This was a very nice conclusion to the trilogy that make up what has been known as The Chronicles of the Black Company: The Books of the North. All is wrapped up nicely, logically, and with satisfaction.

So, at the end of the last book, what remains of the Black Company has just placed itself voluntarily under the command of the White Rose, a deaf, mute girl who happens to be a great military strategist and the source of a magic nullifying field. They fight against the Lady and her evil empire in an attempt to rid the North of this blight and restore liberty.

Meanwhile, the Dominator stirs in his prison in the Barrowlands.

What makes this volume a great addition is the amount of history and background given in this novel. Now, we have a backstory for Bomanz, the wizard who infamously freed the Lady and the Taken from their prison. Many of the silly parts of the series (flying whales come to mind) are rationalized and are allowed to be seen as organic to this fantasy world.

All in all, everything is wrapped up very well. One could read these three books only and be satisfied with the outcome. Of course, there is room for more stories, which is probably where The Books of the South come in...