The Cold Commands cover art

The Cold Commands

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About this listen

 Ringil Eskiath, scarred wielder of the kiriath-forged broadsword Ravensfriend, is a man on the run - from his past and the family who have disowned him, from the slave trade magnates of Trelayne who want him dead, and apparently from the dark gods themselves, who are taking an interest but making no more sense than they ever have. Outlawed and exiled from his ancestral home in the north, Ringil has only one place left to turn - Yhelteth, city heart of the southern Empire, where perhaps he can seek asylum with the kiriath half-breed Archeth Indamaninarmal, former war comrade and now high-up advisor to the Emperor Jhiral Khimran II.

But Archeth Indamaninarmal has problems of her own to contend with, as does her house guest, bodyguard and one time steppe nomad Egar the Dragonbane. And far from gaining the respite he seeks, Ringil will instead find himself implicated in fresh schemes and doubtful allegiances no safer than those he has left behind. Old enemies are stirring, the old order is rotted through and crumbling, and though no-one yet knows it, the city of Yhelteth is about to explode . . .

Read by Simon Vance

(p) 2011 Tantor, Inc©2011 Richard Morgan Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction

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All stars
Most relevant
A lot of book for not much happening with some dashes of good action and character development. Not enough to put me off the next in the series but a bit flat overall.

Hmm. Mostly harmless.

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Raw and brutal fantasy with a brilliant touch of sci-fi to give the story a hint of unpredictability that added a vein of suspense throughout the book. And brilliantly narrated to give a dry purpose to the violence.

Brutal!

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What did you like best about this story?

I like the evolution of Ringil into something greater. There's an overarching story thats very interesting and i love the supporting characters that make up the trio. The 'strangely' reference in the headline for this review is that you feel the overall story doesn't really progress. Its feels very much a filler book. However i still enjoyed it, more so than the first book. Your heart sinks when you realise the book is suddenly fast approaching the end and you grudgingly have to accept that there is going to be no real closure on anything really. Just more questions.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favourite?

Ring is still may favourite character but Dragon Bane is great, i enjoyed his sections.

Any additional comments?

I'm going to go headfirst into the final instalment.. Fingers crossed!

Strangely Enjoyed

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Everything about this book is new - new world, new magic, new characters. The hero is a disenchanted war hero - and gay. This is significant because homosexuality is illegal in his world.You'll know all this having read The Steel Remains.

Ringil Eskiath is such a strange character. Charismatic but too confrontational and savagely judgmental, a sublime warrior but without a creed that others can understand. Only he would give himself the task of destroying the slave trade and address the supreme Radiant Emperor as the 'Shiny' Emperor.

His support cast is magnificent: vibrant Lady kir-Archeth Indamaninarmal (say that name with a couple of beers under your belt) - also gay and the sole remaining member of her race that left this world (no clear reason why, yet) and loyal Egar Dragonbane. Detailed characters with depth and scope. These are not one dimensional people who are too good to be true. In fact, even the minor characters are rich and complex and deeply flawed.

Simon Vance is an excellent narrator - experienced and unflappable.

Ground breaking fantasy

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excellent narration as always. You can rely on both this aithor and narrator to deliver.

looking forward to the next.

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