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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
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.
This is the second book in the A Land Fit For Heroes saga, following the first book, THE STEEL REMAINS, and continues the story of three main characters: Ringil, Egar the Dragonbane, and Archeth.
In short, this second book kept me up at night, and sent me napping on the weekend. There was just enough action to keep my attention piqued, but seemed to drag at places, though I know the information had to be presented. Having jumped into the third book, THE DARK DEFILES, I can say that much of the slow parts are much needed. Morgan does an awesome job bringing together a medieval land, toss in some magical beings, mythological-type gods, and some semi-post-apocalyptic world settings/knowledge, and you have one hell of a put-together tale.
In short, this second book kept me up at night, and sent me napping on the weekend. There was just enough action to keep my attention piqued, but seemed to drag at places, though I know the information had to be presented. Having jumped into the third book, THE DARK DEFILES, I can say that much of the slow parts are much needed. Morgan does an awesome job bringing together a medieval land, toss in some magical beings, mythological-type gods, and some semi-post-apocalyptic world settings/knowledge, and you have one hell of a put-together tale.
Liked the first book better. This has great characters and a cool fantasy world, but alas there aint much of a plot. Hoping the next book picks back up.
Efter mer än ett års kamp med att läsa denna boken ger jag upp. Det blev en DNF.
Jag älskade första boken i serien. Världsbygget, karaktärerna, intrigen med alla mystiska saker som sker. Det var en fantasktisk läsupplevelse. Därför blev jag så förvånad att jag inte alls kom in i uppföljaren.
Världsbygget är fortfarande underbart. Jag älskar den råa, hårda världen. Den känns verklig och levande. En kall och grym värld med komplex historia. Jag vill fortfarande veta vad som är på gång, få svar på alla mina frågor och veta hur det hela slutar.
Men i denna boken bryr jag mig ett ett dugg om karaktärerna. Jag skiter i dem. De engagerar inte alls som i förra boken. Det går framåt för segt, för förvirrat, för planlöst. Jag orkar inte bry mig, tappar intresset. Jag gillar egentligen inveklade intriger, att inte få allt förklarat för mig, det gåtfulla och mörka i böcker, men här blir det för mycket. För ostrukturerat, för mycket av att karaktärerna lallar runt.
Så jag tjuvkikade recensioner om tredje boken i serien för om den är hyllad och ansedd som riktigt bra är det värt att pressa igenom den sega tvåan. Men tyvärr verkar trean vara ännu mer av vad som finns i tvåan och inte heller varkar man få svar på alla frågor. Så då gav jag upp. Vilket gör mig förbannad för jag ville verkligen älska den här boken lika mycket som ettan och sedan rusa vidare till en fenomenal trea. Men tyvärr. Så blev det inte.
Det blir ändå en tvåa i betyg för alla de saker jag faktiskt gillar med den.
Jag älskade första boken i serien. Världsbygget, karaktärerna, intrigen med alla mystiska saker som sker. Det var en fantasktisk läsupplevelse. Därför blev jag så förvånad att jag inte alls kom in i uppföljaren.
Världsbygget är fortfarande underbart. Jag älskar den råa, hårda världen. Den känns verklig och levande. En kall och grym värld med komplex historia. Jag vill fortfarande veta vad som är på gång, få svar på alla mina frågor och veta hur det hela slutar.
Men i denna boken bryr jag mig ett ett dugg om karaktärerna. Jag skiter i dem. De engagerar inte alls som i förra boken. Det går framåt för segt, för förvirrat, för planlöst. Jag orkar inte bry mig, tappar intresset. Jag gillar egentligen inveklade intriger, att inte få allt förklarat för mig, det gåtfulla och mörka i böcker, men här blir det för mycket. För ostrukturerat, för mycket av att karaktärerna lallar runt.
Så jag tjuvkikade recensioner om tredje boken i serien för om den är hyllad och ansedd som riktigt bra är det värt att pressa igenom den sega tvåan. Men tyvärr verkar trean vara ännu mer av vad som finns i tvåan och inte heller varkar man få svar på alla frågor. Så då gav jag upp. Vilket gör mig förbannad för jag ville verkligen älska den här boken lika mycket som ettan och sedan rusa vidare till en fenomenal trea. Men tyvärr. Så blev det inte.
Det blir ändå en tvåa i betyg för alla de saker jag faktiskt gillar med den.
Do not despite the beggar, grizzled and crippled at the corner. For who can tell what households or kingdoms he may once have called his own. Life is a long dream whose end we cannot see and he is perhaps but a premonition, a lucky warning you may yet take.
I can't say that I enjoyed this as much as the first.
Although the first was also slow going at the start, the world building and action quickly pulled me in. That epic opening line helped as well.
Leaving a few months gap between reading these books I think contributed to the dull start in this book as I struggled to remember who the characters were and what they were doing. And while the dark setting and gritty characters are still present and accounted for in this book, some of it seemed over the top.
I don't think this book fully captured my attention until 40% in and even then while it was good it wasn't great.
It seemed more intent on setting things up for the next book, which I am really looking forward to.
I can't say that I enjoyed this as much as the first.
Although the first was also slow going at the start, the world building and action quickly pulled me in. That epic opening line helped as well.
Leaving a few months gap between reading these books I think contributed to the dull start in this book as I struggled to remember who the characters were and what they were doing. And while the dark setting and gritty characters are still present and accounted for in this book, some of it seemed over the top.
I don't think this book fully captured my attention until 40% in and even then while it was good it wasn't great.
It seemed more intent on setting things up for the next book, which I am really looking forward to.