Title: The Black Company
Author: Glen Cook
First published May 15, 1984
319 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Rating: 3.93
Overview
In a world where good and evil are constantly at odds, the Lady has risen from centuries of imprisonment. Some see her as a savior, while others view her as a harbinger of darkness.
The Black Company, a group of battle-hardened mercenaries, are hired to do what they do best – fight. They bury their doubts and march forward, until a prophecy is revealed.
The White Rose, a symbol of hope and goodness, has been reborn. Now, the Black Company must find her and protect her at all costs.
Glen Cook’s Chronicles of the Black Company is a gripping epic fantasy tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
About the Author
Glen Cook was born in New York City and spent his early childhood in southern Indiana before moving to Northern California. After finishing high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and later attended the University of Missouri.
For 33 years, he worked for General Motors before retiring a few years ago.
Glen started writing when he was in 7th grade and had some of his work published in a literary magazine during high school.
He began writing with the intention to publish in 1968 and has since written 51 books and numerous short stories.
While attending the Clarion Writer’s Workshop in 1970, he met his wife of 43 years.
They have three sons, one of whom is an army officer, another an architect, and the third an orchestral musician. Glen also has several grandchildren, the majority of whom are female.
Glen is best known for his Black Company series, which has been translated into over 20 languages worldwide. He has also written the Dread Empire and Garrett, P.I. series, among others.
His latest book, Working God’s Mischief, is the fourth in the Instrumentalities of the Night series.
Editoral Review
Glen Cook’s The Black Company, first published in 1984, is a seminal work in the fantasy genre, beloved by readers and cited as an influence by many fellow authors, including George R. R.
Martin. The book follows the exploits of the titular mercenary company through the eyes of their physician/felonious medic, “Croaker.” The book is notable for its “gritty” and often brutal take on the genre, as well as its complex, morally ambiguous characters.
The book opens with the company serving the Lady, a powerful sorceress who rules the western empire with an iron fist. As the company is dispatched on various missions, they begin to uncover the true nature of their employerand the horrors she is willing to commit to maintain her power.
The setting is a world of war and political intrigue, with competing factions vying for control of the empire. The main strength of The Black Company lies in its characters, particularly Croaker and the enigmatic and ruthless Lady.
Cook’s portrayal of the shifting loyalties and internal conflicts of the mercenaries is nuanced and believable, and the reader is drawn into the story by their struggles. The pacing of the book is brisk, with action-packed set pieces interspersed with moments of character development and introspection.
The book is not without its flaws, however. The supporting characters can feel somewhat underdeveloped, and there are moments where the narrative lags.
Some readers may also find the book’s “grimdark” approach and lack of clear heroes and villains off-putting. Despite these limitations, The Black Company remains an engaging and thought-provoking work.
Its themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the ethical challenges of war and power are as relevant today as they were in 1984. Fans of the genre who have not yet read this classic should do so immediately, and readers who are looking for a fresh take on fantasy will find much to admire in Cook’s work.
Overall score: 4/5 stars. The Black Company is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and morally complex characters.
