The Black Company

Chronicles of The Black Company, Book 1

By: Glen Cook

Narrated by: 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.

Wow

Would you listen to The Black Company again? Why?

Yes I will. This Book Started slow, and I asked my self why did I buy it. As soon as Raven got involved, I started getting involved, and then Soul Catcher made me get more interested. As soon as a fantasizing Croaker met The Lady, I became hooked. Before I knew it, I have listened to all 10 books in about 2 weeks. I like the way Glen Cook builds up a character, make you love them for who they are, and then kill them. I fell in love, felt like crying, felt disappointed, and then felt how life does not give you what you always wanted. Great Author, and Books; I will ready more of your work as I have done R.A Salvatore, and Terry Brooks.

What about Marc Vietor’s performance did you like?

Yes it was great

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

The Battle of Powers

Good

Black Company is a strange book and a strange series. The prose is very unique, and will immediately push some people away. That being said, while I wasn't fond of Marc Vietor's performance at first, it grew on me considerably. I think he does an excellent Croaker, and does a great job making the way Cook describes things feel like legitimate descriptions that someone might tell you if they were talking out loud, telling a story.

The first book opens pretty slowly. I was bored for the first two chapters, and didn't really get invested until I got into the characters more. Again, it's strange. I can't say that the plot was excellent, nor can I say the character arcs were excellent either. They're both solid (especially if you take a liking to the characters), but really it's the gritty, down to earth perspective that makes the story pop. You are in the head of a lowly soldier. You see what he sees. He doesn't know who will win battles, or how all these wizards do wizardry, or what politicians and generals are conniving. He's doing a job the best he can. Definitely had me gripped by the end, though, and the next two books are significantly better, in my opinion. In all honesty, this one I'd give 3.5 stars if I could.

consume this book in it's best format

This first book is best experienced in audio format. At first, I had trouble picking this book up and reading it in paper format due to some of the clipped monologuing in the beginning. But in audio format that monologuing takes on life and personality thats hard to capture on an initial read-through.

Imagine the narrator, a grizzled mercenary field doctor and company historian, is reading back diary entries. However, the diary isn't just his own, its the written history of the Black Company as he experiences it. The Black Company is an elite mercenary group caught up in world events and embroiled in wars and machinations outside of their control.

Dry.

Reads like a straight 1970s history book because it mostly gives straight recitations of events.

refreshing pov

never have I read or listened to a book from the perspective of the "bad guy" well it is as magnificent as I thought it would be. Only wish it was as long as a Brandon Sanderson novel.

an all time favorite

this is an all time favorite book of mine. we really enjoyed listening to it on our long drive. cant wait to start the second book

Great book with great narration

Few books combine fantasy with military mercenary experiences. Turns out to be a classic adaptation that works very well.

Excellent story telling

These tales are unique in that it’s from the perspective of the common foot soldier, who’s mission is not to question why, but to do or die. Let’s play another hand of Tonk, who’s deal is it?

Glen Cook is excellent

Loved it. Great story all the way through. Excellent characters, creative take on war and magic. I've read the whole series a couple times. Can't get enough.

Great!

Incredible read with great narration. loved the book! Can't wait to read the rest of the Black Company series!