So I read all four black company books, or I guess you could say all 10, since they have now been re-packaged into trilogies / dualogies(?). It was a very entertaining series, and Glen Cook definitely is able to build an interesting world with very interesting characters, and interesting plot lines. I would have to say this is the first epic fantasy that I also epicly loved the characters!
The first trilogy is probably the best-written trilogy ever. It was completely engaging and probably the most fun I have ever had with a trilogy. He really did a good job coming up with his own lore (if he did copy someone else, I didn't recognize the similarities) that was almost familiar, yet completely not. He handles magic in a way that just really makes sense! The military "with the guys" feeling really put me into the story and made it very believable.
Glen has this habit of putting you in the point of view of a peon in the operation. When that person becomes more important, he puts you in someone else's perspective.
I'm a little torn, because while the first trilogy was the most incredible book ever, and the 2nd trilogy was also very epic, unfortunately books 7-9 (duology and a half) totally bogged down, and the tenth book just felt like he was ready to wrap it up. I will definitely recommend that you read the first trilogy though, and make your own decision from that point on. If you find yourself unable to get enough of the world you should definitely keep reading, and you REALLY get to feel the pain of time passing (I honestly started feeling a bit depressed myself at times). He really drew me in.
Anyway, first trilogy is a 10, the next trilogy somewhere between 8.5 to 9.5 depending on the fact that it leads in to the next two duologies, and the next books really ARE written well, but he so effectively built such an awesome world that I couldn't help but feel a little bit letdown yet also somewhat satisfied in the somewhat satisfying ending. I have to say that this must be because the journey was so well done.
I really really want to tell you details on what makes this book so good and the reasons that I think parts of it could have been better, but I don't want to post spoilers. I recommend that you read the first book and make your own decision.
Oh, the series is a bit gothicly dark, so if your favorite part of LOTR is re-reading the parts about elf cities you may not be into this.
This guy from Amazon says it a lot better than I could, and I totally agree with him: link
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