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The Black Company is where Tolkien meets Bernard Cornwell.
For ages, the Dominator and the Lady, the most powerful sorcerer couple ever known, ruled the known world with an iron fist. Ruthlessly, they vanquished all their opponents and corrupted the souls of their ten worst enemies, transforming them into the Taken, beings condemned to serve them for all of existence. However, a rebel group, led by the mysterious White Rose, managed to imprison the tyrants and their followers in a deep slumber. Centuries later, the Lady and the Taken were finally awakened. Now, they are determined to reclaim all the power that was taken from them. As they dedicate themselves to the process of reconquest, the path of one of them, the Soul Catcher, crosses with that of the mercenary group known as the Black Company. For generations, the Company served various masters, always honoring their contracts and prospering. However, those glory days are long gone. Today, the group is reduced to a small contingent working for the ruler of a secluded island. All that remains are stories, carefully preserved by Chagas, the Company's doctor, who records all their activities. Thus, when the Catcher offers them the chance to join the Lady's army against the rebels, the proposal is immediately accepted. What was supposed to be a glorious battle for power quickly reveals itself as a nightmare. The Taken are unsavory figures constantly fighting among themselves, and the Company soon finds itself entangled in intrigue, betrayal, and manipulation. Amid growing rumors that somewhere lies a child who is the reincarnation of the White Rose, Chagas, the eyes and ears of the group, begins to question his own participation in the events. As strong as his fascination with the Lady, he cannot help but think that, ultimately, the Company may have chosen to ally itself with the wrong side of the conflict, and that the consequences of this decision could be dire.
"Cook's unique talent for combining stark realism with a surprisingly fantastical universe results in a bold series... Highly recommended." — Library Journal
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