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Cover of Shadow Games / Dreams of Steel / The Silver Spike

Shadow Games / Dreams of Steel / The Silver Spike

Glen Cook (2002)

SubgenreDark Fantasy / Grimdark

Age groupAdult 18+

Content ratingHard R

Pages671 (Doorstopper (600+))

SettingSecondary World

CSM age18+

Goodreads4.28/5 (12360)

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Content levels

ViolenceGraphic

Sexual contentMild

LanguageStrong

Trigger warnings

Graphic Violence War Death Gore Mass Death Political Violence Torture Murder

Positive tags

Found Family Survival Dark Humor

Hero archetypes

Mercenary Soldier / Marine Morally Gray Hero Military Hero

Heroine archetypes

Sorceress Antiheroine

Protagonist archetypes

Ensemble Cast Multiple POVs Mercenary Company

Tropes

Grimdark Morally Gray Protagonist Mercenary Company War Political Intrigue Antihero Fellowship Empire Secondary World Dark Lord

Themes

Survival Loyalty and Betrayal War and Consequences Moral Ambiguity Power and Corruption Brotherhood Duty vs Self-Preservation

Synopsis

Marching south after the ghastly battle at the Tower of Charm, the Black Company is hounded by shadowy figures every inch of the way. This omnibus edition collects "Shadow Games, Dreams of Steel," and "The Silver Spike."

Shadow Games / Dreams of Steel / The Silver Spike: content & age rating

Intended for adult readers (18+).

Extremely violent dark military fantasy with graphic battle sequences, torture, and pervasive strong language. Contains morally ambiguous mercenary characters navigating brutal warfare with no clear heroes or villains.

What to know going in

This book has graphic violence, mild sexual content, and strong language. Content notes include torture, graphic violence, gore, murder, and death (see the full list above).

Who'll love this

Adult readers who appreciate gritty, realistic military fantasy with complex characters will find this compelling and uncompromising.

Tags

Military FantasyMercenary FictionSword and SorceryCharacter-Driven