در مذهب، حقیقت محض تقریبا رواجی نداشت. معتقدان حقیقی حاضر خواهد بود برای دفاع از اعتقادات ناصحیح خود آدم بکشند و همه جا را نابود کنند. و این حقیقتی است که می توانید باورش داشته باشید.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

They call me Sleepy. I was withdrawn as a child, hiding from the horrors of my childhood inside the comfort and emotional safety of daydreams and nightmares. Any time I did not have to work, I went away in there to hide. The evil could not touch me there. I knew no safer place till the Black Company came to Jaicur.

My brothers accused me of sleeping all the time. They resented my ability to get away. They did not understand. They died without ever understanding. I slept on. I did not waken fully till I had been with the Company for several years.

I keep these Annals today. Somebody must and no one else can, though the Annalist title never devolved upon me formally.

There is precedent.

The books must be written. The truth must be recorded even if fate decrees that no man ever reads a word I write. The Annals are the soul of the Black Company. They recall that this is who we are. That this is who we were. That we persevere. And that treachery, as it ever has, failed to suck to the last drop of our blood.

We no longer exist. The Protector tells us so. The Radisha swears it. Mogaba, that mighty general with his thousand dark honors, sneers at our memory and spits on our name. People in the streets declare us no more than an evil, haunting memory. But only Soulcatcher does not watch over both shoulders to see what might be gaining ground.

We are stubborn ghosts. We will not lie down. We will not cease to haunt them. We have done nothing for a long time but they remain afraid. Their guilt cannot stop whispering our name.

They should be afraid.

Somewhere in Taglios, every day, a message appears upon a wall, written in chalk or paint or even animal blood. Just a gentle reminder: Water Sleeps.

Everyone knows what that means. They whisper it, aware that there is an enemy out there more restless than running water. An enemy who will, somehow, someday, lurch forth from the mouth of his grave and come for those who played at betrayal. They know no power that can prevent it. They were warned ten thousand times before they gave in to temptation. No evil can preserve them.


4 1/4 stars

[rrezza_t · Rating 5 out of 5]

"آخرین اندیشه ام نگرانی درباره ی این بود، که یعنی خدا میتواند نادیده بگیرد که یکی از مومن هایش هدیه ای از یکی از لعن شده هایش پذیرفته است یا نه. ایده ی جالبی بود. خدا دانای کل است. بنابراین خدا می‌دانست که شیوتیا چنین کاری میکند و به او اجازه ی انجامش را داد. از این رو حتما به اراده ی خدا بوده که ما از بخشندگی دیو بهره برده ایم. زیر سوال بردن اراده ی خداوند گناه است. "

"«افسانه شناسی بخشیه که هیچکس نمیخواد حقیقت محض رو درباره اش بدونه چون زمان، نماد هایی بزرگ از مواد خام نشات رفته از حوادث باستانی رو ساخته. انحراف های کسل کننده واقعیت به حقیقت های معنوی تغییر شکل داده.»
حق داشت. در مذهب، حقیقت محض تقریبا رواجی نداشت. معتقدان حقیقی حاضر خواهند بود برای دفاع از اعتقاد های ناصحیح خود آدم بکشند و همه جا را نابود کنند.
و این حقیقتی است که می‌توانید باورش داشته باشید."

_اول از همه اگه تا یکی دو جلد قبلی اومدید و هنوز جواب سوال هاتون رو نگرفتید، جلد آخر(ترجمه شده، که سکوت آب باشه) رو بخونید تا تقریبا تمام سوال های بی پاسختون توی همین جلد به جواب برسن. ولی در عوض کلی مسئله های جدید توی ذهنتون بوجود میاد که خب امیدوارم سرکار خانم کشوری جلد بعدی رو ترجمه ککند و ما لذت ببریم.(آقای گلن کوک هم چندین جلد ما رو توی کف نذارن).

_از جلد اول که شروع میکنید به خوندن، هرجلد که تموم میشه با خودتون میگید دیگه نویسنده نمیتونه داستان رو بیشتر ازین پیچیده کنه و دقیقا همونجایی که شروع میکنید به خوندن جلد بعدی نویسنده غافلگیری های جدیدی براتون ترتیب دیده.

_توی این جلد دید جالبی نسبت به مذاهب و اسطوره ها داشت و میتونه باعث بشه از ابعاد دیگه ای نگاه کنید به مقدسات (در هرحال هر نویسنده ای برای جلب نظر مخاطب ها سعی میکنه دستشو توی یه سوراخی بکنه که مذهب هم از این قاعده مستثنی نیست).

خوشحال میشم شما هم نظراتتون رو راجع به مجموعه بگید تا شاید منم متوجه نکته جدیدی بشم.

[Hella · Rating 3 out of 5]

یه ذره اسپویل داره❌❌

این جلد به نظرم نسبت به جلد های قبلی مجموعه جذابیت کمتری داشت به چند دلیل :
اول اینکه راوی داستان خوابالو بود و در کل خوابالو شخصیت بدی نیست ولی به نظرم اگه راوی عوض نمیشد و مورگن میموند خیلی بهتر بود چون که وقتی بالاخره راوی داستان عوض میشه یه خورده طول میکشه تا مخاطب با راوی جدید ارتباط برقرار کنه و همین این از جذابیت داستان کم میکنه البته اگه راوی به اندازه کافی جذابیت برای مخاطب داشته باشه به کتاب لطمه ای نمیخوره ولی متاسفانه خوابالو جذابیت کافی به نظرم برای راوی بودن نداشت.
دوم اینکه داستان زیادی کش داده نویسنده عزیز، یکی از ویژگی هایی که کتابای سرگذشت گروهان سیاه خاص میکرد این بود که داستان هیچ وقت زیاده گویی نداشت و مختصر و مفید کل داستان گفته می‌شود بدون روده درازی ولی متاسفانه تو این دو جلد آخر از لحاظ روده درازی و زیاده گویی سنگ تموم گذاشته نویسنده.
سوم اینکه اسپویل شدید ❌❌❌
واقعا مرگ ها رو کوک خیلی بد مینویسه اخه برادر من این چه وضعشه گابلین که نه کتاب با ما بوده از اول داستان جزو گروهان اصلی بوده زدی کشتی یه عزاداری یه چیزی یه حزن اندوهی اصلا براش هیچ انگار نه انگار که یکی از شخصیت های اصلی مرده خیلی ساده همه از کنار مرگش گذشتن؟؟ وات د فاک واقعا 🙄🙄
اگه بخوام در یک جمله این جلد توصیف کنم فقط میتونم بگم ایده خوبی که با اجرا بد حیف شد🤕
پ. ن1:نمره رو دست و دلبازانه دادم چون که گروهان سیاه جایگاه خاصی برای من داره وگرنه کمتر میدادم.
پ. ن2: در انتظار ترجمه جلد آخر پیر میشم 🥴🤦‍♀️

[Oleksandr Zholud · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the eighth volume of the Chronicles of the Black Company. The author clearly enjoys changing narrators and this time the annalist is Sleepy, a woman who was thought a boy when she joined the company.

Years passed since the end of the last volume. Tobo, a son of the previous annalist, Morgan, who was an infant last time readers saw him is fourteen now. All the Company, except for Sleepy and the duo of wizards, One-Eye and Goblin, is ‘sleeping’ under the Glittering stone, sealed in time. And even the wizards are quite frail, with One-Eye having a stroke…

It seems that Soulcatcher, who now goes under the name of Protector, has won. However, it isn’t the case: even with much diminished forces, the Company tries to stand relevant, which now means more a propaganda campaign than a military action. The remaining heroes are sleeping cells, well-integrated into the palace. And the dish of revenge cooled long enough…

I noted earlier that I consider the initial trilogy the best, with the following volumes well-written, but mostly for fans. This volume stands away from this slowly degrading path, with an overhaul of main characters and the great idea to move time forward, it refreshed the scene. The book also answers a lot of questions set by the previous ones, moving the story forward.

[Robin Wiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally done!

Kids, I gotta be honest. This one felt kinda like homework.

Sleepy is our narrator this time. She's not fun or funny, which is a drag. But she is a genius at guerrilla warfare, and that is pretty great. She is in charge of a tiny ragtag bunch - Company members not cocooning under the Glittering Plain. We have the ancient but antic loving wizards One Eye and Goblin, Murgen's wife and son, and a few other newbies.

They are in the capital city, living in a super secret hideout, wearing disguises, instigating riots and other chaos against Soulcatcher (aka. Crazy Bitch That Just Won't Die). They are biding time, getting all their ducks in a row, so they can go rescue the rest of our beloved Black Company from the big nap.

City part of the book was fine. After they go through the Shadowgate and head to the rescue is very cool, but the in between was a drrraaaagggg. And for those of us keeping a tally of bad guys needing to die - there is NO Satisfaction. By the time they get to the Shadowgate, they have so many rotten bad guys caged up and in tow - it's like a damn circus parade.

Characters - still the Black Company!
Action - nothing really large, but they are still trying to stop resurrection of the goddess of death, Kina
Cool places - the Glittering Plain is very cool and the fortress in the middle of the Plain is fun
Creatures- shadow critters, a werepanther, a large, smelly goddess with accessories made of skulls and penises, and a couple of horses of unnatural size and breeding
Magic - oh Hell yeah, it's all over the place

The book wasn't bad, but nine books is a lot. The lack of bad guy killing has me quite vexed. I am very vexed. Makes the whole thing seem longer.

One last book. Once more into the breach!

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Series: 11/27/2005 5/10

The Black Company series' premise was very interesting - a gritty dark take on the ins and outs of a military company in a fantasy world. It didn't really live up to expectations though. I would've preferred to see more of the company rather than the focus on one individual. The series definitely has it's ups and downs. Some books are decent and others are pretty bad - it seemed to get worse as it went on. The plotting was pretty poor and the characters were one-dimensional and not very interesting.

For more info, check out:
The Black Company on wikipedia

11/11 - water sleeps - 4
more poor plotting. slow and then quick unexplainable jumps (murgen knowing everything)
slow, boring, don't care about characters

[Lanko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised this happened 15 years after book 7. And not much expectations, after the problems I had with the ending of the previous book as well.

But this was really good. I loved the "urban guerrilla and infiltration" style of this one. The sabotages and terror tactics were both good and at times downright amusing.

Also, a lot of answers for a lot of questions that tormented me for a lot of books. The scope and worldbuilding were increased a lot, but the answers kept everything pretty tight and coherent. I think some other books will be rated higher on a reread, as a lot of stuff will make sense and all the foreshadow being detected.

The banter between members and philosophical bits were also extremely good.

There were some disappointing huge time jumps near the end when I wanted to see some events and characters as they happened, not as a summary, but not a big deal anyway. Probably we'll know it on the next books as certain POVs will return to the fray.

[Fantasy boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars. Mostly listened to the audiobook.

Water Sleeps is the Eighth book of the black company. It is the most enjoyable read since the sixth book of The Black Company, It is also by far the most interesting narrator in the black company’s annals. The tone of Sleepy is more cynical and sarcastic than Murgen but Glen Cook has done a good job of creating a new voice in the story. It’s fun and interesting to see what a young girl has become a sophisticated captain and schemed a plan to rescue the black company underneath the glittering plain. I must mention that the audiobook version empower Sleep’s unique voice which resonates with my reading experience throughout the story. I was amazed that Sleepy’s narrative did excellent than Croaker. It’s fresh and unlike Murgen’s meandering narrating of the plots. It really makes you feel the wars between Soulcatcher and the tension on the glittering plain. Her perspectives of religions and histories which are around Kina and other deities that extended the scales of the world building. In the previous books, the story are crammed with tons of Info are told by Murgen, but It didn’t surprise me of Murgen’s narrative of telling the story; She is the Darkness was a better experience than The Bleak Season for me but still it isn’t as compelling as Water Sleeps.

In Water Sleeps, the story was told by Sleepy who was an intelligent girl has deceived the Black Company’s members for a while about her true identity. She has been learning writing and reading from the master of the library. This time, after Sleepy realized that the black company was confined underneath the glittering stone, she started her plan of rescuing them. She sneaked in Soulcatcher’s palace and disguised in other identity to the enemy. She has became a woman from a girl during the time of regrouping the rest of the black company. She showed her capabilities of leading the group of the remain black company and her allies to venture to the glittering stone. In their Sleepy has encountered multiple eeriness of events on the glittery plains. Furthermore, she witnessed the goodness Kina’s inanimate body with power, then was attacked by Kina; Goblin rescued them from the perilous by casting the Lance into Kina’s body and sacrificed himself. Finally, found and rescued Croaker and Lady and the other captured in the cave of the ancients.

I think Glen Cook crammed abundant info about the glittering plains, the religions and so on in the previous two books of the series. I would feel exhausted reading in a 500+ pages book about those info, especially while I am having the schedule in my reading journey. I think even Water Sleeps explains more info and the other worlds in it but the successful story narrator that made me more intrigued about the story and the world. Water sleep indeed for me is a better book in the installments after the book of the north.

[Sadra Khalaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

It's been a decade since Soulcatcher managed to trap most of the black company in Glittering Plain and the remaining members of the group with 2 women as their leader, try to survive in Taglios and also plan their revenge against all who betrayed the black company and also find a way to save the captured ones.

The first half of the book is slow and without any significant event and it was full of Hindu terms, expressions, myths and etc which was one of the reasons for me that took a lot of time to finally finish this book.

In the 2nd half things went better and the pace improved a lot; It finally revealed some of the secrets about the origins of the Black company, the early wars to bring the year of the skulls for the revival of Kina (The Dark Goddess) and some other things but I think it still failed to bring me good memories of the first trilogy.
It is 3.5 stars for me.

................................................


بیش از یک دهه از وقایع مربوط به کتاب "او تاریکی است" گذشته و هسته اصلی اعضای گروهان سیاه توسط روح‌بند توی دشت‌های درخشان اسیر و دفن شدن
اعضای باقی‌مانده به رهبری صحرا (همسر مورگن پرچمدار و مورخ گروهان‌سیاه) و خوابالو (جانشین مورگن) (در واقع کسایی که قبلا حتی فکرشم نمیکردید توی کتاب جدید به شخصیت محوری تبدیل بشن) در تلاش هستن تا از روح‌بند و همه همکاراش که در حال حاضر حاکم تاگلیوس هستش انتقام بگیرن و در عین حال نقشه‌ای برای نجات اعضای اسیرشده هم طراحی بکنن
بخش بزرگی از کتاب به صورت آروم و حساب‌شده در حال نشون‌دادن چگونگی پیشرفت نقشه باقی‌مونده گروهان سیاه برای پیشبرد اهدافشون هستش. الان دقیقا حضور ذهن ندارم که یکی دو کتاب قبلی هم اینطوری بود یا نه ولی به نظر میاد توی این کتاب فرهنگ هندوها و افسانه‌های مربوطشون و به تبعش، اسامی هندی با شدت خیلی بیشتری هستش که برای من نکته آزاردهنده‌ای بودش و یکی از دلایلی بود که یه مدت طولانی تمایل نداشتم بخونمش
کتاب از نیمه به بعد با روشن کردن یه سری از رازای پیشین خصوصا درباره پیشینه گروهان سیاه و همینطور یه سری حقایق مربوط به کینا، دشت سنگ‌های درخشان و انگیزه‌های بعضی از کاراکترا، خیلی بهتر میشه و شتاب بیشتری توی روایتش میگیره و یک سوم پایانی نسبتا پرهیجانی هم داشت ولی هنوزم به نظر من، طرح بندی کلی روایات در حد تریلوژی اول نیستش و یه سری نکات پیچیده و گیج کننده هنوزم وجود داره و 3.5 ستاره انتخاب من هستش که به پایین گردش میکنم

[BridgeBurger Spoony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite possibly my favourite Black Company book since the second. Despite the fact that the whole novel is just dealing with the fallout of She is the Darkness, it feels like the story and characters get some real progression here. I'm also a sucker for huge lore dumps that give significance to all the minor worldbuilding details, so this scores some points there. It helps that we get answers to some big mysteries, and the answers are much more interesting than I expected.

[Grond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well then. It’s been a little while since I hung out with the Black Company and boy howdy does it feel like things have ‘progressed’. In more ways then one. As readers we experience a bit of a time jump (intrinsic to the story) and we also have to cope with how *dense* the narrative has become. I get the sense that Cook has become ever more textured and layered in his writing and despite how complex the thoughts of the narrator and intricate the details of the plot are the book is just plain readable.

You get sucked along whether you like it or not.

Cook clearly had a spectacular vision for this story and world right from the get go with our first forays into the Annals of the Black Company and it all feels like it is paying off in terms of a rich, detailed and satisfying engagement with a compelling long form narrative.

I cannot help but be deeply impressed at the work of someone who, more or less, created a sub-genre of Fantasy in which he remains a master.

A super enjoyable read!

[Fran Lorenzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐
Por ahora me limito a descansar y me doy el lujo de escribir, de recordar a los caídos, de reflexionar sobre las vueltas que da la vida. Si los buenos están condenado a morir jóvenes mientras que los malvados prosperan, si los hombres honrados pueden cometer atrocidades mientras que los ruines demuestran resquicios de humanidad.
Los soldados viven, y se preguntan por qué.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

14 years have passed since the majority of the Company has been left in stasis on the other side of the portal by Soulcatcher. The remnants of the Company live in hiding in Taglios where Soulcatcher now rules.

Sleepy is the current Annalist and chief strategist for sneaky actions. Lots of fun torquing off Soulcatcher as they hope to one day free their compatriots.

I really think that every minute they allow the Daughter of Night and the head Deceiver to live is too long.

[Sumant · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing this book, and gathering my thoughts regarding the black company books I have read so far, I think this has got to be by far the best book in the series after Shadows linger.Cook has experimented a lot with the way he has written the books, in a way that the narrator for the company keeps changing.Also some books had two parallel story lines, finally merging at convergence.For the first few books we had Croaker as our annalist cum physician for the company, then we had Lady doing the job after which we had Murgen the standard bearer till the last book.But I think I liked Sleepy in the annalist job more becuase of the fact she gave us a very different prespective altogether.While Croaker's perspective was also wide enough but he seemed to be drifting to Lady time and again.Murgen too was very much self centered regarding his annals.Sleepy seemed to me like the most focused narrator in the series, also due to abusive past she basically joined the company as a boy and was big bucket's protege until finally Murgen started mentoring her.

The story basically moves forward the last book where the top mgmt of the company has been buried in the castle at glittering stone by Soulcatcher.Almost 15 years have passed since that event, with the head of the company cut off many have started to believe that the company is dead.


Fifteen years later…


In those days the Black Company did not exist. This I know because there were laws and decrees that told me so. But I did not feel entirely insubstantial.

But the company is like hydra, nowadays the company is headed Sahra and Sleepy, they are operating the company in a covert way by sabotage and rumors.The hierarchy of taglios has also changed a lot with Soulcatcher declaring herself as a protector of taglios and she has setup a puppet privy council consisting of

1.Radishdrah - The head of privy council
2.Chandrakant gokhale - The master of records.
3.Arjuna Drupada - The head purohit
4.Willow Swan - In charge of greys.

The company basically starts showing their presence, with removing the members of privy council one by one.They basically gather information from inside the palace by sahra and Sleepy posing as dimwitted women who gain entry into palace for doing daily chores like washing of clothes or cleaning etc, but they always find a way to over hear the important council meetings.

In this book sleepy is also studying the annals in order to find a way to get back to the glittering stone and rescue brothers holed up there.The covert way in which company manages to snatch most of the privy council was definitely an edge of the seat reading for me.The way in which One eye and Goblin manage to capture Narayan singh and Daughter of the night was also fascinating to read.

The narrator of this book Maclyod andrews has basically captured the voice of One eye and Goblin perfectly for me, we get a lot of two wizards in this book, but we also come to know that age has finally caught up with them and they are not as active as they used to be.They have basically taken Tobo as their protege.

Sleepy corners singh into giving information regarding the shadow gate, and she basically strikes a deal with him by which she agrees to his freedom in the exchange for the shadow gate key.Meanwhile the company gets involved in an audacious plan to kidnap Radishdrah from the palace itself, but tables get turned on them when soulcatcher comes to know of the plan and arrives in the palace to subvert it, from their basically a chase starts between Goblin and Soulcatcher and finally frog face manages to outsmart her.

The company then decides to leave taglios and via the grave of doom collecting the shadow key reach the shadow gate.Sleepy starts taking the charge of situation from here, and we start to know that she will basically play an important role in the future of the company along with Tobo.

Once the black company enters the plain of glittering stone we are given a lot of information regarding the plain how it came to be and what is actually the plain.We also come to know about the origin of the company which sheds a light on lot of things which were previously told to us in the previous books.The company is able to rescue their brothers but not without a greater loss.

The only other author who has basically invoked such feelings me for his characters after GRRM has to be Cook.The loss of one of the most important characters in the series really left me sad.The company finally retreats to the land of unknown shadows in order to recuperate and rebuild.The black company lives in a world where The good do unimaginable evil, and the evil show mercy but Soldiers Live through all this.

One of the best books I have read this year 4/5 stars.

[astaliegurec · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.0 out of 5 stars
What's the Point?
January 25, 2010

Back in April 1985, Cook published The White Rose: A Novel of the Black Company (Chronicles of The Black Company) . At the end of that book, Cook has Croaker come up with the idea of taking the Black Company and its Annals back to Khatovar. Supposedly, that's what the books following the original, excellent, three books are supposed to be chronicling.

In June 1989, Cook published Shadow Games: The Fourth Chronicles of the Black Company: First Book of the South . In its 311 pages, it picks up where "The White Rose" left off and covers the Black Company's 3,000 mile trek to its new base in Taglios and the siege of Dejagore (300 miles south of Taglios). Croaker narrates.

In September 1989, Cook published The Silver Spike: The Chronicles of the Black Company . Its 320 pages pick up at the same point as "Shadow Games," but form a spur off the timeline. It has nothing to do with the Black Company's trek towards Khatovar. It's narrated mostly by Philodendron Case and Smeds Stahl

In April 1990, Cook published Dreams of Steel (The Fifth Chronicle of the Black Company) . Its 352 pages center around Lady's rebuilding of the Black Company after Dejagore and runs to the birth of the "Daughter of Night." Essentially, it's centered in Taglios and makes no progress towards Khatovar. Lady narrates.

In April 1996, Cook published Bleak Seasons: Book One of the Glittering Stone (Chronicles of The Black Company) . Its 320 pages are mostly a rehash of the siege of Dejagore from the inside. But, it does jump around in time and provide some snippets about 5 years after "Dreams of Steel" (centered in Taglios). Again, no progress towards Khatovar. Murgen narrates.

In September 1997, Cook published She Is The Darkness: Book Two of Glittering Stone: A Novel of the Black Company (Chronicles of The Black Company) . It's 480 pages actually move towards Khatovar. The book moves the Black Company the remaining 500 miles to Kiaulune (Shadowgate). It actually ends at the Fortress in the middle of the Glittering Plain. Murgen narrates.

In March 1999, Cook published this book ( Water Sleeps: A Novel of the Black Company (Chronicles of The Black Company) ). Its 480 pages happen 15 years after "She is the Darkness" and most of it occurs either back in Taglios or en-route back to the Glittering Plain. For all intents and purposes, the only members of the Black Company in it are Sleepy, One-Eye, and Goblin. Sleepy narrates. The biggest problem is that any progress towards Khatovar (i.e., anything meaningful past the end of "She is the Darkness") happens in the last 70 pages of the book (and this looks like it's as close as they're ever going to get). Everything else consists of the leg-work needed to get back to where they were before. So, in real (our) time, it took Cook 14 years, 6 books (maybe 5 depending on how you count "The Silver Spike"), 2,264 pages (or 1,944, depending on "The Silver Spike"), 4 narrators, and about 22 years of internal (book) time to "finish" this portion of the series. From what I can see, most of that was unnecessary filler. Now, in its own right, this book isn't too bad. It has some internal logic problems (people appearing where they shouldn't be and doing things they shouldn't do). So, stand-alone, I could see giving it 3 stars. But, my charity ran out with the last two books of the series. So, I'm rating it a Not Very Good 2 stars out of 5. If you've gotten this far in the series, you probably want some closure. So, I recommend getting it from the library instead of spending your own money for it.

[Maggie K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sleepy is the narrator here, and is so much more grounded than Murgen! Much easier for me to read!