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The Dread Empire series primarily focuses on events influenced by the Dread Empire, an ancient empire called Shinsan ruled by ruthless sorcerors with an impeccably trained military, and only in the later books does the story actually take place in the Dread Empire itself.

The bulk of the storyline takes place in what is known as The West, a group of kingdoms, principalities, and free cities that lie west of the Dragon's Teeth mountains, and north of the desert of Hammad Al Nakir. The story arc primarily focuses on a mercenary named Bragi Ragnarson, an unlikey hero, and his even more unlikely group of friends and compatriots as they rise from humble beginnings, to play a pivotal role in shaping the history of their land. Thwarting conquest of their homeland by a misguided prophet and his holy crusade, fending off doom from the Dread empire in the East, and saving the world from something even worse than the Dread Empire.

Broadly speaking, the books break down into three broad narrative arcs.

The Prequels

These books tell the story of the rise of the Disciple, El Murid, and his crusade to restore a lost empire that ignites what become known as the El Murid Wars. While bloody and violent, these wars are but the preamble of what's to come. These books also tell the early stories of Bragi Ragnarson, Mocker, and Haroun bin Yousif, including how they come to be friends and allies.

1. Cook, Glen (1984). The Fire In His Hands. Timescape Books. ISBN 0-617-45907-4.
2. Cook, Glen (1985). With Mercy Towards None. Baen Books. ISBN 0-671-55925-7.

Main Sequence

These books were the first ones written in the series, and are considered by many to be the primary story arc. The series opens with more of an ensemble cast and no central protagonist. The tale is told of the ancient empire of Ilkazar and how one man brings about the Fall of this mighty Empire in the name of vengeance. It tells the story of the fragmented kingdoms, duchies, and principalities that arise in the wake of that fall, various political intrigues, civil wars, strife between the kingdoms, with the shadow of the Dread Empire of Shinsan looming from the east. Eventually we learn how the rulers of Shinsan manipulated people and events to conspire towards the Fall of Ilkazar, and the weakening of the West, all to set up these lands for conquest. Throughout it all is the hand of the Star Rider, a mysterious ancient being who manipulates the Dread Empire and the western nations alike, all to create a bloodbath that even the gods must notice.

1. Cook, Glen (1979). A Shadow of All Night Falling. Berkley Fantasy. ISBN 0-425-04260-X.
2. Cook, Glen (1980). October's Baby. Berkley Fantasy. ISBN 0-425-06538-3.
3. Cook, Glen (1980). All Darkness Met. Berkley Fantasy. ISBN 0-425-04539-0.

Sequels

Following the completion of the Main Sequence, Glen Cook went on to write 3 more novels about the Dread Empire. Two were published but the manuscript for the third was stolen ). When the Dread Empire novels were republished decades later, the publisher convinced Cook to return to the series. Instead of the 4-5 books Cook originally intended while writing in the late 1980s, he wrote 1 novel that condensed the planned story lines and completed the tale.

1. Cook, Glen (1987). Reap the East Wind. Tor Fantasy. ISBN 0-812-53376-3.
2. Cook, Glen (1988). An Ill Fate Marshalling. Tor Fantasy ISBN 0-812-53379-8.
3. Cook, Glen (manuscript stolen). The Wrath of Kings.
4. Cook, Glen (2012). A Path to Coldness of Heart. Night Shade Books ISBN 1-597-80331-6

Main Characters

Places of Note

External Links

• The Glen Cook Wiki - A great resource with over 550 articles, mostly on The Black Company and Garrett P.I. series.