Cook - The White Rose review

The Taken have stopped trusting the Black Company and have gone out of their way to destroy them (acting outside of the Lady's orders). So, the Black Company has left the employ of the Lady. Unfortunately, many of their number have fallen in the conflict with the Taken and they're but a shadow of their former strength. They've reunited with Darling, the resurrected White Rose, to battle against the Lady. They've hidden out in the Plain of Fear where it seems the strange creatures of the plain have joined with the White Rose's cause. While there, Croaker, physician and annalist of the Black Company, attempts to sift through documents that may give the Lady's True Name and, thus, a way to counter her power.

While the White Rose's forces battle the Lady's forces, The Dominator stirs anew. It seems the only way to keep the Dominator from rising again is for the two women to join forces against him and his agents.

This might be the best (so far) of the Black Company novels. I especially enjoyed the interesting blend of historical study and archaeology done by the various characters to learn the secrets of the Lady and the Dominator. Also, the character of the Lady becomes a central theme in this volume. She is quite complex and interesting, not simply a one-dimensional ancient evil.

/ [Viking]

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