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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
There's something distinctly Burrough's-esque about these books, something that reminds me a lot of cut-up novels. Interesting and fun.
I read this because I had run out of other things, didn't want to make another trip to the library to trawl through its shelves (it's not a great library for browsing), and already had it purchased so it was just sitting there and looking at me and I pretty much get around to every book that's doing that, whether I'm interested or not.
(I will probably read the third book at some point, since it is also sitting there. Eventually.)
But this isn't great and I wasn't that interested in what it was trying to tell me, and enh. I'm not at all invested in the world Morgan's built, and I'm only bothered about the characters 25-30% of the time. I'm sure this has an captive audience out there, but that audience does not include me.
(I will probably read the third book at some point, since it is also sitting there. Eventually.)
But this isn't great and I wasn't that interested in what it was trying to tell me, and enh. I'm not at all invested in the world Morgan's built, and I'm only bothered about the characters 25-30% of the time. I'm sure this has an captive audience out there, but that audience does not include me.
Coming back to this book after some years before reading the third in the series, I find that it left almost no impression on me. Two stars; 'it was ok,' because clearly it wasn't offensive enough to leave an impression, plus one because I'm quite enjoying the re-read.
Set sometime after [b:The Steel Remains|3314369|The Steel Remains (A Land Fit for Heroes, #1)|Richard K. Morgan|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348251475s/3314369.jpg|3352006], a book that basically blew my mind with how unflinching and hurtful it could be, while delivering more in characters, plot, dialog and worldbuilding than most fantasy series do. So the sequel had a lot to live up to, and mostly, it does.
In the first book, a kidnappd relative roused Ringil Eskiath, former noble scion and now cynical war veteran, from his drunken stupor and into battle. No one likes him much--for one, he's a spiteful bastard, and for two, he's gay in a world that kills people for that--but he's also a war hero with an enchanted blade, so they put up with him. After nearly single-handedly defeating an invasion of the world's most dread enemies, Ringil turned his attention back to the slavers, and didn't like what he found. Since then, he's been exiled from every empire and city due to his vociferous demands that (the very profitable trade of) slavery be outlawed. So obviously, he decided to declare war on slavery. Personally.
Ringil's a badass, but he's also the kind of guy that literally spits when a god tries to help him. He's frustrating but hilarious.
Meanwhile, his old comrade-in-arms Archeth still serves the empire her forefathers did, but her loyalty is stretched thin. To get her out of his hair, the emperor sends her to investigate the possible return of her people.
And the final member of their trio, the barbarian Egar, is mostly getting drunk and getting laid. But then he notices that a lot of numbskull fighter types (of the sort he used to be) are being recruited by a religious order, and he gets annoyed.
Morgan can write an action sequence like no one's business. The dialog and characters are natural but also almost preternaturally hard-as-nails. The plot threads didn't come together as well as in the third book, and Egar's plot dragged a bit. But I could hardly bear to put this book down, and can't wait to read the next one.
In the first book, a kidnappd relative roused Ringil Eskiath, former noble scion and now cynical war veteran, from his drunken stupor and into battle. No one likes him much--for one, he's a spiteful bastard, and for two, he's gay in a world that kills people for that--but he's also a war hero with an enchanted blade, so they put up with him. After nearly single-handedly defeating an invasion of the world's most dread enemies, Ringil turned his attention back to the slavers, and didn't like what he found. Since then, he's been exiled from every empire and city due to his vociferous demands that (the very profitable trade of) slavery be outlawed. So obviously, he decided to declare war on slavery. Personally.
Ringil's a badass, but he's also the kind of guy that literally spits when a god tries to help him. He's frustrating but hilarious.
Meanwhile, his old comrade-in-arms Archeth still serves the empire her forefathers did, but her loyalty is stretched thin. To get her out of his hair, the emperor sends her to investigate the possible return of her people.
And the final member of their trio, the barbarian Egar, is mostly getting drunk and getting laid. But then he notices that a lot of numbskull fighter types (of the sort he used to be) are being recruited by a religious order, and he gets annoyed.
Morgan can write an action sequence like no one's business. The dialog and characters are natural but also almost preternaturally hard-as-nails. The plot threads didn't come together as well as in the third book, and Egar's plot dragged a bit. But I could hardly bear to put this book down, and can't wait to read the next one.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A worthy sequel. The war weary characters continue to unfold with a plot that grabs and doesn't let go until the end.
This was good, but lacked the power of the Steel Remains. I felt the narrative could have done with another edit, it seems confused (or maybe, it confused me). Still, Morgan is a good writer and this series is enjoyable at its worst and excellent at its best.
5 twigs of krinzanz out of 5
You might like this novel if...
-you've read the first in this trilogy, The Steel Remains
-you're looking for something that's a little darker and a little grittier than your mom's urban fantasy
-you're jonesing for a mix of heroes, gods, and dragons - but written with an air of realism, not the fantastical...this is not your dad's Lord of the Rings either
What's not to like?...
-the scenes of violence are depicted quite graphically; not an issue for me, as I grew up with Stephen King, but might be tough for some to get past
-yes, one of the three main characters is a gay male - also not an issue for me, but some might be uncomfortable with this (if you're on the fence, it may help to know that the sex scenes aren't particularly lengthy or frequent)
Bottom line...
I've developed a craving for Richard Morgan's novels. I think I'm addicted, but in a good way. His writing style is unmistakable, his characters complex and imperfect, and the scope of his ideas and themes is broad yet relatable. Definitely looking forward to the final entry, The Dark Defiles.
You might like this novel if...
-you've read the first in this trilogy, The Steel Remains
-you're looking for something that's a little darker and a little grittier than your mom's urban fantasy
-you're jonesing for a mix of heroes, gods, and dragons - but written with an air of realism, not the fantastical...this is not your dad's Lord of the Rings either
What's not to like?...
-the scenes of violence are depicted quite graphically; not an issue for me, as I grew up with Stephen King, but might be tough for some to get past
-yes, one of the three main characters is a gay male - also not an issue for me, but some might be uncomfortable with this (if you're on the fence, it may help to know that the sex scenes aren't particularly lengthy or frequent)
Bottom line...
I've developed a craving for Richard Morgan's novels. I think I'm addicted, but in a good way. His writing style is unmistakable, his characters complex and imperfect, and the scope of his ideas and themes is broad yet relatable. Definitely looking forward to the final entry, The Dark Defiles.
This is going to be a great book! Been waiting for this since the last one!
Was a good book. Leaves lot of options for book 3 in the series. I expected more fights, but well, can't have everything. The chapters of Ringil lost in the gray places were confusing. Dead sure Richard wrote them while he was on drugs. I jest :)
Was a good book. Leaves lot of options for book 3 in the series. I expected more fights, but well, can't have everything. The chapters of Ringil lost in the gray places were confusing. Dead sure Richard wrote them while he was on drugs. I jest :)