The Black Company by Glen Cook

First sentence:

"There were prodigies and portents enough."

Description:

"Some feel the Lady, newly risen from centuries in thrall, stands between humankind and evil. Some feel she is evil itself. The hardbitten men of the Black Company take their pay and do what they must, burying their doubts with their dead.

Until the prophecy: The White Rose has been reborn, somewhere, to embody good once more.

There must be a way for the Black Company to find her. . ." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this first book of the Black Company series. I especially liked how the members learned about the White Rose and the powers of the Circle of Eighteen. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Shadows Linger.

Date read: 7/21/2010
Book #: 42
Challenges: Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge
Series: Chronicles of the Black Company, #1
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Fantasy

ISBN-10: 0812533704
ISBN-13: 9780812533705
Publisher: TOR
Year: 1984
# of pages: 319
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page

Reliquary by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

First sentence:

"Snow tested his regulator, checked both air valves, ran his hand along the slick neoprene of the suit."

Description:

"Hidden deep beneath Manhattan lies a warren of tunnels, sewers, and galleries, mostly forgotten by those who walk the streets above. There lies the ultimate secret of the Museum Beast. When two grotesquely deformed skeletons are found deep in the mud off the Manhattan shoreline, museum curator Margo Green is called in to aid the investigation. Margo must once again team up with police lieutenant D'Agosta and FBI agent Pendergast, as well as the brilliant Dr. Frock, to try and solve the puzzle. The trail soon leads deep underground, where they will face the awakening of a slumbering nightmare." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

I liked this sequel to Relic with its mix of horror and mystery. I especially liked how different events all intersected in interesting ways.

Date read: 7/21/2010
Book #: 41
Series: Pendergast, #2
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Horror

ISBN-10: 0812542835
ISBN-13: 9780812542837
Publisher: TOR Books
Year: 1998
# of pages: 457
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page