An uproarious new novel in the tradition of Robert Asprin and Terry Pratchett!
For someone who's immortal, Never Dead Ned manages to die wi... read full description
For someone who's immortal, Never Dead Ned manages to die wi... read full description
reviews
Sep 08, 2011
Pat
rated it: 
I was digging through my bookshelves, looking for something light, and I found this, which i dimly recalled picking up at some point and never getting into. I started reading it, and if it wasn't for this thing I have about never leaving a book unfinished once I've started it, that would've been as far as i made it-- the book description sounds interesting and (since it's what he's going for) Pratchett-esque, but the execution, the technical execution, the actual writing of the book itself as a
More...
Oct 27, 2009
Genie
rated it: 
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 du
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 19, 2009
Terri
rated it: 
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 gobli More...
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 gobli More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 07, 2011
Vicki
rated it:
I haven't read his first book, picked this one up from my stepson's pile, and thoroughly enjoyed it! Light, whimsical, surprisingly-fresh take on the classic hero journey good vs evil fable. Highly endearing characters, well-executed "what if" world of ogres, goblins, humans, demons, and various other mythological creatures. Accessible magic. Entertaining adventures and character development, so much so that the classic formula isn't an issue. Really was more about the telling of t
More...
Jan 06, 2012
Karlo
rated it: 
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, b More...
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, b More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 13, 2009
Anita
rated it:
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 com More...
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 com More...
May 08, 2011
Mark
rated it:
This book was just OK. After ready Gil's All Fright Diner I was expecting more humor. Never Dead Ned stars In the Company of Ogres as the new and very reluctant commander of Ogre company. His name is ironic since Ned dies all the time, he just won't stay dead. Ned is given six months to whip Ogre company into shape but long before the deadline arrives, things take a wrong turn as Ned is discovered to actually be secretly bottled up bundle of evil known as the Mad Void. I won't spoil any more but
More...
Jan 01, 2011
Daimen
rated it:
This was a funny book! I enjoyed reading the book from beginning to end. There were many lines in the novel that had me laughing out loud. Reminded me of something like Douglas Adams(which is referenced in the reviews) and Terry Pratchett. I caught myself reading lines out to my girlfriend because I thought they were that funny. Strangely enough, the last part of the novel actually mutes the hilarity for an all out fantasy battle. This author has the potential to be quite versatile. Obvio
More...
Jan 10, 2011
Meg
rated it:
I really enjoyed Martinez's characters in this book they were all vastly different and very imaginative. Martinez's style of writing is so creative and different from anything else out there all of his books are a " nice break". In this book a deformed human (Ned) turned immortal becomes commander for a group of misfits and social outcasts. Ned has to work to gain the trust of all the males in the group but for. Some reason the two main females spend the majority of the book fighting f
More...
Aug 10, 2011
In the same catagory as Terry Pratchett and Robert Asprin. Actually he's slightly better than Asprin, but that's just my opinion and with Pratchett at the end of his writing career, A Lee Martinez may very well be the great living comedy fantasy writer on the planet. Sadly the majority of life forms on the planet lack the intellectual stamina to enjoy his writing. If you want to be depresssed and despondent by all means don't read this book or any of his books. Otherwise get to the library, boo
More...
Mar 31, 2010
Lexi
rated it:
Enjoying Martinez's debut, Gil's All Fright Diner, I was hoping to revisit the vampire and werewolf heroes from that novel. Instead, I fell madly for the bumbling immortal, Never Dead Ned, and his raucous, motley crew. Martinez reminds me of Douglas Adams and Christopher Moore--I don't know what genre they'd be in, but I want more like this! Even better than Gil's, this irreverent treatment of gory death reminds us all that every dull, simple, short, meaningless mortal life is worth cherishin
More...
Mar 26, 2009
The Flooze (Michelle M.)
rated it:
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 ter More...
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 ter More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 06, 2010
April
rated it:
A much stronger novel than Gil's All Fright Diner, In the Company of Ogres works within the fantasy drama to make a pleasant mockery of it.
Not as politically engaging as Pratchett, Martinez is an entertaining fast read. Mindless, but good. (I read it pretty much in one trip to work.)
It's laugh out loud and totally workable into conversation like a good movie, if you're lucky enough to have friends who have read it and will get it when you say things like "Oh, god,
Not as politically engaging as Pratchett, Martinez is an entertaining fast read. Mindless, but good. (I read it pretty much in one trip to work.)
It's laugh out loud and totally workable into conversation like a good movie, if you're lucky enough to have friends who have read it and will get it when you say things like "Oh, god,
Jun 26, 2010
Josh
rated it:
A light, amusing book, billed to be like Terry Pratchet or Robert Asprin. Not quite up to their level of funny, but an amusing read nevertheless. Never Dead Ned can die just fine; he just has trouble staying dead. So he is put in charge of a misfit band of soldiers who seem to have trouble not killing their commander. This all turns out to be a pretext for end of the world level shenanigans. Amusing, but not great.
Oct 11, 2010
Dustin
rated it:
I used to read all the time when I was a kid, but slowly I fell out of the habit due to the tediousness of required reading. Books stopped being able to hold my interest... Until I found this one. A. Lee Martinez's "In The Company of Ogres" is one of the best books I've ever read, to date the only books that surpass it are Paolo Coehlo's "The Alchemist" and "The Automatic Detective", also by A. Lee Martinez.
Feb 15, 2011
S
rated it:
Never Dead Ned. Hilarious, easy to read, in my opinion Martinez's best work to date!
Never dead Ned cant die, and he works as an accountant in some sort of cliche fantasy world. He gets a bump up (though he finds its really a bump down) to be sort of a drill instructor for a ragtag group of soldiers called Ogre company. Hilarity ensues. Hint; Ned is a badass, but you wont know it till the end.
Never dead Ned cant die, and he works as an accountant in some sort of cliche fantasy world. He gets a bump up (though he finds its really a bump down) to be sort of a drill instructor for a ragtag group of soldiers called Ogre company. Hilarity ensues. Hint; Ned is a badass, but you wont know it till the end.
Nov 18, 2009
Susie
rated it:
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 forever I can't say more you have to read this book!!
4 1/2 stars
4 1/2 stars
Oct 27, 2011
Cam
rated it: 
Blurbs try to liken Martinez to Robert Aspirin or Terry Pratchett, but it's a stretch. Sort of like watching "Whitney" and thinking - "Wow, she's just like Mary Tyler Moore or Lucille Ball!" All the elements of humor are there, but not much actually ends up being laugh-worthy. If your definition of humor is just recognition of elements, then enjoy!
Jul 12, 2011
Shree
rated it:
This is such a hilarious and creative tale. The grotesque and gruesome descriptions of the Ogres, goblins and other monsters are simply delicious. The enormity and strength of the monsters still pale in comparison to Never Dead Ned's talent and because of it, he leads the pack. I am now a new fan of Lee Martinez and plan to read more :)
Dec 17, 2009
Robotribble
rated it:
My friend Sarah lent me the book during last school year, urging me to read it and get it back to her before she moved [which I did, thank you very much]. I'm glad I did, because it was quite funny. The main character is Ned, who has a habit of dying quite often. Filled with Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum types Ogre characters, a crazy Amazonian feminazi and a scaly Siren who is something of a skank, this book had me giggling to myself enough to get odd looks from the people around me during the ne
More...
Aug 15, 2011
Nicholas
rated it:
A. Lee Martinez is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. He has a sense of wit that never lets up. What is more rare is that he is able to weave a complex story together throughout, which is difficult as sometimes authors sacrifice good storytelling for a few good laughs. I definitely recommend this book.
Feb 27, 2011
Justin
rated it:
If I were a God, but the only thing I actually had complete and supreme control over was which books was turned into movies and by whom... I would have Kevin Smith do this book. It has a wit to its blatant humor that is very hard not to guffaw to and eventually out right laugh to.
I recommend this book to whowever is looking for a simple read and with a wanting to laugh.
Justin
I recommend this book to whowever is looking for a simple read and with a wanting to laugh.
Justin
Jan 20, 2012
Ron
rated it:
A. Lee Martinez is just a fun writer. Ostensibly horror/fantasy books are his forte but I think he's more of a satirist. This is his best book, so far. Lots of action here. His characters are more real than any he's written before. Martinez continues to grow as a writer. Read it. Have fun.
Jul 20, 2011
Jackie
rated it:
If you have enjoyed Douglass Adams, you would likely find this enjoyable as well. Martinez plays on stereotypes of all sorts of fantasy creatures in a fun way. The language was much, much cleaner than "Gil's All Fright Diner," though this has sexual overtones--meaning I would be careful who I handed it to under the age of 14.
Sep 23, 2010
Charles
rated it:
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 the human element.
May 17, 2011
Tobey
rated it:
I have to say, this one took me by surprise. I picked it up, expecting some easy reading during this most stressful time of the year. It brought the laughs certaintly, with the meek, unassuming, and regularly resurrected Never Dead Ned being placed as the commander in charge of whipping Ogre Company into shape. But near the end it kind of morphed into an epic battle of Evil vs. Worst Evil Ever, with the fate of whole universes at stake.
The cast of characters was fantastic, with my fa More...
The cast of characters was fantastic, with my fa More...
Oct 28, 2011
natercopia
rated it:
Fun and enjoyable as always with Martinez's books. There is never one dull moment that I can recall from my previous reads from him. Although the story is not as awesome as the previous reads, you can always rely on Martinez's characters and dialogues to keep you entertain.
Feb 28, 2011
Garymcguire
rated it:
great fun. never dead ned is tired of dying and living and would just like to be left alone. but an army of ogres, a sultry siren and striking amazon fighting for his love and a powerful demon ready to battle for the universe have other plans for this reluctant hero. I kept thinking Shrek while listening to Ned and thats a good thing.
Feb 09, 2009
Stephen
rated it:
I found A. Lee MArtinez when I was looking for authors similar to one of my favorites Christopher Moore. Martinez was selected as another favorite of several other readers. I got a copy of his first novel Gil's All Fright Diner and really enjoyed reading it.
I purchased this book (and all of his other ones)., This is the story of Never Dead Ned, an accountant who always come back to life and his trials and tribulations as the commander of Ogre Company.
The story is quite homouro More...
I purchased this book (and all of his other ones)., This is the story of Never Dead Ned, an accountant who always come back to life and his trials and tribulations as the commander of Ogre Company.
The story is quite homouro More...
Feb 12, 2011
HeyT
rated it:
This was a light, fast read and highly entertaining. Martinez once again makes mediocrity heroic and hilarious at the same time. The antics of Never Dead Ned and Ogre Company make you realize just how nice it is to be normal.
