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The Coldmaker Saga #1
Coldmaker
Eight hundred years ago, the Jadans angered the Crier. In punishment, the Crier took their Cold away, condemning them to a life of enslavement in a world bathed in heat.
Or so the tale goes.
During the day, as the Sun blazes over his head, Micah leads the life of any Jadan slave, running errands through the city of Paphos at the mercy of the petty Nobles and ruthless taskmasters.
But after the evening bells have tolled and all other Jadans sleep, Micah escapes into the night in search of scraps and broken objects, which once back inside his barracks he tinkers into treasures.
However, when a mysterious masked Jadan publicly threatens Noble authority, a wave of rebellion ripples through the city.
With Paphos plunged into turmoil, Micah’s secret is at risk of being exposed. And another, which has been waiting hundreds of years to be found, is also on the verge of discovery…
The secret of Cold.
Or so the tale goes.
During the day, as the Sun blazes over his head, Micah leads the life of any Jadan slave, running errands through the city of Paphos at the mercy of the petty Nobles and ruthless taskmasters.
But after the evening bells have tolled and all other Jadans sleep, Micah escapes into the night in search of scraps and broken objects, which once back inside his barracks he tinkers into treasures.
However, when a mysterious masked Jadan publicly threatens Noble authority, a wave of rebellion ripples through the city.
With Paphos plunged into turmoil, Micah’s secret is at risk of being exposed. And another, which has been waiting hundreds of years to be found, is also on the verge of discovery…
The secret of Cold.
327 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2017
4 people are currently reading
554 people want to read
About the author
Daniel A. Cohen
9 books356 followersDaniel A. Cohen is the author of DRAGONDAO, THE COLDMAKER SAGA, and numerous other novels and short stories. In addition to his writing career, Daniel is a professional saxophonist in Austin, Texas, spending his days in front of the page and his nights in front of crowds. Sometimes the crowds cheer, and Daniel often wishes the page would do the same.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 1, 2017
This book is one I picked up entirely on a recommendation from the booksellers in Mr. B's Book Emporium and my goodness am I glad I did. Not only is the cover stunning and the book itself has a very strong concept, it's also really well written, got likeable and relatable character, and the world is seriously awesome.
This is set in the World Cried, a place where heat is almost unbearable and Jadans are forced to be slaves for the Nobility who live there. In this world there are two types of people, the Jadans who work outside all day long, and the Nobles who are frivolous and fancy and can do as they please, waited on hand and foot by Jadans. We follow a young Jadan who is called Micah (aka. Spout) and his daily life working on his corner.
Spout is a really likeable character from the start becuase he's a bit of a rebel and he tells the story in first person which means you immediately feel connected to him. He's an inventor who loves to find scraps in the rubbish heaps and tinker them into something new and something that will help make life just a little easier. Spout is being raised by his father (they're all adopted fathers rather than biological) Abb who is a proud but kind man. They don't have the best life a Jadan could have (that's generally thought to be living in a Noble's home after being purchase by them) but they have a decent one when they're back home in their barracks, however, the days out in the sun are just as torturous for all, and they both work extremely hard daily.
The set up of this world instantly intrigued me and I liked the idea that in a world where the air was thick with heat, the rivers boiled and humanity was stuck, there would be trouble, Cold is a commodity not lightly given in this world, and every Wisp of cold which is found by the Jadans is passed over to the Nobles. If Jadans want to have a drink they must be given a wisp to add to their water so it becomes drinkable. If Jadans want to do anything, they must be ordered to do it by their superiors, the Nobles. Each Jadan must stand on their corner in the baking sun all day (with few water breaks or food breaks) and they must await orders from passing Nobles. Their lives are largely governed by tasks and taskmasteres (many of whom can be ridiculously dominant and cruel).
We also follow a young girl later on, through Spout's interactions with her, and she's a pretty unique Jadan who lives away from the others and has big ideas. Quickly these ideas start to shake up the system and cause trouble for the rest of Jadan-kind, but Spout is already involved in her mission and so they have to see if they can hide and make a change.
What I really liked about this was that it felt very readable, the characters really felt fun, and I found an instant connection to them. This for me is a big part of whether I will like a book, and I feel like although there's only a few major characters, each one felt fleshed out and later in the book I really felt for some of them (btw this author is evil and had a few scenes I was outraged at because he hurt my favourite characters - but it fits the harsh world and I really liked it too!)
Overall, this is for sure a story I think more people need to pick up and read as it surprised and enchanted me and the concept was great. I am super excited to get the next one in the series and I know I will be picking it up when it comes out :) 4.5*s from me and highly recommended :D
This is set in the World Cried, a place where heat is almost unbearable and Jadans are forced to be slaves for the Nobility who live there. In this world there are two types of people, the Jadans who work outside all day long, and the Nobles who are frivolous and fancy and can do as they please, waited on hand and foot by Jadans. We follow a young Jadan who is called Micah (aka. Spout) and his daily life working on his corner.
Spout is a really likeable character from the start becuase he's a bit of a rebel and he tells the story in first person which means you immediately feel connected to him. He's an inventor who loves to find scraps in the rubbish heaps and tinker them into something new and something that will help make life just a little easier. Spout is being raised by his father (they're all adopted fathers rather than biological) Abb who is a proud but kind man. They don't have the best life a Jadan could have (that's generally thought to be living in a Noble's home after being purchase by them) but they have a decent one when they're back home in their barracks, however, the days out in the sun are just as torturous for all, and they both work extremely hard daily.
The set up of this world instantly intrigued me and I liked the idea that in a world where the air was thick with heat, the rivers boiled and humanity was stuck, there would be trouble, Cold is a commodity not lightly given in this world, and every Wisp of cold which is found by the Jadans is passed over to the Nobles. If Jadans want to have a drink they must be given a wisp to add to their water so it becomes drinkable. If Jadans want to do anything, they must be ordered to do it by their superiors, the Nobles. Each Jadan must stand on their corner in the baking sun all day (with few water breaks or food breaks) and they must await orders from passing Nobles. Their lives are largely governed by tasks and taskmasteres (many of whom can be ridiculously dominant and cruel).
We also follow a young girl later on, through Spout's interactions with her, and she's a pretty unique Jadan who lives away from the others and has big ideas. Quickly these ideas start to shake up the system and cause trouble for the rest of Jadan-kind, but Spout is already involved in her mission and so they have to see if they can hide and make a change.
What I really liked about this was that it felt very readable, the characters really felt fun, and I found an instant connection to them. This for me is a big part of whether I will like a book, and I feel like although there's only a few major characters, each one felt fleshed out and later in the book I really felt for some of them (btw this author is evil and had a few scenes I was outraged at because he hurt my favourite characters - but it fits the harsh world and I really liked it too!)
Overall, this is for sure a story I think more people need to pick up and read as it surprised and enchanted me and the concept was great. I am super excited to get the next one in the series and I know I will be picking it up when it comes out :) 4.5*s from me and highly recommended :D
November 3, 2017
In brief - I really wanted to like this - I think the story idea is good. However it didn't really work for me.
The idea of what maybe a post apocalyptic world which is blazingly hot and makes "cold" an exceptionally valuable commodity intrigued me. I'd not come across the idea before. This book follows Micah in such a world. He is effectively the lowest of the low and, in the hierarchy of the world, is "unworthy". He is bright, he tinkers and is an inventor.
Micah uses his talents and meets folk who are interested in those talents while a slave to the Nobles which is essentially what Jadens are. The big question - other than how to keep cool - is whether the Jadens should be subservient to the Nobles. The Nobles currently rule by fear and abuse of power claiming to have the right from their religion and the Khat.
This is a book I really wanted to enjoy. The story outline looked interesting and different. However I never really found myself fully engaged with the story. I've taken a little time after finishing this to try and work out why. It took me a little while to understand the rules and power structure of this world. I'm actually still not sure that I fully grasp why the world is the way it is but it has been like it for 800 years. I found a number of the characters interesting but they did not seem fully developed for me.
Micah's inventions bother me. They often seem remarkable and there is not always much information on how they work or how he came to the conclusion that they would work. My final point is on the general tone of the book. Everything I've read about it suggests it is an adult book. There are aspects of the treatment of Jadens that make for uneasy reading. However, while I realise that Micah is a young teenager, the tone of the story feels like it is aimed more at a YA market. Not a bad read but I would have loved it to be better.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
The idea of what maybe a post apocalyptic world which is blazingly hot and makes "cold" an exceptionally valuable commodity intrigued me. I'd not come across the idea before. This book follows Micah in such a world. He is effectively the lowest of the low and, in the hierarchy of the world, is "unworthy". He is bright, he tinkers and is an inventor.
Micah uses his talents and meets folk who are interested in those talents while a slave to the Nobles which is essentially what Jadens are. The big question - other than how to keep cool - is whether the Jadens should be subservient to the Nobles. The Nobles currently rule by fear and abuse of power claiming to have the right from their religion and the Khat.
This is a book I really wanted to enjoy. The story outline looked interesting and different. However I never really found myself fully engaged with the story. I've taken a little time after finishing this to try and work out why. It took me a little while to understand the rules and power structure of this world. I'm actually still not sure that I fully grasp why the world is the way it is but it has been like it for 800 years. I found a number of the characters interesting but they did not seem fully developed for me.
Micah's inventions bother me. They often seem remarkable and there is not always much information on how they work or how he came to the conclusion that they would work. My final point is on the general tone of the book. Everything I've read about it suggests it is an adult book. There are aspects of the treatment of Jadens that make for uneasy reading. However, while I realise that Micah is a young teenager, the tone of the story feels like it is aimed more at a YA market. Not a bad read but I would have loved it to be better.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
May 30, 2019
This was really good although my good friend SAB recommended it so I shouldn't have been surprised. It did start a little slow as I was struggling with the terminology and concepts (it's a bit of a tough week and I'm a bit slower than usual which doesn't help).
It picked up though about halfway and then that ending was a cracker.
World building is excellent for a pretty sparse and lifeless environment they inhabit. It really drove home the desolation and oppression that exists in this world both physically and emotionally. It really was a fantastic use of world building to perfectly sychronize with the storyline.
The characters also took a bit of getting used to but I don't mind a bit of slow burn characterization. I won't say much more but we have a good couple of key characters who grow a lot in quite a short time.
The plot is a fairly standard dystopian style one but it really works and certainly many of its concepts are unusual and quite technical but make this stand out. It's a bit slower but the pacing is great at the finish. Also that ending was WOW and sets up the next installment brilliantly.
Overall a great start to what I'm feeling is going to be a brilliant series.
Highly recommended.
It picked up though about halfway and then that ending was a cracker.
World building is excellent for a pretty sparse and lifeless environment they inhabit. It really drove home the desolation and oppression that exists in this world both physically and emotionally. It really was a fantastic use of world building to perfectly sychronize with the storyline.
The characters also took a bit of getting used to but I don't mind a bit of slow burn characterization. I won't say much more but we have a good couple of key characters who grow a lot in quite a short time.
The plot is a fairly standard dystopian style one but it really works and certainly many of its concepts are unusual and quite technical but make this stand out. It's a bit slower but the pacing is great at the finish. Also that ending was WOW and sets up the next installment brilliantly.
Overall a great start to what I'm feeling is going to be a brilliant series.
Highly recommended.
March 1, 2018
Loved it! Need the next one!!! Review to follow!
June 29, 2019
This book is interesting because of the magic system and worldbuilding.. its more like Dystopian mixed with Fantasy and steampunk
800 years ago the Jadans angered the Crier (kinda like a god). In punishment the Crier took their Cold away, condemning them to life of enslavement in a world bathed in heat! so that was the tale... Noble can do anyhthing they want to the slaves including so many ruthless acts in the name of religion!
We followed Micah a 15 years old tinker and slave Jadan boy and his adventure through his life as a slave at the city of Paphos and how he tried to overcome what he believe.. which one is true and which one is false and how he slowly want to help his people
The only thing i dont like about this book is sometimes i found it hard to understand the things Micah tried to created... i also found it hard to understand the writing style
800 years ago the Jadans angered the Crier (kinda like a god). In punishment the Crier took their Cold away, condemning them to life of enslavement in a world bathed in heat! so that was the tale... Noble can do anyhthing they want to the slaves including so many ruthless acts in the name of religion!
We followed Micah a 15 years old tinker and slave Jadan boy and his adventure through his life as a slave at the city of Paphos and how he tried to overcome what he believe.. which one is true and which one is false and how he slowly want to help his people
The only thing i dont like about this book is sometimes i found it hard to understand the things Micah tried to created... i also found it hard to understand the writing style
May 10, 2019
This book took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did.
What I enjoyed most was that it had a unique concept. That is, the idea that 'Cold' is rare and a commodity that only the rich or worthy can access. Although the plot of rich versus poor, slaves versus their masters has been around forever, the world building sets it apart. The author has really thought about the world and his characters and it shows.
There's no info-dumps to be found here. The reader is thrown into the story and we have to figure it out as we go. I like not being spoon fed all the details and that it challenges us as a reader to pay attention and use our imagination.
There are times the story feels middle grade, but there are also some dark moments here. I liked Micah as a character and found him to be intelligent and thoughtful - traits that aren't always found in the MC of a young adult story!
Overall, recommended for something a little bit different. I'm looking forward to reading the second in the series.
What I enjoyed most was that it had a unique concept. That is, the idea that 'Cold' is rare and a commodity that only the rich or worthy can access. Although the plot of rich versus poor, slaves versus their masters has been around forever, the world building sets it apart. The author has really thought about the world and his characters and it shows.
There's no info-dumps to be found here. The reader is thrown into the story and we have to figure it out as we go. I like not being spoon fed all the details and that it challenges us as a reader to pay attention and use our imagination.
There are times the story feels middle grade, but there are also some dark moments here. I liked Micah as a character and found him to be intelligent and thoughtful - traits that aren't always found in the MC of a young adult story!
Overall, recommended for something a little bit different. I'm looking forward to reading the second in the series.
January 19, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It took me a while to get into it as it drops the reader right into the world and you have to figure it out as you go along but I loved the concept of it. It’s set in a land where cold has become a valuable commodity and only the nobles have access to it. The Jadans are their slaves and the story follows Micah, a young Jadan, as he starts to realise everything is not how he first believed. I liked the different characters that start to come into it and it’s obviously building up to a big rebellion.
It has a bit of a YA vibe alongside dystopia/fantasy which I loved and there is so much scope for where it is going to go next. It’s easy to read, quick paced and a perfect bit of escapism. Will definitely read the next book(s).
I received a copy of The Coldmaker from the publishers. All words and thoughts are my own.
It has a bit of a YA vibe alongside dystopia/fantasy which I loved and there is so much scope for where it is going to go next. It’s easy to read, quick paced and a perfect bit of escapism. Will definitely read the next book(s).
I received a copy of The Coldmaker from the publishers. All words and thoughts are my own.
February 25, 2019
I have not been impressed by many fantasies this year, and while I'm not positive which genre this book fits in, it drew me in like a proper fantasy. The world building was fascinating and the main character compelling. We learn secrets of his world as he does, and our outrage increases as he realizes everything that he's learned hasn't necessarily been the truth. The other characters are interesting, except one in particular, I'm not sure exactly if I trust him-- I don't really understand him to be quite honest. I feel like either there is a story there that hasn't been told yet, or something is missing. Despite that, the story comes together very nicely. It's interesting that the author writes in his acknowledgements some of the big names that inspired this book-- Patrick Rothfuss and Sanderson, because I felt their imprint on Cohen's work in a good way. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
November 29, 2017
Loved every last page of this book, and not sure I can actually wait too long for book 2, it left me longing for the next instalment. For me it is right up there with The Hunger Games & the Divergent books.
A really unique tale that has you guessing from day one, set in a world where the "cold" is controlled by the "elite chosen ones".
The characters are all amazing, and it is so well written I could see their lives playing out in my head as I was reading with no trouble at all.
How would you cope in a world were you were constantly expected to act "unworthy".
This is a MUST READ, just an incredibly unique and gorgeous story...give me more immediately!
A really unique tale that has you guessing from day one, set in a world where the "cold" is controlled by the "elite chosen ones".
The characters are all amazing, and it is so well written I could see their lives playing out in my head as I was reading with no trouble at all.
How would you cope in a world were you were constantly expected to act "unworthy".
This is a MUST READ, just an incredibly unique and gorgeous story...give me more immediately!
December 8, 2017
A brilliant book. Well-drawn characters, a story-line which doesn't follow the expected path, gruelling heat that you can almost feel, and excellent world-building - for me, the stand-out feature of the book.
Firstly there are the weird climatic conditions that plague Paphos. I must admit I'd at first imagined the Cold that falls at night to be something like hail, but it turns out to be a more complex thing, capable of being stored in its natural state, kept as treasure, or used for both cooling water, buildings, and gardens, and powering the inventions that Micah makes.
Then there's the class system. The Nobles are in charge; the Jadans kept like slaves. A lot of dystopian novels have a similar set-up of a ruling class virtually enslaving the rest of the population, and I often wonder why the 'slaves' don't rebel. The clever bit here is the invention of a religious system in which the Jadans are considered the cause of the annihilating heat, therefore always 'unworthy' of the benefits of the Cold, and permanently subservient to the Nobles. Punishment is random and brutal, but, indoctrinated from an early age, the Jadans fear worse if they rebel. Micah has to take a psychological leap to understand that he won't be struck down for challenging the status quo, and I found his development fascinating.
At the same time, it's a compelling adventure, full of danger and tension, which doesn't pan out quite as I think you'd expect.
Crossing the boundaries of adult and young adult fiction, this is an excellent read for anyone looking for a new dystopian 'fix'.
Firstly there are the weird climatic conditions that plague Paphos. I must admit I'd at first imagined the Cold that falls at night to be something like hail, but it turns out to be a more complex thing, capable of being stored in its natural state, kept as treasure, or used for both cooling water, buildings, and gardens, and powering the inventions that Micah makes.
Then there's the class system. The Nobles are in charge; the Jadans kept like slaves. A lot of dystopian novels have a similar set-up of a ruling class virtually enslaving the rest of the population, and I often wonder why the 'slaves' don't rebel. The clever bit here is the invention of a religious system in which the Jadans are considered the cause of the annihilating heat, therefore always 'unworthy' of the benefits of the Cold, and permanently subservient to the Nobles. Punishment is random and brutal, but, indoctrinated from an early age, the Jadans fear worse if they rebel. Micah has to take a psychological leap to understand that he won't be struck down for challenging the status quo, and I found his development fascinating.
At the same time, it's a compelling adventure, full of danger and tension, which doesn't pan out quite as I think you'd expect.
Crossing the boundaries of adult and young adult fiction, this is an excellent read for anyone looking for a new dystopian 'fix'.
January 27, 2018
This was a rather interesting read.
It felt like a dystopian novel as the setting was a sort of post apocalyptic world where the world is scorching hot. So much so that the rivers are boiling and water must be cooled down to drink. Cold is the currency in this world. The most valuable and precious thing. There are two types of people, the Jadens who are a slave race, they have to run errands and get the Cold for the Nobles. The nobles are the second type of people. They treat the Jadens like worthless dirt and are horrendous.
I really liked the world and found it to be so different and interesting.
In this story we follow Micah (Spout) a Jaden who scavenges the rubbish heaps for materials he can use to tinker with. He has a gift for inventing things that help to make his and his father’s life a little easier in this terribly harsh world. I won’t describe much more of the plot as it’s only a short book and things don’t really get moving until towards the end. But it moves along like any YA dystopian does.
My main complaints are really about world building. You are dropped into this world straight away and nothing is really explained. I had a hard time imagining the Cold in its various forms and wish we knew more about what actually happened to the world. I also felt that the characters weren’t very well developed. They were good characters, don’t get me wrong. I just didn’t feel their plight or care very much about them. Which is a shame because this world is super interesting and not run of the mill. With more world building and more character development this could be an excellent book. Sadly it fell short of the mark for me.
It felt like a dystopian novel as the setting was a sort of post apocalyptic world where the world is scorching hot. So much so that the rivers are boiling and water must be cooled down to drink. Cold is the currency in this world. The most valuable and precious thing. There are two types of people, the Jadens who are a slave race, they have to run errands and get the Cold for the Nobles. The nobles are the second type of people. They treat the Jadens like worthless dirt and are horrendous.
I really liked the world and found it to be so different and interesting.
In this story we follow Micah (Spout) a Jaden who scavenges the rubbish heaps for materials he can use to tinker with. He has a gift for inventing things that help to make his and his father’s life a little easier in this terribly harsh world. I won’t describe much more of the plot as it’s only a short book and things don’t really get moving until towards the end. But it moves along like any YA dystopian does.
My main complaints are really about world building. You are dropped into this world straight away and nothing is really explained. I had a hard time imagining the Cold in its various forms and wish we knew more about what actually happened to the world. I also felt that the characters weren’t very well developed. They were good characters, don’t get me wrong. I just didn’t feel their plight or care very much about them. Which is a shame because this world is super interesting and not run of the mill. With more world building and more character development this could be an excellent book. Sadly it fell short of the mark for me.
February 19, 2019
*Copy received by the author in exchange for an honest review.
*contains minor spoilers.
If you like YA dystopians, this is your next book to read!
The author does a very good job of creating a fantastical dystopian world where *cold* is the currency in a stifling desert-like world. Jadans are slaves due to a religious belief the ruling Nobles instill in all Jadans since birth that their people were the ones responsible for turning the world unbearably arid 800 years ago. The main character Micah is a very likable fifteen year old boy who illegally scouts for spare parts after curfew so he can tinker creating various useful object, also illegal. Early on he noticed this Jadan girl following him who is standing straight and proud! A completely foreign concept to him since Jadans have to look down and act in a subservient manner show respect.
The author is skillful in sucking the reader in- I could feel the stifling heat and patched throat the MC described. Very good world building. One bing I found Very interesting is that children are not raised with their biological parents but assigned to random adults, I suppose a tactic by the Nobles to a kid strong familial ties, though this doesn’t stop the MC and his father from loving each other, or a few other kids in Micah’s assigned barracks. One of my minor dislikes was that the romance was a bit rushed and could’ve waited to the next book.
*contains minor spoilers.
If you like YA dystopians, this is your next book to read!
The author does a very good job of creating a fantastical dystopian world where *cold* is the currency in a stifling desert-like world. Jadans are slaves due to a religious belief the ruling Nobles instill in all Jadans since birth that their people were the ones responsible for turning the world unbearably arid 800 years ago. The main character Micah is a very likable fifteen year old boy who illegally scouts for spare parts after curfew so he can tinker creating various useful object, also illegal. Early on he noticed this Jadan girl following him who is standing straight and proud! A completely foreign concept to him since Jadans have to look down and act in a subservient manner show respect.
The author is skillful in sucking the reader in- I could feel the stifling heat and patched throat the MC described. Very good world building. One bing I found Very interesting is that children are not raised with their biological parents but assigned to random adults, I suppose a tactic by the Nobles to a kid strong familial ties, though this doesn’t stop the MC and his father from loving each other, or a few other kids in Micah’s assigned barracks. One of my minor dislikes was that the romance was a bit rushed and could’ve waited to the next book.
November 19, 2017
Set on a planet which is mostly desert, the Nobles have control of the cold and the lowly Jadens get the merest leftovers. Micah is an unusual boy. Scavenging amongst the rubbish at night he tinkers, creating forbidden mechanical inventions. Death is a constant threat but then so is rebellion.
The bottom line of this book is not disimilar to many post-apocalypic type books. However, there is no guarantee that this is earth and it is approximately 800 years after the cataclysmic event - whatever that was. This event has become shrouded in a religion where the Nobles deserve the cold and the water but the Jadens, who angered the gods, are unworthy. This society is structured well though there were some questions around it which I am still puzzled by - why can't the Jaden create things? I also struggled with the exact nature of the cold which seemed to be a sort of ice but not quite.
It always takes a while to explain a world to the reader and this can get a little tedious. I found that this book managed to avoid the tedium and explained things well as the story progressed. There wasn't a point in which I thought about giving up and I found myself thinking about this book whilst doing other things.
Micah is a clever lad in many ways but has no real foresight on how to make radical changes. However with the help of two friends he is forced to see that real change needs to happen and soon. Tinkering with mechanics and making little inventions is not enough to change the world!
I have read a good number of this type of book and would rate this well above average. The world, its social structure and religion do stand up well and more or less make sense. The characters are well constructed from the main characters including Micah to his Father, Abe and his friends amongst the Jadens. A vast majority of the characters are likeable and I found it very easy to be behind Micah and the cause of the Jadens. I liked the fact that Micah is a slightly reluctant hero and not really sure of the direction he should be taking.
The ending of this book came to a great climax which fitted well with the story. There is obviously another book to follow on and I shall be keen to read this. I feel that some of my queries will be answered as Micah discovers more about the history of his world and the structure of the society.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
The bottom line of this book is not disimilar to many post-apocalypic type books. However, there is no guarantee that this is earth and it is approximately 800 years after the cataclysmic event - whatever that was. This event has become shrouded in a religion where the Nobles deserve the cold and the water but the Jadens, who angered the gods, are unworthy. This society is structured well though there were some questions around it which I am still puzzled by - why can't the Jaden create things? I also struggled with the exact nature of the cold which seemed to be a sort of ice but not quite.
It always takes a while to explain a world to the reader and this can get a little tedious. I found that this book managed to avoid the tedium and explained things well as the story progressed. There wasn't a point in which I thought about giving up and I found myself thinking about this book whilst doing other things.
Micah is a clever lad in many ways but has no real foresight on how to make radical changes. However with the help of two friends he is forced to see that real change needs to happen and soon. Tinkering with mechanics and making little inventions is not enough to change the world!
I have read a good number of this type of book and would rate this well above average. The world, its social structure and religion do stand up well and more or less make sense. The characters are well constructed from the main characters including Micah to his Father, Abe and his friends amongst the Jadens. A vast majority of the characters are likeable and I found it very easy to be behind Micah and the cause of the Jadens. I liked the fact that Micah is a slightly reluctant hero and not really sure of the direction he should be taking.
The ending of this book came to a great climax which fitted well with the story. There is obviously another book to follow on and I shall be keen to read this. I feel that some of my queries will be answered as Micah discovers more about the history of his world and the structure of the society.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
October 17, 2017
Great book, really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the second book of the series!
May 7, 2018
“This is disgusting.”, that’s what I thought about the hierarchy in Daniel Cohen’s Coldmaker’s World. There are a lot more people who think they are above anyone and there are taskmakers and Jadanmasters who treat Jadans, the race that you could think of as a slave in this world, ungrateful and immoral. As I was reading the book – I felt outraged, humiliated and terrified. I’m not a fan of these kinds of treatment and I feel the anger rising inside my chest – that’s how effective Cohen as a writer.
At first, I had a difficult time digesting the novel. There are terminologies that are new in the book that I am not yet familiar with. The main character’s personality is slowly building up its profile to its audience but as long as you don’t give up on the book – you will get to know what is the status of their world and what could happen next. There are also some variables in the novel that you need to be attentive to fully grasp the condition of the World Cried. It is both fascinating and interesting, it will make you question a lot of things like how did their world became like this or how did they ended up being slave or maybe why the hell would she kill the kid? My heart mourns for that death.
It is a huge world, there are few characters who are kind and you wanted to know what might happen to them. There are also a lot of cruel characters that I would like to understand from different perspectives. Also, there is a mysterious character that will keep you reading to know what will happen next or what discoveries will they hold for the readers. It keeps me on wanting more of their world, of the character’s development. I would like to see through of what will they become.
Coldmaker is a difficult book and yet compelling. It challenges its reader’s patience on reading even though I finished this novel within two days. I’ve had difficulty on immersing on the book but like Pierce Brown’s Red Rising, I didn’t give up. Now, both Red Rising and Coldmaker are my favorite books. Both dwell in the society and cultural diversity that implies how unfair, cruel and ineffective the hierarchical basis of manipulating or controlling the people.
There are a lot of things that I realized in the book that really taught me in some ways; that it doesn’t have to be the same blood running through your veins to call someone a family, that you have to believe in yourself – you don’t know how far you will go, and that there’s more to life than you think.
Coldmaker doesn’t just give hope to the readers, it also gave tenacity, perseverance, and courage. I don’t fully trust the characters in this book – especially Cam, I don’t know what would he offer in the next book, I’m scared. I have hesitations with Shilah. If I were Spout, I don’t know what choice I would choose from here onwards. But there’s one thing that I know. Everyone should read Coldmaker as it offers a good amount of diversity and breaking stereotypes between Nobles and Jadans (slaves) that we can reflect with our society today. This is not just a novel, it is a book breaking borders.
MY RATINGS: 4.5 STARS!
At first, I had a difficult time digesting the novel. There are terminologies that are new in the book that I am not yet familiar with. The main character’s personality is slowly building up its profile to its audience but as long as you don’t give up on the book – you will get to know what is the status of their world and what could happen next. There are also some variables in the novel that you need to be attentive to fully grasp the condition of the World Cried. It is both fascinating and interesting, it will make you question a lot of things like how did their world became like this or how did they ended up being slave or maybe why the hell would she kill the kid? My heart mourns for that death.
It is a huge world, there are few characters who are kind and you wanted to know what might happen to them. There are also a lot of cruel characters that I would like to understand from different perspectives. Also, there is a mysterious character that will keep you reading to know what will happen next or what discoveries will they hold for the readers. It keeps me on wanting more of their world, of the character’s development. I would like to see through of what will they become.
Coldmaker is a difficult book and yet compelling. It challenges its reader’s patience on reading even though I finished this novel within two days. I’ve had difficulty on immersing on the book but like Pierce Brown’s Red Rising, I didn’t give up. Now, both Red Rising and Coldmaker are my favorite books. Both dwell in the society and cultural diversity that implies how unfair, cruel and ineffective the hierarchical basis of manipulating or controlling the people.
There are a lot of things that I realized in the book that really taught me in some ways; that it doesn’t have to be the same blood running through your veins to call someone a family, that you have to believe in yourself – you don’t know how far you will go, and that there’s more to life than you think.
Coldmaker doesn’t just give hope to the readers, it also gave tenacity, perseverance, and courage. I don’t fully trust the characters in this book – especially Cam, I don’t know what would he offer in the next book, I’m scared. I have hesitations with Shilah. If I were Spout, I don’t know what choice I would choose from here onwards. But there’s one thing that I know. Everyone should read Coldmaker as it offers a good amount of diversity and breaking stereotypes between Nobles and Jadans (slaves) that we can reflect with our society today. This is not just a novel, it is a book breaking borders.
MY RATINGS: 4.5 STARS!
January 10, 2019
I really enjoyed the concept behind this novel, that in a world of overwhelming heat, cold drops from the sky in gradations of various physical forms and who is allowed to possess and utilize this is strictly controlled by a rigid hierarchy that sees one race practically enslaved. This race, the Jaden, are not allowed to possess any fragments of the cold that fall to the earth and their servitude is justified under a mythos that they are responsible for the heat devastation that has destroyed this once green land and that the nobles rule or hold their positions at the top because their Khat saved the Jadens.
This mythos is so pervasive and ingrained that even the majority of the Jadens are believers in their own servitude.
This book had so much potential but unfortunately while I enjoyed the characters to a degree there was always something that remained a bit flat about them. While for the back story. on the world building. the element we got to see was fascinating but at the same time I was left with the feeling that there was so much more that could have been explored.
Will however still read the second book when it comes out to see if there is some more of the parts that I found lacking.
This mythos is so pervasive and ingrained that even the majority of the Jadens are believers in their own servitude.
This book had so much potential but unfortunately while I enjoyed the characters to a degree there was always something that remained a bit flat about them. While for the back story. on the world building. the element we got to see was fascinating but at the same time I was left with the feeling that there was so much more that could have been explored.
Will however still read the second book when it comes out to see if there is some more of the parts that I found lacking.
January 27, 2018
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Overall, I LOVED this book, like seriously could not put it down (Book 2 now please!!!). This is my first 5* review this year ❤ It was well written, the characters were written in a way that was rich in personality and you actually related to them. The world was incredible. Not going to lie here, I was a little bit disappointed with the world building to start with BUT that said the further I got into it the richer the world became and by the time we were 80% through the book I could very easily picture it in my head.
The idea of Nobels vs Jadans, Rich vs Poor, is not a new one but this is done in a new way. Money isn’t a commodity and having it replaced with cold is an interesting concept and one I’d like to see expanded on a bit more.
Although this is a fantasy book, I think it very much on the accessible side of fantasy and there are a lot of tie ins to things in our world so I would recommend to even non fantasy fans.
Overall, I LOVED this book, like seriously could not put it down (Book 2 now please!!!). This is my first 5* review this year ❤ It was well written, the characters were written in a way that was rich in personality and you actually related to them. The world was incredible. Not going to lie here, I was a little bit disappointed with the world building to start with BUT that said the further I got into it the richer the world became and by the time we were 80% through the book I could very easily picture it in my head.
The idea of Nobels vs Jadans, Rich vs Poor, is not a new one but this is done in a new way. Money isn’t a commodity and having it replaced with cold is an interesting concept and one I’d like to see expanded on a bit more.
Although this is a fantasy book, I think it very much on the accessible side of fantasy and there are a lot of tie ins to things in our world so I would recommend to even non fantasy fans.
November 28, 2017
I won this in the giveaways in exchange for an honest review. Micah is a Street Jadan, one of a race of people subjected to misery by another because of something his people supposedly did hundreds of years ago. Now Micah and his people must toil in unbearable heat, denied access to any relief because only Nobles are allowed anything cool. But, rebellion is in the air. The whole heat/cold thing was an interesting premise and the writing was engaging. The characters were interesting and I liked how the story ended setting it up for a sequel.
March 4, 2018
INCREDIBLE! I usually don't read fantasy books, but I was intrigued after I watched a video review of the book. The author brings you directly into this alternate world and keeps you captivated with every word! I cannot WAIT FOR THE 2ND BOOK!
October 16, 2017
For an individual who doesn’t read much fantasy, I truly enjoyed this novel and would highly recommend. The characters were relatable and easy to connect with, and the storyline was fascinating and something I’ve never read before (or had heard of in any other novel). This is one of the most enjoyable fantasy novels of 2017 and 10/10 would encourage any and all to pick up and immerse themselves in.
December 11, 2017
A great book with a fabulous story line !!
December 21, 2017
Full review up on my blog: https://chaininteraction.wordpress.co...
Let’s start with concept, because I think that’s the most powerful thing in this book. In this setting cold is a physical thing you can find, obtain and own – I’m not explaining it well, but the book does. It is one of the best uses of ‘here’s a weird idea I’ll write a book about it’ I’ve ever found.
The reason I think it works so well is that Daniel A. Cohen writes heat so wonderfully well. Even reading at a freezing bus stop first thing in the morning you can feel the blistering heat of this fantasy world. An extension of this is that Cohen is phenomenal at writing the pain his characters feel. You wince for them when they’re whipped or left to dehydrate. It makes for not only an immersive experience, but also characters that you desperately want to help. I was deep into this world by the end of the book and I think that’s a testament to Cohen’s writing talents.
What I liked is that this didn’t become ‘rich person saviour’-esque. There’s an element of that to it, which could have turned me completely off the book as a whole, but it is in general held in balance with an understanding that it is the Jadan who are the main characters in this story.
The one thing that sent it from being an instant 5 star to a four? The romance. I hate to be that person and for some people I know that romance is an important element to a story but for me this was so tacked on and didn’t serve the story at all. I think if the idea of romance being forbidden had been instilled more in the setting it might have been more effective. In general I think this could have waited for the sequel (please say there is a sequel) because there was barely enough time for the reader to get to know the characters, let alone for the characters to get to know each other. I actually rolled my eyes when the kiss happened because for me it didn’t feel like it was adding anything to the story or to the character. I’m making a bigger deal of it than I perhaps should, plenty of books I love have somewhat pointless romances, particularly in the beginnings to series, but it annoys me that this book, which I otherwise loved, had such a flaw.
If you like strange fantasy settings and rebellions this is definitely a book for you, I’d be interested to see how someone reading it in another season or who lived in a hotter climate might find it!
My rating: 4/5 stars
I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Let’s start with concept, because I think that’s the most powerful thing in this book. In this setting cold is a physical thing you can find, obtain and own – I’m not explaining it well, but the book does. It is one of the best uses of ‘here’s a weird idea I’ll write a book about it’ I’ve ever found.
The reason I think it works so well is that Daniel A. Cohen writes heat so wonderfully well. Even reading at a freezing bus stop first thing in the morning you can feel the blistering heat of this fantasy world. An extension of this is that Cohen is phenomenal at writing the pain his characters feel. You wince for them when they’re whipped or left to dehydrate. It makes for not only an immersive experience, but also characters that you desperately want to help. I was deep into this world by the end of the book and I think that’s a testament to Cohen’s writing talents.
What I liked is that this didn’t become ‘rich person saviour’-esque. There’s an element of that to it, which could have turned me completely off the book as a whole, but it is in general held in balance with an understanding that it is the Jadan who are the main characters in this story.
The one thing that sent it from being an instant 5 star to a four? The romance. I hate to be that person and for some people I know that romance is an important element to a story but for me this was so tacked on and didn’t serve the story at all. I think if the idea of romance being forbidden had been instilled more in the setting it might have been more effective. In general I think this could have waited for the sequel (please say there is a sequel) because there was barely enough time for the reader to get to know the characters, let alone for the characters to get to know each other. I actually rolled my eyes when the kiss happened because for me it didn’t feel like it was adding anything to the story or to the character. I’m making a bigger deal of it than I perhaps should, plenty of books I love have somewhat pointless romances, particularly in the beginnings to series, but it annoys me that this book, which I otherwise loved, had such a flaw.
If you like strange fantasy settings and rebellions this is definitely a book for you, I’d be interested to see how someone reading it in another season or who lived in a hotter climate might find it!
My rating: 4/5 stars
I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 20, 2017
I received an e-arc of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
I was intrigued by the premise of this book, and I am very glad to say I was not disappointed. Coldmaker delivers an original fantasy with social justice undertones. We're in Paphos, where Sun makes the heat unbearable and Cold falls from the sky, but only for a select category of people. Jadans are enslaved by the Nobles as punishment for their actions many centuries before, which, according to the sacred books, are the whole reason why the world has turned into an immense desert and whole species of animals have vanished entirely.
The world building here was amazing. I could almost feel the heat while reading! The societal structure is explained very clearly, but without ever feeling lecture-y, which is often an issue I have with fantasy books. Jadans are subjected to all sort of abuses at the hands of Nobles and taskmasters, but meekly accept because "it is the Crier's will". When a mysterious Jadan dares rebel, however, the whole system receives a massive shock, initiating a chain reaction that might end with freedom... or massacre. The idea behind this society is absolutely brilliant, and raises so many interesting points on freedom, equality, power dynamics, labour... It's incredibly hard to explore any of these without risking some major spoilers, so I'll stop here!
Word of warning: the author is evil, and had me tearing up more than once. Learn from my mistakes: do not, I repeat DO NOT like the characters. No one is safe!!! Also, on a rather more serious note, be prepared if you are a highly sensitive person, as some of the ill-treatment received by the Jadans is described in quite some detail. It's not graphic at any point and it was necessary within the story and the world-building, but may disturb some people.
Overall, a really solid start to a new, original fantasy series. There is never a boring moment, and the cast of characters is varied and absolutely fabulous. Our narrator and main character, Micah, is funny, caring, brilliant and overall adorable, and I cannot wait to if and how he will manage to free his people from slavery restore Cold to Paphos!
For this and more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
I was intrigued by the premise of this book, and I am very glad to say I was not disappointed. Coldmaker delivers an original fantasy with social justice undertones. We're in Paphos, where Sun makes the heat unbearable and Cold falls from the sky, but only for a select category of people. Jadans are enslaved by the Nobles as punishment for their actions many centuries before, which, according to the sacred books, are the whole reason why the world has turned into an immense desert and whole species of animals have vanished entirely.
The world building here was amazing. I could almost feel the heat while reading! The societal structure is explained very clearly, but without ever feeling lecture-y, which is often an issue I have with fantasy books. Jadans are subjected to all sort of abuses at the hands of Nobles and taskmasters, but meekly accept because "it is the Crier's will". When a mysterious Jadan dares rebel, however, the whole system receives a massive shock, initiating a chain reaction that might end with freedom... or massacre. The idea behind this society is absolutely brilliant, and raises so many interesting points on freedom, equality, power dynamics, labour... It's incredibly hard to explore any of these without risking some major spoilers, so I'll stop here!
Word of warning: the author is evil, and had me tearing up more than once. Learn from my mistakes: do not, I repeat DO NOT like the characters. No one is safe!!! Also, on a rather more serious note, be prepared if you are a highly sensitive person, as some of the ill-treatment received by the Jadans is described in quite some detail. It's not graphic at any point and it was necessary within the story and the world-building, but may disturb some people.
Overall, a really solid start to a new, original fantasy series. There is never a boring moment, and the cast of characters is varied and absolutely fabulous. Our narrator and main character, Micah, is funny, caring, brilliant and overall adorable, and I cannot wait to if and how he will manage to free his people from slavery restore Cold to Paphos!
For this and more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
March 8, 2018
Interesting and quite different. I wasn't sure about it as I was reading, but I kept reading.
I'm not really sure what more to say other than I will definitely read book 2.
I'm not really sure what more to say other than I will definitely read book 2.
January 15, 2018
This book is amazing. The pacing is perfect, the story evokes the right mixture of emotion, and the characters are developed and 'real'. I found myself attached to many and hating others, some had me doubting their motives and distrusting their actions, and then some were amusing.
The story itself is an excellent fantasy piece with echoes of realism that hit hard. This is one of the few books where I legit found myself unable to put the book down and ended up reading "just one more chapter" about six times in a row.
Not only is the story great and the writing fruitful and exciting, but the author is also a genuinely great guy. I've had the fortune to converse with Daniel briefly and positivity and creativity seems to ooze naturally from him.
Overall, this story is engaging, well-paced, superbly written, and a top read. If you haven't already put it on your 'to read' shelf, do so!
The story itself is an excellent fantasy piece with echoes of realism that hit hard. This is one of the few books where I legit found myself unable to put the book down and ended up reading "just one more chapter" about six times in a row.
Not only is the story great and the writing fruitful and exciting, but the author is also a genuinely great guy. I've had the fortune to converse with Daniel briefly and positivity and creativity seems to ooze naturally from him.
Overall, this story is engaging, well-paced, superbly written, and a top read. If you haven't already put it on your 'to read' shelf, do so!
August 18, 2024
I don't read many fantasies, but every so often I read one that I really enjoy and am left wondering why I don't read more. I think I'm worried that I will find the world-building of fantasies too complex, or imaginative, or abstract to properly engage with and relate to. But if written well, I suppose the worlds of fantasies only ever really imitate, and innovate on, our own. That was certainly the case with Coldmaker. Its concept, that in a world bathed in heat cold has become a commodity and a symbol of power, is an interesting one, which I haven't come across before, but its fundamental basis of arbitrary and unjust hierarchies is, unfortunately, all too familiar. Coldmaker, and its curious protagonist, had me hooked from the start, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get lost in another world, which actually turns out to be not that far from our own.
August 27, 2018
Really enjoyed this, the beginning of a series about a 'jadan' - a slave from Paphos who is an inventor in secret, a hobby that lands him in a little trouble, makes him friends, and has the power to free his fellow 'jadans' from slaving to produce cold for the 'nobles'. That's the top and bottom of this great little beginning to Cohen's trilogy, not a hard read, not a long read, but an interesting, intricate and wonderful book with characters the reader can relate to and a setting that is reminiscent of ancient Egypt - recommended for all fellow fantasy and historical fiction fans alike xx
April 29, 2019
Cold as something tangible that falls from the sky and is the measure of wealth is a new concept. However, the treatment is not sufficient to make this the kind of wow experience that Brandon Sanderson (one of the author's role models, as per the afterword) did in the Mistborn series.
There are unresolved points (is the Utopia dreamed of by the slaves real or imaginary); the kind slaver is two dimensional; the hero is a genius inventor who can invent and prototype system-changing innovations in, literally, days; the heroine is mysteriously independent, bold, able to get unconditional support for no reason that the reader can see while the hero has to prove himself...
Yet, there are plus points. The basis for the excessive cruelty of the slaver class is realistic (religion can cause people to put aside empathy and be cruel by godly demand). You do care for the hero and the heroine. There are sympathetic characters. Some of the villains are somewhat understandable. The 'science' of the Cold seems to have some (if flimsy) basis. At a few points in the book, you can feel the heat that pervades the World Cried (that's what it's called).
I'm ambivalent whether I want to read the next book in the series or not. I fear the plot is being dragged to generate more volume. It may not stand up to the strain.
There are unresolved points (is the Utopia dreamed of by the slaves real or imaginary); the kind slaver is two dimensional; the hero is a genius inventor who can invent and prototype system-changing innovations in, literally, days; the heroine is mysteriously independent, bold, able to get unconditional support for no reason that the reader can see while the hero has to prove himself...
Yet, there are plus points. The basis for the excessive cruelty of the slaver class is realistic (religion can cause people to put aside empathy and be cruel by godly demand). You do care for the hero and the heroine. There are sympathetic characters. Some of the villains are somewhat understandable. The 'science' of the Cold seems to have some (if flimsy) basis. At a few points in the book, you can feel the heat that pervades the World Cried (that's what it's called).
I'm ambivalent whether I want to read the next book in the series or not. I fear the plot is being dragged to generate more volume. It may not stand up to the strain.
December 7, 2020
Such an amazing story with great characters, well done world building and an ending that makes it hard to wait for my local library to buy the other parts of the trilogy.
This is a dystopian fantasy story and it’s set in a world (maybe our world) that is suffering from the great Drought ages ago. It made the whole earth into a huge desert where few of mankind has been able to survive. Now the majority of the population, called Jadan people, are accused of causing the Drought with all their sin and they’re being kept as slaves under horrible conditions. The Nobles are holding the power in this society by controlling the Cold which is so important for surviving. We are following the young man Micah who’s a slave and suffering like every other Jadans. But he’s carrying a dream of becoming an Inventor and make things to make life easier. One day he sees Jadan girl who’s special because she refuses to bent her back but runs freely with her back straight and proud. And Micah starts on a journey where he’ll begin to question what he always have been taught and dream about what seems so impossible at first: freedom.
This is a dystopian fantasy story and it’s set in a world (maybe our world) that is suffering from the great Drought ages ago. It made the whole earth into a huge desert where few of mankind has been able to survive. Now the majority of the population, called Jadan people, are accused of causing the Drought with all their sin and they’re being kept as slaves under horrible conditions. The Nobles are holding the power in this society by controlling the Cold which is so important for surviving. We are following the young man Micah who’s a slave and suffering like every other Jadans. But he’s carrying a dream of becoming an Inventor and make things to make life easier. One day he sees Jadan girl who’s special because she refuses to bent her back but runs freely with her back straight and proud. And Micah starts on a journey where he’ll begin to question what he always have been taught and dream about what seems so impossible at first: freedom.
February 10, 2024
Unfortunately, while the writing was good, the story just didn't work for me at all. I didn't believe the worldbuilding, which kept me from believing the story at all.
Set in a dystopian world where the sun was too strong and life was barely holding on (any standing water, for example rivers, boiled), there were two races of people: One noble and the other slaves. The slaves were so over the top abused, it was completely ridiculous. Like the slaves have to work most of their waking hours in the sun, and yet get only two "rations" of water a day, water they drink while standing in front of the overseer.
The world didn't make sense in general, too. "Cold" fell from the sky in three forms (Shivers, Wisps, and something else I don't remember). Was it snow? Was it ice? Magic? Crystals? It was somehow used as money in this brutal-sun world, and yet it never melted.
I tried to stick it out, but the abuse of the slaves was just too over the top and completely unbelievable. Somehow the slaves (humans) survived on the harsh world with a tiny bit of water and a couple figs. Every day.
DNF
Set in a dystopian world where the sun was too strong and life was barely holding on (any standing water, for example rivers, boiled), there were two races of people: One noble and the other slaves. The slaves were so over the top abused, it was completely ridiculous. Like the slaves have to work most of their waking hours in the sun, and yet get only two "rations" of water a day, water they drink while standing in front of the overseer.
The world didn't make sense in general, too. "Cold" fell from the sky in three forms (Shivers, Wisps, and something else I don't remember). Was it snow? Was it ice? Magic? Crystals? It was somehow used as money in this brutal-sun world, and yet it never melted.
I tried to stick it out, but the abuse of the slaves was just too over the top and completely unbelievable. Somehow the slaves (humans) survived on the harsh world with a tiny bit of water and a couple figs. Every day.
DNF
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