In the Company of Ogres

by A. Lee Martinez

Paperback, 2007

Library's rating

Rating

½ (170 ratings; 3.7)

Publication

Tor Books (2007), Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages

Description

An uproarious new novel in the tradition of Robert Asprin and Terry Pratchett! For someone who's immortal, Never Dead Ned manages to die with alarming frequency--he just has the annoying habit of rising from the grave. But this soldier might be better dead than face his latest assignment. Ogre Company is the legion's dumping ground--a motley, undisciplined group of monsters whose leaders tend to die under somewhat questionable circumstances. That's where Ned's rather unique talents come in. As Ogre Company's newly appointed commander, Ned finds himself in charge of such fine examples of military prowess as a moonstruck Amazon, a very big (and very polite) two-headed ogre, a seductively scaly siren, a blind oracle who can hear (and smell) the future, a suicidal goblin daredevilpilot, a walking tree with a chip on its shoulder, and a suspiciously goblinesque orc. Ned has only six months to whip the Ogre Company into shape or face an even more hideous assignment, but that's not the worst of his problems. Because now that Ned has found outwhy he keeps returning from dead, he has to do everything he can to stay alive. . . . In the Company of Ogres does for fantasy, what A. Lee Martinez's previous novel,Gil's All Fright Diner, did for horror--and elves and goblins may never be the same!… (more)

Language

Original language

English

User reviews

LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
I read this over the weekend - and its funny, well written, but it missing the depth that would make this a great novel.
LibraryThing member toxictoast96
It took awhile to get going but once it did it was pretty good. Not as good as Gil's All Fright Diner though.
LibraryThing member susiesharp
This was a hilarious book..If you like Terry Pratchett or Terry Brooks Andover Try this book!Never Dead Ned is a great character though his name sounds like he can't die its more lke he can't stay dead he dies all the time..When he ends up in charge of Ogre Company his life as it is will change
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forever I can't say more you have to read this book!!
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LibraryThing member etznab
Not as funny as Gil's All Fright Diner but still very entertaining and worth reading. This is a set in a typical fantasy world with some expected stereotypical characters. It's military setting is only a backdrop; if you are expecting detailed strategic fights, you will be disappointed. But if you
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are looking for light fantasy, you will be pleased.
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LibraryThing member timothyl33
Funny to a certain extent that somehow felt went on a bit too long.
LibraryThing member NogDog
Enjoyable read, but did not completely work for me. I think it could not quite decide whether it wanted to be a comedy/parody or a serious story; plus the literal "deus ex machina" plot elements were, for me, a bit much. When problems can be solved via gods or god-like powers, it sort of reduces
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the human element.
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LibraryThing member Kellswitch
Never Dead Ned can't seem to stay dead...and it's really important that it stays that way.

Overall I found the characters fun and engaging, though they and their dialog felt a bit to modern for the fantasy setting and the “love triangle” was for the most part tired and annoying...though I did
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like it's outcome. I didn't particularly care much for or about Ned until the last third of the book but finding out his background made that feel like it was part of the plan all along. I was much more engaged in the other members of Ogre Company and I was glad the book focused on them as much as it did, I'd gladly read more stories about their further adventures.

The main plot twist in the story, while not all that original was well done and had a satisfying resolution and overall not one of the authors strongest books,it took me a few chapters to get into the feel of the world but once I did the rest of the book flew buy and was a fun and quick read.
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LibraryThing member Alliebadger
I love A. Lee Martinez, and there were many elements in this book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters always roll with the bizarre situations they find themselves in, the humor is subtle and entertaining, and I love the kooky cast of characters. However, it’s got some solid 2006-era sexism,
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in which the only two female characters throw themselves at our dim-witted main character for no particular reason and try to fight each other to the death over him. Suffice it to say, the book doesn’t pass the Bechdel test. The descriptions of Regina, the lusty Amazon who wants men to find her attractive and beats them up for saying so, would have been hilarious when it was written - I’m sure I would have laughed myself. But now it just made me sad. Still an entertaining book that I was annoyed to have interrupted during the big ending battle though.
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LibraryThing member DrLed
Synopsis: Never Dead Ned isn't particularly talented at anything beyond dying - and returning from the dead. He does well as a bookkeeper, but the people in charge send him to a Company of Ogres (an Amazon, a Siren, Elves, Orcs, Gnomes) to whip them into shape so that they make money for the people
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running the enterprise. Although they don't like him at first, the group comes to appreciate Ned, saving him from an evil wizard and teaching him about loyalty.
Review: An interesting story about accepting yourself and appreciating others.
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