The Fantasy Books

The Black Company

by Cook, Glen

Description

In an era when fantasy was about honorable farm boys with magic swords and a noble destiny, Glen Cook said 'fuck that mess; let's have some amoral pricks doing bad deeds in a dark world, that's way cooler'. And you know what? I believe he may just have been right. The Black Company is about the titular band of mercenaries simply doing their jobs and, well, killing people for coin. It just so happens that the person supplying said coin is the sort of dark lord that, in any other story, would be the arch-villain. But why should the Black Company give a shit? They get paid either way. The writing is unremarkable and to the point, which reflects the points of view of the grunts whose stories we follow. None of the characters are nice, and the combat is never glorified. It's all in a day's work for these sorry bastards, and the epic conflicts of the god-like figures they fight for and against are far above their pay-grades. Gritty humour also abounds, and reading the book is entertaining, and fun, even if the characters are having the most miserable times of their lives. The world is dark as hell, and made darker by the exploits of the Black Company and their masters. Read this book if: you're pissed about fantasy heroes always taking down the dark lord and leaving thousands of good, hard-working grunts unemployed.

About the Author

Cook, Glen

Glen Cook is an American author of science fiction and fantasy novels. He is perhaps best known for his series "The Black Company," which follows a group of mercenaries as they navigate a dark and gritty world full of political intrigue, magic, and violence.Cook's writing style is often praised for its realism and attention to detail, as well as its use of unconventional narrative techniques. He is known for his ability to create complex and morally ambiguous characters, as well as his skill at building immersive and believable worlds.In addition to "The Black Company," Cook has written a number of other novels and series, including the "Dread Empire" series, the "Garrett, P.I." series, and the "Instrumentalities of the Night" series. He has also worked as a freelance writer and editor in the gaming industry, contributing to a number of popular role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons.Overall, Cook is a highly respected and influential figure in the world of science fiction and fantasy literature, known for his gritty and realistic approach to the genre.

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