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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am super sad this book ended!
So it suffers from 2nd book syndrome - the story is not complete when you get to the end of the book, where as the first book stood alone and was a complete story. There were places for the characters to go, there was more world to discover, but the arc of the story in the book was complete.
The arc of the story in Cold Commands is not complete at all. However, I just don't care. It's a compelling read, the synchronicity of events is actually handled really really well, and the foreshadowing is intriguing and makes me want to read more right this very minute.
So while this is certainly the second book, and has the second book of a series hallmarks, it's fun and weird and awesome I just don't seem to care very much.
The only bit that I have some critic of is the way Ringil actually learns his sorcery. It's not handled very well how he meets Hjel and how the learning progresses, or when, or how, or even why Hjel teaches him. Maybe I missed something important while falling asleep reading, but that part is a little murky.
Darn. Have to read it again to find out. Heh.
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Second Read Thoughts
********************
Still very much the second book in a series, merely for the fact that the author CHANGES the main character by the end and you're left with an "ohSHIT" feeling and deep curiosity about what the hell is going to happen next. Which is a marvelous place to end things, especially now that I have the third book to dive into. :::evilgrin:::
This time around I actually appreciate the shortcuts the author took regarding how Ringil learns his sorcery. What I thought of as poor handling of that aspect of things actually turns out to be a really well-thought use of the inventions of his own story. The Grey Places are unhinged from reality and exist here and there and everywhere, within time as well. So of course you could use them to teach the main character something that would take time, IN NO TIME AT ALL. It was well done. I think I just was devouring the book too fast last time and missed the nuance. :::shrug::: It happens.
Great read, still fun, NEXT BOOK IN HAND. WOOHOO!
********************
Third Read Thoughts
********************
I stand by my previous reviews. This book was good but felt like it cut off a little too quickly at the end. Other than that, everything above is still true and it's awesome fun.
So it suffers from 2nd book syndrome - the story is not complete when you get to the end of the book, where as the first book stood alone and was a complete story. There were places for the characters to go, there was more world to discover, but the arc of the story in the book was complete.
The arc of the story in Cold Commands is not complete at all. However, I just don't care. It's a compelling read, the synchronicity of events is actually handled really really well, and the foreshadowing is intriguing and makes me want to read more right this very minute.
So while this is certainly the second book, and has the second book of a series hallmarks, it's fun and weird and awesome I just don't seem to care very much.
The only bit that I have some critic of is the way Ringil actually learns his sorcery. It's not handled very well how he meets Hjel and how the learning progresses, or when, or how, or even why Hjel teaches him. Maybe I missed something important while falling asleep reading, but that part is a little murky.
Darn. Have to read it again to find out. Heh.
********************
Second Read Thoughts
********************
Still very much the second book in a series, merely for the fact that the author CHANGES the main character by the end and you're left with an "ohSHIT" feeling and deep curiosity about what the hell is going to happen next. Which is a marvelous place to end things, especially now that I have the third book to dive into. :::evilgrin:::
This time around I actually appreciate the shortcuts the author took regarding how Ringil learns his sorcery. What I thought of as poor handling of that aspect of things actually turns out to be a really well-thought use of the inventions of his own story. The Grey Places are unhinged from reality and exist here and there and everywhere, within time as well. So of course you could use them to teach the main character something that would take time, IN NO TIME AT ALL. It was well done. I think I just was devouring the book too fast last time and missed the nuance. :::shrug::: It happens.
Great read, still fun, NEXT BOOK IN HAND. WOOHOO!
********************
Third Read Thoughts
********************
I stand by my previous reviews. This book was good but felt like it cut off a little too quickly at the end. Other than that, everything above is still true and it's awesome fun.
Eurgh, second book problems.
This book does eventually get good, so if you're struggling along with it as I was for many months, yes, it will be worth it in the end.
But, jesus fucking christ save me from second book, wheel spinning, setting up, not getting the bloody point problems.
Also, I really don't understand the mythology. I'm not sure if that's my fault and I just need a re-read, or if it's Morgan's fault and it's just not explained clearly, but I really don't understand what's going on with the magic system.
This book does eventually get good, so if you're struggling along with it as I was for many months, yes, it will be worth it in the end.
But, jesus fucking christ save me from second book, wheel spinning, setting up, not getting the bloody point problems.
Also, I really don't understand the mythology. I'm not sure if that's my fault and I just need a re-read, or if it's Morgan's fault and it's just not explained clearly, but I really don't understand what's going on with the magic system.
Eternally grateful to the colleague who loaned me the first volume and got me on the Richard Morgan train. I've ordered the third in this series and recently bought four of his other novels.
Like the first in this series, this is relentlessly thrilling and has such exhilarating fights. It has characters that are fleshed out and believable, from the leads through to those who only have a fleeting appearance. The world-building is basically perfect (although I'd love if there was a map included!).
There's a horrific scene near the start that I struggled to make it through but I'm glad I persevered.
Like the first in this series, this is relentlessly thrilling and has such exhilarating fights. It has characters that are fleshed out and believable, from the leads through to those who only have a fleeting appearance. The world-building is basically perfect (although I'd love if there was a map included!).
There's a horrific scene near the start that I struggled to make it through but I'm glad I persevered.
I remember reading this for the first time when it was released, and for some reason not enjoying it nearly as much as I'd liked Steel Remains. Well, maybe I just wasn't ready for CC, because rereading it now several years later, I loved it to pieces and couldn't put it down. A very worthy successor to Remains, and now I can finally go and pick up book three and find out how all the beautifully interesting and intricate skeins of plot revolve themselves!
It pains me to leave this rating since I greatly anticipated reading this series. I enjoyed the first book a lot, and Morgan is a great writer, both in terms of prose and thematic depth. He is frustrated with the world and feels compelled to explore situations that incite said frustration in his books.
However, if I'm speaking solely in terms of storytelling, which is always where my main priority lies when reading fiction, the series and this book in particular have left me with much to be desired. I suppose you could call this a character driven narrative, but I'm not invested enough in the characters for that to mean much.
I'm not giving up on Morgan however. Hopefully his science fiction, which is what he is primarily known for, will be more my speed.
However, if I'm speaking solely in terms of storytelling, which is always where my main priority lies when reading fiction, the series and this book in particular have left me with much to be desired. I suppose you could call this a character driven narrative, but I'm not invested enough in the characters for that to mean much.
I'm not giving up on Morgan however. Hopefully his science fiction, which is what he is primarily known for, will be more my speed.
My reaction to this book was almost exactly the same as it was to the first book. I LOVE the writing style, there are some very cool visuals and ideas, the world feels real but the plot seems a little scattered. It's maybe a little to much like real-life, the hero starts to kind of have a purpose, then almost dies, there's a bunch of surreal kind of wandering, forget about that - change course, then there's something going on on an island, then forget about that he kind of dies, and then kinda saves the world (or at least the city). Not sure what to make of some of it. Just seemed kind of disjointed.
Seriously though, if I could pick a style of writing to emulate it would be this. His words flow when they're supposed to flow and cut when they're supposed to cut. It's tight, gritty writing and the narrator fits perfectly.
Seriously though, if I could pick a style of writing to emulate it would be this. His words flow when they're supposed to flow and cut when they're supposed to cut. It's tight, gritty writing and the narrator fits perfectly.
A solid second outing for the trilogy. The action and character moments were satisfying but it was a little lacking in pacing and character development. It did enough to convince me to finish reading the series.
Review from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2014/09/16/cold-commands-by-richard-k-morgan/
What I can’t get over with this book is just how beautifully written eviscerations can be done. Seriously, Morgan’s prose is just wonderfully written with a beautiful and poetic feel. This carries through for every part of his book, including the dark and gritty, violent sections like when the prose is describing disembowelment. Yes, this book, like the first one has graphic sex and violence. This series is not for the faint of heart. And just like I said in my review for The Steel Remains, I don’t think the sex scenes in this are any more graphic than many books with heterosexual sex scenes, but I feel they get more attention because they are homosexual. There are some reviewers that will always complain about this level of graphic sex scenes regardless of the genders of the participants, but I think the fact they are homosexual is beyond some readers comfort levels which is just sad. People are people and sex is sex. These characters and the sex scenes are very real and down to earth and I see absolutely no reason to complain.
The Cold Commands has 3 story arcs, each following a familiar character from The Steel Remains. Ringil, of course we get more Ringil. His story line starts with an encounter with an escaped slave and follows him trying to find asylum after being exiled. One thing I found interesting is I felt more interested in Archeth’s storyline for this one than I did in The Steel Remains. The Helmsman is warning her of dark things to come and is following orders of the Emperor she now serves as an advisor to. And Egar’s storyline. Umm…. maybe he didn’t have a major storyline. I mainly remember him drinking, fighting and getting laid. There may have been more to it, but that’s what I remember, which brings me to my one criticism about the book.
I loved reading this, but sometimes I couldn’t quite tell what the overall conflict goal was. If that makes sense, I’m not sure. Every minute of the prose is amazing to read, and maybe even more amazing to listen to Simon Vance narrate. But somehow I felt like if someone were to ask me exactly what was going on at points in the book, I would have been at a loss. I could tell you the latest events, but I also felt like I was missing something from the bigger picture and felt it moved just a little bit slower because of that. Maybe it was just me and my listening comprehensions skills that were lacking, but it did detract just a teeny tiny bit.
If you read the first one, definitely continue reading. Morgan’s prose is every bit as wonderful. And there world is both fascinating and relevant. As per many fantasy novels, there are many themes riding in this that can translate to modern day life, and I absolutely love that. And all of the characters are well done, believable characters with honest emotions and realistic reactions and motivations. This is not a black and white book, but one with much moral ambiguity, which I think is a closer representation of real life. Things are often not clearly right or wrong when you look at all sides.
What I can’t get over with this book is just how beautifully written eviscerations can be done. Seriously, Morgan’s prose is just wonderfully written with a beautiful and poetic feel. This carries through for every part of his book, including the dark and gritty, violent sections like when the prose is describing disembowelment. Yes, this book, like the first one has graphic sex and violence. This series is not for the faint of heart. And just like I said in my review for The Steel Remains, I don’t think the sex scenes in this are any more graphic than many books with heterosexual sex scenes, but I feel they get more attention because they are homosexual. There are some reviewers that will always complain about this level of graphic sex scenes regardless of the genders of the participants, but I think the fact they are homosexual is beyond some readers comfort levels which is just sad. People are people and sex is sex. These characters and the sex scenes are very real and down to earth and I see absolutely no reason to complain.
The Cold Commands has 3 story arcs, each following a familiar character from The Steel Remains. Ringil, of course we get more Ringil. His story line starts with an encounter with an escaped slave and follows him trying to find asylum after being exiled. One thing I found interesting is I felt more interested in Archeth’s storyline for this one than I did in The Steel Remains. The Helmsman is warning her of dark things to come and is following orders of the Emperor she now serves as an advisor to. And Egar’s storyline. Umm…. maybe he didn’t have a major storyline. I mainly remember him drinking, fighting and getting laid. There may have been more to it, but that’s what I remember, which brings me to my one criticism about the book.
I loved reading this, but sometimes I couldn’t quite tell what the overall conflict goal was. If that makes sense, I’m not sure. Every minute of the prose is amazing to read, and maybe even more amazing to listen to Simon Vance narrate. But somehow I felt like if someone were to ask me exactly what was going on at points in the book, I would have been at a loss. I could tell you the latest events, but I also felt like I was missing something from the bigger picture and felt it moved just a little bit slower because of that. Maybe it was just me and my listening comprehensions skills that were lacking, but it did detract just a teeny tiny bit.
If you read the first one, definitely continue reading. Morgan’s prose is every bit as wonderful. And there world is both fascinating and relevant. As per many fantasy novels, there are many themes riding in this that can translate to modern day life, and I absolutely love that. And all of the characters are well done, believable characters with honest emotions and realistic reactions and motivations. This is not a black and white book, but one with much moral ambiguity, which I think is a closer representation of real life. Things are often not clearly right or wrong when you look at all sides.
This is book two of a very good and original sword and sorcery trilogy. It is not suitable for younger readers, and I find some scene descriptions a little over the top but I really want to finish the series.