Reviews

The Black Company by Glen Cook

jruby0089's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

teokajlibroj's review against another edition

3.0

I'm a bit divided on my reaction to this. While I was reading it, I was entertained and intrigued, but when I reached the end, I was left feeling a bit . . . empty. I didn't really get much out of the book. None of the characters were really developed and not much happened. There were some battles that were mostly skipped over and some retreating, but that's it. I know some of that is deliberate, the viewpoint is that of a hardened soldier, but even still, I felt it was overall quite bare.

akennedy772's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

2.5

canaanmerchant's review against another edition

4.0

This kept coming up as an explicit influence for a number of other works I like, but my preference for recent works kept me away for a long time.

Then I saw this edition available at my library and took my chance. It's good to see my biases be proved wrong. I can see why the book was so influential but I enjoyed how its own style stayed distinct throughout the book. I like the sparse narration by Croaker and his telling of the events. The idea that there's a story in what's not being said reminds me of hemingway though in the book that is stated plainly in the text.

Also a couple of notable places where there's language that definitely wouldn't fly today. Here's an example where I think you can take it in in context but hoo boy, it can hit you unexpectedly.

qjbrown96's review against another edition

2.0

There’s no book quite like this one and I’m honestly fine with that. Over 200 pages of no worldbuilding, very little character development and absolutely no knowledge of wtf is going on. Really unfortunate for me because I loved the cover of this edition and was really wanting it on my shelf but I can’t stand to look at it. I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because there was battle scene with a
Were-Panther that I thought was pretty cool.

stupidusernames's review against another edition

3.0

Would have been 4 stars if not for the bad and hard to understand prose.

justinreadsalot's review

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

youraveragedave's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Reading another influential book in the fantasy genre.  Again I can't help but compare it to books I've read that were inspired by this book and have done more and better things in the genre.

I think it's strong suit is the banter and relationships within the company.  I was led to this book by someone who said if you enjoy the soldier banter sections of The Malazan Book of the Fallen series this would be a good read.  

The action scenes are pretty forgettable.  The world building also isn't up to what I'm used to reading by more contemporary works.  

valemmet's review

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Such a fun book! The ending fell a little flat, but the characters were exciting and vivid, and the prose was great to read! Enjoyed it to bits!

midori_ribbon's review against another edition

DNF, I can't handle this book. I never know what's going on, I can't be bothered to care about things that are happening. A few of the things that happen - are cool. I will give it that. But the way it's written -to me- is terrible. I can't do it.