Black Company By Glen Cook | Amazing, But Not For Everyone(Spoiler Free) 

So much of the culture of the Black Company is based in real life military culture, which is one of the reasons the series is so beloved in active service and veteran circles. The brotherhood, the goofing off, the constant complaining about command, the constant banter and pranks- were all so instantly familiar to me when I picked up the series from my own time in service. Glen Cook also doesn't really extend a welcoming hand in explaining this culture and mental state to readers who may not have military experience, the writing expects the reader to keep moving and pick it up as they go, almost like a drill sergeant. The way certain things are just described matter of factly and detached whereas playing cards and making fun of each other is given delightful detail also gives the reader better insight into the mindset of being a grunt at the whims of command. I've read so many reviews that absolutely despise Cook's style of writing and decry these aspects that I absolutely love. Yeah, it has definitely taught me that while I absolutely love this series, it is difficult to recommend because the writing is not approachable at all.

I read Black Company (the first book) many years ago, and have only fond feelings towards it in retrospect. Some day,,when my TBR has shrunk enough, I hope to pick it and the other nine up again. There are depths in the novels that are absent in many other popular fantasy novels, for instance, "When I reflect on my companions' inner natures, I usually wish I had one small talent: I wish I could look inside them and unmask the darks and brights that move them. Then I take a quick look into the jungle of my own soul and thank heaven that I cannot. Anyone who barely sustains an armistice with oneself has no business poking around in an alien soul."

I love the Ten. Those we are allowed to really get into. They are centuries old. They are deeply evil. Some are total sadists or madmen, some are simply totally uncaring of the pains of others. Some switch back and forth. But unlike a Sauron type, they have not lost their own failings or weaknesses. They are knowledgable almost beyond comprehension but they are NOT "wise." They do stupid things for purely stupid reasons...though old they have not outgrown their own emotional failings. They still feel jealousy, superstition, personality disorders. They can be incredibly petty over things that a Sauron would know was just stupid. And it should also be pointed out that the "opposition wizards" (won't call them "good") have similar failings. They are definitely NOT a "Band of Brothers." Some will truly shoot themselves in the foot to embarrass or oppress one of the other Ten they might hate for a miniscule insult that took place centuries past. A thousand year lifespan does not make them incapable of actual "human weaknesses."

Glen Cook is a favourite author of mine. Just started reading The Black Company and I am having a great time. In case you haven't tried, Tower of Fear and The Dragon Never Sleeps are both excellent standalone novels by him 👍

Just started on The Black Company based on my cousin recommendation and I immediately fell in love with the characters especially Croaker, One-Eye and Goblin. Going to read more.

I fell in love with The Black Company and I've been making my way through it and just finished Bleak Seasons tonight which I thought was great. Great review and totally agree on all points you brought up. I'm probably going to immediately re-read it after I finish the series!

This was a lot of fun to watch, your love for the series comes through so clear it makes me want to reread the whole thing yet again now. I have an emotional connection to Black Company that is probably even greater than my love for Malazan and only slightly less than the one for Discworld.

You did a great job, Jake! I'm currently on book 5. Shadows Linger is my favorite so far! Such a great book

Loved the review! Given that the Malazan marine chapters were consistently my favorite part of MBotF, that seems quite promising for the Black Company indeed! Makes me feel better about picking up the whole series before trying it out too!

Great review! I'd agree with the "if you like 2/3, continue. If not, bail." I liked all the elements in book1 but the writing was a struuuuuggle for me. So what a breath of fresh air book2 was! The characters are fantastic. I like that you see who they are at present only. Goblin + One-Eye 😂 Loved them so much. I still need to get to Port of Shadows.

I always read Croaker's writing with the mindset that he is writing these "annals" on the march. He is the Company annalist..but he's also the Company doctor. And a combatant. And one of the "command group." He may put in personal comments in depth at times but if you pay attention, this only happens when nothing much else is going on. There's a feeling at times he's thinking "This is what's happening or happened and I would love to go into detail but I got my hands into the guts of a wounded brother and I just don't have time now. Maybe later I can catch up." More than once he will scribble out a few short lines covering an incident that deeply affects the continued existence of the Company...but he's tired, "thirsty, sand is in my eyes. We fought for 2 months, lost some people, but something happened elsewhere to someone else. We have to run away. Move on."

I bought the first three earlier this year and promptly added the rest on my TBR list. I can't believe I missed these back in the day. They still feel current and fit right in with today's fantasy IMO. I take breaks sometimes while working my way through Malazan, and this is how I found the Black Company. So glad I did.

The time has come. I'll be starting this series in a few days. When I finish the book I'm currently reading. I've put it off longer than I expected. I thought I would start it in January. But you know how these TBR plans can go. I figured I'd come back and listen to this review. As I remember it being very good. Past me was correct. I like imitating terse writing.

Thanks for this review. You've convinced me. I'll be giving this a try. I tried GGK based on your reviews and am now a big fan!

I've read The Black Company 3 times, twice last year. Though I think my favorite Cook series is Garrett, P.I.

This series sounds like it's for me Awesome video as always Jake.

was debating today if I should buy the series but trying to be better than buying it all before knowing if I like it or not but sounds like my kind of book and I do trust in your taste. I’ll buy the first book to be safe and go from there

You made this sound really good. I may even try book 1 next month.

I think The Black Company series inspired the Manga of Berserk by Mr Kentaru Miura. Mr Miura mentioned Conan and the Elric Saga, the Black Company novels were much closer to the Band of the Hawk and the idea of a late medieval early renaissance mercenary gang was quite novel by a 1988 Manga creator. The thing is that Glen Cook takes from real life, medieval military groups had very, very few women, almost none besides camp followers. Most of the women are witches or sorcerers.

Great review, Jake. Can´t wait to get to them.

Great series discussion. I found it interesting that you found First Law more grim dark than ASOIAF....I've read both and I found ASOIAF darker. It is my favorite series and A Storm of Swords is my favorite single fantasy book of all that I have read. I haven't decided yet if I will read this but I have lots of other stuff to read in the meantime. Would you say one could decide if this series is for them just by reading the first book in the series?

I was meh on Book 1 - I just rarely gel with the short story approach in Fantasy, but i liked the characters so you've got me excited for Shadows Linger. But I'm prioritising reading the Sarantine Mosaic right now.

Absolutely love this series

I like Croaker partly because he never really goes into the "morality" of any given member of the Company. He'll comment on one doing something stupid or smart, but he doesn't really "judge," except in regard to one character, who I will not reveal cause...spoilers. But he doesn't idolize himself either. There is one small snippet where he wakes up from a dream...a dream which is totally unrelated to the doings of the Company. But the brief "content" of the dream lets you know that Croaker isn't a saint. It's only a very brief glimpse into his personality and never comes up again, but it is a tiny but brilliant "footnote" that tells you Croaker as narrator/annalist isn't "the good guy." And he knows it about himself. I really appreciate Cook's touch here...and he does it over and over.

I have loved these books over the past 30 years, Interestingly Shadows Linger and the Silver Spike are my least favorite, It rewards and requires repeat reading. Cook's requires your "A" reading game. We do not have that all the time.

Excellent review Jake. I was initially excited to read the series, but I've kept hearing mixed reactions more and more and got less enthusiastic about reading this series. However, your love for the series has made me excited to give this a shot. Just wondering Jake, was the Black Company inspired by the Crusades? I don't know why I felt that kinda vibe as you were talking and describing them. Anyways I will give it a shot, overall an awesome review ( probably one of your best reviews). I agree with Cook, sometimes you don't need extensive backstory for characters but judge them as people in the present.

I never hear anyone talk about Cook's Instrumentalities of the Night Series. I thought it was on the level with The Black Company.

My favorite series. But I'm reading Malazan so that might change.

Spoiler free. Some minor spoilers must be given in order to engage your viewers.

If Jake likes something I've realised I'm guaranteed to enjoy it too so say less picking these up

Prayge

:D

I hated the writing of the books lol

Ive read the whole series and i love it. The dresden files. The vampire earth series. And the chronicles of the black company top three. Honorable mention, the sword of truth series. All fantastic books a mountain of great entertainment.