Epic fantasy
The Black Company
A band of mercenaries works for a dark empire, and its tired field surgeon keeps the company's annals. As they serve powerful sorcerers, the soldiers start to question whom they are fighting for.
- First published
- 1984
- Pace
- medium
- Length
- medium
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like gritty, soldier's-eye fantasy narrated with dry humour and little glory.
Skip this if you want clear heroes and villains, or a fully explained world.
The feel
Content warnings
Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Barnes & Noble | Check price | Buy new from Barnes & Noble |
| Print, used | ||
| AbeBooks | Check price | Buy used from AbeBooks |
| ThriftBooks | Check price | Buy used from ThriftBooks |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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If you loved The Black Company
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The Blade Itself
A later grimdark fantasy with the same cynicism, banter and morally compromised leads.
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The Poppy War
A harsher, more brutal take on war in a fantasy setting, with a harder look at atrocity.
-
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Features a similar pack of rough companions, though with swagger, wit and heist plotting.
Epic fantasy
