I’ll be honest: this surprising thrift-store find has opened up for me a whole new genre of fiction I never thought I’d enjoy. Fantasy, but not the dragons and demons type: simply the otherworld, Dark Ages, men-at-arms type. It was incredible.
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K.J. Parker (who’s written a ton of other things besides) wrote this standalone novel about normal men in a seemingly normal era of history, only in a made-up land filled with made-up nations and wars. The characters and plot carry the story forward, and that’s exactly how it should be.
The book is a mystery, but it’s also not. It’s a war novel, but only sort of. It’s a tragedy and a drama and the most non-romantic romance I’ve ever read, and it kept me spellbound through all its 400+ pages. It’s definitely my most unexpected read this year and one that’s got me longing for more just like it.
The Basic Plot
The front cover of my copy suggests that The Company is a mix between television’s Lost and Hollywood’s The Italian Job. I wouldn’t describe it this way myself, as it’s more like “Steven R. Donaldson writes Kelly’s Heroes.” But sadly, my description (while eminently accurate) isn’t as catchy as theirs, especially for an audience in 2009—or 2025.
The story follows a band of brothers from wars long past who’ve lost touch over the years. Their old leader, Kunessin, has called upon them all to set up new life for themselves (with brides and servants, if they’ll have them) in creating their own society on an abandoned island he’d swindled from the Army.
The Basic Feel
This is a story filled with elements of friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, honor, integrity, love, and greed. Because I didn’t know where it was headed while I was reading, I didn’t mind the pacing throughout—though looking back, it seems like it must have dragged on into unnecessary detail for those early chapters. But again, I didn’t know, so I didn’t mind, and now that I do know, I don’t care. I was pleasantly entertained, and that’s all I really ask of a novel. I’ll still be sharing it with my brother, because I think it’s a book worth sharing.
Some Caveats about Language
The book contains some harsh, R-rated language, but I suppose that’s to be expected of a modern novel about the soldiering life. It wasn’t distracting to me at all, since I hear worse things while scrolling through sports videos on Facebook and Instagram. I guess I’ve become acclimatized to the vernacular of the day.
That’s not a good thing, of course, but it’s reality. In our modernity, we in America have lost the umbrella that had once protected us from George Carlin’s “seven dirty words,” and I guess we need to face that reality. The movie and TV ratings of old are truly that—“of old.” You (and your kids) can hear the worst language imaginable simply by browsing, because influencer of all types live and post their uncensored lives, and it’ll all inevitably find its way into your feed.
It’s gross. It’s terrible. It’s the new normal.
Some Favorite Lines
Because K.J. Parker (apparently an alias) writes so well, I found myself entranced by the storyline—so much so that I failed to highlight much throughout the book.
Two lines, though, did catch my eye, and I’d like to share them here:
“That place we used to talk about finding. You know what it really was? It was being out of the army, where there wasn’t a war.” (Aidi, 21)
“Where I come from, marrying for love would be like building a treehouse in a sapling: you can’t, because it hasn’t grown yet. You can’t really love someone unless you’ve known them at least ten years; it simply can’t be done.” (Kunessin, 84)
Both of these passages hit me personally—probably for the reasons that I both served in the Army for a stretch and have been married now for 17 years! I love my life outside the confines of the military, and even more so, I love my wife now that we’ve been married for more than ten years. These are true statements, and K.J. Parker’s hitting the nail right on the head through the characters he’s developed.
Conclusion
This book was so enjoyable that I sought out a book mine in Jacksonville, FL, where I could purchase his more popular Engineer Trilogy. I’ll be taking those books with me back overseas, and I can’t wait to see what sort of realm they take me into.
This book, The Company, might not be for everyone, but if you love fiction and don’t mind fantasy and like a little mystery with your masculine escape, well, it might just be exactly what you’re looking for. Happy reading, Y’all.
©2025 E.T.