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.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1984
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 288
- Format
- Book 1 of 11 in The Chronicles of the Black Company
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
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Black Company
- What is The Black Company about?
- 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.
- Who should read The Black Company?
- Read it if you like gritty, soldier's-eye fantasy narrated with dry humour and little glory. Skip it if you want clear heroes and villains, or a fully explained world.
- How long and how fast is The Black Company?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 288 pages, first published in 1984.
- Does The Black Company have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, War, Death.
- Can I borrow The Black Company for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Black Company; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Black Company?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Blade Itself, The Poppy War, The Lies of Locke Lamora.
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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 | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Black Company
-
The Blade Itself A later grimdark fantasy with the same cynicism, banter and morally compromised leads.
-
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
