I just finished reading the entire. I think you are right about Glen Cook writing for himself. I think of the Dread Empire series as ambitious to a fault. It is everything good and bad about his writing turned to 11. I'm not saying that is a bad thing. It is incredibly innovative and should be read by more people but it does have flaws. I can't stop thinking about it. Great review!
Love to see someone talking about Glen Cook and especially Dread Empire. He's probably my favorite author, and I don't think modern fantasy looks anything like what we have if he had never written anything.
I totally agree. He is referenced as an inspiration for so many modern fantasy authors. This reminds me, I still owe the channel a video about the ending trilogy!
Hmm, good question. I think there isn't a right answer, but I might recommend starting with the Black Company. That will ease you into how Cook writes politics and intrigue without it being as detail heavy, at least at first.
Just got this whole series a week ago. I was advised by a friend to read the prequels first before these three for the story to be less confusing and for it to flow smoother.
The Dread empire series was one of the best years of all time in my opinion it was game of thrones before game of thrones and it's far darker and far more detailed and in depth in some capacities I'm not saying it's linearly better but it definitely in my opinion is more dark gritty and epic I really think George RR Martin read the dread empire series before writing his books
As a person who isn’t just a friend of yours watching ur videos. Thank you this was great I picked up A cruel wind in a cool book store and accidentally started the Black company on audible. Do you know where someone can find Glenn Cooks magic system explained ?
I am glad you found the video helpful! As for a break down of Cook's magic systems, I don't think there is a good resource. Each series operates under different rules, but I don't know that any of them reveal the magic systems clearly. The Dread Empire probably has the most explicit magic system, and still there we never really are given the exact rules of how to take the energy and make effects.
I’d recommend starting with A Shadow Of All Nights Falling, which was the first published. Starting with the prequels won’t confuse you or spoil everything, but they definitely have some fun playing with the expectations you have from the original trilogy.
@@jonahwebster1105 I definitely would. That first book doesn’t have the same broad and complex political environment, but the series definitely turns that way. Fantastic character work and interesting magic/mysterious mythology. The one thing I will warn you about is that the author glen cook wasn’t a fan of official maps for his books, so if you want to have a map to help keep track of where things are relative to one another, you will have to find a fan made one
Nice nice
Awesomeness
I just finished reading the entire.
I think you are right about Glen Cook writing for himself.
I think of the Dread Empire series as ambitious to a fault. It is everything good and bad about his writing turned to 11. I'm not saying that is a bad thing.
It is incredibly innovative and should be read by more people but it does have flaws.
I can't stop thinking about it.
Great review!
Love to see someone talking about Glen Cook and especially Dread Empire. He's probably my favorite author, and I don't think modern fantasy looks anything like what we have if he had never written anything.
I totally agree. He is referenced as an inspiration for so many modern fantasy authors. This reminds me, I still owe the channel a video about the ending trilogy!
Which series should I start with? Black Company or the Dread Empire?
Hmm, good question. I think there isn't a right answer, but I might recommend starting with the Black Company. That will ease you into how Cook writes politics and intrigue without it being as detail heavy, at least at first.
Just got this whole series a week ago. I was advised by a friend to read the prequels first before these three for the story to be less confusing and for it to flow smoother.
Glen Cook is oddly ignored... The Black Company books were great!🤗
The Dread empire series was one of the best years of all time in my opinion it was game of thrones before game of thrones and it's far darker and far more detailed and in depth in some capacities I'm not saying it's linearly better but it definitely in my opinion is more dark gritty and epic
I really think George RR Martin read the dread empire series before writing his books
By the way, you don’t need to look for fan made maps. The original printings have Glen’s maps.
As a person who isn’t just a friend of yours watching ur videos. Thank you this was great I picked up A cruel wind in a cool book store and accidentally started the Black company on audible. Do you know where someone can find Glenn Cooks magic system explained ?
I am glad you found the video helpful! As for a break down of Cook's magic systems, I don't think there is a good resource. Each series operates under different rules, but I don't know that any of them reveal the magic systems clearly. The Dread Empire probably has the most explicit magic system, and still there we never really are given the exact rules of how to take the energy and make effects.
Hey, I’m thinking of starting the series. Where should I begin?
I’d recommend starting with A Shadow Of All Nights Falling, which was the first published. Starting with the prequels won’t confuse you or spoil everything, but they definitely have some fun playing with the expectations you have from the original trilogy.
@@RaldorIradon would you recommend these books to someone who loved ASOIF?
@@jonahwebster1105 I definitely would. That first book doesn’t have the same broad and complex political environment, but the series definitely turns that way. Fantastic character work and interesting magic/mysterious mythology. The one thing I will warn you about is that the author glen cook wasn’t a fan of official maps for his books, so if you want to have a map to help keep track of where things are relative to one another, you will have to find a fan made one