Gets much better as it goes along.

Upto maybe halfway through the books is somewhat disjointed. It is the chronicles of a longstanding company of mercenaries called 'the Black company', who recall their exploits over the years in 'The Annals'. The current annalist is one 'Croaker' real name and past unknown. He is the medic for the company, which are currently in the town of Beryl acting as bodyguards for the ruling Subric. A strange beast is prowling the city and eventually the Company withdraw, into the service of a foreign vessel coincidentally in port at the same time. the Master of the vessel turns out to be Soulcatcher, one of the demigods of northern lands and a vassal of the Lady, an evil undead of vast godlike powers long thought absent from the world.

Soulcatcher's allies - 9 other Taken - are attempting to preserve the Lady's empire against a Circle of 18 wizards leading a vast rebilion against her 'evil' rule. But the Company right and wrong doens't matter, only the purity of their service counts - and not having to fight unless you have to.

The inital campains are disjointed as the company moves around a bit, and many details left untold by Croaker. However we learn a bit about a few of the more senior members, although out of a 600 strong company (and it was 6000 once apon a time) we only get a few names, and even less in the way of personalities. However as the action hots up the writing becomes more fluid, and the characters, especially croaker, gain more depth. The Taken politic amoungst themselves for the Lady's favour, and the Black Company are caught up admist their struggles. Meanwhile the Rebel forces draw ever nearer to the seat of the Lady's power.

It's a quick read, but enjoyable. Croaker has several moral doubts, and even though the Black Company are hardly angelic there are limits. It's fairly obviously set-up for a sequel so some of the more engimatic characters may get more details later. There is a surprising and enjoyable pleasing absense of detailed fights, mostly summerised with we won and there were lots of bodies, however this is parto f what adds ot eh disjointed feeling at times.

intreguing and I'll look for the sequels ( )

I think Steven Erikson should start cutting Glen Cook checks. ( )

Reads Like a Childrens Book: I'm not exactly sure why this isn't a picture book. Maybe I am too used to reading the likes of Dragonlance or A Song of Fire and Ice (both wonderful series), because there is little to no description of the characters or what world they are living in. At about 100 pages into the book you don't know much about the characters to form a mental picture of them. You don't really know what they are like or what they are doing. It seems like they are just wondering around killing things. The plot is pretty loose. I would say a 30 minute episode of Pokemon has more plot than this book.

The thing is you expect a battle to be more detailed, but it isn't. Most battles come off in 1 paragraphs and then it's over. "Suddendly we retook a fortress."

The events are like this as well. No description of the bad guys or who this Lady is. You just need to fill in the blanks yourself.

This is not a good book. Do not recommend it.

This book deserves its accolades and its longevity; it is just excellent, a worthy contribution to the genre!

The Black Company is the first chapter of a sweeping tale surrounding a fraternity of soldiers-of-fortune enlisted into the last of the Twelve True Companies. Forged four centuries earlier and named so, when all its members were black-skinned, this disparate group forms a tightly-bound, mercenary brotherhood; the last of the Free Companies of Khatovar holding on precariously to their past traditions with few new members. This story serves as a chronicle of their latest adventure, related by their physician, Annalist, part-time historian and scholar, Croaker, who, with his perspicacity and underlying honour, commands a respect from both his brothers and the reader. Recounted in segments, Croaker enlightens us, in a charming, self-derogatory manner, with the background, the necessary history and the present circumstances as the company undertakes its latest commission to the Lady and her ‘Taken’ minions; sorcerers recently escaped from a long imprisonment imposed by the White Rose, and now under attack by forces of the Rebel. Unwillingly used as a pawn in a colossal power-play, the Black Company thus finds itself, and its core members, the focus and pivot of titanic battles and numerous betrayals now engulfing their world.

This is a big, bold, bustling epic of a story, replete with copious battles and cunning politics, and with villains aplenty. But what sets this tale apart from other military fantasy is the underlying ethos asserted in the book by the author:
“ There are no self-proclaimed villains, only regiments of self-proclaimed saints. Victorious historians rule where good or evil lies.” (p.108)
Thus it is simple to connect with this rabble of a group; unproblematic to empathise with their philosophy – evil is found in all, just in varying shades.

Every now and again one finds a favourite fantasy with an inventive plot, a multitude of fascinating characters and a premise which is both engaging and original – but with a profundity that sets the narrative apart. I consider this book as such, and, along with its well-constructed phrasing and fast-paced story-line, it encourages me to believe that this entire series will entertain thoroughly throughout. And it is patently obvious why writers of so many of the recently-written popular fantasy epics have been influenced by these books – the cream always rises to the top!

(Feb 19, 2009) ( )

Interesting style and initially fast-paced with an aura of superheroism to it. After 3/4 of the way I found it dragging and tedious however. ( )