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A review by winterscape
The Cold Commands by Richard K. Morgan
5.0
The Cold Commands is a seriously great read. The rating is higher here than on The Steel Remains for a reason! It`s better than the first, which gives me such high hopes for the third.
- The pacing is fixed, leaving hardly a dull moment to speak of.
- The three main characters are just as tough, interesting, and well-rounded. They continue to grow as people and their friendships are strong and heartfelt. No one could ever make the mistake of calling these people true heroes - they're shaded completely grey.
- The story feels more adventurous, with many chapters ending on must-keep-reading cliffhangers. One of my favourite parts of the book was when How was he going to get out of that?! The answer, retroactively, is pretty cool.
- I was glad that the sexual content was pared down a bit, making it less risqué and more appropriate for the situation. As well, the horror aspect was amped up slightly, with a few scenes that left me quite horrified (in a good way).
- The world was expanded upon and is intriguingly realistic, like most aspects of the book. I wish there was a map included, but I guess that's considered cliché now.
- I really love this exploration through the lives of veterans, rather than present-day soldiers. I haven't read many fantasy stories that deal with the aftermath of the "great war" and all of the poor, deformed, and broken veterans it must leave behind. It's so refreshing in its realism.
If you had any doubts about continuing the series after The Steel Remains, I highly recommend giving The Cold Commands a chance. I liked it exponentially more than the first and A Land Fit for Heroes is shaping up to be one of my favourite fantasy trilogies.
- The pacing is fixed, leaving hardly a dull moment to speak of.
- The three main characters are just as tough, interesting, and well-rounded. They continue to grow as people and their friendships are strong and heartfelt. No one could ever make the mistake of calling these people true heroes - they're shaded completely grey.
- The story feels more adventurous, with many chapters ending on must-keep-reading cliffhangers. One of my favourite parts of the book was when
Spoiler
Ringil discovered that he had the plague and the city was going into quarantine, so he sent his companion (and only ride out) away to spare them from catching it from him.- I was glad that the sexual content was pared down a bit, making it less risqué and more appropriate for the situation. As well, the horror aspect was amped up slightly, with a few scenes that left me quite horrified (in a good way).
- The world was expanded upon and is intriguingly realistic, like most aspects of the book. I wish there was a map included, but I guess that's considered cliché now.
- I really love this exploration through the lives of veterans, rather than present-day soldiers. I haven't read many fantasy stories that deal with the aftermath of the "great war" and all of the poor, deformed, and broken veterans it must leave behind. It's so refreshing in its realism.
If you had any doubts about continuing the series after The Steel Remains, I highly recommend giving The Cold Commands a chance. I liked it exponentially more than the first and A Land Fit for Heroes is shaping up to be one of my favourite fantasy trilogies.