Book REview: "The Cold Commands" by Richard Morgan

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 is 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. - from Goodreads.com

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.