Source
r/theblackcompany•
CMatch07

New Reader Looking for Guidance

Heya r/theblackcompany

I recently found this series and I would love to read this! After doing a bunch of research (without spoiling it thankfully) I'm a bit confused as to where to start.

I was looking around the local Chapters and came across the 3 different compilations; Chronicles of the Black Company (without Port of Shadows), The Books of the South, The Return of the Black Company and The Many Deaths of the Black Company.

Is there a particular order I need to read them? Do I need to read Port of Shadows even though it's not a part of any of these compilations? Should I not get these compilations and perhaps get each individual novel if I can find it?

The main part of my confusion is Port of Shadows

Hopefully everyone can point me in the right direction! Thanks everyone :)

Posted Mar 10, 2020, 12:46 PM UTC

512
Corvus84•

Since Port of Shadows wasn't published until 2018, most people who are familiar with the series have started with the books contained in the Chronicles of the Black Company before moving on to the Books of the South. The original trilogy does not require a supplemental read of Port of Shadows to understand, and I would recommend that you simply read in order of publication.

3
CMatch07OP•

Alrighty!

Thanks for that!

1
Pratius•

As others have said, Chronicles -> Books of the South -> Return -> Many Deaths.

One caveat that I'll add is that the order of stories in The Books of the South is kinda weird. I recommend reading The Silver Spike before Shadow Games and Dreams of Steel, since it's more properly a Book of the North and concludes a plotline from the first three books, while Shadow Games and Dreams of Steel start an entirely new plotline that continues in the last two collections

3
Terciel1976•

I've heard cogent arguments for reading SS first, middle or last of the BotS. It's a little weird any way you look at it.

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

3
Gelkor•

Theres an argument for bumping up the Silver Spike in reading order, but it doesn't hurt anything to not do it, and provides a good sense of "checking back in" after the books of the South have started.

2
litaudio•

Chronicles, Books of the South, Return, Many Deaths.

Port of Shadows falls between the first and second novels, IIRC. I didn't find it essential, but mileage may vary, etc.

1
CMatch07OP•

Fair enough!

Thanks for that!

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Terciel1976•

As others have said: Chronicles (AKA Books of the North), BotS, Return and Many Deaths.

PoS is best read last if at all. The story concludes very well at the end of Soldiers Live and PoS is...weird. While set during the first trilogy, it's got more tonally in common with the later books, but it's also strange and not great. Unless the long mooted A Pitiless Rain radically changes perception, I think it will always be viewed as ancillary.

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CMatch07OP•

Ah ok! Thanks for that!

What do you mean by "weird"?

1
Terciel1976•

Well, largely what I said in the post, but it's also structured strangely and feels like Glen has been watching a ton of anime with his grandkids.

Note: I don't hate it, though many do. It just feels unnecessary.

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CMatch07OP•

hahahaha fair enough!

Thanks a ton!

2
SpectreHarlequin•

I loved Port of Shadows but I agree it is best to read after finishing the rest of the books. It is a side story and is even more unreliable narrator than usual and if fan theories are correct may tie in more with the end of series.

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