What do you think?
Rate this book
Darkwar #1
Doomstalker
The Grauken Wakes...
It was the dormant, loathsome instinct possessed by every beast of Ponath. An innocent pup of the Degnan Packstead, Marika thought it was just a tale to frighten the young. Then the Grauken-possessed, cannibalistic nomads swept down from the far north -- and the winter of death began.
Marika's pack now has to fight for its life -- even if it means calling upon the treacherous witchlike Silth who can slay by mind alone. But young Marika has powers, too... enormous, untamed mental energies. Can Marika be a weapon against their foes? Or will she become something far greater than the Silth, something fearfully whispered of only in legends... Doomstalker.
It was the dormant, loathsome instinct possessed by every beast of Ponath. An innocent pup of the Degnan Packstead, Marika thought it was just a tale to frighten the young. Then the Grauken-possessed, cannibalistic nomads swept down from the far north -- and the winter of death began.
Marika's pack now has to fight for its life -- even if it means calling upon the treacherous witchlike Silth who can slay by mind alone. But young Marika has powers, too... enormous, untamed mental energies. Can Marika be a weapon against their foes? Or will she become something far greater than the Silth, something fearfully whispered of only in legends... Doomstalker.
264 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 1985
10 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
About the author
Glen Cook
146 books3,729 followersGlen 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
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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 16, 2011
Darkwar is the second series I've read by Cook, and is a beast of a completely different color than The Black Company. At the outset it seems standard, if strange, fantasy, but soon enough you will begin some very serious Sci-fi elements. We're talking space battles here.
I went in with absolutely no expectations. The books were picked more or less at random, save for the fact that I had enjoyed Cook in the past.
What didn't suck: The series has some rather unique elements. For one, the central race of the series was the non- human Meth. Mammal, upright, intelligent, all that jazz, but with an alien thought process. One has to respect Cook for thinking so far outside the norm, and giving the race as a whole a unique perspective. Another element that I found interesting; it truly runs the gamut of civilization. With no significant time lapses, it starts you with a primitive, hunting and gathering culture, and by the end you're dealing with space battles of epic proportion. Not exactly what I expected, but the for the most part it worked.
What sucked:Sadly, it had some pretty serious flaws working against it. First and foremost, the main character is the ultimate Mary Sue. Seriously, Westley Crusher has nothing on her. If there is a thing that has to be done, she will do it. Given, everything and everyone that she loved would likely be ashes and dust by the time she was done, but that she would succeed is never in doubt.
After the first few times her miraculous magical powers manifested themselves, this was annoying. After the first couple books, this was maddening. Throughout the series, the character always made the right decision, was always smarter, faster, stronger, ad nauseum. Hardly unique in fantasy, but still it pisses me off to see it done to this extent. Come on Cook, you're better than that!
Another thing that sucked. The ending. I won't ruin it, but to say it was dissatisfying is an understatement. You see it coming, you hope you're wrong, but in the end...you're not. Yeah, it's as lame as you think it will be. Weak.
And character development? I actually think the main character devolved throughout the series rather than evolving. It was pretty painful at times.
Deep Thoughts: Overall, I don't regret reading the series. It had it's weakspots and then it had some more weakspots...but there was a thing or two that was cool as well. And hell, I've got lots of free time.
Final Rating: Meh. 2 stars.
I went in with absolutely no expectations. The books were picked more or less at random, save for the fact that I had enjoyed Cook in the past.
What didn't suck: The series has some rather unique elements. For one, the central race of the series was the non- human Meth. Mammal, upright, intelligent, all that jazz, but with an alien thought process. One has to respect Cook for thinking so far outside the norm, and giving the race as a whole a unique perspective. Another element that I found interesting; it truly runs the gamut of civilization. With no significant time lapses, it starts you with a primitive, hunting and gathering culture, and by the end you're dealing with space battles of epic proportion. Not exactly what I expected, but the for the most part it worked.
What sucked:Sadly, it had some pretty serious flaws working against it. First and foremost, the main character is the ultimate Mary Sue. Seriously, Westley Crusher has nothing on her. If there is a thing that has to be done, she will do it. Given, everything and everyone that she loved would likely be ashes and dust by the time she was done, but that she would succeed is never in doubt.
After the first few times her miraculous magical powers manifested themselves, this was annoying. After the first couple books, this was maddening. Throughout the series, the character always made the right decision, was always smarter, faster, stronger, ad nauseum. Hardly unique in fantasy, but still it pisses me off to see it done to this extent. Come on Cook, you're better than that!
Another thing that sucked. The ending. I won't ruin it, but to say it was dissatisfying is an understatement. You see it coming, you hope you're wrong, but in the end...you're not. Yeah, it's as lame as you think it will be. Weak.
And character development? I actually think the main character devolved throughout the series rather than evolving. It was pretty painful at times.
Deep Thoughts: Overall, I don't regret reading the series. It had it's weakspots and then it had some more weakspots...but there was a thing or two that was cool as well. And hell, I've got lots of free time.
Final Rating: Meh. 2 stars.
March 12, 2015
If you like a female protagonist that isn't weak or stupid, you should read this. This is not a YA, and people who did NOT rate this a four/five star feel like they are missing something.
This is a story for adults who like to read stories that don't involve a love triangle or a stupid heroine who makes mistakes constantly, yet gets rewarded. This is a somewhat dark story, there is betrayal, there is bloodshed.
If you want to read twilight look elsewhere. If your looking for a GOOD fantasy book, I suggest you grab this book.
Also, this is not as complex as the black company, it is meant to be (well at least I think it was) a lighter read then that series. Keep in mind that the first book is amazing, the second book feels a bit rushed and the third feels like your skipping major events. But honestly... it felt okay to me. I KNOW people wanted to make this trilogy into a freaking saga, but it just wasn't meant to be.
P.s. I've read the series twice now. Going to read it again for a third time maybe this year. I'll write a longer review then.
This is a story for adults who like to read stories that don't involve a love triangle or a stupid heroine who makes mistakes constantly, yet gets rewarded. This is a somewhat dark story, there is betrayal, there is bloodshed.
If you want to read twilight look elsewhere. If your looking for a GOOD fantasy book, I suggest you grab this book.
Also, this is not as complex as the black company, it is meant to be (well at least I think it was) a lighter read then that series. Keep in mind that the first book is amazing, the second book feels a bit rushed and the third feels like your skipping major events. But honestly... it felt okay to me. I KNOW people wanted to make this trilogy into a freaking saga, but it just wasn't meant to be.
P.s. I've read the series twice now. Going to read it again for a third time maybe this year. I'll write a longer review then.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2024
Although not the most enticing plot there is alot to like here. Marika is a huntress in a land where the females hold powers over the tribes while the men are the builders and become trades people. While the tribes hunt and prepare for the brutal winter ahead there is a threat of power hungry and mad Nomads from the North lead by a Silth witch gone mad. The Silth are a group of female witches who posses the power to control things with their minds and enter the spirit realm. Every year the tribes of the meth need to pay tribute in the form of children to keep the Silth from going extinct. Marika discovers that she has the powers of the Silth but what she doesn't know is that she is so much more. The Silth foretell the emergences of a Doomstalker and what she will become once her power is revealed. On top of all of this, only females with the power of the Silth may be left alive but what were to happen if a male witch survives?!?!?!? I hope you enjoy it!
September 11, 2025
In many ways, the first volume of Glen Cook's Darkwar series - Doomstalker - would be quite a tropey one. Warring factions, a child with gifts beyond her ken, a dark secret underpinning everything, secrets, magic etc.
However, there's one big difference here: the story features a cast of non-human, dog(ish) people who live in a matriarchal society that at first appears bronze age in technological level and then... well, not everything is quite as it initially seems.
It's a ripping yarn, with plenty to recommend it, although the abrupt ending (on a pretty massive cliffhanger) will irk anyone who doesn't have the trilogy ready to go as I do.
Also, the fact the creatures are called "meth" and "meth pups" is a phrase often use made me chuckle with alarming regularity.
Anyway, good stuff. Imaginative, intriguing and quite unlike anything else that Cook has written. Onto the next book, Warlock!
However, there's one big difference here: the story features a cast of non-human, dog(ish) people who live in a matriarchal society that at first appears bronze age in technological level and then... well, not everything is quite as it initially seems.
It's a ripping yarn, with plenty to recommend it, although the abrupt ending (on a pretty massive cliffhanger) will irk anyone who doesn't have the trilogy ready to go as I do.
Also, the fact the creatures are called "meth" and "meth pups" is a phrase often use made me chuckle with alarming regularity.
Anyway, good stuff. Imaginative, intriguing and quite unlike anything else that Cook has written. Onto the next book, Warlock!
December 19, 2024
Filled some time but I won't be seeking out the rest of this story.
June 9, 2010
I thought that Cook's Black Company series was entertaining enough, so I picked up this trilogy when I came across it...
I have to start with a complaint, though. Not only is the cover art on this book just terrible, from an artistic/aesthetic standpoint, but it's pretty obvious that the book didn't get read by the artist, and there was a severe lack of communication going on. ALL of the characters in this book are wolflike aliens – they live in a matriarchal pack structure, are described as having long muzzles, paws, and fur. They whine, howl, and twitch their ears. So why are all of the characters in the cover art distinctly human? (Well, I guess they have kinda funny-looking eyes and big ears. But still.) Argh. Anyway.
Marika is an adolescent living in a remote packstead. From youth, she's had unusual mental powers, which cause some of the elders to be hostile toward her. But in one dire winter, her home is invaded and destroyed. Her only path may be to join the silth – feared and respected sorceresses who are supposed to protect the people – but who, obviously, have been failing, and have generated resentment. Marika discovers there may be a lot more to her world than her rural upbringing allowed her to know... but even among the silth, there are those with an inexplicable hostility toward her... myths and legends of the Doomstalker may be to blame.
Although the story has many original and unique details, this is still well-trodden ground, as far as the plot goes. It's also one of those stories where the trilogy is really all one book – randomly divided into three parts for marketing. Entertaining, so far, but not exceptional.
I have to start with a complaint, though. Not only is the cover art on this book just terrible, from an artistic/aesthetic standpoint, but it's pretty obvious that the book didn't get read by the artist, and there was a severe lack of communication going on. ALL of the characters in this book are wolflike aliens – they live in a matriarchal pack structure, are described as having long muzzles, paws, and fur. They whine, howl, and twitch their ears. So why are all of the characters in the cover art distinctly human? (Well, I guess they have kinda funny-looking eyes and big ears. But still.) Argh. Anyway.
Marika is an adolescent living in a remote packstead. From youth, she's had unusual mental powers, which cause some of the elders to be hostile toward her. But in one dire winter, her home is invaded and destroyed. Her only path may be to join the silth – feared and respected sorceresses who are supposed to protect the people – but who, obviously, have been failing, and have generated resentment. Marika discovers there may be a lot more to her world than her rural upbringing allowed her to know... but even among the silth, there are those with an inexplicable hostility toward her... myths and legends of the Doomstalker may be to blame.
Although the story has many original and unique details, this is still well-trodden ground, as far as the plot goes. It's also one of those stories where the trilogy is really all one book – randomly divided into three parts for marketing. Entertaining, so far, but not exceptional.
November 6, 2025
Doomstalker is a fantasy (?) book that takes place during an early iron age, but with a twist: these aren't humans. Instead, evolution has called up wolves to the major leagues of civilization, and they're called the meth. Like us they're bipedal, use tools, form communities, practice religion, even farm. Unlike us they have muzzles, paws, and many of the aggressive and hierarchical temperaments you'd associate with wolves.
We follow the life and adventures of a particular meth named Marika. The story does very little to disguise the fact there's more going on than furry tribal life; Marika and her brother can perform several feats of magic, and it becomes clear the other parts of the world aren't so primitive as her pack. At one point she recalls a story that said her people could travel between the stars; she might as well have been winking and waggling her eyebrows as she told it.
I enjoyed Marika's story, finding it predictable in some ways but surprising and unique in many others. This is a dark and somber book. It has the vague structure of a YA novel with the smart, curious, but misunderstood and discouraged child who discovers a hidden talent. You'd expect her to have an exciting and optimistic story with a cadre of ride-or-die friends, including those in authority and even among her enemies.
That is not the case. Marika is very alone and disliked, feared, or hated by just about everyone, and the people who might like her don't often survive very long.
The world of the Darkwar sounds absolutely miserable, to be honest. Society is deeply stratified between genders, packs, and castes, and violence and discrimination between strata is the norm. Repeated throughout the book are references the monstrous "grauken": to the kids it's just a boogeyman meant to scare them into behaving, but to the adults its the very real fear of going feral and resorting to cannibalism, something their society has not been fully able to repress.
Between the dark tone, the grauken, and many other overt hints, it paints the meth as a people that has a very tenuous grasp on civilization.
While I liked much of the book, the prose frequently irked me. The perspective is a 'wandering' 3rd person which I've seen before and dislike; sometimes it's tightly attached to Marika in her moment-to-moment, other times it shifts into a formless exposition dump. Time skips back and forth with little fanfare, and often Marika's direct actions are told after the fact or vaguely summarized. Sometimes Marika's inner monologue and emotions are detached or in italics, other times it's woven within the narration as if Marika herself is writing it all down. No dealbreakers here, but a constant irritation I couldn't shake.
I also found it too grim. There's zero humor to lighten the mood, and you can count the number of good things to happen to Marika on a single hand (or paw, I suppose). I like dark stories, sad stories, stories of people eating shit constantly, and so on, but I like them best when they're buoyed by happier moments and victories.
I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys darker fantasy, people who want a YA-esque novel that is not at all bogged down by tropes and stereotypes, or furries.
We follow the life and adventures of a particular meth named Marika. The story does very little to disguise the fact there's more going on than furry tribal life; Marika and her brother can perform several feats of magic, and it becomes clear the other parts of the world aren't so primitive as her pack. At one point she recalls a story that said her people could travel between the stars; she might as well have been winking and waggling her eyebrows as she told it.
I enjoyed Marika's story, finding it predictable in some ways but surprising and unique in many others. This is a dark and somber book. It has the vague structure of a YA novel with the smart, curious, but misunderstood and discouraged child who discovers a hidden talent. You'd expect her to have an exciting and optimistic story with a cadre of ride-or-die friends, including those in authority and even among her enemies.
That is not the case. Marika is very alone and disliked, feared, or hated by just about everyone, and the people who might like her don't often survive very long.
The world of the Darkwar sounds absolutely miserable, to be honest. Society is deeply stratified between genders, packs, and castes, and violence and discrimination between strata is the norm. Repeated throughout the book are references the monstrous "grauken": to the kids it's just a boogeyman meant to scare them into behaving, but to the adults its the very real fear of going feral and resorting to cannibalism, something their society has not been fully able to repress.
Between the dark tone, the grauken, and many other overt hints, it paints the meth as a people that has a very tenuous grasp on civilization.
While I liked much of the book, the prose frequently irked me. The perspective is a 'wandering' 3rd person which I've seen before and dislike; sometimes it's tightly attached to Marika in her moment-to-moment, other times it shifts into a formless exposition dump. Time skips back and forth with little fanfare, and often Marika's direct actions are told after the fact or vaguely summarized. Sometimes Marika's inner monologue and emotions are detached or in italics, other times it's woven within the narration as if Marika herself is writing it all down. No dealbreakers here, but a constant irritation I couldn't shake.
I also found it too grim. There's zero humor to lighten the mood, and you can count the number of good things to happen to Marika on a single hand (or paw, I suppose). I like dark stories, sad stories, stories of people eating shit constantly, and so on, but I like them best when they're buoyed by happier moments and victories.
I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys darker fantasy, people who want a YA-esque novel that is not at all bogged down by tropes and stereotypes, or furries.
May 29, 2018
Interesting. Not unpredictable, but also not disappointing.
The early chapters are a bit confusing, as they cover at least two different time periods unsequentially, and it's not always clear what time it is when a new section starts.
I will probably get the next book, but I'm not in a hurry.
The early chapters are a bit confusing, as they cover at least two different time periods unsequentially, and it's not always clear what time it is when a new section starts.
I will probably get the next book, but I'm not in a hurry.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
Read
October 23, 2025Very Interesting Book
April 1, 2018
I listened to this on audiobook. It was a fun and easy story to get through, despite all the Bad Happenings throughout. I loved the matriarchal society featured here, and really appreciated how the author didn't explain the main character's species in full detail. It left a lot to the imagination, which was a nice change.
July 27, 2013
Doomstalker is very much part one of a trilogy and I don't think I'm giving too much away when I suggest you should have book 2 in the series, WarlockWarlock, on hand when you finish this first novel. Find the omnibus version if you can; these books deserve to be read together. The ending seems sudden, but not disappointing. With that in mind, this is a quick and entertaining read. Cook focuses mostly on plot and setting describing a fascinating milieu. The characters are solid, although a few seem a little shallow; that's fine, as it keeps the attention where it belongs, on the central characters.
Other reviewers have pointed out that the cover art is a little misleading and that is probably fair, although it didn't spoil the story for me. It probably reinforced some readers' sense that this was more in the fantasy genre rather than sci-fi, since the early chapters focus on a low-tech population. Only later do we start to see hints of higher technology.
Pacing is light and brisk, about the same as Cook's Garrett, PI series, but without so much humor and tongue-in-cheek wordplay. Readers coming to this book from other Glen Cook series, such as his Instrumentalities of the Night, Dread Empire, or Black Company books may find the all-canine cast of characters a bit surprising, but it makes for an interesting culture.
Other reviewers have pointed out that the cover art is a little misleading and that is probably fair, although it didn't spoil the story for me. It probably reinforced some readers' sense that this was more in the fantasy genre rather than sci-fi, since the early chapters focus on a low-tech population. Only later do we start to see hints of higher technology.
Pacing is light and brisk, about the same as Cook's Garrett, PI series, but without so much humor and tongue-in-cheek wordplay. Readers coming to this book from other Glen Cook series, such as his Instrumentalities of the Night, Dread Empire, or Black Company books may find the all-canine cast of characters a bit surprising, but it makes for an interesting culture.
November 21, 2015
2 stars - Firstly DON’T think “The Black Company” also written by Glen Cook, arguably one of the greatest epic fantasy series ever written. It’s not anywhere near this level.
This book is pretty bland .. so bland when I first tried to read it years ago in print I put it down. A friend had it on tape so thought I would tough it out this time. It’s still bland and perfect for audiobooks. It’s a basic fantasy tale, very, very slow but enough to hold your interest but not rapt attention. Missing chunks will do you no harm. So perfect for when listening doing house chores, driving or out shopping. It’s one of those mindless rubbish books we take a guilty pleasure in every now and again.
It will be some time before I listen to the second, I know it will be at least 12 months, the story is just ok .. so much more out there that is good or waiting to be discovered.
This book is pretty bland .. so bland when I first tried to read it years ago in print I put it down. A friend had it on tape so thought I would tough it out this time. It’s still bland and perfect for audiobooks. It’s a basic fantasy tale, very, very slow but enough to hold your interest but not rapt attention. Missing chunks will do you no harm. So perfect for when listening doing house chores, driving or out shopping. It’s one of those mindless rubbish books we take a guilty pleasure in every now and again.
It will be some time before I listen to the second, I know it will be at least 12 months, the story is just ok .. so much more out there that is good or waiting to be discovered.
September 1, 2014
This is not really separate book. The whole trilogy is whole book that was for some reason broken into three books. General setting was very appealing to me, matriarchal society, nice mix of magic and tech, everything looks very good. Unfortunately most characters are really obvious, you could tell who they right away. there were no serious character twists in this part. But I can give a credit to how the world unfolds. So what do we have here? The very average character progression, relationships development is quite predictable, quite interesting and unusual setting of tech and magic. I'll try the second book.
January 21, 2016
You know a series is good when it leaves you bereft at its ending. This series did that to me. Glen Cook reached out with his art and touched me, apparently, deeply.
This series and the Black Company are, so far that I've read, his best, although both are very different styles of book. This one starts out light and gets deeper and deeper and deeper. By the end your mind is awhirl, amazed, and to be frank, a bit awed.
Its been a month and I still feel pangs when I think about this work. It isn't perfect and has its flaws, but they were easy enough to forgive for a great story and this unforgettable achievement by Mr. Cook. I will always remember and be glad I had it.
This series and the Black Company are, so far that I've read, his best, although both are very different styles of book. This one starts out light and gets deeper and deeper and deeper. By the end your mind is awhirl, amazed, and to be frank, a bit awed.
Its been a month and I still feel pangs when I think about this work. It isn't perfect and has its flaws, but they were easy enough to forgive for a great story and this unforgettable achievement by Mr. Cook. I will always remember and be glad I had it.
July 12, 2008
ok, this is another i didn't actually make it through...only one chapter this time, but could already tell it wasn't going to keep my interest. i love glen cook's Black Company books, but this one is not of that level... it's one of those fantasy books in which the author feels the need to create an entire new world and name things funny names when really everything is remarkably familiar...just seemed dumb to me...maybe i would've enjoyed it 15-20 years ago
June 10, 2012
I didn't find it compelling but it had enough to get me through to the end. It took me a while to get beyond the animal nature of the characters. The book cover is especially misleading by showing the characters as much more human than I envisioned. The ending was way too abrupt; literally resolved in the last few sentences.
August 23, 2012
Glen Cook's BLACK COMPANY books was an all-time favorite. This one is so off the wall - in a wildly imaginative way -- you can't help but get sucked in. Classic Cook storytelling where - as the main character gradually gains an understanding of the world they live in -- the amazingly detailed and complex world Cook has created is revealed to the reader.
April 8, 2014
Mixed feelings about the book. One thing for certain - it ends abruptly and resumes in the next part in the same way.
Confusing story that tries to marry magic and spiritual with technology and so far doesn't get too far. Main character development is scarce and a bit lackluster. Hoping it gets better.
Confusing story that tries to marry magic and spiritual with technology and so far doesn't get too far. Main character development is scarce and a bit lackluster. Hoping it gets better.
July 27, 2016
I very much enjoyed this book! It strongly reminded me of Andre Norton (albeit grimmer, since it's Cook writing), with its magic-revealed-to-be-tech-unless-it's-psi-based. The main character is very understandable, although not as likable as she would like you to think.
September 5, 2012
I didn't read like the last 20 pages. I'm not really fond of the way he writes and I was very disappointed when the modern weapons appeared.
April 4, 2017
This was quite an interesting study in creating a fantastical culture in among the usual tropes and quests, one of Cook's more detailed novels of its period. It's not Black Company awesome, but it feels unique among his bibliography.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews