Remember what I said about the Cantard being a warzone? This complicates Garrett’s preparations, as
no one in town will rent him their horses or pack animals for such a dangerous
journey. His friend Morley suggests an
alternative: hire Grolls instead. As
hybrids between humans and trolls, Garrett sees Grolls as “slow of wit and
often quick of temper.” With their giant
toad mouths, and hair-raising bass voices, no one will accuse them of
possessing great beauty (except, perhaps, other Grolls). But what Grolls lack in intelligence and decorum, they make up for in strength and
endurance. A mature Groll stands
twenty-feet tall, can carry a heavy load of supplies, and is imminently useful
in a fight. Morley introduces Garrett to three of them: Dojango, and his brothers Marsha and Doris. As Garrett raises his eyebrows at the brothers' unfortunate names (Garrett considers raising his eyebrow a useful skill, and an important weapon in his arsenal),
the Grolls explain that they are triplets, “but with different mothers,
actually.”
Hopefully, I’ve given you enough information to decide if you might enjoy this book. Allow me to add that, should you embark on your journey with
Garrett, you’ll encounter creatures like unicorns, vampires, and centaurs. And while I can’t speak for you, none of them
met my preconceived notion of what they would be like. As with the Tate family, Morley Dotes, and
the Grolls, nothing is conventional in Glen Cook’s novel. Some people disregard humorous novels, as if
the author isn’t taking his story seriously.
Let me assure you, not only does Garrett take his mission seriously, but Cook builds history, depth, and personality into his characters
and world that are impossible to convey in this short introduction.
 |
| The Back Cover Blurb |
It’s hard to believe that Glen Cook even wrote one
novel a year, let alone novels in other series, such as The Black Company and
Dread Empire. Somehow, after a grueling
day of work at a General Motors automobile assembly plant, he marched home and
wrote these novels. (Since his
retirement, his Fiction output has actually decreased). He certainly didn’t need to write them, and
most people would have chosen to spend those off hours with their families,
friends, and other projects. The fact
that he worked so hard on his writing bespeaks his passion and commitment to
his craft, and his desire to entertain others. Because of the effort, determination, and
perseverance he expended in this labor of love, and for the complex and
entertaining novels he created, I hold Glen Cook in the very highest regard.
And I’ve gone on to read additional novels in his Garrett
P.I. series.
Dragon Dave
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