The Children of the Company

The Children of the Company follows the inner workings of Dr. Zeus Inc, a 24th-century organization that uses immortal cyborgs to exploit historical events for profit. The book centers on Labienus, a high-ranking cyborg operative who holds significant power within the Company's structure. The narrative combines previously published short stories into a cohesive work, connected through Labienus's memories and observations. Starting in 1863, it traces back through millennia of Company operations, revealing the organization's involvement in major historical developments. Through Labienus's files and recollections, the book explores the lives of other cyborg operatives, including Joseph, Victor, and Mendoza. Their stories span from prehistoric times through the 19th century, showcasing the Company's influence across different historical periods and civilizations. The book examines themes of power, immortality, and the relationship between artificial beings and humanity. It raises questions about the nature of civilization itself and the hidden forces that shape human progress.

Readers view this as a more fragmented and less cohesive entry in the Company series, as it collects previously published short stories alongside new connecting material. The book focuses heavily on the character Labienus and provides background on the Company's inner workings. Readers appreciated: - Deep exploration of the antagonist's perspective - Additional worldbuilding details about the Company - Answers to ongoing series mysteries - Strong writing in individual stories Common criticisms: - Disjointed narrative structure - Too much retelling of events from previous books - Less satisfying as a standalone novel - Difficult entry point for new readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.84/5 (1,108 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (21 reviews) Multiple readers noted it works better as a companion piece than a main series entry. One reviewer called it "more of a history lesson than a novel," while another praised it as "essential background for understanding the Company's true nature."

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This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar Two rival agents from competing timelines conduct missions through history while developing a connection that transcends their opposing factions.

The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O by Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland A secret government organization uses time travel and magic to alter historical events through carefully orchestrated missions.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North An immortal man who repeatedly lives through the 20th century joins a secret society of time-loopers who protect history from manipulation.

Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor Historians from St. Mary's Institute travel through time to observe historical events while battling a rogue organization that seeks to change the past.

🔮 Kage Baker worked as a teacher at the Living History Centre, bringing historical reenactments to life - an experience that deeply influenced her detailed historical writing in The Company series. ⚙️ The novel's concept of immortal cyborgs manipulating history bears similarities to real scientific discussions about human enhancement and life extension technologies being developed today. 📚 The Children of the Company uniquely compiles and connects several previously published short stories, creating a cohesive narrative through Labienus's perspective. 🌟 The book was published in 2005 as part of The Company series, which spans eight novels and multiple short stories, garnering multiple award nominations in the science fiction genre. 🎭 Baker's portrayal of immortal characters witnessing centuries of human history was partly inspired by her fascination with Greek and Roman mythology, particularly stories of immortal beings living among mortals.