Who Are The Ten Who Were Taken In 'Chronicles Of The Black Company'?

Since finishing that first omnibus, I'm still unclear on each Taken's backstory and magical specialties. Forums mention names like Soulcatcher, but specifics are vague.
2025-06-17 21:47:10
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9 Answers

Best Answer
CaraBurns
CaraBurns
Insight Sharer Office Worker
The Ten Who Were Taken were incredibly powerful sorcerers who served the Dominator, the main antagonist in Glen Cook's series. They were eventually turned by the Lady to fight against him, with characters like the Limper, Soulcatcher, and Shapeshifter becoming key figures in the Company's long campaign. If you're digging into that kind of dark, morally complex military fantasy with a legendary mercenary unit, you might find 'The Last Blackthorne Heir Returns' interesting—it follows a disgraced commander who has to rebuild his family's infamous private army from the ground up, navigating brutal politics and battlefield betrayals.
2026-08-03 08:06:19
104
Ellie
Ellie
Library Roamer Consultant
I can tell you the Ten Who Were Taken represent one of the most fascinating villain concepts in fantasy literature. These aren't just powerful mages—they're relics of a bygone era where magic ruled supreme, and their return signals the end of the world as people know it.

What makes them so memorable is how Cook writes their personalities. The Limper is pure, undiluted malice in human form, driven by a need to destroy everything in his path. Shapeshifter plays psychological games, appearing as friends before revealing his true nature. The Howler's eerie screams precede his devastating sonic attacks. They're not just obstacles for the protagonists—they're forces of nature that reshape entire civilizations through sheer presence.

Their backstory adds layers of complexity. Originally rulers in their own right, they were broken and remade by the Dominator into something far worse. Their prison time only increased their madness and power. Watching the Black Company navigate this minefield of ancient evils makes for some of the best moments in the series, especially when they form uneasy alliances against greater threats.
2025-06-18 00:11:25
56
Abigail
Abigail
Helpful Reader Accountant
The Ten Who Were Taken in 'Chronicles of the Black Company' are some of the most terrifying figures in dark fantasy. These ancient sorcerers were once rulers of the world, each wielding immense magical power that made them near invincible. Their leader, the Dominator, bound them to his will, turning them into his personal enforcers. After centuries of tormenting humanity, they were finally imprisoned by the White Rose rebellion. When the Black Company encounters them, they're already freed and wreaking havoc again. Each has a distinct personality and specialty—like the Limper, whose hatred fuels his brutal tactics, or Shapeshifter, who can mimic any form. Their presence elevates the series from standard military fantasy into something far darker and more compelling.
2025-06-22 10:49:55
49
Kieran
Kieran
Honest Reviewer Driver
For newcomers to Glen Cook's masterpiece, the Ten Who Were Taken are basically the ultimate dark wizards—each a walking apocalypse with unique flavors of horror. The Lady, once one of them, shows how dangerous they can be even when trying to reform. Soulcatcher's playful cruelty masks profound insanity, while Moonbiter's cannibalistic rituals will haunt your nightmares.

Their designs are brilliant. Stormbringer controls weather with a thought, turning battlefields into death traps. Nightcrawler moves through shadows unseen until it's too late. They feel less like characters and more like natural disasters wearing human skin.

The brilliance lies in how Cook uses them sparingly. When one appears, the tension skyrockets because you know people will die horribly. Their confrontations with the Black Company showcase the mercenaries' resourcefulness—outmatched in power but never in cunning. If you enjoy villains that redefine 'threatening', this series delivers.
2025-06-23 13:30:27
43
TobyBoone
TobyBoone
Plot Detective Electrician
The Taken feel like a heavy metal band lineup. Soulcatcher on vocals, the Howler on lead scream, Bonegnasher on drums...
2026-07-30 16:24:38
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Who are the main characters in The Black Company?

7 Answers2025-11-13 06:10:17
The Black Company is a gritty fantasy series that follows a mercenary band with some truly unforgettable characters. Croaker, the annalist and de facto leader, stands out with his dry wit and reluctant heroism. His journals give the story its intimate, first-person feel. Then there's the Lady, a terrifyingly powerful sorceress whose motives are always shrouded in mystery—ally one moment, threat the next. The Taken, her undead wizard enforcers, add a layer of horror with their unnatural powers and twisted loyalties. Raven, a brooding rogue with a tragic past, and One-Eye and Goblin, the bickering wizard duo who provide much-needed comic relief, round out the core group. What makes these characters so compelling is how flawed and human they feel, despite the dark fantasy setting. Croaker isn't some invincible warrior; he's just a guy trying to keep his friends alive while documenting their struggles. The Lady's complexity keeps you guessing—is she a tyrant or a victim of circumstance? Even the side characters like Silent, the mute assassin, or Darling, the mysterious girl with a pivotal role, leave a lasting impression. Glen Cook's genius lies in making mercenaries feel like family, even when they're covered in blood and moral ambiguity.

What is the role of the Annals in 'Chronicles of the Black Company'?

3 Answers2025-06-17 04:55:34
The Annals in 'Chronicles of the Black Company' are the backbone of the entire series, serving as the mercenary group's official records. Written by the Company's Annalist, they document every battle, betrayal, and bizarre event the Black Company faces. These aren't just dry historical accounts—they're filled with dark humor, personal grudges, and brutal honesty that bring the Company's history to life. The current Annalist inherits the job from their predecessor, adding their own perspective while maintaining the chain of knowledge. What makes them special is how they shape the Company's identity. In a world where memories fade and loyalties shift, the Annals keep the Black Company's legacy intact, reminding everyone why they fight and who they really are beneath the blood and mud.

How does the Lady evolve in 'Chronicles of the Black Company'?

3 Answers2025-06-17 15:00:42
The Lady in 'Chronicles of the Black Company' starts as this terrifying, almost mythical figure—a sorceress with power so vast she controls entire empires. Her evolution is subtle but brilliant. Early on, she’s this distant, cold ruler, using the Black Company as tools. But as the series progresses, her interactions with Croaker and the crew chip away at that icy exterior. By the later books, she’s not just a force of nature; she’s a person with regrets, vulnerabilities, even a twisted sense of loyalty. The way she transitions from godlike tyrant to something more human—without losing that edge—is masterful. You see her making choices that defy her old self, like sparing enemies or questioning her own motives. The series doesn’t spell it out; it’s in the small moments—how she hesitates before a kill, or the quiet way she mourns lost power. It’s one of the best character arcs in dark fantasy.

How many books are in The Black Company series?

4 Answers2025-11-13 20:49:36
Man, 'The Black Company' series is one of those epic dark fantasy sagas that just keeps giving! Glen Cook crafted this gritty, morally gray world that feels so refreshingly different from typical high fantasy. The main sequence has 10 books, starting with 'The Black Company' in 1984 and concluding with 'Soldiers Live' in 2000. There's also a prequel trilogy called 'The Books of the Glittering Stone,' which adds 'The Silver Spike' and two more novels. What I love is how Cook’s military background shines through—the camaraderie, the brutal pragmatism of the mercenaries. It’s like if 'Band of Brothers' met dark magic. If you’re new to the series, I’d suggest reading them in publication order rather than chronological, just to experience the unfolding mystery of the Annals the way Cook intended.

Is 'Chronicles of the Black Company' based on historical events?

3 Answers2025-06-17 05:12:57
I've read 'Chronicles of the Black Company' multiple times, and while it feels gritty and realistic, it's not directly based on historical events. Glen Cook crafted a fantasy world that mirrors the chaos of medieval mercenary life, drawing inspiration from real military campaigns rather than specific battles. The Black Company's struggles with loyalty, survival, and moral ambiguity echo historical mercenary groups like the White Company in Renaissance Italy, but Cook's world-building is entirely fictional. The series blends dark fantasy with a soldier's-eye view of war, making it feel authentic without being tied to actual history. If you want historical parallels, look at how mercenaries operated during the Hundred Years' War—similar vibes, but 'Chronicles' stands on its own as a masterpiece of military fantasy.

What is The Black Company book series about?

4 Answers2025-11-13 05:54:01
Man, 'The Black Company' is like diving into a grimy, morally gray fantasy world where there are no clear heroes—just mercenaries trying to survive. The series follows an elite band of soldiers-for-hire who work for the highest bidder, whether that’s a tyrant or a rebellion. What I love is how Glen Cook strips away the usual fantasy glamor—no shining knights, just mud, blood, and brutal pragmatism. The characters feel real, flawed, and often hilarious in their cynicism. Cook’s writing is lean and gritty, almost like a war journal. The Black Company itself is full of memorable personalities, from the hardened Croaker (the annalist and our main POV) to the terrifying Lady, a sorceress who’s as fascinating as she is deadly. The series spans decades, with battles that feel chaotic and politics that are downright dirty. It’s fantasy for people who want something rougher than 'Lord of the Rings' but still packed with depth and heart.

What makes 'Chronicles of the Black Company' a grimdark classic?

3 Answers2025-06-17 12:18:36
The 'Chronicles of the Black Company' earns its grimdark stripes by refusing to sugarcoat war or morality. It follows mercenaries who aren't heroes—they take dirty jobs for survival, doing things that would make paladins vomit. The world feels lived-in and brutal, where cities rot from corruption and battles leave survivors wishing they'd died. Magic isn't flashy wizardry here; it's terrifyingly Lovecraftian, with sorcerers like the Lady and the Dominator reshaping reality at a cost of sanity. What stuck with me is how Cook writes camaraderie. These aren't noble brothers-in-arms but flawed men who still choose each other when shit hits the fan, which it always does. The prose is terse yet vivid, like reading a veteran's war journal stained with ale and blood.

How does Croaker narrate 'Chronicles of the Black Company'?

10 Answers2025-06-17 06:43:00
Croaker's narration in 'Chronicles of the Black Company' feels like sitting by a campfire listening to a war-hardened mercenary spill his guts. His voice is raw, unfiltered, and brutally honest—no sugarcoating the blood, mud, or moral gray zones. He writes like a soldier jotting down events between battles, mixing battlefield reports with personal grudges and dry humor. The journal style makes it intimate; you see the world through his tired eyes, where magic is just another weapon and gods are just stronger opponents. His perspective shifts from clinical observer to reluctant hero, especially when Lady enters the picture. The way he balances military precision with human vulnerability makes the Black Company feel real, not just characters in a fantasy novel.

Where can I read The Black Company online for free?

4 Answers2025-11-13 01:30:53
Man, I totally get the urge to dive into 'The Black Company' without breaking the bank—it's such a gritty, immersive series! While I can't point you to any legal free sources (supporting authors is key!), I've stumbled across some shady sites in my time. Honestly, they’re not worth the risk—malware, broken scans, or worse. Your best bet? Check if your local library offers digital loans through apps like Libby or Hoopla. Mine had the first book, and I devoured it in a weekend. If you’re tight on cash, secondhand bookstores or ebook sales pop up often. Glen Cook’s work deserves a proper read, anyway—those mercenary vibes hit different when you’re not squinting at a sketchy PDF. Funny enough, I once borrowed a friend’s dog-eared copy and ended up buying the whole series later. Sometimes patience pays off!

Who are the main characters in 'The Taken Ones'?

7 Answers2025-11-14 09:20:26
The main trio in 'The Taken Ones' instantly grabbed my attention—each so distinct, yet their paths collide in the most gripping ways. First, there’s Cass, the relentless journalist with a knack for uncovering secrets she shouldn’t. Her dogged pursuit of truth often blurs ethical lines, and I love how her flaws make her feel real. Then there’s Eli, the ex-cop turned private investigator, whose gruff exterior hides a deeply protective streak. His backstory with the missing persons case that haunts him adds so much weight to his actions. And finally, Vee, the youngest of the three, a street-smart survivor with ties to the shadowy underworld they’re unraveling. Their dynamic is electric, especially when Vee’s resourcefulness clashes with Eli’s by-the-book instincts. What really elevates them for me is how their personal arcs intertwine with the central mystery. Cass’s obsession with exposing corruption mirrors Eli’s guilt over past failures, while Vee’s quest for redemption forces them all to confront their biases. The secondary characters—like the enigmatic crime lord Darian and Cass’s morally ambiguous editor—add layers to their journey. By the midpoint, I was so invested in their growth that the plot twists hit like emotional gut punches. It’s rare to find a thriller where the characters feel as compelling as the suspense, but this trio nails it.
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