The basics of the plot entail a hard luck elite group of honorable mercenaries called "The Black Company" that finds itself short sticked on their most recent deal. As such, since they have left a trail of disgruntled employers behind them, they are forced to take a deal with the Lady. It is hard to tell who is evil and who is good at first; but despite the moral ambiguity of nearly every character in the book, the author doesn't cop out with Moral Relativism. There IS true good, but it is very rare and (at first) very vulnerable. It also finds itself smack dab in the middle of the Black Company.
And so it is that the Black Company finds itself having to make a series of choices between Worse and Much Worse, and yet somehow managing to come out on top. This is the kind of book that if you're adventuring group was going to make a mercenary company with the best DM in the world, that you'd expect to have. The magic is powerful, eerie and yet believable. There are rules and there are consequences.
On top of everything, there are factions of the Lady that pit the Black Company back and forth amongst themselves in an attempt to gain power and favor. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, they use their wits, cunning and a determination to do whatever they must to survive to come out on top. Barely.
The characters are the best part of the book. Each of them is a fully functional and dynamic character. The author/narrator is a cynical sarcastic bastard that somehow ends up being the object of fascination from the Lady herself. The banter between the two mages and their ongoing-ever escalating practical jokes is extremely creative. The leader of the company is also a brilliant tactician, who understands what he has to do to keep his men alive.
You should read this book for three reasons. First, it is an excellent read. The writing style is smooth and well done, and yet at the same time you find yourself wanting more. Second, this book is the PERFECT inspiration for both a GM and a player for unique and interesting flavor to inject into nearly any campaign you can think of. Third, there are some books out there that you just should read to have a complete knowledge of the great classics of fantasy and science fiction. The Black Company is good enough to hold its own in the top ten list of anyone's favorite fantasy books of all time.
Its just that good.
