In the Company of Ogres

by A. Lee Martinez

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 daredevil pilot, 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 out why he keeps returning from dead, he has to do everything he can to stay alive. . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Fiction, Comedy, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Comic Fantasy

326 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

A. Lee Martinez was born in El Paso, Texas. At the age of eighteen, for no apparent reason, he started writing novels. Thirteen short years (and a little over a dozen manuscripts) later, his first novel, Gil's All Fright Diner, was published. His hobbies include juggling, games of all sorts, and astral projecting. Also, he likes to sing along with the radio when he's in the car by himself.

Reviews

[ᴥ Irena ᴥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the shortest way possible: if you like Discworld craziness, but a bit bloodier and occasionally more disgusting, then you won't be disappointed with In the Company of Ogres. I could have gone without the disgusting part, but even that plays a role in this story.

The protagonist of In the Company of Ogres is so unremarkable and incompetent that you end up rooting for him anyway. Until you find out why it's really, really, important for him to stay alive. Then you like him even more.
The company Never Dead Ned is sent to command and fix in six months or he'll be sent to an even worse place, is full of colourful characters. They didn't even know they need Ned's brand of command until he flew in and died there. From an Amazon warrior who hasn't got a clue what to do when she likes someone, a two-headed ogre, a lovesick ogre brute with a heart of gold and huge fists, a siren who tastes like fish and fights like a warrior, a salamander and a tree person, orcs, an oracle who can only hear future to suicidal goblins with their barely tamed rocs to angry gravediggers and so many more, anyone can find something to like.

I loved every single one of these characters.

My favourite A. Lee Martinez's book is still Too Many Curses.

[Michael Fierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In The Company Of Ogres" is the most fun I've had reading a fantasy book with humor in many years. I grew up reading Piers Anthony's "Xanth" books, Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" series, and Mary Gentle's one-shot with "Grunts" and have always kept an eye out for upcoming fantasy humorists to win me over. Not many have and not many have come along since then. A. Lee Martinez is a born storyteller and I've read often how he has been compared to Pratchett and Anthony, though I don't agree, really. To me, his voice and style remind me more of IF Joe R. Lansdale were writing fantasy. I will probably be struck by a blue lightning bolt sent straight from one of the Gods out of the "AD&D Deities & Demigods" handbook for saying this, but, I like this book better than all of Pratchett's books, most of Anthony's and certainly more than Gentle's one attempt...and even some of Lansdale's stuff. Never Dead Ned, our "hero", is chosen to lead Ogre Company, which is the antithesis equivalent to LOTR The Fellowship or The Sword of Shannara's 'formation'. Only, in this case it is Ned's job to whip this company in to shape BEFORE their inevitable battles with the good peoples of the world. Instead of your wizard (or druid), elves, dwarves, rangers, halfling thieves, knights in shining armor, or manly barbarian-like warriors, Ned is appointed to discipline a motley crew of "evil" denizens including a two-headed ogre, an orc, a goblin, an Amazon warrior, a siren, and an Ent-like (or Treant-like) walking tree. This all leads to Never Dead Ned's destiny; Ned, who has "died" 49 times but can never stay dead, and his final confrontation with an all-powerful demon. Yes, it starts off slow and I almost had regrets thinking it wasn't my thing, but then, it casts a 9th level spell over you that won't allow you to put it down until after the extraordinarily, perfectly conceived ending, proving A. Lee Martinez is a new master in fantasy fiction. This book is for anyone and everyone who likes their fantasy set in a world complete with magic, fantasy creatures, and races they think they already know well, but told with a voice and imagination tired of cliche's and storylines you've heard too many times before. My highest recommendation.

[Doug · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some books are like a 3-Michelin Star steak, other books are like a Big Mac at McDonald’s. Honestly? Nothing wrong with either one of them, though one you would probably talk about for days afterward while the other, well, you probably wouldn’t.

That’s not to knock on this book, which is a bit like the literary equivalent of a fast food meal. Perhaps the analogy is a bit harsh. It’s a fun romp through a fantasy world that I do wish was a little more deep and fleshed out. In the Company of Ogres is somewhat like reading a Terry Pratchett book, except much more dark, and lacking the classic British humor.

It’s an okay book, I was honestly entertained and will probably read another book by Martinez at some point. But I couldn’t give it higher than 2 stars, though if I could I would give it 2.5.

EDIT: Changed to 1 star.

[Tom Quinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I get annoyed when a book seems like a bunch of the author's D&D sessions strung together until I remember my favorite fantasy series of all time is Dragonlance so I really haven't got a leg to stand on.

2 stars. Martinez has done better, but if you're in the mood for silly fantasy you could do worse. It's dumb, it's crass, it's immature and packed with clichés and yet there's some kind of one-dimensional charm happening. Probably best not to dwell on it.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful return to A. Lee Martinez for me. IN THE COMPANY OF OGRES is my second favorite Martinez book, right behind Divine Intervention. This a a fantastic fantasy thriller that is prime for the big screen. How has Hollywood overlooked this for so long?

This is told in Martinez's signature "comic book with no picture" style of storytelling. Its a great fantasy featuring Orcs, goblins, wizards and demons with that added comical A. Lee Martinez flair. And thenbthere is Never Dead Ned, one of the best characters Ivecread in quite some time. So unique and complex. He is rich and makes the supporting cast all the more deeper by his presence in the story. A masterpiece of crafting a protagonist.

I wish I had not held out so long to read this. It is a masterpiece. A. Lee Martinez seems so underated to me. Its books like this that make me question why he isnt far more mainstream than he is (and admittedly hes a sucsessful writer). Read IN THE COMPANY OF OGRES, its a modern piece of literary fiction not just genre fantasy pulp.

[Paul (Life In The Slow Lane) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Destiny was a hope found in the hearts of desperate men.

The story pales in comparison to Douglas Adams' stuff, but only pales a little (like a few drops of milk in your tea) compared to - say - Terry Pratchett's stuff.

"Ogres" is quite readable...enjoyable even, but if I were you...and you were a Martinez newbie...I'd suggest starting with Gil's All Fright Diner instead. I liked the characters in this story. Never Dead Ned (it should be "Mostly Never Dead Ned") was a bit frustrating because of his "mostly useless" abilities, but Frank, Regina and Miriam were well-written. In fact, they were the reason I kept on reading. **Quiet whisper.** Psst. The story puddles around a bit in the middle. **Normal voice.** The grand battle climax is worth the effort though. (So if you've just started the book; keep going.)

I think Martinez must have sat down and thought, "Gee, I think I'll write a Fantasy story. Which Fantasy characters will I put in? I KNOW! All of them!" He included, phantoms, wizards, demons, imps, ice demons, ghostly maidens, spirits, sirens, elves, goblins, ogres (gotta love the ogres), orcs (did Tolkien invent orcs?), Amazons, trolls, rocs, and even Treefolk (who don't like being called Ents apparently). Phew! I know. I KNOW! That's not ALL the fantasy creatures. A fuller list can be found HERE Geez! You guys are so picky. But anyway, an enjoyable read from Martinez and I'll be reading more of his works methinks.

[Brad Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read other books by A. Lee Martinez that were better than this one. That said, it's not necessarily a bad place to start if you're not familiar with the author. He writes with a straight forward, transparent style that's very accessible, and his books are without exception entertaining.

In the Company of Ogres is a Terry Pratchett-esque fantasy in which genre conventions are trotted out for laughs, albeit lovingly rather than condescendingly. One never gets the sense that Martinez is spitting on the genre, because it's apparent from the writing that he has some affection for it. If this book were beer, it would be "Pratchett-Lite." Whereas Pratchett uses his plots and characters to evoke not only laughs but also some contemplation of life's bigger questions, Martinez is mostly just after the yuk-yuks. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. There are worse aspirations than making people laugh. Sure there's a little musing on the nature of military structure and the frustrations of dealing with bureaucracy, but it's buried pretty deep in this book. Blink past a paragraph or two and you'd probably miss it.

I prefer Martinez's debut, Gil's All Fright Diner, mainly because my preference is for horror over fantasy.

[The Flooze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Occasionally Dead Ned doesn't have quite the right ring to it, but Never Dead Ned sounds just fine.

In the Company of Ogres is funny and inventive, with a horde of strange and amusing characters. My particular favorites are Ace the goblin (who at the ripe old age of three must know something about survival), Owens the oracle (whose gift prompts very Mrs.-Cake-like conversations), Lewis and Martin (ogre Siamese twins who could kill someone with politeness), and Ned himself (who is terribly oblivious and painfully human for an immortal).

This is a fantasy in the vein of Pratchett, and while it doesn't reach the perfect pitch of Discworld humor, it's still a welcome addition to the genre. With bloody battles (a lot of squishing), assassination plots, love triangles, and a Demon emperor, how can you go wrong?

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I said that Martinez' first book, Gil's All Fright Diner, was hilarious ... but In the Company of Ogres is about four times funnier. Oh, and if you are a Terry Pratchett fan this one has even more similarities.

In the Company of Ogres is another comedy of the supernatural featuring a goblin who insists he's an orc, ogres who like to play a game called goblin crush, "a walking tree with a chip on its shoulder" (from the back cover), a feminist Amazon, a daredevil goblin pilot named Ace, and a human named Never Dead Ned. Of course, Never Dead Ned can die ... he just never stays dead.

Never Dead Ned is sent to a military outpost to command an undisciplined company of ogres and others. He has six months to whip them into shape or face having the company dismantled. It takes the threat of waking the Mad Void and bringing about The End of the Universe to pull this unruly group together into any semblance of an army. Of course, you'll have to read the book to find out if this group of misfits will indeed save the universe ... or not.

I don't give a lot of "5 out of 5" ratings, but this book made me LAUGH OUT LOUD on multiple occasions (which I rarely do when reading) hence the nifty 5 star rating.

[Genie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never Dead Ned has died more times than he can count however he never stays dead. He hates going through these experiences so much that he does his utmost to avoid the process. As this story opens, Ned has found as safe a position as possible for a military man; he is the accountant for Brute's Legion. Unfortunately he has done such a good job for the last twelve years that the upper management decides give him a promotion. He is transferred to command Ogre Company. The legion's long time dumping ground, is in need of major restructuring. Ned has proven himself to be able to organize the disorganized, so it was decided that he is the one to turn these outcasts into a real military company. His one advantage over previous commanders is that no matter what accident befalls him, he comes back alive. When he finally finds out why he never stays dead, he goes to any length not to die again. This is much more difficult than he had hoped since he in training a crew of misfits including a two-headed ogre, an orc who's unhappy because he looks like a goblin, a daredevil pilot goblin (with a fleet of unruly flying rocs), a siren and a temperamental Amazon (both of whom have crushes on him), and an oracle who hears and smells the future. Of course he has been given six months to accomplish his goal. This is a fun read with a clever plot and wild, colorful characters. If you enjoy Terry Pratchett, you will enjoy A. Lee Martinez.

[Rpaul Tho · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say. I've read almost all of A. Lee Martinez' books and they just sit so well with me. His writing style is funny and unique. This is one of his earlier books but it took me a while to track it down. I only have two more of his books left and then I'm not sure what I'll do! Highly recommend this read.

[Moritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schlitterpartie Ringelpietz mit allerlei FantasyGestalten..
Kein Tiefgang oder Vergleich zu Pratchett oder Adams, aber unterhaltsam für zwischendurch.

Der unfreiwillige HauptProtagonist NeverDeadNed stolpert von einer Hatz zur nächsten, was zwar aneinandergereiht wirkt, aber bei Laune hält.
So gesehen stimmt der Witz und AbenteuerFaktor und mit den Worten des Autors lässt sich sagen:

"Der Oger lotete die Tiefen seines Geistes aus, doch es war nur ein sehr flacher metaphorischer Tümpel und er schlug sich den metaphorischen Kopf an den metaphorischen Felsen auf seinem Grund an und war vorübergehend benommen."

[Woodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never Dead Ned has died dozens of times yet each time gets resurrected. He's not very good at staying alive for long. Then Ned gets assigned to be the next commander of Ogre Company, the place where the Legion's rejects get assigned and it's full of ogres, elves, goblins, sirens, humans, etc. The past several commanders of Ogre Company seemed to die mysterious (and sudden) deaths too. It doesn't look good for Ned. And then when he finally learns why he keeps getting resurrected, he's got a real motive for staying alive. But Ned's got enemies including a cursed wizard and a demon lord.

This is a comic fantasy and has it's amusing moments but too much of the story suffers from a lack of action and the plot is way too listless for the bulk of the story. Then finally, somewhere well past the mid-point, things pick up and the ending is much more fun and entertaining. Very light reading.

[DemetraP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious book. Hysterical. I kept laughing out loud. It was very light hearted.

Here's a quote: "Gabel the orc slammed his mug against the table. "I tell you, it's racism. That's what it is."
Regina slammed her own mug twice as hard because Amazons made it a policy to do everything twice as well as any male. "The Legion has nothing against orcs. Hell, it's built on them."
Gabel remained adamant...
Frank the ogre slammed his mug as well because it seemed the thing to do." p 16 paperback copy.

I liked the rivalry between Regina the Amazon and Miriam the succubus who had fish gills and fins. It was so funny to watch them throw themselves at this guy who does not realize they are interested in him.

If you need a laugh, read this book. If you like Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, read this book.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite A. Lee Marinez book. This is why I keep buying them. Yeah, "Gil's All Fright Diner" is great but I really like fantasy, not just horror, so this is great because it's a look at the army of evil that will one day sweep over the land in the moments before they are called upon to do so, and it treats them as just normal guys.
The humor is great, the overall tone is great and the end is rather amazing. I've stated in a previous review that every Martinez book ends with either a monster fight or a big metaphysical confrontation. This is the biggest most well written metaphyiscal confrontation that I've ever read. It's amazing, it's great and the book is still funny too.

[Steph Hayward-bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. A brilliant fantasy novel. All the characters are funny and well developed and the story is brilliant and engaging. If you love Pratchett I'd give this a go. Will definitely be reading more by this author.

[Attila Erdei · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's surprisingly good. A little bit like a turned down version of Terry Pratchett, but it actually makes it more interesting. I really enjoyed reading it, good amount of character building and still have enough time for original twists!

[Djhonz · Rating 3 out of 5]

These kinds of books are like candy bars. They’re awesome and you love it while you’re reading them, and for a little while afterwards, and then it wears off. And you go back about your business.

[Andrew Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have strange reading tastes. I’m not into romance or murder porn or whatever tends to float around the Barnes & Noble top 10 lists at any point. I like stuff that often gets disregarded by reading aficionados, so it’s rare when I find an author I can relate to. A. Lee Martinez, as an author, likes to subvert genres by showing how ridiculous the tropes are. For that I thank him as he’s filled my bookshelf with some absolute bangers. Stories about monster hunters, raccoon luck gods, and a diner set on top of a portal to hell have set my imagination on fire, so it goes without saying that Martinez’s ability to get weird is very much my taste.

“In the Company of Ogres” is his second published novel, and this is where he takes a swing at the fantasy genre. Set in a world very much inspired by D&D, it tells the story of Never Dead Ned, a man who as his name would suggest cannot die. Well, that’s not true; he’s very good at dying, but he just doesn’t stay dead. He’s not a fan of dying though, so he took an accounting job in the military to avoid death at all costs. This backfires however where his particular skill set has put him in line for a promotion to run the worst regiment in the army: Ogre Company.

Ogre Company is filled with a deeply imaginative cast of creatures that are all stuck at the bottom of the military’s barrel; an Amazon with horrible anger issues, an Orc with a Napoleon complex, and a chain-smoking tree are just the tip of the weirdness iceberg that is Ogre Company. The story takes its time to get to know all of the characters, as well as try to track a few mysteries along the way. Mainly, why does Never Dead Ned never seem to stay dead? This is the big question for the first half of the book, along with the ticking clock that arrives to tell Ned he only has 6 months to get Ogre Company into fighting shape or he will be moved to a job that will ensure his repeated death for the foreseeable future.

The weirdness scales on this story were off the charts for me. That’s why I was so disappointed when I got to the halfway mark and suddenly felt like the wind was taken out of my sails.

Martinez has a habit of presenting an interesting concept that seems really juicy and interesting to deconstruct, but then fumbling it on back 9. “In the Company of Ogres” starts off with a big swing but it slows down considerably while rounding second base and usually trips and falls right before getting the touchdown. I’m not great at sports metaphors.

The point being, there’s a lot of things about this book that I love, but structurally it doesn’t really work for me. The big reveals feel unearned, the dialogue tends to drag, and the big bad is the worst kind of villain who is just evil for evil’s sake. It’s boring and uninspired, but considering this was Martinez’s second novel, I’m willing to cut him some slack. Like I said, this story has a lot going on that I love, but it just doesn’t hit the mark in the end. I’m glad I read it though. If anything, it’s a good reminder that we all grow with the more effort we put into something, and Martinez definitely grew as a writer from here.

[Heather Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever I need a laugh and a heavy dose of silliness wrapped up in fantastical creatures & magical monsters…..I pick up an A. Lee Martinez book! (I am going to run out of new ones to read and am going to have to start rereading them!). Per usual this book is full of humor, heart, and lots & lots of gory battles. I loved every character and the main protagonist Never Dead Ned is a guy that you will wonder how he has managed to function in this world and then you will be cheering for him. The world building is fantastic & creative and the plot is definitely unique. Tons of fun and a favorite read of the year!!!!! I truly recommend A. Lee Martinez-his fantasy tales are always creative and will leave you with a smile on your face!

“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 daredevil pilot, 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 out why he keeps returning from dead, he has to do everything he can to stay alive. . . .” (From the book blurb)

[Sarah Guganovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Gil’s All Fright Diner so I had high hopes for this book.

It felt slow and anticlimactic.

Perhaps I’m not the target audience for this book but to have two strong female characters fighting over Ned, a man with no apparent likeable qualities felt…shallow?

It’s still a four star for me because there were so many quippy lines and an array of interesting characters.

[🥀 Rose 🥀 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book with lots of quirky characters. An Amazonian, some ogres, some goblins, evil demons, helpful gods. All the ingredients for a book with a lot of humor and heart.

That said, I didn’t feel this came close to Gil’s All Fright Diner, which I adored ♥️!! Some of it was the story just didn’t move and felt stuck in one place for a loooong time. The humor was there just not as strong. At times, I felt Ned was so boring, I wished he stayed dead lol! Even though it was the point of the story…still. I enjoyed Regina, the Amazon and Miriam, the siren and would love to have a book surrounding a story of just them, they were entertaining and well developed.

Overall this was just ok.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting. Couldn't stop, it was so funny and entertaining and I loved all the characters and the action scenes. Though I did minus and star Because I felt the weird love triangle took too much time in the book. But overall, I was entertained

[Evan Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best description I can come up with is a mash up of Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment with Asprin's Phule's Company. ..maybe not up to either of those authors standards, but worth 4 stars.
A.Lee Martinez is now my new author to follow. The last book I picked up of his " Monster" was a satiric look at the Ghostbusters / Monster Hunters Inc. plot..and while I found some of the concepts and humor good..the characters were not relatable.

This one seems a bit more polished and the main character more relatable in the person of 'Never Dead Ned' a cursed and hapless everyman who stumbles through life wondering ' why me'..and by the end finally takes charge of his life.
The romance portions of the book were a little ham fisted in the tired ' Men are from Mars, Women from Venus' trope. .. I am not sure why authors seem obligated to throw sexual relations and companionship drama into every story where it isn't needed..but it wasn't horrible, just kept it from being 5 stars.

[Karlo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another fun read in the (now) signature style of Martinez. I started reading his books in somewhat reverse order, so this second book of his is the 5th I've read.

I enjoyed the humour and 'ribaldry' explicit in the setup of a Siren and an Amazon fighting for goofy Never Dead Ned. The Red Sorceress seemed a little dry, but that may be my boredom at 'the great wizard' archetype in fantasy. The overplot, once revealed, seemed slightly out of scale with the Ogre Company's story, but I enjoyed the read regardless.

I always seem to finish one Martinez's books with a happy glow; the characters are always likeable and the story always resolves in a happy ending. I guess it's like bedtime stories for adults? I would recommend this to folks who like Pratchett, Moore, and Spider Robinson.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

A. Lee Martinez is a creative and imaginative author and he proves it again by creating a cast of vibrant characters in this book. When I first began reading "In the Company of Ogres", I was delighted by the story. Never Dead Ned was initially an interesting character, and I was eager to learn more about his plight. However, he quickly became an unsympathetic character because he was a weakling. The story line and other characters continued to interest me especially the ogres, but then the plot took a turn, in my opinion, for the worse. All of the sudden Martinez reveals Ned as the "Mad Void", a deity with a horribly destructive nature that had to become "man" in order to learn how to suppress his galaxy-destroying nature. Bah! Can't even write any more about this. Even though I will continue to read A. Lee Martinez's books, I do not recommend this one.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book I've read by this author, and again, I loved it. This one is almost diskworld-esque. Wry humor that was so much fun!

Never Dead Ned is a soldier always comes back to life after he dies, though that is is only skill as a soldier. He was such an aweful soldier, in fact, that he became a Legion accountant, but that blissfully safe lifestyle has just been shattered by a promotion to commander of the Ogre Company, the worst company in the legion. There, Ned is the unwilling commander of orks, ogres, goblins, elves, trolls, a siren, a salamander, an Amazon, a treefolk, and many more montley sorts. Ned doesn't want to be the commander, and he tries to avoid the responsibility, but then the universe is nearly distroyed and he has to step up.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story centers around Never Dead Ned who is great at dying, he’s just really bad at staying that way. A private soldier working as one of the company’s bookkeepers, he is transferred to The Ogre Company as its new commander. Ned, who lacks assertion and leadership ability, is put in charge of a ragtag brigade of orcs, ogres, goblins, elves, a siren, an Amazon, and a few others.



I really enjoyed this story and I think it was one of Martinez’s best. You see Ned’s struggle to not die, stay dead, and try to lead this group. You also see the interesting group dynamic that forms from such crazy personalities. A vastly entertaining read that would probably make a good CGI movie

[J. Boo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never-Dead Ned earned his nickname by coming back to life each time he died, which has been rather often. Now he's been transferred from his mercenary company's accountancy department to command of a ragged band of misfits. Highly gifted misfits. (Really, what did you expect?)

This is the sixth or seventh of Martinez's books I've read: he's able to produce a lot of clever ideas but his ability to turn them into a story isn't commensurate - he's moderately amusing but both his plotting and writing are average at best, and he's not always at his best.

On the other hand, I have read an awful lot of his books, haven't I?

[Ladiibbug · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOL funny, wacky and entertaining in a Christopher Moore-like way.

Never Dead Ned can die all right ... but he can't STAY dead. He's immortal.

Kind-hearted but hapless Ned finds himself assigned as Commander of Ogre Company, the legion's dumping ground for underachieving trolls, goblins, sirens, oracles, rocs, and other assorted creatures. Can Ned whip this motley group into a lean, mean fighting machine?

If you like C. Moore, Carl Hiaasen, I also highly recommend Martinez's "Gil's All Fright Diner", which I remember as a highly entertaining read (library book).