Chronicles of the Black Company [Paperback]

I found this book recommended in one of the lists on Amazon. I've been reading fantasy novels all of my life, but I'd never heard of Glen Cook. I can honestly say this is one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. Unlike most, its written from a first-person perspective. It took a little getting used to, but it really helped me to connect with the characters. And they aren't your usual bunch of heroes - this is a bunch of professional soldiers who have allot of flaws and don't always do the right thing. I had a tough time putting this book down. I highly recommend it.

I must admit that I find it rare that I encounter a new fiction author whose work I really like. Glen Cook is someone I can happily now add to that list. The Black Company is the story of a mercenary group that finds itself between a rock and a hard place. Morally and literally at times. As swords for hire, they don't always get to choose who their employer is (or do they?). There are three stories in this collection. The first is an introduction to the group and to the general plot, where they work for a great evil in order to fight the rebels who are trying to overthrow that evil. There is more to the story than that, but I don't want to spoil anything. I found that first story to be a little scattered, but enjoyable. The second story follows the events of the first, and features more moral dilemmas as well as some genuinely creepy business. I enjoyed it the most out of the three stories, and would rate it as one of the best fantasy stories I've read in a long time. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the final story, it was good too. It just wasn't as excellent as the second story was for me.

I know I'm being vague, but I really don't want to give anything away. I can say that this book reads like a David Drake military fiction book (or Starship Troopers if you like) mixed in with a RE Howard Conan-type world of magic (it's rare and dangerous stuff) that's mixed in with some HP Lovecraftian-evil that can curl your toes. Some of the stuff they work with (and against) is nasty, otherworldly, bizarre, and scary. Which makes this a very good series to read for me! It's written mostly from the first-person perspective using the voice of the Company's historian, Croaker. There is a good amount of action in the stories, but they aren't combat heavy in the way that Howard's or Drake's stories are. More action than in Starship Troopers for sure, but the fights tend to be brief, violent, and lethal. Which I suppose is more accurate, if somewhat less dramatic. But that doesn't take away from the book as, in my opinion, the characters and the question of good versus evil that they continuously raise, are the stars of this series. Apparently the book is also quite popular among soldiers for its accurate portrayal of military life.

So if you're looking for good fiction, good fantasy fiction, or if you are a fan of David Drake, Robert E Howard, or HP Lovecraft, then I have no hesitation in recommending this series to you. I myself and very much looking forward to reading the next books in the series as I'm new, but avid fan of the Black Company. It's rare that I get the pleasure of reading something that I really want to sink my teeth into, so here's hoping that The Black Company does the same thing for you!

I picked up this book, which combines the first three books of the Black Company series, while I wait for the final book of the Wheel of Time Series to be released. I always figured I would have a hard time finding a series that gripped me as much as the Wheel of Time Series did. I was wrong. The Black Company is written vastly different, I still have no idea what the main character looks like to be honest, but it is as gripping and intense as the Wheel of Time series if not more so! I have troubles setting down this book and would recommend it to any honest fantasy fan or even someone who simply appreciates a good story.