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Immortal Treachery #3
Corpse Cold
Betrayed by his closest friend, someone who has also stolen his most precious possession, Tarmun Vykers wants revenge.
Kittins wants revenge, too, against the all-powerful Queen, who’s been manipulating and dictating his every move for far too long, to devastating effect.
Long Pete wants revenge against the slavers who murdered his wife and even now hold his only child captive.
And many others too numerous to count want revenge as well, for slights both real and imagined.
One thing is certain: punishment is coming.
Follow the Reaper again, as he fights through the worst winter in ages to deal out revenge that leaves his victims corpse cold.
Kittins wants revenge, too, against the all-powerful Queen, who’s been manipulating and dictating his every move for far too long, to devastating effect.
Long Pete wants revenge against the slavers who murdered his wife and even now hold his only child captive.
And many others too numerous to count want revenge as well, for slights both real and imagined.
One thing is certain: punishment is coming.
Follow the Reaper again, as he fights through the worst winter in ages to deal out revenge that leaves his victims corpse cold.
- GenresFantasySword and Sorcery
588 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2015
15 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Allan Batchelder
10 books194 followersAllan is a professional actor, educator and former stand-up comedian. In addition to Steel, Blood & Fire, he's also written plays, screenplays, online articles, dialogue for computer games, greeting card sentiments and more. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Master's in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University. He is a huge fan of Shakespeare, Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie, Glen Cook, George R.R. Martin, Tad Williams, and R. Scott Bakker. Allan lives in Seattle with his wife and son, where he enjoys walks on the beach, reading in the garden and puttering around on his computer. Oh, and naps. He LOVES naps.
Allan is a professional actor, educator and former stand-up comedian. In addition to Blood, Steel & Fire, he's also written plays, screenplays, online articles, dialogue for computer games, greeting card sentiments and more. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Master's in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University. He is a huge fan of Shakespeare, Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie, Glen Cook, George R.R. Martin, Tad Williams, and R. Scott Bakker. Allan lives in Seattle with his wife and son, where he enjoys walks on the beach, reading in the garden and puttering around on his computer. Oh, and naps. He LOVES naps.
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Allan is a professional actor, educator and former stand-up comedian. In addition to Blood, Steel & Fire, he's also written plays, screenplays, online articles, dialogue for computer games, greeting card sentiments and more. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Master's in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University. He is a huge fan of Shakespeare, Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie, Glen Cook, George R.R. Martin, Tad Williams, and R. Scott Bakker. Allan lives in Seattle with his wife and son, where he enjoys walks on the beach, reading in the garden and puttering around on his computer. Oh, and naps. He LOVES naps.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 25, 2016
Another great installment in the Immortal Treachery series!!!
The story starts of with main character Vykers in a difficult situation after the events at the end of the previous book. I thought this a nice surprise then, and I loved it how Vykers dealt with it now. I probably liked the first part of the book the best with Vykers in search of a solution for his predicament. But even after that the story remains interesting to follow. And even though the story doesn't have as many 'breathtaking' scenes as in the previous books, it still contains many great events, the ending being one of them (not as good as in the first book, but that battle will be hard to match).
Very nice as well in the third book is that we finally get some answers on some of the many questions that have been building up in the series. Much remains unclear, but it is good to see that Allan Batchelder still knows what he's doing and that he knows to reveal some small hints at times, and give some larger revelations at others.
The characters are still as great as in the first two books, we already had some great character development in those, and the writing is again top-notch. Also the world building remains very intruiging; a mystical world, strange races, great magic ... This is a great series that really needs to be read by every fantasy lover!
I, for one, am looking forward to the follow up later this year!!!
Rating: 8/10
The story starts of with main character Vykers in a difficult situation after the events at the end of the previous book. I thought this a nice surprise then, and I loved it how Vykers dealt with it now. I probably liked the first part of the book the best with Vykers in search of a solution for his predicament. But even after that the story remains interesting to follow. And even though the story doesn't have as many 'breathtaking' scenes as in the previous books, it still contains many great events, the ending being one of them (not as good as in the first book, but that battle will be hard to match).
Very nice as well in the third book is that we finally get some answers on some of the many questions that have been building up in the series. Much remains unclear, but it is good to see that Allan Batchelder still knows what he's doing and that he knows to reveal some small hints at times, and give some larger revelations at others.
The characters are still as great as in the first two books, we already had some great character development in those, and the writing is again top-notch. Also the world building remains very intruiging; a mystical world, strange races, great magic ... This is a great series that really needs to be read by every fantasy lover!
I, for one, am looking forward to the follow up later this year!!!
Rating: 8/10
February 18, 2016
This series is an amazing series that deserves to be read. I read quite a bit and mostly fantasy and this is really better than some of the main stream books that are out there. I think his dialogue is quite literally some of the best i have read and can picture myself sitting around the fire and joking around with them. The world I'd interesting and constantly changing, he is definitely not an author that gets into his comfort zone and hangs out there. He is constantly moving locations, introducing new threats, killing characters, and sometimes bringing them back. The journey had been amazing so far and the sequel is honestly a week one purchase for me when it comes out.
The reason for the for star review as opposed to the previous two getting five is because of a couple of small gripes. First, the first half of this book did not grab me like the first two and the last half of this one. That's not to say it was bad, just not as good. Second is the way Vykers and Igraine referred to each other seemed off to me but it could have just been me.
The reason for the for star review as opposed to the previous two getting five is because of a couple of small gripes. First, the first half of this book did not grab me like the first two and the last half of this one. That's not to say it was bad, just not as good. Second is the way Vykers and Igraine referred to each other seemed off to me but it could have just been me.
August 12, 2019
Without giving away too much away about the cliff-hangers from the two previous books, this is a terrific continuation in a brutal, bleak fantasy world. There is easily enough material for two books in this story.
**SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS ENTRIES**
Picking up where book two left off, the depiction of unstoppable, testosterone-overdosed Tarmun Vykers being betrayed and trapped in the body of a young woman is terrific. It neither ignores the unpleasantness of being a seemingly defenceless, unattended woman in a medieval setting but doesn’t sell Vykers short either. It really underlines the character’s established cruel cunning and intelligence, instead of just leaving him the same killing machine in a waifish package.
Numerous subplots abound including the return of book one baddie The End of All Things. It’s great to see these characters again and meet some new inhabitants as they all travel northward. Kittens remains a favourite for me. Seeing all of the threads gradually come together after following them on such a cold, inhospitable journey is just as satisfying, if not more so, than the eventual climax. Despite being such a bumper of a book, leaves the reader on a note of plenty more to be discovered in this series.
**SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS ENTRIES**
Picking up where book two left off, the depiction of unstoppable, testosterone-overdosed Tarmun Vykers being betrayed and trapped in the body of a young woman is terrific. It neither ignores the unpleasantness of being a seemingly defenceless, unattended woman in a medieval setting but doesn’t sell Vykers short either. It really underlines the character’s established cruel cunning and intelligence, instead of just leaving him the same killing machine in a waifish package.
Numerous subplots abound including the return of book one baddie The End of All Things. It’s great to see these characters again and meet some new inhabitants as they all travel northward. Kittens remains a favourite for me. Seeing all of the threads gradually come together after following them on such a cold, inhospitable journey is just as satisfying, if not more so, than the eventual climax. Despite being such a bumper of a book, leaves the reader on a note of plenty more to be discovered in this series.
July 7, 2024
2.5 stelle.. il primo libro era geniale, il secondo pure meglio.. questo è piatto! Totalmente..
Nella prima parte è divertente il pov di Vykers che si ritrova nel corpo di una ragazza.. e poi i vari scambi di corpi dopo.. Per il resto gli altri pov sono noiosi, camminano tutti versi il nord, e quando arrivano alla battaglia finale di conclude tutto in poche pagine.. le rivelazioni finali non mi hanno entusiasmato poi molto.. mancano del tutto l'azione feroce mista all'ironia selvaggia e al sense of wonder dei primi libri.. mi fermo qua, non leggerò i restanti due libri.. tanto questo un suo finale lo ha..
Nella prima parte è divertente il pov di Vykers che si ritrova nel corpo di una ragazza.. e poi i vari scambi di corpi dopo.. Per il resto gli altri pov sono noiosi, camminano tutti versi il nord, e quando arrivano alla battaglia finale di conclude tutto in poche pagine.. le rivelazioni finali non mi hanno entusiasmato poi molto.. mancano del tutto l'azione feroce mista all'ironia selvaggia e al sense of wonder dei primi libri.. mi fermo qua, non leggerò i restanti due libri.. tanto questo un suo finale lo ha..
January 22, 2016
If you'd sit me down in one of those interrogation rooms -single table, two chairs on opposite sides, single light bulb above it; you know what I mean- and asked me to name a fantasy franchise similar to the Immortal Treachery series, then I would say it resembles Malazan Book of the Fallen (albeit in a condensed form). Praise indeed, as I regard MBotF as the best epic fantasy series out there. Sure, Batchelders books are nowhere near the size of Erikson's tomes, but the content shows quite some paralels; bizarre (but fun) magic, tons of interesting creatures and races, witty banter, great humour, Gods meddling in mortal affairs, explosive action.
Now, normally I'm loathe to compare series from different authors, especially when the comparison is between an established bestseller writer and an indie author. However, I feel I can safely discard that inhibition whilst reviewing the Immortal Treachery series. It's just so freaking good. When reading some tracts I was actually more enamoured by Batachelder's books than by Erikson's. "Why is that"? You may ask. Well, for one, Batchelder doesn't waste time on a gazillion forgetable POV characters (something a lot of great fantasy authors tend to get caught up in). There's a cast of about 8 POV characters and all are interesting in their own right. Furthermore, Batchelder switches between these POVs with a remarkable timing; not so fast that you don't get engrossed in a character, and not with too big intervals, so you don't have the risk if getting fed up with a certain character. This is brilliantly done in my opinion and I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say I've never read any fantasy series where this was handled so well.
I will not go into too much details regarding the plot, magic-system, world, characterization etc. Everything that was appealing in the first two books in the series is still present in Corpse Cold. For detailed thoughts on these aspects, I refer you to my reviews of Steel, Blood & Fire and As Flies to Wanton Boys.
However, I do have some short remarks specifically about Corpse Cold: Vykers faces a truly taxing situation. Its the biggest pickle he's been in up to date. What ails our taciturn protagonist? Well, suffice it to say that he's somewhat 'out of sorts' (can't say anything lest I spoil it). But the Reaper shines as never before in Corpse Cold. New and old hitherto relatively obscure races enter the scene and bring a vibrant new impulse to the fantasy world Batchelder created. And Gods pop up left and right to cause mischief for mortals and fey alike.
And Allan, you wretched, wretched man... did you study at the University of Insufferably Scintillating Cliffhangers or something? You can't just give us a revelation like that at the end of the story and expect your readers to keep their cool until book 4 hits the shelves! Argh!
I'll conclude by saying I sincerely wish that the Immortal Treachery series becomes more widely known to the greater fantasy world. This series deserves to be read and appreciated by fantasy lovers around the world. I can't wait for book 4!
I rate this book 9.2/10 (***** GoodReads/Amazon)
Now, normally I'm loathe to compare series from different authors, especially when the comparison is between an established bestseller writer and an indie author. However, I feel I can safely discard that inhibition whilst reviewing the Immortal Treachery series. It's just so freaking good. When reading some tracts I was actually more enamoured by Batachelder's books than by Erikson's. "Why is that"? You may ask. Well, for one, Batchelder doesn't waste time on a gazillion forgetable POV characters (something a lot of great fantasy authors tend to get caught up in). There's a cast of about 8 POV characters and all are interesting in their own right. Furthermore, Batchelder switches between these POVs with a remarkable timing; not so fast that you don't get engrossed in a character, and not with too big intervals, so you don't have the risk if getting fed up with a certain character. This is brilliantly done in my opinion and I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say I've never read any fantasy series where this was handled so well.
I will not go into too much details regarding the plot, magic-system, world, characterization etc. Everything that was appealing in the first two books in the series is still present in Corpse Cold. For detailed thoughts on these aspects, I refer you to my reviews of Steel, Blood & Fire and As Flies to Wanton Boys.
However, I do have some short remarks specifically about Corpse Cold: Vykers faces a truly taxing situation. Its the biggest pickle he's been in up to date. What ails our taciturn protagonist? Well, suffice it to say that he's somewhat 'out of sorts' (can't say anything lest I spoil it). But the Reaper shines as never before in Corpse Cold. New and old hitherto relatively obscure races enter the scene and bring a vibrant new impulse to the fantasy world Batchelder created. And Gods pop up left and right to cause mischief for mortals and fey alike.
And Allan, you wretched, wretched man... did you study at the University of Insufferably Scintillating Cliffhangers or something? You can't just give us a revelation like that at the end of the story and expect your readers to keep their cool until book 4 hits the shelves! Argh!
I'll conclude by saying I sincerely wish that the Immortal Treachery series becomes more widely known to the greater fantasy world. This series deserves to be read and appreciated by fantasy lovers around the world. I can't wait for book 4!
I rate this book 9.2/10 (***** GoodReads/Amazon)
November 18, 2015
Long Pete's life is turned upside down. His apple farm is abandoned as his family is split up by circumstance and kidnapping. His crew volunteers to help him find his wife and daughter, but Long Pete is in the thick of things as far as politics and intrigue go too, Kittins, part of Long Pete's crew has become a tool of the Queen too, giving in to his dark impulses and being sent on suicide missions that he somehow survives. He is now known as the "Dead One." Tarmun Vykers has been betrayed by his Shaper, a woman that lived in his head for years. He has been healed, but only so that he can serve the Queen. The End is back, as his core was saved from his defeat in book one, but he is changed. Aoife is coming into herself and her new powers, but torn by feeling for Vykers that she cannot get over. Secrets are emerging about the Virgin Queen and why she has not participated herself in ridding the world of the End, but a Goblin and the weapon that harmed Vykers will figure into this battle, once and for all! Highly recommended, great Fantasy fun!
January 16, 2019
Catching up on this series again. Great to revisit these characters! They felt like old friends.
In this one there's a definite "revenge quest" (sometimes mixed with rescue quest) theme going on, with all kinds of characters furious at the damage they've taken from all kinds of others. But they come to a tangled common focus by the end of the volume, to resolve things once and...well, not exactly for all. Because another thing we're learning in this world is that even the dead have a way of coming back somehow (which is sometimes good--I was happy about one of them in particular!), and that the gods are all around us but have limited powers and knowledge.
My favorite aspect was watching these separated groups of characters meet up at last, some for the first time, some in at-long-last reunions. I got more emotional than I expected to at a couple of such scenes toward the end. We get to know the giants a little better in this one too, and they turn out to be possibly more civilized than most humans, which was cool and intriguing.
I also really like that Allan keeps the scenes concise and quick, so that even though it's epic fantasy, it doesn't have that epic-fantasy feel; no meandering descriptions of scenery and history. And still plenty of irreverent humor, which I love. (Spirk in particular cracks me up.) Looking forward to books 4 and 5 to see what else shakes up this world!
In this one there's a definite "revenge quest" (sometimes mixed with rescue quest) theme going on, with all kinds of characters furious at the damage they've taken from all kinds of others. But they come to a tangled common focus by the end of the volume, to resolve things once and...well, not exactly for all. Because another thing we're learning in this world is that even the dead have a way of coming back somehow (which is sometimes good--I was happy about one of them in particular!), and that the gods are all around us but have limited powers and knowledge.
My favorite aspect was watching these separated groups of characters meet up at last, some for the first time, some in at-long-last reunions. I got more emotional than I expected to at a couple of such scenes toward the end. We get to know the giants a little better in this one too, and they turn out to be possibly more civilized than most humans, which was cool and intriguing.
I also really like that Allan keeps the scenes concise and quick, so that even though it's epic fantasy, it doesn't have that epic-fantasy feel; no meandering descriptions of scenery and history. And still plenty of irreverent humor, which I love. (Spirk in particular cracks me up.) Looking forward to books 4 and 5 to see what else shakes up this world!
February 2, 2022
The Reaper is possibly one of my favourite characters. I can't help feeling, however, that Batchelder is building towards something with this character. What I mean by that is at the start of this series The Reaper was a man, an incredible swordsman for sure, a powerful warrior absolutely, but he was a man. Now I'm not so sure he's even human. As with all the books in the series so far, it's fast-paced, immersive and entertaining. I want more!
May 6, 2017
You should read all of Allan's books. They are a great find.
September 8, 2018
Another one down!
I'm just finishing up Book 3, it's four thirty in the morning and I couldn't stop reading. I have to get up at six am. On to Book 4!
I'm just finishing up Book 3, it's four thirty in the morning and I couldn't stop reading. I have to get up at six am. On to Book 4!
April 27, 2020
An enjoyable read
I found this to be an enjoyable fast read. The story has interesting characters, magic and action. Start the series from the beginning.
I found this to be an enjoyable fast read. The story has interesting characters, magic and action. Start the series from the beginning.
August 2, 2017
Another great read in this captivating series. The characters are all still developing and engaging and what makes these books stand out. Vykers is in another tight spot and its interesting reading his character from an alternative perspective
As before, this book ends on a cliff hanger and you immediately want to pick up the next one. There are also revelations which leave you asking more questions . Holding on before picking up book four until book five is out, hopefully not to long.
As before, this book ends on a cliff hanger and you immediately want to pick up the next one. There are also revelations which leave you asking more questions . Holding on before picking up book four until book five is out, hopefully not to long.
April 23, 2016
I enjoyed this installment in the Tarmun Vyker's saga as much as the first 2 volumes. Allan Batchelder's imagination continued to amaze and impress me. His characters, both human and fantastical beings, are well-conceived as is the story. I had a lot of fun reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews