[Otataral Toblakai]

I, finally, after wrapping up endless cosmic wars the likes of which no mortal can picture decided to dive into the world of 'Black Company', a series I have heard say as one of the biggest influences of the mighty sage that spawned the world of malazan with its mezla scum.

It was a breath of fresh air. A simple, straightforward no holds barred book that can't be labelled as epic/high fantasy but nevertheless belongs right there with the best of them. An incredible series. As I speak, I have read eight of ten and non-stop once I got my hands on the series. It has a simple plot, a small group of characters and is first person. The style of narration first put me off in the first book but from then on, I was hooked.

The only downside is that the books are small and the plot could have been more 'epic' and 'world scale'. It could also have used a much more diverse cast.

That's it. That's all. Khatovar beckons.

[Rake's Progress]

I, too, have started reading the Black Company series and am really enjoying it. You're right, though, after reading the philosophically steeped descriptive prose that Erikson used on the malazan series, to be confronted by an almost rough, and brutal prose style was a little jarring. But then I realized who was telling the story (at first): a soldier. I believe Glen Cook has a military background, because it reminded me of Gustav Hasford's marvellous story of the Vietnam war, The Short-Timers, a book that was told with a brutal, grimly poetic efficiency. Very much like a marine. The mission is simple and straightfoward. They follow their orders, Get in, get the job done, do it better than anyone else. And then move on to the next thing. There is a kind of brutal poetry to that. There's a lot of military shorthand involved int he storytelling and it really does lend itself to the gritty realism of the work. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

[Otataral Toblakai]

Rake, on 03 March 2012 - 06:29 PM, said:

I, too, have started reading the Black Company series and am really enjoying it. You're right, though, after reading the philosophically steeped descriptive prose that Erikson used on the malazan series, to be confronted by an almost rough, and brutal prose style was a little jarring. But then I realized who was telling the story (at first): a soldier. I believe Glen Cook has a military background, because it reminded me of Gustav Hasford's marvellous story of the Vietnam war, The Short-Timers, a book that was told with a brutal, grimly poetic efficiency. Very much like a marine. The mission is simple and straightfoward. They follow their orders, Get in, get the job done, do it better than anyone else. And then move on to the next thing. There is a kind of brutal poetry to that. There's a lot of military shorthand involved int he storytelling and it really does lend itself to the gritty realism of the work. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

Second that. But, overall, it does come down as outright brutal/cruel and has no moral dilemmas/debates as with much of Erikson's works - it's a bit shocking sometimes. I also like that, as sort of military fantasy, it didnt dwell a lot on the countless moves and manoeuvres but gave a summarised/broader viewpoint.

[Slow Ben]

If you enjoyed the Black Company (and how could you not), check out Cooks "Garrett" series.

Some seriously damn good stories there.

[Otataral Toblakai]

Slow Ben, on 04 March 2012 - 02:31 PM, said:

If you enjoyed the Black Company (and how could you not), check out Cooks "Garrett" series.

Some seriously damn good stories there.

Will do. Thanks for the recommendation - looks Dresdenish. Is it set in a 'modern' era or 'ancient' as with Black Company? I dont like fantasy that transcends into the realm of modern day technology.

[Slow Ben]

Otataral Toblakai said:

1330946482[/url]' post='940257']

Slow Ben said:

1330871509[/url]' post='939892']
If you enjoyed the Black Company (and how could you not), check out Cooks "Garrett" series.

Some seriously damn good stories there.

Will do. Thanks for the recommendation - looks Dresdenish. Is it set in a 'modern' era or 'ancient' as with Black Company? I dont like fantasy that transcends into the realm of modern day technology.

Just a little like Dresden in that they're both smart asses who love beer. But Garret's not a wizard, there actually isn't much magic in the series, more magical creatures and such. He's just a private detective who only works when he has too. It's definitely not modern. Old time.
Basically what you get with Garrett is great stories.
Plus, the first ones great so you'll know right away whether you like it or not.

[Salt-Man Z]

I like to think that Garrett is the converse (inverse?) of Dresden: one is a wizard solving crimes in contemporary Chicago. The other is a regular Joe solving crimes in a fantasy land. The Garrett books are essentially mystery novels with a fantasy backdrop, while Dresden's are basically fantasy novels with the occasional mystery to solve. My favorite part of the Garrett books might be the hardboiled detective voice that Cook totally nails.

[Orlion]

*grumble*thread not about Garret*grumble*

Just finished the first book, The Black Company. Instead of starting other series like I had previously planned, I'm going to read Shadows Linger instead. Thoughts to follow.

[worry]

I'm currently on The Silver Spike (book 6, based on the omnibuses). The total lack of prose that even borders purple took me the entire first book to get used to, but I've grown to admire it quite a bit. Now the series is a legit joy to return to.

[Otataral Toblakai]

worrywort, on 05 March 2012 - 08:37 PM, said:

I'm currently on The Silver Spike (book 6, based on the omnibuses). The total lack of prose that even borders purple took me the entire first book to get used to, but I've grown to admire it quite a bit. Now the series is a legit joy to return to.

It is. I dropped work/everything to wrap up the books. Too short, however, to fully savour.

[Rake's Progress]

By the way, the French artist Didier Graffet did a really nice series on The Black Company, which i think was used in some special editions. Anyway, they look really great.

http://www.didiergra....php?idthemes=2

[Otataral Toblakai]

Rake, on 09 March 2012 - 03:46 AM, said:

By the way, the French artist Didier Graffet did a really nice series on The Black Company, which i think was used in some special editions. Anyway, they look really great.

http://www.didiergra....php?idthemes=2

Bookmarked!

[Traveller]

I've just finished the omnibus 'The Many Deaths of the Black Company'... the last one being 'Soldiers Live'.

I love this series. I love the way each book is written in a different style according to which character is in charge of the annals, and the way this style is consistent with it being a record. I've seen complaints about this writing style, on the basis that there isn't much detail in places, even during important events, but in a way I found there was more impact when certain characters died and it went almost without comment.

Having just finished, I still can't believe what happened to

Spoiler

Sleepy. And Sahra, and Murgen, for that matter. Murgen and Sleepy were Captains and annalists, and although I didn't think Murgen would live, it was still a shock to find out how Sleepy ended up, after all that work and planning. They seemed to have such an advantage when they returned through the Shadowgate - and Mogoba had already warned them that he had a trap set for Soulcatcher. So why the hell did they just walk into it? And Sahras disappearance wasn't even explained at all.

Damn. Great reading none the less. (I still can't help but notice just how many aspects of these stories are used in the malazan world though, sometimes with very few changes made).

Looks like there are more in the pipeline, too, if you're interested. http://thewertzone.b...-new-black.html

(the artwork on this page is the same as on my books - just perfect imo)

This post has been edited by Traveller: 13 April 2012 - 09:37 PM

[Sinisdar Toste]

Gad! I know exactly what you mean about Murgen and Sahra

Spoiler

you spend so long in Murgen's head, then get to know Sahra, and for so long you just want them to be together again. with all the deception and the emotional rollercoaster and then she just vanishes off the face of the damn planet and murgen goes down too. also, sleepy's was such a horrible death. i felt really terrible after reading it.

[tiam]

Im gonna do another full reread of Malaz then get on these. Is there somewhere I can buy all ten for relatively cheaply? I know im going to like them so have no problem buying all of them.

[Macros]

Started back into the black company yesterday about a year and a half?? Maybe two after reading the first trilogy, halfway through shadow games and curse that its my day to work cause I want to finish it!
Love the style, love the setting, love how everything is kind of vague in directions and all as well. Things are justfar away.

[Deck of Dragons]

Traveller, on 13 April 2012 - 09:35 PM, said:

Looks like there are more in the pipeline, too, if you're interested. http://thewertzone.b...-new-black.html

I had no idea he would like to write a 5th Instrumentalities book. It's too bad he says it will never happen and that he had hell of a time selling the 4th book. The series is incredible. I can't believe the lukewarm reviews it got. It's clear and very tightly written. Reviewers acted like it was so complex and to hard to keep track of the story-lines which is ridiculous. I hope the 4th book finally gets published...and it better be in hardcover!!!

[busy monster]

I heard about the two new Black Company's ages ago, and been waiting for just as much time. Pitiless Rain has my interest the most, since it's post Soldiers Live (last I heard it was with the new child warlock all growed up).

Any new Garrett Files is welcome, though. Up to Red Iron Nights in my re-read, and esp. with the way the last book ends... I need another. Especially with how it ends.

He's an amazing author-- I have his books in MMPB, TPB Omnibus, HC, ebook, and many other formats, often copying something else.

So glad to see him actually end The Dread Empire (that shitstain who stole the manuscript... there isn't a hell hot enough for him).

[HoosierDaddy]

Damn, I'm going to have to read Book of the South and Glittering Plains again. I forget a LOT of this stuff. But, the way Cook weaves his title into the narrative is something I"ll never forget. Love "Water sleeps" and "Soldiers live and wonder why."

[busy monster]

H.D., on 15 April 2012 - 05:06 AM, said:

Damn, I'm going to have to read Book of the South and Glittering Plains again. I forget a LOT of this stuff. But, the way Cook weaves his title into the narrative is something I"ll never forget. Love "Water sleeps" and "Soldiers live and wonder why."

The later is the most heart breaking line I've read in years. Especially when you figure out why.