Cook: The Black Company review

The Black Company is a mercenary army. They're one of the last of the great mercenary armies of the golden age. Now they've journeyed to the north and have found themselves a new employer, though things aren't going well.

The tale is told from the perspective of Croaker, a physician and annalist of the Black Company. As the annalist, he knows the history and the rules of the Company better than anyone. He was able to find a loophole in their contract with the Syndic of Beryl which allowed them to enter into a new contract with a mysterious and powerful wizard. Unfortunately, it seems this wizard is an ancient evil.

The Black Company must adhere to their contract, while trying to save their own lives. And along the way, Croaker becomes infatuated with their employer's superior - an ancient and powerful sorceress known as The Lady.

This is a pretty dark novel. It's the beginning of a long series (or perhaps a series of series). The writing is pretty solid, though I'm not usually a fan of first-person. Anyhoo, I'll be reading more of the Black Company series.
/ [Viking]

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