@@thefantasynuttwork I've read somewheere (take it with loads of salt, it was the internet) that George Martin used Cook's Black Company as some sort of template for the Brotherhood Without Banners from Game of Thrones. Once I read about it I could never really stop seeing it that way, because it certainly feels like the Brotherhood is just a group of lowlifes fighting a war in which they have no way of winning, and yet they persevere. The Black Company's one of my favourite books because it gives you that ground-level based action, the grunts talking to each other, flerting, fighting, and all that, that's so realistic it makes for incredible worldbuilding. As the lad said above, dark fantasy as it ought to be written.
@lizardman1303Ай бұрын
Not far into it but it seems so dry.
@allison.m.e Жыл бұрын
biggest flex is that i’m related to glen cook 🙏
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Tell him I’m a fan 😂
@zacksporen Жыл бұрын
Any and all coverage of this series is beyond well-deserved. It is my sincere hope that more people would read this series and enjoy it as I and many others have. Glen Cook is so underrated among fantasy greats and should be elevated for his works.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I finished book two recently and thought it was phenomenal
@ManDuderGuy22 күн бұрын
It is THE jam, it is MY jam. Fave fantasy series for sure.
@grnberet9401 Жыл бұрын
I liked this video and loved The Black Company as a series. As a medic in the Army, I really related to Croaker. The banter/friendships/rivalries amongst the Company soldiers was reminiscent on my time deployed. I've heard the Black Company described as an epic fantasy told from the perspective of the grunts as they make their way amidst the powerful. I really hope you enjoy this series and I look forward to more Black Company content.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
hey thank you so much!
@EmperorGeiseric Жыл бұрын
Coincidentally it was a fellow Berserk fan who recommended the Black Company series to me many, many years ago. While they are certainly very different stories, I came to absolutely adore Cook's unique approach to story telling, world building, and believably human characters.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I could see that correlation
@nightmarishcompositions4536 Жыл бұрын
Berserk was my gateway drug into grimdark fantasy. It’s definitely my favorite type of fantasy these days.
@Jabberwhorl_Cronstadt Жыл бұрын
I'm a Malazan guy and my friend is a Black Company guy. Neither of us have read the other series, and we're finally going into them. I went into reading the Black Company feeling like I was kinda doing homework, a feeling I'm sure many readers are familiar with, reading a book as a favor for a friend or something. It's not at the top of my TBR, but I wanted to finally stop him from asking if I'd read it yet lol. But MAN did I quickly get into the Black Company. So many of the seeds of Malazan fell right off of the Black Company tree. Malazan is like Black Company on steroids. You take the worldbuilding of BC and crank everything to 11, you get Malazan. In my humble opinion. As a younger, more ignorant man, inclined to hipsterism and the folly that is the quest for "originality," I may have even considered Malazan a BC ripoff. But that's just silly. Every writer has influences, and Erikson has always mentioned the heavy influence BC had on him. Also, good luck to anyone trying to impugn the writing and imagination of Steven Erikson. I totally agree with everything you said about the writing style. Much like Malazan, the things that make it hard to get into in the beginning are some of the best parts about it overall, and make for a much more rewarding experience. I also love how there are almost no battles (not a battle guy, a reason I was not excited up front for this "military fantasy")! There are numerous fights that just get outright skipped in Book 1, which makes total sense because Croaker is writing this for the Company. He's not going to glorify or preserve the battles. It's all the stuff around it that is important (although some really cool fight scenes do happen!). It's always the plot points and story that matter the most. I, too, am stoked to continue reading this series. I'm on book 3, The White Rose, now. I ADORED book 2, Shadows Linger, and the complex moral questions explored by a certain inn keeper in that book. I could just go on and on, but I'll stop. My reading of Malazan happened to coincide with yours Jimmy, I loved all your extensive chats on those books, and I was beyond excited to see that you had also recently read BC. LET'S GOOOOO :)
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Duuuuuude great comment! Let’s go!!!
@jakebishop7822 Жыл бұрын
Shadows Linger is so good, one of my favorite. Probably not my favorite Croaker book, but I would say my favorite non Croaker plot.
@adambirch6466 Жыл бұрын
Croaker's focus is always on what he thinks is interesting, and what he thinks is relevant for the company's future generations. Which is why he will just skip a huge battle with a flippant "yeah we crushed them 10 to 1" but will focus on smaller moments where tactical innovations or brilliance were key to victory. The pov is so solidly grounded in his perspectives and motivations. One of the best examples of this I've ever seen.
@SuperSuperdude8810 ай бұрын
raven constantly having his knife out and cleaning his already PRISTINE finger nails
@EricMcLuen Жыл бұрын
This series reread us exactly what I needed after Bakker. It is obvious why Reapers Gale is dedicated to Cook. Erickson also did the intro for the latest printing. Goblin and One Eye are awesome and this is probably the softest of magic systems I have read. This is one of those series that influenced a lot of more recent authors but ironically and sadly just doesnt click with more recent readers. I have been telling Allen to try his Instrumentalities of the Night series as they are almost flintlock fantasy.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Yeah I plan on reading his other work as well, I think he is an author that clicks with me
@craiglooney8220 Жыл бұрын
Interesting tidbit about Cook's writing. It was less about a stylistic choice, and more about necessity. He was working on an assembly line when he was writing it, and would quite literally turn and write a sentence before turning back to doing the next thing on the line. He had these odd 5 second increments to write and his storytelling is a direct reflection of his limitations.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
No way! That’s wild!!!
@craiglooney8220 Жыл бұрын
@@thefantasynuttwork, isn't it? I heard him tell the story on an old podcast called Adventure in Sci Fi Publishing (I believe). I always thought it was a pretty cool story about how limitations can become strengths.
@ericgrim6849 Жыл бұрын
The first paragraph of Book 1 is one of my very favorite opening paragraphs.
@quickhistory5486 Жыл бұрын
Too true - you instantly know you're in for something good. Especially when they describe one of the company sergeants, Mercy, just a few pages later. Great book.
@koleary1798 Жыл бұрын
I loved your point about Cook's writing style, and couldn't agree more. It's meant to be the first hand experience of a band of soldiers in the thick of it, day in day out for years. Overly "beautiful" prose honestly might have taken me out of it. Just because of the writing style alone I think that the Black Company is more grim dark than the majority of its modern counterparts. The bleakness of the lands traversed is perfectly matched in the writing style.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I would agree
@molol44 Жыл бұрын
I blasted through this book in no time last month. Such a great read. I'm on the third book now. It is filling in some much needed lore and it is fantastic so far.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
That’s awesome
@jerryfiore5818 Жыл бұрын
*BRILLIANT REVIEW!* I've watched at least 8 Glen Cook / Black Company series reviews, and NONE were as direct or thorough as yours, Jimmy! I'm about to re-read and catch-up with this series. I was in on this from the get-go when it came out in '84 (as I was working in a book store).
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!!
@jakebishop7822 Жыл бұрын
The crazy worldbuilding is just getting started. So glad you enjoyed it!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I’m ready to get weird
@TheZrk2 Жыл бұрын
@@thefantasynuttwork It's going to get weird.
@jeddak Жыл бұрын
One of the absolute best fantasy series ever. I prefer the earlier novels, but the whole series is highly recommended. Very good review - you've done it more justice than most of the KZfaq commentary. I re-read The Black Company series from start to finish every couple of years. It's so well done.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I am hoping to read book 3 soon
@nightmarishcompositions4536 Жыл бұрын
One of the godfathers of grimdark fantasy next to Conan, Elric, Thomas Covenant, Game of Thrones, etc. love ‘em!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Hell yeah
@hurricaneez1 Жыл бұрын
Easily one of my favorite series ever. So underrated
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
It has a chance to be something very special to me
@dalecarodiskey5256 Жыл бұрын
I've read this entire series starting from way back in the 80's. And always looked forward to the next release. Right from book one. I found it very easy to visualize what was happening. Many of Cooks other titles are quite good too. Much of his work is from a military perspective.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I’ll definitely check out his other stuff as well
@MattVickers Жыл бұрын
While the series took a while to really grow on me, there was always something compelling and it was easy to continue. I've now finished 5 of the books over the years and keeps becoming more enjoyable. Very unique series.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I’m happy to hear that
@osoisko1933 Жыл бұрын
What I really love about this series is like what you said about the show vs tell. In his terse descriptions, he speaks volumes.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I agree
@donaldpratt2296 Жыл бұрын
Welcome to the world of Glen Cook. I’d argue he’s one of the five most influential fantasy authors of all time. Once you’ve finished Black Company, get into Dread Empire, Instrumentalities of the Night, Garrett PI, Starfishers, and his many amazing standalone novels.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Shadows Linger was awesome
@donaldpratt2296 Жыл бұрын
@@thefantasynuttwork don’t mess with Shed.
@e.matthews Жыл бұрын
You summed it up perfectly!!! I honestly had a blast with book one. I bought the first 3 together and then faltered in the second, but it's due another shot. Honestly there's something quite magical about reading that first book and knowing how much of an influence it had, how innovative Cook was being! We owe him quite the debt!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I think reading back through the instrumental influences on the genre is super worthy of our time if we love the genre
@boogieondown5824Ай бұрын
Forced myself to get through the first 100 pages, but then I started to get the vibe and was hooked. The characters are at the mercy of others but not powerless. It's a bit chaotic which keeps you off balance and understanding the world, but that's part of the appeal and how real military endeavors go. The Taken are like horrific mob bosses. The company wizards horsing around are a real hook too. I fell in love with it like I did with Thieves' World once I understood the characters and world.
@thefantasynuttworkАй бұрын
@@boogieondown5824 I love to hear it!
@stanislawstefanow6093 Жыл бұрын
Love to see another review of the BC! Heads up, no spoilers but the 5th book will be tough to get through, almost made me quit the first time around
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
We will see!
@charleshartley9597 Жыл бұрын
I was in my teens when BC came out and it blew me away. My friends and I did a D&D campaign (this was 1st edition, mind you) based on this idea of a mercenary company. Such amazing worldbuilding, and as you said, the characters are everything. The whole series goes so many places (literally) and is such a wild ride. Enjoy!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Just finished White Rose and loving it
@followingtheroe19529 ай бұрын
I think Cook is up there with Frank Herbert in the worldbuilding style of intentional vagueness. The "Anti-Tolkien" style I think this worldbuilding style is perfect for gaming because it is by its nature modular and dynamic. You lose replayability and flexibility with a setting that is hyperspecific on setting and convention
@thirdspacemaker9141 Жыл бұрын
I DNF’d this about two years ago, not cuz I didn’t like, but cuz it was due back to library. Ordered the first omnibus in October. I intend to read it in 2023. I love the terse style, jumping to the next events, and the showing. The Captain (I think; it has been a couple years) did something similar to the Raven thing you mentioned when they knew someone was in a tavern, but he mentions an informant to cover that they were using magicians.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Sometimes Cook says more by what he’s not telling you and it’s wonderful
@VinnyMickeyRickeyDickeyEddy Жыл бұрын
Ridiculously good book and series
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
🙌
@newarchillabog9403 Жыл бұрын
I'm still waiting for a Dread Empire movie and a Drizzt movie 😅 🤞
@spaceman9599 Жыл бұрын
A truly brilliant series, agreed!
@spaceman9599 Жыл бұрын
I can also recommend Elizabeth Moon's Paksennarion series for some great military fantasy
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
@@spaceman9599 read the first one and very much enjoyed it
@wyluli-dt9wv Жыл бұрын
Those first three "Black Company" novels are some of the best fantasy ever written. Absolutely love it. I'm on book 3 of Malazan and the series seems to get better as it goes and I'm really enjoying it compared to the first two novels that didn't really do it for me. Its good, but its not "Black Company" good. We'll see if my opinion changes as I read the last 4 in the series.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
There’s a lot to go, specifically book 7 is dedicated to Cook
@matthijsclaessen8152 Жыл бұрын
Still one of my favourites! I also like more modern stuff like Jenn Lyons (A Chorus of Dragons) but the Black Company series is awesome.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Can’t wait to continue
@heretic124 Жыл бұрын
If you think Black Company is whacky wait till you get to The White Rose. I just started it and it's almost like an acid trip. Don't want to spoil it but the place they are at the beginning is one of the most fascinating places I've read about. He mentioned windwhales in Shadows Linger but that is just the tip of the iceberg. So far I think Shadows Linger is the weakest of the bunch because it's almost like an intermezzo between first and third book. I also hated the constant changes between first and third person narrator but I survived and the new main character grew on me by the end, though it wasn't easy journey. Overall, not a bad book just very different from the first one and that's not what I expected. Books are suppose to get really good when they head south (the second omnibus) but I was all in since the beginning, bought all omnibuses and Port of Shadows after I finished Black Company. I love the atmosphere and as Malazan fan I simply need to read this.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Omg I’m so excited
@dookieshoe2905 Жыл бұрын
Literally just finished it this morning and I had to return to say that it was great! I've actually had it in my list for a little while but this video bumped up and I got it right after watching. It really kept my interest up the entire time. Some books have those parts that drag on and It almost a chore to get through but this had me from about the time they go across the sea til the very end. Now I want to to go back through those first couple chapters again. I already got Shadows Linger before this was even finished so that is pretty high praise from me. I actually figured out the sort of twist at the end pretty far back as well but it was still cool to figure out it was true because there was just enough doubt that it was the case to keep it from being the clear obvious answer. Thanks for the review, it got me to go ahead and get this one and I now I can't wait to start book 2.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
That makes me so happy
@a.h.13583 ай бұрын
The one series where Card games around the campfire were more intense than the actual battles
@jeroenadmiraal8714 Жыл бұрын
It's funny how, after someone has read Jack Vance, he is so often used as a reference point. Thanks for the review Jimmy. This will be the series for me to read in 2023 along with Sun Eater.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Vance was an amazing writer
@followingtheroe19529 ай бұрын
As someone who generally hates "action" and thinks its generally filler, I am still interested in things that are "military campaign" themed. So BC scratches that strange combination for me. The timeskip at the fortress of Deal for that reason was a comedic breath of fresh air. The fortress of Deal is such a wink to the audience. They hype this really important assault they are about to do, then it just skips to a tonk game. But the card games are filler. So its like the author made a decision to double down, write a filler section, but do it his own way, its charming
@thefantasynuttwork9 ай бұрын
It has amazing humor
@nickjordan89965 ай бұрын
I just finished book 1 of the trilogy and I think I"ve fallen hopelessly in love with The Lady.
@yetanotheremily2317 Жыл бұрын
Such a great series! My now husband bought me the first three books bind up on our second date at Barnes & Noble because it was one of his favorite series, and now we both love it. The worldbuilding continues to get better and wackier - I still think about the third book's setting. Enjoy!!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I’m so excited!
@sendapez3 ай бұрын
Was thinking about getting into this series, but now I know I won’t. Thank you for the info!
@thefantasynuttwork3 ай бұрын
My pleasure!
@donwild50 Жыл бұрын
Personal weirdness feel I got from the first book...this strange triangle between Croaker, The Lady and yes I will say it... Soulcatcher. All through the first book and then through the series, the love-hate-fear-jealousy vibe resounded. There are points where I actually feel sorry for Soulcatcher...who is a deeply wicked character. Several other readers latch onto Raven or Darling but Soulcatcher plucked the strings for me on several levels. There's a deep reason for that in the context of the books but I will leave that alone as it would be a spoiler of the first rank.
@vonmeier10 ай бұрын
I loved Soulcatcher as well, and how Cook makes her "a person with normal everyday things" with small details is really exciting and makes her more relatable. Heck, even the Limper had some funny/everyday things about him.
@donwild5010 ай бұрын
There's one scene where the Company is trying to catch Raker and Croaker and Soulcatcher are alone. Croaker wonders if it ever get's lonely being one of the "Taken" and Soulcatcher just murmurs that it does in a ordinary voice. You often think about Lady living thousands of years essentially alone except for enemies...but Soulcatcher has the same issues. True, her underlying goal thru the first book is to take out Lady, but it makes you wonder.@@vonmeier
@vonmeier10 ай бұрын
@@donwild50 I loved that scene! And most of the things that happened in that small room while they were waiting for Raker to show up. Like when Limper visited them and they gave him tea. Just so down-to-earth, normal moments that add so much to the immersion and characters.
@josephmummerth25164 ай бұрын
read them all back when they first showed up on the scene , great story , good enough that I`ve re read them several times , over the years ! have to say , my favorite characters are lady , soulcatcher , croaker , and of course goblin and one eye ! there are six books , and later releases of them as a three book set ! have them all ! two ther series that are good are the shannara series , and the wheel of time !
@bryonburrell9509 Жыл бұрын
Have the whole series sitting front n center in my bookshelf. Could see how some can't get into it since you don't get all the info on all the players from the get go, but............on the flip side, as you mentioned, it's from the annalists perspective. With that being said they only have what has been written in the previous books to go on. It's revealed to us as it's revealed to them which lends to the suspense and intrigue as you read along. Plenty of "ah ha" moments when tidbits of info come out and sheds light on a previous situation or a foreshadowing of things to come. Phenomenal series!! Hope you enjoy the rest!!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Just finished white rose and have been loving it! Silver Spike is up next!
@bryonburrell9509 Жыл бұрын
@@thefantasynuttwork Glad you put that one in the mix, in order. Ties up some some loose ends between White Rose and the First Book of the South. Witten a bit different since it's not from the perspective of the Company annalist.
@dougpirko211 Жыл бұрын
Mickey Spillane and Cormac McCarthy both love the stripped down, short sentence. So I think Glen Cook's sparse style has good company!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Absolutely
@thatsci-firogue Жыл бұрын
Appreciated this much more on the re-read. Looking forward to Shadows Linger now
@donwild50 Жыл бұрын
It's interesting, the "burn the feet" bit. I've read the whole Black Company series and really could relate as a former infantryman. In Viet Nam some units would engage in firefights and in some units care was taken to take enemy dead and bandage or leave the impression that care had been taken to "treat wounded enemy troops." Understand, these bodies were fully dead. Early in the war some units would mutilate or defile the bodies of Viet Cong or NVA troops, but it became clear this was counter productive. It engendered a "fight to the death" reaction in the enemy forces. Leaving dead bodies with at least the appearance that the US/Allied forces 'tried to care for wounded prisoners" worked on two levels. First, it went a bit toward lessening the impression of the NVA that the US troops were totally murderous savages. And second, it actually lead to some NVA deserters coming over to our side. Admittedly, a significant number of the "turncoat Kit Carson Scouts" as they were named, were NVA plants. But some served well and with distinction. It was a gruesome but marginally effective psy-op method in the later years of the war, contrasted with the "Leave an Ace of Spades on the bodies" trope.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Wow, that’s some crazy insight. Thanks for sharing that!
@tuffguy0134 Жыл бұрын
I have the first Black Company collection. I'm thinking of starting it when I finish Malazan. I'm currently halfway through The Bonehunters.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Enjoy!
@esmayrosalyne Жыл бұрын
Totally not me realising that I actually had zero clue what this book was about, despite having heard so many people mention it as one of the greats. Loved hearing your thoughts on this one, I am definitely intrigued now. This sounds quite character-driven and I tend to get on well with that chronicler type of storytelling, so this might just be right up my alley. Great review 🤩
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@MattonBooks Жыл бұрын
100% agree Jimmy. 🙂👌🏻 It’s been ages since I read most of the series, and I ate it up. Looking forward to re-reading it next year.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Nice man!
@jmhaces Жыл бұрын
I picked up this book on a whim probably about 20 years ago without any context on who the author was or what the novel was about and I was floored by how unique it was within the genre of fantasy. It reminded me more of books like "The Things They Carried" and "M*A*S*H" or even "Catch-22" that focus on the brutality and absurdity of war than of anything having to do with swords and wizards despite the literal abundance of both in the story. I went on to read the whole series so far and I'm eagerly awaiting the long-anticipated final volume, though it's been way too many years since the last book was published and there's not even an expected release date for the conclusion. I'm assuming it's going to be another "Winds of Winter" deal and the series may never be finished, but what a ride it was.
@perritohiker Жыл бұрын
Your take on this series has convinced this hesitant reader to give it a try. I always have to remind myself that I often don't agree with others' opinions of books. The Shattered Sea series and Elantris are examples where many reviews are "Meh...", and I really enjoyed them. The Black Company is on my '23 TBR. Thanks!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
At least this is pretty short so if you hate it you won’t have wasted too many pages. Come back and let me know how you end up enjoying ot
@jarrodcourtemanche1444 Жыл бұрын
Awesome! I've read Cook's other series, The Instrumentalities of the Night, and thought that was well done. It didn't blow me away, but I did enjoy his ideas and his prose. I have a feeling, based upon your review, that I would like the Black Company stuff better. Great video, thanks!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I’m gonna check that one out too
@RafBlutaxt Жыл бұрын
I am glad you liked this one and hope this will continue with the other books. Black Company is one of my fabvourite series, I've read it 5 times by now and every time I am surprised by how unique and how modern it reads.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
It has such a distinct voice behind it so far. Can’t wait to continue! Thanks for watching dude
@adambirch6466 Жыл бұрын
I found The Black Company 20 years ago. I had been reading fantasy for a while at the time and it just blew my mind how different and good it is. To this day it has some of my favorite characters in Fantasy. Soulcatcher, The Lady, Raven, Croaker, The Captain. God it's so good.
@edwardromero3580 Жыл бұрын
Well, you’ve convinced me. I started reading the Chronicles of the Black Company two years ago and put it down after the first book (first 3rd of the collection). I liked it, but didn’t love it. Now, I’m going to attempt to finish the rest of the book while on vacation.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Hope you enjoy the time with it!
@SennyGamingHQ Жыл бұрын
I am 20 pages in and the first thing that came to mind was how fast paced these first few pages are. It jumps from scene to scene SO quickly that I was kind of shocked. Trying to adjust my expectations and accept that the book is probably going to remain like that and try not to let it bug me.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
It slows down in book two but yes it’s vignettes introducing you to lots of important people and worldbuilding
@SennyGamingHQ Жыл бұрын
@@thefantasynuttwork Well I finished the first book and I could almost feel the pace slow down as the book itself went on, almost as if his writing skills got better by each page. Story was enticing enough to keep me going! But my favorite aspect of the book is Goblin and One-Eye's magical prank wars, I absolutely love their friendship XD
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
@@SennyGamingHQ it’s so funny hahaha I loveeeeeeeed book 2!
@donwild50 Жыл бұрын
The best part of the Black Company books is the understanding that they are NOT a "company of heroes." Some are brutes, some are normal grunts... but they are all brothers in a real sense. They march and fight and evade and decieve the enemy...but they all know "everyone NOT in the Company is either an enemy or someone to be treated as an enemy." If you are Company, your only loyalty is to the Company. And they do some decent stuff...and some truly horrific stuff, solely on the basis of "will this keep the Company alive?" Very much on par with the FFL, "The Legion is my Country."
@Paul_van_Doleweerd Жыл бұрын
I kind of figured you'd enjoy this. 😁 It's funny that where people are on their reading journey has such an influence, I think some people bounce off this if they read it after Malazan almost the same way some do reading the Covenant books after Malazan. But you have to start somewhere. I read this after as well and really enjoyed it, so I think you are in for a treat.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I am very excited to see where it takes me
@EpicTalez Жыл бұрын
This is going on my list. It sounds like the relationship between the characters is a big part of this story. I love when writers use this to maximum effect.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Yeah, lots left unsaid but it has the reader fill in the blanks which I love
@thirdspacemaker9141 Жыл бұрын
@@thefantasynuttwork Possibly one of the most Hemingway-esque fantasies?
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
@@thirdspacemaker9141 certainly feels like it at times
@Shaad2321 Жыл бұрын
Fantastic review Jimmy! I’m hoping to give this another shot next year! I only read the first part of book 1 like 8 or 9 years ago!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I’ll be excited to see what you have to say about it!
@quickhistory5486 Жыл бұрын
This is an excellent video - thank you for making it! I'm currently nearing the end of Book #2 and you summed it up best; if Book 1 is truly the worst book in the series then I'll be fine, I loved it. God, it's fantastic. Raven really is a proto-edgelord LOL.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Thank you! Loved book 2&3
@coleton7048 Жыл бұрын
I'll be starting this in January because of Jake's hype on his channel and now this great review. I'm super excited to get to it, it sounds right up my alley. Also, kickass Berserk shirt. Struggle on struggler. 💪
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Hey man thanks!
@socialteaist Жыл бұрын
I have the first trilogy wind-up and enjoyed this first book. Looking forward to reading the other two next year!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Same same!!
@maggythestray6869 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great review! I wasn't sure to read this series because of the characters and now I'm so hyped for it. Going to start it in January:)
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I hope you enjoy it!
@BooksWithBenghisKahn Жыл бұрын
Awesome review! I’m psyched and have all 10 on the shelf ready to go!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
LFG BEN
@paxluporum4447 Жыл бұрын
One of my favorite series. I read the last book in Afghanistan and wept.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I’m reading White Rose this month!
@readbykyle3082 Жыл бұрын
This series sounds so much up my alley. Will definitely check it out next year!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
You better
@SuperSuperdude8810 ай бұрын
goblin and one eye fighting is amazing
@poosala8821 Жыл бұрын
I’ve was introduced to the Black Company when it first came out. I spent 20 years in the Navy, The author spent 4. He has mastered the lingo, attitude and interaction between brothers in arms. This guy does not do the book justice. This is by far my most loved series.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I’m on book 3 and loving it so much. Could end up being an all time favorite for me
@moonbiter3094 Жыл бұрын
Could've had more me in it
@skullknight4579 Жыл бұрын
“Let him cook, let him cook”
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
💪
@MacAisling Жыл бұрын
I just started rereading Steven Brust’s Vlad Taltos series, but it may be time to revisit The Black Company after that. Cook’s Garrett, PI novels (comic high fantasy hard boiled detective fiction) would make a good break if things start feeling too grim in the BC series.
@BonytoBeastly Жыл бұрын
Awesome. Stoked to check this one out :)
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Enjoy!
@safinan8008 Жыл бұрын
Good review video 📽⚔️🎄❄️ happy reading to you! ☃️☃️
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
You as well
@chadia25 Жыл бұрын
Jimmy, I can't read all these books...😅 my TBR is all ready exploding. But it sounds great. I don't mind a distance writing style. 😊 Normally not for military fantasy, but this sounds really interesting. Thanks for the review. 🥰
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
They’re really short at least 😂😅
@macchupichu Жыл бұрын
"Belch out some ugly dialogue" You are actually my spirit animal
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
😂😂😂
@slidenaway Жыл бұрын
Awesome review Jimmy!! I read maybe the first 6 Black Company, loved them to pieces. But that was like 15 years ago probably, my dad (cool dad lol) made me read them, thank god haha. Anyway I've definitely been thinking about rereading recently, as I've gotten heavy into Malazan this year, just like you So thanks for the encouragement, I can't wait to read these again!!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
That’s so cool your dad encouraged you (forced) to read these. Make sure to thank him! Haha
@slidenaway Жыл бұрын
@@thefantasynuttwork oh I have. I’m also thanking him by making him read Malazan 😂😂 he committed to it a few months ago after I had him watch AP’s “objective” review of GotM video, and his reaction was “as soon as he mentioned black company I was in” 😂😂 he’s just been lazy about picking up GotM but I am staying on him. I’m 99% sure he’ll love Malazan!!!
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
@@slidenaway that’s so cool
@MrSororitas11 ай бұрын
I just got into the series, after watching a lets play DnD campaign really heavily inspired by the black company. The writing was a bit jarring to me at first, not a native speaker, maybe that makes it even more palpable, but once I got used to it I really started to enjoy the story. It's a refreshing down to earth fantasy novel. Sure the ten are amazingly powerful, larger than life figures, the Lady and the Dominator even more so, but the company is relatable. I really love the bickering between One Eye and Goblin. Some of the company are vile scum, but as croaker put it: "They are family." Oh and by the way the DnD campaign is a viceo series hosted on youtube called The chain of acheron and the ispiration is very obvious.^^
@AaronQ64 Жыл бұрын
So I dont necessarily dislike the story but it jumps around all over the place and made it hard for me to fully invest in the series as much as I wanted to. Id start to gain interest and just and quickly get pulled away to some other random place or character I have no connection with and lose a lot of what i think could have been done with this setup.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
It’s very sporadic, have you read book 2? It’s more focused and honestly one of my favorite books I’ve read this year
@AaronQ64 Жыл бұрын
@The Fantasy Nuttwork I havent im still only about 1/4 of the way through book one. Its been an on and off again read which makes the jumping around worse. If it gets better in book 2 ill try to tough it out. I love dark fantasy if I can really get into it.
@liabowden85269 ай бұрын
I don't remember which book I'm on, but I'm pretty sure I wasn't finished. I had kinda forgotten about this series, but love it and def want to revisit & finish! Also, The Goblin Corps by Ari Marmel always comes to mind when I think about this series. But I don't remember details of that book, just that I thought it was good (blame my adhd brain, 😕😒)
@thefantasynuttwork9 ай бұрын
I’ll check those out!
@derekjones46402 ай бұрын
It blows my mind that anyone could think the first book in the series is the weakest. Personally, I think it is the strongest (and the series as a whole is fantastic).
@thefantasynuttwork2 ай бұрын
i think it's dope
@thatsci-firogue Жыл бұрын
Sadly Book 1 was mostly miss with me and I DNF'd Shadows Linger, not something the book did, my grandmother passed away during that time and reading fell by the wayside. I might try again some day because a lot of those characters did grow on me.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Sorry to hear about your grandma 😞
@lordcommodore Жыл бұрын
I'm surprised to hear that the first book is considered the weakest. It was always my favorite
@IncognitosRandomАй бұрын
Loved most of these books except for Port of Shadows, which I hated.
@thefantasynuttworkАй бұрын
@@IncognitosRandom I’ve heard it’s pretty bad
@abdulrahmanalmukhaizeem652324 күн бұрын
Many thanks for your thorough review. I am wondering whether you had a chance to read the subsequent books in the series. If so, would love to hear your thoughts and whether you would recommend it? Also, how does it compare to the likes of Malazan?
@thefantasynuttwork24 күн бұрын
@@abdulrahmanalmukhaizeem6523 it’s very similar to the marine portions of malazan and high fantasy elements. The scope feels smaller than Malazan but that’s not a negative imo. I have read the first 4 and loved books 2&3
@abdulrahmanalmukhaizeem652324 күн бұрын
@thefantasynuttwork Thanks, and keep up the good work.
@thefantasynuttwork24 күн бұрын
@@abdulrahmanalmukhaizeem6523 appreciate it
@Yoni123 Жыл бұрын
If you like this I can suggest the game Battle Brothers
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@jal1656 Жыл бұрын
Love the shirt
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@benjaminmolina3456 Жыл бұрын
Glad I got the Midworld Press edition of this book.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I ordered it as well
@benjaminmolina3456 Жыл бұрын
@@thefantasynuttwork beautiful cover isn’t it?
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
@@benjaminmolina3456 amazing
@seanfaherty Жыл бұрын
Great book Weird But good
@dyingearth Жыл бұрын
In the first 10 years of his writing career, Cook have a day job as a machine operator in a GM plant that required his attention for about 30 seconds every 5 minutes. It is rather predictable work and he used the off time to do his writing.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Love that!
@marccaron60082 ай бұрын
Welcome to the Black Company, you shall be known as 'Nutty' from this day forward ;-) LOL
@thefantasynuttwork2 ай бұрын
Hahahaha thank you!
@caelinnis8 ай бұрын
I wish you would've credited wikipedia for your summary.
@thefantasynuttwork8 ай бұрын
Consider this the credit hahaha
@thefantasynuttwork8 ай бұрын
In all seriousness though, when I do a summary with the art, if I find that wiki or the book blurb is really good I’ll use it. Lots of times I end up doing my own because the blurb will give away too much, or even too little. There’s no malicious intention
@Stevenav68 Жыл бұрын
You misunderstood a bunch of stuff, there's a ton of military lore in the black co. that only vets get usually...like Raven saying to put the spy's feet in the fire...it's not to show you tortured them...its an insult. It's telling th other side "We killed your spies and scouts because they were loud, clumsey, unstealthy dumbasses...they were clomping around so much and making so much noise we caught them." Burning their feet is let painting a sign on them and saying "this is what they did wrong..they stamped around like clods. Send us some better spies next time" . What they didn't want them to know was that they had mages who could just find spies with magic...so he gave the rebs the impresion that the spies were caught cz they sucked at stealth...a mundane explanation.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Thanks Steven
@BookishChas Жыл бұрын
Great review Jimmy. I’ve been pretty determined that I have no interest in this series. I still don’t really, but you made me think about it maybe down the road.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Well if ya try it and hate it don’t remember this review 😂
@jeddak Жыл бұрын
You owe it to yourself to give this series a try. Truly one of the best.
@jacksonvega7751 Жыл бұрын
How much of a crime would beginning at book 2 be? I mean Iv attempted the first book a good few times recently , shall I just force it or can I get away with starting the apparently better 2nd book?
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I say do what you want! Can always read a summary online or something for book one
@donaldpratt2296 Жыл бұрын
I mean, it’s only a little over 300 pages. You don’t necessarily have to read it, but you can just pound that out in a few days and move on.
@TheOwnedPk10 ай бұрын
Anyone want to talk about the last books ? I’ve just finished them and i am so frustrated that i am wondering if theres one missing or something ?
@thefantasynuttwork10 ай бұрын
I’m hoping to read silver spike and continue on by the end of the year
@rawkeh Жыл бұрын
The first book is actually the weakest in the series, in my opinion, so reading the rest will be a treat. Also, despite Croaker appearing in (and narrating) several of the others, the actual protagonist of the series is the Company as a whole.
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
I’ve read through White Rose now and love the series so far
@malinowysowik Жыл бұрын
Black company ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💛💙💙💜🤎🖤🤍♥️❣️💖💗💓💕♥️❣️
@thefantasynuttwork Жыл бұрын
Reading White Rose right now and it’s awesome
@househendoe754910 ай бұрын
TBC>ASOIAF
@thefantasynuttwork10 ай бұрын
Haha, hey I love that someone loved the series that much!
@cabrademora1 Жыл бұрын
:D
@severjanlici9 ай бұрын
Why do you pronounce it as "malAzan" ITS "mAlazan"!
@thefantasynuttwork9 ай бұрын
I pronounce how Erikson said it to me lol
@severjanlici9 ай бұрын
@@thefantasynuttwork Well he said it wrong xd
@thefantasynuttwork9 ай бұрын
@@severjanlici if the author doesn’t care then neither do I lol