The Black Company

Chronicles of The Black Company, Book 1

De: Glen Cook

Narrado por: Marc Vietor

Some feel the Lady, newly risen from centuries in thrall, stands between humankind and evil. Some feel she is evil itself. The hardbitten men of the Black Company take their pay and do what they must, burying their doubts with their dead - until the prophesy: The White Rose has been reborn, somewhere, to embody good once more.

There must be a way for the Black Company to find her....

©1984 Glen Cook (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Light dark fantasy with the perfect narration

Would you listen to The Black Company again? Why?

Yes. I read the book a few years ago and enjoyed the light (weight) dark fantasy. Was thinking of reading it again and bought the audible instead. A wise choice. The narration gives it a whole new life, and Cook's work seems made for narration. Marc Vietor does a perfect Croaker. Will certainly be giving it a listen again in a year.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Black Company?

Most memorable? I think its the friendships within the company which no one ever owns up to.

What about Marc Vietor’s performance did you like?

Vietor's narration is perfect. The narration never feels like narration, Vietor draws you in and you soon forget its a narration.

Any additional comments?

I think Ericson called Cook the father of modern fantasy (maybe Tolkien being the kind old grandfather). Cook is like Ericson without the infinite complexity, that is why I call it light, you can listen to it without the immense plot trees and have no fear its not just a plotless LOST. Memorable characters in a character driven story.

excellent read!

If you could sum up The Black Company in three words, what would they be?

wizards! battles! history!

What other book might you compare The Black Company to and why?

i have read none like it yet

Which scene was your favorite?

where Oneeye and Goblin were 'dueling'

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

an epic tale of the greatest mercenaries the world has ever seen.

Any additional comments?

I had to read this book twice as the writing style is completely different than what I am used to (George RR Martin, and Terry Goodkind). After the second read, I want to be enlisted in The Black Company now.

Good story, better performance

The voice acting really made this book alot more enjoyable. This is a story that's better to listen to than to read I think. Not very long but still worth the credit.

Dark Fantasy Done Right!

I have read the series several times and it never grows old. Looking forward to listening to the remainder of the series.

Great book

The narrator takes getting used to as stated in many reviews. But after half an hour or so you get settled in for the journey. Following the black company is a breath of fresh air compared to the typical " goody two shoes hero" of most stories. Will definitely continue to follow this series for some time to come.

Disjointed story but gets there ultimately

First, I was not a fan of the audible narrator. Too gravely which I suppose was meant to convey the hardness of Croaker, but really was irritating, I almost gave up on it.
Stuck with it due to many good reviews of the latter books. I will borrow from the library though, can't stand 5 more of this voice.

decent story

quick story. worth listening to. story had some plot holes and was not that well written. but it is a good listen.

Platoon meets Wheel of Time

If Robert Jordan had fought in Vietnam, seen the worst of humanity in both the enemy and in his own comrades, and then came home to write a fantasy series, it might have felt something like this.

The message of the book is clear: There are no good guys, just degrees of evil.

Black Company is about a band of mercenaries caught up in a war of swords and sorcery. Their moral compass is nearly non-existent, save for loyalty to each other.

The story is well-told, gritty, dark, completely gripping, and will at times leave you in revulsion for what the "heroes" do. You may love the unique characters, but you'll be hard-pressed to admire them.

Spoilers for those who may need fair warning on the content of the book and moral position of the main characters:

- Killing, torture, lying, cheating, theft are all condoned by the protagonists and are actively described in the narrative.

- Murder of civilians including women and children by both sides is treated as normal, though sometimes regrettable. Incidents are mentioned but not described in detail.

- Rape of civilian women after battle is condoned and considered normal as a "reward" to the mercenary protagonists. Rape incidents are mentioned, but neither described nor eroticized by the author.

- An incident of a child being gang-raped by enemy soldiers is discovered and stopped by the protagonists. The rape itself is neither described nor eroticized by the author.

Worth it.

It's a bit short for the price but it's a great story and super compelling. There's a reason there are books in the series

I love this book

I've read them several times and I'm happy the audio version translates so well. Sometimes the reader falls flat, but this is perfect!