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Cold Iron

(Masters and Mages #1)

Miles Cameron (Goodreads Author)

4.05 · Rating details · 3,935 ratings · 347 reviews

A young mage-in-training takes up the sword and is unwittingly pulled into a violent political upheaval, in the first book of this epic fantasy trilogy by Miles Cameron, author of The Red Knight.

Aranthur is a promising young mage. But the world is not safe and after a confrontation leaves him no choice but to display his skill with a blade, Aranthur is instructed t

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Kindle Edition, 496 pages

Published October 23rd 2018 by Orbit (first published January 11th 2018)

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Feb 12, 2019 Sebastien Castell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Here’s my problem with epic fantasy: why should anyone learn a thousand names of places, peoples, languages, and various swords, tools, and cutlery, only to discover it was all just window dressing laid on top of the same worn-out narratives? Cold Iron by Miles Cameron’s answer is because sometimes all those things are so well thought-out, so elegantly formed, and so interconnected with the story itself, that they transcend narrative decoration and instead become a deep, convincing, and entirely Here’s my problem with epic fantasy: why should anyone learn a thousand names of places, peoples, languages, and various swords, tools, and cutlery, only to discover it was all just window dressing laid on top of the same worn-out narratives? Cold Iron by Miles Cameron’s answer is because sometimes all those things are so well thought-out, so elegantly formed, and so interconnected with the story itself, that they transcend narrative decoration and instead become a deep, convincing, and entirely immersive world.

Of course, Cameron, in his various guises (he’s also a noted historical adventure author), is known for the integrity and authenticity he brings to his world-building, but that’s never been enough for me to stick through five hundred pages of fantasy. What sets Cold Iron apart for me is how intensely character-focused it is and how willing it is to keep following its lead rather than always move the camera towards whichever giant battle is taking place somewhere. Aranthur is likeable in a way that’s become a bit rare in these Grimdark days: he’s decent, dutiful, and his flaws are ones many of us can recognize in ourselves (as opposed to randomly going off an killing a thousand people or deciding to consecrate his soul to the local demon because he wasn’t loved enough as a child.)

What I enjoyed most, though, was simply that from chapter to chapter I didn’t know what was coming next. Often Cameron brings Aranthur’s story back to his school or his work in a leather shop, his fencing salle or his home village. Each of these chapters is somehow compelling and rich with inner conflict as Aranthur struggles to understand not who or what he is, but who he wants to be. There aren’t many writers who can get me on board with that kind of storytelling, but with Cold Iron, it was as just as easy to get excited about these scenes as those filled with conspiracy, swordplay, and a brewing war.

Speaking of war, this is one of the places where Cold Iron departs from old-school fantasy – not because the book eschews the old “good vs. evil” structure (in fact, Cameron quite readily allows Aranthur to embrace a clear sense of who’s side he – and we – should be on), but rather because the philosophical arguments over cultural purity, a return to a glorious past, and the rationale to despise and mistreat refugees will feel all too familiar to modern audiences. Rather than portray migrants as simple victims, Cameron brings them into the intensely diverse cast of characters who drive the story forward.

There are aspects of Cold Iron that not all readers will enjoy. Aranthur is a young man just entering the world of romance and sexuality. As such he’s . . . distractable. At times he himself notes that he’s so enamoured of whichever woman he’s just gotten to know that he begins to distrust his own motives in pursuing them. To me it read as a realistic, if uncomfortable, reminder of what a lot of us are like in our early twenties. So you kind of have to let go of the notion that fantasy heroes are either instantly monogamous saints or utterly irreverent rogues because Aranthur is somewhere in between and even he’s not sure where he’s going to land as a person. Fortunately, the women he falls for are generally wiser in such matters than he is. It’s worth noting that while Aranthur is straight, there’s plenty of sexual diversity in the world of Cold Iron, and none of the characters seem too fussed about it.

A second issue that might occasionally trip up some readers is simply the depth of the world and its languages. I felt as if what I really wanted was not a map but an atlas of the world. Also, a set of dictionaries. A phone book would’ve helped, too. I know loads of readers adore this kind of expansive world-building, but others find it more challenging to follow. Suffice it to say, the world of Cold Iron is as big and rich as that of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. But that’s where the similarity ends and where my favourite comparison for Cold Iron begins.

For a long time as I read, I kept trying to figure out what book Cold Iron reminded me of. I was intensely enjoying Aranthur’s journeys and discoveries of himself and the world around him, daringly overcoming various challenges, sometimes succumbing to others. In some ways the book reminded me of some of the classic swashbuckling fiction of old: C.S. Forester’s Hornblower or Sabatini’s Scaramouche. But it wasn’t until I recalled a more recent novel, one I’d read some ten years ago now, that I found the real comparison: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Cold Iron brings back vividly that wonderful feeling of spending so much time in one character’s journey and seeing how they progress in an ever more dangerous and complex tale. It takes a master storyteller to make you enjoy spending so much time in one person’s shoes, but Cameron accomplishes it with flair and seeming ease.

So that’s where I’ll end my review: if you’re dying of wait for the next instalment of Rothfuss’s Kingkiller Chronicles, do yourself a favour and pick up Cold Iron by Miles Cameron. Not only is it just as compelling and vibrant, but rumour has it he’s already written all three books in the series, so you won’t have to wait long for the next ones to come out! ...more

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Jun 10, 2019 John Gwynne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I read this some time ago, and shared what I thought of it on Facebook and Twitter, but somehow I neglected to put my thoughts on Cold Iron down here. This is what I said:

Oh. My. Word.
Utterly, utterly brilliant. A masterclass in how to write modern fantasy - world building, characters, plot and pacing, all perfectly blended.
You might be getting the impression I enjoyed this book. For me this hit all the right spots. A gripping tale set within a fantastical but semi-historical world, characters ...more

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Sep 19, 2020 William Gwynne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audible, fantasy, reviewed

I now have a YouTube channel that I run with my brother, called 'The Brothers Gwynne'. Check it out - The Brothers Gwynne

Shockingly, Cold Iron is the first book I have read by Miles Cameron. I listened to this on Audible, and both the narration and story were very enjoyable.

A particular element of the story that was brilliant was the description of the action sequences. The author’s own re-ennactment experience obviously played a part in making these parts so incredibly authentic. But in the I now have a YouTube channel that I run with my brother, called 'The Brothers Gwynne'. Check it out - The Brothers Gwynne

Shockingly, Cold Iron is the first book I have read by Miles Cameron. I listened to this on Audible, and both the narration and story were very enjoyable.

A particular element of the story that was brilliant was the description of the action sequences. The author’s own re-ennactment experience obviously played a part in making these parts so incredibly authentic. But in the manner that is immersive, yet fluid, and relays the panic and adrenaline of the moments when one’s life is at risk.

“Boasting is a way of saying you are weak"

Cold Iron is inspired by an Eastern setting, set within a bustling city with a mixture of cultures as a result of a renowned university. Our central figure, Aranthur, is a student at this academic centre, adapting to urban life though he grew up on a farm and certainly not in a setting driven by scholarship. Yet alongside his academic passions, he is caught up in intrigue and military matters, with his intelligence and curiosity often placing him in places of danger.

Cold Iron could easily have become too fast paced, too busy and too confusing. Yet Miles Cameron moulded the plot and progression of the story in such a manner that it was interesting, with a mixture of fast pace and moments of pause which form a well-crafted arc.

“He could take some extra fencing lessons. He was in love with his sword, purchased in a used clothing market on a whim. With his rent money, because he was a fool.”

A strength of Cold Iron is placed within the side characters. Whilst we solely follow the perspective of out central protagonist, Aranthur, Cameron nicely develops a wide and varied side cast that incorporates characters of mixed backgrounds and interests. This was relatable to the world of Stephen King that I have read, in creating that atmosphere of town life that brings the setting to life.

Overall, I Cold Iron was a fresh and enjoyable read. I thought it was a beautifully crafted piece with elegant prose, intriguing plot and good characters.

4/5 STARS ...more

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Jun 03, 2019 Edward rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, reviews, favorites

“It is important to know that you can kill, evenly, ruthlessly, without pause to wrestle your conscience, because the world is full of people who will kill you if you prevaricate.”

This is the second fantasy book I have read by Miles Cameron. Coming straight from the Red Knight really highlighted the themes that are evident within these contrasting books. Where The Red Knight was a book of grim mercenary western-knights and gritty epic battles against fantastical creatures, Cold Iron is a book of “It is important to know that you can kill, evenly, ruthlessly, without pause to wrestle your conscience, because the world is full of people who will kill you if you prevaricate.”

This is the second fantasy book I have read by Miles Cameron. Coming straight from the Red Knight really highlighted the themes that are evident within these contrasting books. Where The Red Knight was a book of grim mercenary western-knights and gritty epic battles against fantastical creatures, Cold Iron is a book of Eastern life within a city, of academia and subtle details of living, racism and refugees struggle. I loved it.

Cold Iron is told from the POV of Aranthur Timos, a student at a city academy. He was born on a farm his father owned out of the city but like many young people in the country, was drawn to the life within a great city. Arranthur is a relatively normal young man, who proceeds to encounter rather un-normal events and be at the centre of them. He develops throughout the story, questions himself, learns, makes friends, makes enemies and grows within himself. His arc was written fantastically and I found myself really liking Aranthur, feeling his frustrations and joys. Aranthur learns throughout Cold Iron sword-craft, leather-work, magik and the ways of socialisation with peers, masters and royalty. I adored all of the subtle details of the world, which completely added to the wonderful world building.

“Boasting is a way of saying you are weak”

Through his adventures in and out of the city, Aranthur meets and befriends many characters, some more memorable than others. I particularly enjoyed the scenes with Dhalia, a female interest of Aranthur’s who always keeps him on his toes. One thing I really enjoyed within part 1 of Masters & Mages was the wide range of female characters and their roles within it. After recently completing my dissertation, which concentrated on gender roles and representation within literature, it was fascinating to see how Miles Cameron wrote his female characters. There were those that adhered to tropes of love interests, but they all made their mark on the story and moved away from these classic portrayals. There were also female characters who were witty and sharp, in the duelling ring as well as out of it. Females in positions of power and those that are peers too Aranthur. The wide range of characters Aranthur meets enhanced the enjoyment, and their various portrayals gave the story life.

The plot was very fresh. There was political intrigue and plots and twists in levels of the story from all characters. Aranthur seemed to float from one event to another, always caught up in trouble, all whilst working and learning. There is action, duels, sword-skills, magic use and horse-riding. There is also opera, markets, transcribing ancient texts and farm work. I loved the mix up and the contrast of city life and country life. Aranthur’s city lifestyle and involvement in certain events turning him gradually into a well-known man with high-placed friends and a role to play in the intrigue of the county was fleshed out and built steadily to a crescendo.

“Whats a daesia?”
“A man who lives to… I don’t know. For pleasure. To lie with others. And gamble, and fight, and raise hell. A person who goes to plays and jeers at the playwright. Goes to temple and mocks the priest’s hypocrisy. Goes to the brothel to find love. Fights duels. Writes poetry.” He laughed. “Bad poetry.”
“Sounds wonderful. Where do I sign up?”

5/5 - Certainly spy-novel-esque, Cold Iron had superb world-building, fun characters and action alongside intrigue. Throughly recommended for any readers of fantasy and anything else really, you won’t regret it. ...more

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Dec 31, 2018 Mogsy (MMOGC) rated it liked it

Shelves: review-copy, arcs-and-galleys, fantasy, epic

3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/01/13/...

I’ve always felt like I missed out on something big when it comes to Miles Cameron, not having read his Traitor Son Cycle. And while that series is still on the to-read list, when I found out about Cold Iron, the first book his new series called Master and Mages, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to finally experience this author’s work for myself and see what the fuss is all about.

As such, I had no idea what to expect 3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/01/13/...

I’ve always felt like I missed out on something big when it comes to Miles Cameron, not having read his Traitor Son Cycle. And while that series is still on the to-read list, when I found out about Cold Iron, the first book his new series called Master and Mages, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to finally experience this author’s work for myself and see what the fuss is all about.

As such, I had no idea what to expect when I started this book. I was a little surprised to find strong throwback vibes to the classic fantasy stories in which the humble farmboy leaves the sheltered confines of his remote village to go to school and explore the world, only to stumble upon a greater destiny than he ever imagined for himself. At least, this was the novel’s early direction. Readers follow Aranthur, a young mage from the rural outskirts who has been living in the big city to study the magical arts at the prestigious academy. We first meet him on the road as he travels home to spend the holidays with his family, but then our protagonist gets himself mixed up in a violent conflict at a local inn, which ends up with him killing someone in self-defense.

This watershed moment leads Aranthur down a new path to a world full of unexpected and exciting opportunities—the chance to master his skills with the blade and to rub elbows with the city’s most elite. But as the political landscape becomes ever more unstable, Aranthur begins to question his role in all of it, wondering why this life of blood, death, and cold iron is the one fate has chosen for him, and thinking maybe there is still a way to change and protect the people he cares about.

As I said, Cold Iron contains strong allusions to classic and popular fantasy tropes, a no doubt intentional decision by the author, who has made some clear attempts to revitalize how we view the genre. Remarkably, there is a decent amount of freshness in a novel like this, even with all the well-worn ideas, in part because Cameron never takes them to the point where they feel superficial or misused. He also includes themes that contemporary readers can relate to, while being careful not to cross the line into overtly discussing current issues.

Aranthur was also a likeable guy. Like most coming-of-age tales about idealistic and easily impassioned young men, his story was full of surprises. In many ways, his character calls to mind Kvothe from Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind, another novel that has often been described as rooted in the classical fantasy tradition but with updated twists for a modern readership. Both protagonists start from humble beginnings to wind up the central figure in a conflict much bigger than they are, in a position to affect great change with their decisions. Both spend a good chunk of time in a university setting, learning new things and making new friends. Both seem to constantly moan about being broke. Bottom line, there are enough parallels between the two that make me think if you enjoyed one, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy the other.

On the flip side, these kinds of stories also tend to have slow buildups and Cold Iron is no exception, especially since it contains so much complex political intrigue. I won’t deny there were parts that had me wishing I could skim, even knowing full well that the narrative is setting up the world and slowly introducing all the key players. As a result, there is a lot of initial wandering and the accompanying stop-and-go pacing. There were several scenes which made me and stop and ask myself, what’s the point? And yet, while not every moment is filled with riveting action or excitement, every new experience Aranthur has, every new encounter with a character or every new relationship he cultivates is another step towards revealing Cameron’s grand plot.

To put it simply, Cold Iron is a good start. The biggest challenge in writing the first book of an epic fantasy series is always the balancing act between the elements of world-building and the overall plot. You want to give enough attention to the former because it is the basis upon which your entire series will be built, but at the same time you don’t want to smother the latter because the main character and his story still needs to be compelling enough to hold the reader’s interest. On the whole, I believe Miles Cameron accomplished this goal. The pacing is shaky in places, it’s true—but I also think he’s also established a solid foundation for the next novel, which should flow more smoothly as a result. But perhaps the biggest proof of this opening novel’s success lies in the fact I’m intrigued by Aranthur and I feel invested in the outcome of his story. Needless to say, I’ll be continuing with the sequel. ...more

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Aug 28, 2018 Emma rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

3.5 stars

Aranthur is just another student on the way home for the holidays, but the inn in which he chooses to break the journey turns out to be the very wrong place, and it’s certainly the very wrong time. The bloody episode that follows has ramifications which spread vine like through the narrative, including significant changes for all those who happened to be there. For Aranthur, it sets the path of his life thereafter, throwing him into the heart of political intrigue of the highest sort.

T 3.5 stars

Aranthur is just another student on the way home for the holidays, but the inn in which he chooses to break the journey turns out to be the very wrong place, and it’s certainly the very wrong time. The bloody episode that follows has ramifications which spread vine like through the narrative, including significant changes for all those who happened to be there. For Aranthur, it sets the path of his life thereafter, throwing him into the heart of political intrigue of the highest sort.

The story is a meandering one. Safe to say if you’re looking for non-stop action, this is not for you. In fact, this is another book that reminded me very much of The Name of the Wind because it charts the tale of a nobody from nowhere who ends up at the very centre of things, while still having to pay his rent. Aranthur is clearly a ta’veren, but he’s also a minor player in much greater conflicts. He may be the focus of the story and the voice through which the reader sees the events of the book, but it’s made clear that the other characters are deeply involved in the great game- high politics is being played by all, and played to win. It makes you feel for him because he is very much at the mercy of what’s happening around him and while that gives him a pretty passive role in his own life, he works hard within the framework he’s given to do the right thing. In any case, like Kvothe, Aranthur is engaging enough that you don’t mind spending the time with him regardless of whether it’s really moving the plot forwards. And while it might be slow and character focused, when the action hits, it’s brutal and inventive. Shadow monsters come out of nowhere and rip you to bloody shreds. I mean, that’s what might happen. At some point.

The language well reflects the character’s awkwardness, especially in the beginning when he is unsure of himself and his new, more responsible role in society: ‘Join you and do what? With my minimal sword skills and my nonexistent talent for Safiri and power, join you and we’ll save the world?’ Without doubt, this is a coming of age story, a journey in which the reader learns alongside Aranthur, and the development of knowledge is a significant motif in the book. It seems like it’s important to Miles Cameron too since his created world is deeply influenced by our own, peppered with vocabulary from history and classical/world languages: syr for sir and agora (marketplace) to name just two. The scope of the word borrowing extends far outside the timescale in which the book is set, something that feels like the later Middle Ages to Early Modern period. The transition between swords and guns allows for some thrilling fight scenes, never losing that classic swords and sorcery feeling. The magic system itself has a similar set up to The Wheel of Time, with a split between female and male power, here called saar and sihr respectively- the male being the darker as in WoT. The potential of power is hinted at but used sparingly- as with so much in this book, learning is necessary for greater workings. On the other hand, the everyday, smaller, more egalitarian uses of power by normal people is cleverly used as the motivation for the grand struggle: who should get to use it? For some, the Pure, the answer is only the best people. And guess what, that ain’t me and you. It’s an effective way to talk about class struggle and discrimination, especially since, in this world, magic is needed for some basic tasks, ones that keep people alive.

The feeds into another challenging topic the book deals with: racism. Some reviewers have suggested this book might be racist, for example citing ‘mongels’ as an unacceptable term to use in modern writing. No judgement from me on that (because it doesn’t sound good at all), but I think this is a book in which people come to realise, or not, their prejudices, rather than starting out maturely developed. My reading of it was that racism was something the book particularly tries to address, especially through responses to refugees from the wars in the east who continue to arrive in the city and the countryside as things worsen in their former homes. In both environments, refugees are identified as a problem, dealt with in a range of ways. The language used to describe differences between foreigners and local populations come from the mouths of the characters rather than the author and reflect the insidious and ever present nature of racism, the seemingly inescapable need for people to identify and highlight human variation in order to position themselves above others. The supposed clash of cultures is repeatedly utilised as an excuse for a refusal to understand or accept different ways of living, enabling the author to show the sheer irrationality of racial prejudice. It reveals the way ideas about people are created and used to promote specific agendas, whilst the destructive power of such concepts become ever more clearly written in pain and death. It’s a pointed commentary on the effects of war and persecution, one which has special validity for our own society.

Unfortunately, once it hits the high point at the end of Book 1, at about 80%, there’s a bit of a slow down with some serious time given to overexplanation. There’s still a lot going on but I just couldn’t get back that same feeling from the first book. As much as I enjoyed some aspects of the novel, especially the underlying depth and social commentary, there’s not quite enough there to have me rush back. ...more

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Nov 13, 2018 Nicholas Eames rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I really loved this. Cameron writes a lot of historical fiction, and it shows. His world feels so incredibly real, which makes the fantasy elements seem more wondrous than books where such things are commonplace. Aranthur's story--which includes both a student's poverty and an academic's slow but inevitable progress--is extremely compelling. I'm looking very forward to seeing how high he climbs--and how often he stumbles along the way! ...more

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Aug 27, 2018 Hiu Gregg rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs

Cold Iron is the first book in the new “Masters and Mages” series from Miles Cameron, author of the Traitor Son Cycle.

Coming into this book, I was mostly familiar with Cameron through reputation only. I’d heard that the Traitor Son Cycle was a great fantasy series, but I’d never experienced his books for myself. You guys know how those TBRs can be.

But after reading Cold Iron, I wish I’d made time to read some of Miles Cameron’s books much earlier.

Cold Iron is a bit of a throwback to classical fa Cold Iron is the first book in the new “Masters and Mages” series from Miles Cameron, author of the Traitor Son Cycle.

Coming into this book, I was mostly familiar with Cameron through reputation only. I’d heard that the Traitor Son Cycle was a great fantasy series, but I’d never experienced his books for myself. You guys know how those TBRs can be.

But after reading Cold Iron, I wish I’d made time to read some of Miles Cameron’s books much earlier.

Cold Iron is a bit of a throwback to classical farmboy fantasy. Our main character is Aranthur, who leaves his simple, rural life behind to study languages, philosophy, and even a little magik at the academy in his local city. We first meet Aranthur as he prepares to travel home to spend a holiday with his family. On the way, he stumbles into some trouble which introduces him to a circle of people whom he was previously unfamiliar with.

What’s interesting about this book is that it feels like a classical fantasy story, but with modern tastes and sensibilities in mind. It’s aware of the criticisms that were (and still are) thrown at the farmboy books of yesteryear, and takes steps to address them. Even just considering the way in which Aranthur gets tied up in the plot of this novel: he isn’t a chosen one, and he’s not even the smartest or most talented in his academy. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time.

Aranthur is a likeable and relatable character, but not without his flaws. His relatability is a little reminiscent of Kvothe from Pat Rothfuss’ Kingkiller Chronicles—in that amongst all the epic and fantastical happenings (and coping with antagonistic and casual racism), Aranthur still has to work a part-time job in order pay rent. Between coursework, work-work, and the trials and tribulations of being a fantasy protagonist… Aranthur just doesn’t have much time to think about anyone but himself. By necessity (or so he thinks), he’s more than a little selfish.

Plot-wise, Aranthur gets dragged into a world which he knows very little about. He meets people from every echelon of society—from drug-addicts to nobility to emperors—and forms unique and engaging relationships. Unfortunately for him, he also becomes involved in the politics that some of these relationships bring with them. He is made aware of a mysterious and powerful “Master” who is said to be at the head of a political conspiracy that threatens war and magical terrorism.

The world of Cold Iron struck me as late-medieval, early-renaissance. Guns are starting to appear, but the main weapons used in combat are still swords, spears, crossbows, and the like. Aranthur is learning to use the sword, and so there is a good number of action-heavy swordfights and duels for those who like that kind of thing.

Something which really stuck out about Cold Iron was the variety of roles which women played. It is a very common and very valid criticism of older farmboy fantasy novels that women characters are often relegated to love interests, courtesans, or the local innkeeper’s wife. Actually, there are characters who fit those descriptions in this book, but the point is that they aren’t confined to them. Women can just as easily be badass swordswomen, super-powerful mages, or intelligent generals and academics.

As a whole, Cold Iron is a very enjoyable book which manages to feel both familiar and fresh. I was intrigued by the world and the characters, and I’m invested in the plot to the extent that I’ll be picking up the sequel as soon as I can get my grubby paws on it.

If you like books with rich worlds, engaging action scenes, and relatable but flawed protagonists, I’d suggest that you pick this one up. ...more

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Aug 24, 2018 Liviu rated it it was amazing

Shelves: genre-fantasy, read_2018, 2018_releases_read, top_25_2018_books

Cold Iron is set in a faux Byzantine ((City, naming, people, old aristocratic families jockeying for power) milieu with magic that has been "freed" by "hero" Tirases a millennium ago to be used by almost anyone in small but essential ways (heating water and houses, controlling fertility etc) which led to a better life for many; there are a lot of familiar elements (the magic academy, the farmer student of middling talent to start with etc combined with a lot of the historical fiction touches fro Cold Iron is set in a faux Byzantine ((City, naming, people, old aristocratic families jockeying for power) milieu with magic that has been "freed" by "hero" Tirases a millennium ago to be used by almost anyone in small but essential ways (heating water and houses, controlling fertility etc) which led to a better life for many; there are a lot of familiar elements (the magic academy, the farmer student of middling talent to start with etc combined with a lot of the historical fiction touches from the author's medieval series like Chivalry and Tom Swan- medieval inn life, manuscripts, horses, clothing and weapon details of the age which is a sort of 1400's with dragons and magic as firearms are slowly appearing but swords and crossbows are still the main weapons).

However a "curtain of war" is coming towards the City from the east - rumors are of conspiracies of the rich and powerful - and especially of a clique of a powerful "Master" and his "Disciples" who want to "conquer the world" in order to restrict the use of magic to themselves while claiming that its continual use by everyone is slowly but surely depleting it from the universe and our hero Aranthur of Arnaut background (and who has many similarities with William Gold the hero of the Chivalry series, though here the story is in third person) gets somehow to be at the center of events (the Arnauts are former mercenaries of the Empire now mostly settled as farmers in the mountainous hinterland and still looked upon as uncouth and violent barbarians by the "Byzas" aristocracy of the city, while in return the Arnaut farmers have their own mythology of past greatness and of being empire saviours and have only contempt and disgust for the "degenerate life" of the City or for the many foreigner refugees from the wars in the East (which slowly becomes another problem for Aranthur as he is caught more and more between his deepening involvement in City and Byzas aristocracy affairs and what he starts perceiving as the boorishness of his former neighbors and childhood friends).

And there is a friendly sentient dragon too, a gift/envoy from the Empire of Zhou in the far east to the City and the Emperor (though he is a figurehead to a large extent with the academy and the aristocratic families being the real powers), whose species is now rare (and on the blacklist of the Master as the dragons can "eat magic")

There is a lot of action and some of the storylines are at least partially solved, while the ending is at a good tbc point.

Very compelling, set in a very rich world with many cultures and a well-realized civilization, with great characters (Aranthur but many others too one will encounter through the story) and highly recommended with volume 2 set for 2019 on my read on release list ...more

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Oct 22, 2018 Lisa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Review from TenaciousReader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2018/1...

So, I want to lead with that I really enjoyed Cameron’s The Red Knight, However, while there were parts of it that I loved, there were also areas where it seemed to lag and there were so many characters that even for an epic fantasy, it felt hard to keep up with all of them at times. So even though I wound up loving the story over all, the pacing issues in Red Knight caused the sequels to fall down my priority enough that I nev Review from TenaciousReader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2018/1...

So, I want to lead with that I really enjoyed Cameron’s The Red Knight, However, while there were parts of it that I loved, there were also areas where it seemed to lag and there were so many characters that even for an epic fantasy, it felt hard to keep up with all of them at times. So even though I wound up loving the story over all, the pacing issues in Red Knight caused the sequels to fall down my priority enough that I never managed to make the time to read them. Cold Iron is a completely different read from The Red Knight. It had absolutely none of those pacing issues I experienced in Red Knight and is a simpler story structure since there is just a single POV, which always helps quite a bit. I by no means mean that this is a simple story. Just that with a smaller cast and with the single perspective, there are not breaks in the flow as you switch from one character’s story line to another’s. It was straight and to the point, we met and learned about our protagonist, Aranthur, and experienced his journey through the book.

This is a classic and fun coming of age story where the farm boy ventures off to school to study magic, and for extra fun, also learns the sword. Aranthur is very much a “Mary Sue” character, he excels at just about everything he tries, but you know what? I don’t really care, because its fun to read about a farm boy that goes to school as an outsider, a racial minority as well as lower class than his peers, but manages to find his place and succeed. He’s not infallible and has much to learn on the social side of things, especially when it comes to women, but he tries to learn from his mistakes. I think the area I enjoyed the least with this book were all things that revolved around his relationships with women, or how they were presented. Getting just his perspective can sort of slant the presentation a bit, and made me question at times the reliability of the narrator. I actually think this can make things more interesting. Getting just one perspective always enables a bit more mystery with everyone else.

The story beyond just Aranthur is also quite good. While in the city, we learn about different factions and groups that are at odds with one another. On top of House affiliations, there are also something like secret (or not so secret) societies that each have their own political or religious agenda. It creates an atmosphere that is headed towards open House wars. Everyone seems to have a hidden agenda and by the end of the first book, I’m not sure who I can trust from the City. Top this off with larger threats from neighboring lands as well as a bit of a coup, things stay interesting and the pieces keep moving.

And really, another really positive I can say for this book is that I couldn’t put it down. Considering I’ve had quite the reading slump lately, I loved that this book hit all the right buttons for me. It had so many of the traits that I love in my fantasy books, and I can’t wait to read the next one. ...more

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Dec 06, 2019 Maja Ingrid marked it as did-not-finish · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

DNF at 22%

Sorry I just can't do it. Nothing with the book is especially bad, I just couldn't click with the writing, plot or the characters. I also read it on my kindle and I find it harder to finish a book I don't much like when I read it as ebook and not a physical copy. ...more

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Sep 13, 2018 Kareem rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

For me, the name ‘Miles Cameron’, and the words, ‘five stars’ go together practically every time.
While this is a big departure from what we are used to with The Traitor Son Cycle, Cold Iron is stuffed to bursting with Cameron’s unique style.

This is a coming of age tale that feels more like traditional fantasy than perhaps his other works. Also, rather than a cast of over 20 POV’s this tale is told (bar the prologue) completely from Aranthur’s point of view, it lets readers settle into the mind For me, the name ‘Miles Cameron’, and the words, ‘five stars’ go together practically every time.
While this is a big departure from what we are used to with The Traitor Son Cycle, Cold Iron is stuffed to bursting with Cameron’s unique style.

This is a coming of age tale that feels more like traditional fantasy than perhaps his other works. Also, rather than a cast of over 20 POV’s this tale is told (bar the prologue) completely from Aranthur’s point of view, it lets readers settle into the mind of a young man finding his way in the world.

Aranthur is my favourite type of character. He is not particularly special in any way but is thrust into a set of remarkable circumstances – and through the many relationships he develops - is able to overcome these trials in entertaining ways.

Cold Iron also boasts a wonderfully diverse cast, it has a nice gender balance and takes place in a big city with different cultures bringing new and exciting elements to the story. It deals with class systems too, and Miles really captures the struggles of the student life in such a way that is realistic but never boring. Aranthur has many talents, but by god does he work for them, and at the end of the day is left with precious little time, food, or money to buy it with. And yet… true to the student life he manages to have fun in that naïve way only the young and inexperienced can. And that is what makes the story and Aranthur so relatable, though the world is different, the situations alien, there is a real familiarity that left me fondly rolling my eyes and saying “Oh Aranthur” quite often.
I don’t want to put readers off, this is by no means a study in the life of a hermetical, sword obsessed student, the story itself is exciting, pacey and engaging. The situations that Aranthur manages to get himself into force you to turn page after page after page long into the night. And in true Miles style, you are left with one hell of an explosive ending.

Jumping into a new series, especially one that follows the 5 book mega series that went before this, is always cause for concern. Can I forgive Miles for departing from a world I love so much and trying something new?

Yes! Yes I can. I loved this book and eagerly await the next instalment!
...more

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May 04, 2021 David S Meanderings) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4.5 stars

“Boasting is a way of saying you are weak”

When I started Cold Iron I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had a single expectation and that was that the swordplay would be rather technical as the author is into battle reenactments and fencing. I was actually a bit worried because I had never read something like that before and from some reviews I’ve seen that aspect of the writing really threw some people off. I’m happy to say I had nothing to worry about. I not only didn’t mind Miles Cameron’ 4.5 stars

“Boasting is a way of saying you are weak”

When I started Cold Iron I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had a single expectation and that was that the swordplay would be rather technical as the author is into battle reenactments and fencing. I was actually a bit worried because I had never read something like that before and from some reviews I’ve seen that aspect of the writing really threw some people off. I’m happy to say I had nothing to worry about. I not only didn’t mind Miles Cameron’s writing style, but found it both engaging and fascinating in the clinical nature of its action.

Cold Iron follows the main character Aranthur as a single POV throughout the story. I really enjoyed Aranthur and he ended up being my favorite so far. I really liked being inside his head because he was just so relatable. It was like Miles Cameron put a normal, late teens/early 20s man into his story. Aranthur truly felt like a real person. In fact, he felt so real at times that I started to redefine what I meant when I say that about a character. This was definitely due in part to the fact that I relate personally so much to Aranthur. With his somewhat awkward relationships with women, his hormonal stage as a young man, self deprecation when he is being an idiot, honest and sincere heart, and a desire to be a good friend, I think a lot of people will find Aranthur not only relatable, but likable.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the excellent supporting cast of characters. A few of my favorites are Tiy Drako, Dahlia, Iralia, and General Tribane. However, all of the characters in this story, including the villains, are very well done.

“He could take some extra fencing lessons. He was in love with his sword, purchased in a used clothing market on a whim. With his rent money, because he was a fool.”

As I mentioned above, I really enjoyed the clinical nature of the prose when it came to swordplay. It took me a little while to get used to it, but once I did I really started to get into it. If you start this book and struggle a bit with the terminology, I encourage you to press on because it is something that I grew to appreciate in its uniqueness as the story went on.

There were also some themes explored in this book that I really enjoyed and are very relevant not only today but at all times. One of the things that this book dealt with was the strain and struggle that familial relationships can put a person through when they go out into the wider world and develop new beliefs that don’t necessarily coincide with what they were brought up to believe or think. Another theme was caring for those in need and specifically caring for refugees. Both of these combined to create a dialogue around prejudice, the selfishness and fear that prejudice often comes from, and the complex nature of relationships that was very interesting to read while at the same time not feeling preachy or overdone.

The plot did start out at a bit of a slow and steady pace as we are introduced to the world, characters, and given hints of a plot that involves more than just Aranthur’s little corner of the world. I will confess that my interest did start wavering a bit here and there during the beginning portions. However, that part was necessary to get to where the plot took off and boy did it take off. After about the 40% mark I did not want to put the book down because I had to know what would happen next!

I really enjoyed Cold Iron. In fact, I can make the confident prediction that this series will eventually sit on my favorites shelf. I plan on bingeing the entire trilogy once my buddy read group is all caught up. Within these pages you will find duels, ambushes, betrayals, intrigue, mystery, spies, magic, murder, and mayhem. This is a tale you don’t want to miss. ...more

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Sep 17, 2019 Janny added it · review of another edition

Shelves: own

Farmboy from an outlying province goes to the big city university as a threat shadows the status quo - but the complexity and panache with which Cameron writes eclipses the usual handling of a classic trope. The complexity and diversity of the setting is stellar, the pace moves right along, and the hero is a refreshing read on several counts: he succeeds through hard work, he's not a 'chosen one', and his engaging attitude towards his fellows (both rich and poor) and towards life has heart, and ...more

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Dec 01, 2019 Shreyas Deshpande rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy-books, four-and-half-stars, miles-cameron

I really loved this book. The characters were diverse and well developed through the story.
The action and descriptions of the fights were colorful and educational. The plot is not straight forward and keeps you guessing.
I look forward to the next installment.

Actual Ratings:- 4.5 stars

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Sep 15, 2018 Mark rated it really liked it · review of another edition

For lots of different reasons, authors often feel the need to change their name when writing different stories. For Stephen King it was Richard Bachman, for Tom Holt it was (and I think still is) K J Parker. In the same way, perhaps, it is not a great secret that Miles Cameron is also historical writer Christian Cameron. He’s not entirely new to Fantasy writing, though. I really liked The Red Knight, the first in the now five-book series, The Traitor Son Cycle, although its rapidly changing poi ...more

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Mar 06, 2019 Nils | nilsreviewsit rated it really liked it · review of another edition

“‘It is important to know that you can kill, evenly, ruthlessly, without pause to wrestle your conscious, because the world is full of people who will kill you while you prevaricate.’”
⚜️
Cold Iron by Miles Cameron is the first book in the Masters and Mages series, which is reminiscent of a classical high fantasy tale and coming of age story. It’s a methodically paced introduction to what is set to be a great new series.
⚜️
The book centres around the main protagonist Aranthur, who is a student of “‘It is important to know that you can kill, evenly, ruthlessly, without pause to wrestle your conscious, because the world is full of people who will kill you while you prevaricate.’”
⚜️
Cold Iron by Miles Cameron is the first book in the Masters and Mages series, which is reminiscent of a classical high fantasy tale and coming of age story. It’s a methodically paced introduction to what is set to be a great new series.
⚜️
The book centres around the main protagonist Aranthur, who is a student of languages and magical use at an Academy. On his travels back to his home for a short break, he stops at an Inn and after helping a young lady thrown from a carriage, he becomes embroiled in plots and conspiracies he is not even aware of. Throughout the whole book, the reader sees Aranthur grow, learn skills, and try to make sense of the world he lives in.
⚜️
Admittedly, it took me a while to get into the story. It has an immense slow build, and I struggled to grasp where the story was heading. However, I’m a fan of Miles Cameron’s writing, I’m partway through his other series, The Traitor’s Son Cycle, and I know that this is his style. Cameron likes to build up characters, and create a vast and complex world, before you’re thrust into a more fast paced plot. So I knew to expect to be hooked by the end.
⚜️
I think what I loved most about this book was the rich array of varied cultures and traditions woven into the story. If I’m not mistaken, Cameron used a lot of Eastern and Persian influences, and included many distinct ethnicities to all the characters. This all culminated into a thoroughly detailed world building experience. In fact, there were a lot of names of weaponry, and artefacts I hadn’t come across before and I had to ask a friend, who knows his history better than I do! I applaud Cameron for this, he’s an author who knows his facts, and it is clear he fully enjoys creating an authentic experience for the reader.
⚜️
The main character Aranthur, took me a while to warm to. He started out as quite surly but it wasn’t long until he started to grow on me. He was often treated as an outcast due his Arnaut heritage, which meant he came from a farming background, whereas the other characters were more aristocrats. Therefore due to his lack of wealth and his more sheltered lifestyle he often felt alienated in social situations. It was great to see Cameron explore the issues of prejudice attitudes here. Once Aranthur started making a group of friends though, his character started to shine, and I especially loved how much his power grew.
⚜️
My favourite character was Dalhia. In fact she’s one of my favourite female characters ever! She’s very forward and likes to take charge. She’s blunt and often flirtatious. Whereas Aranthur who was very much inexperienced with women, and was very timid was always so unsure of how to behave around her. I loved this!
~
‘She rolled off his bed and walked over to the sword and took it down. ‘It makes me feel old just holding it in my hand.’
Aranthur just lay there watching her with the sword.’
~
Overall it’s going to be great seeing where the story goes in the sequel Dark Forge! I’m told it has a really long battle scene, which Cameron always does well, therefore I’m so looking forward to it!
...more

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Jun 18, 2019 Emma rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: magic, fantasy

This was a bit old school for me. It reminded me of the Wheel of Time, also too old school for me!

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Nov 09, 2019 Yuri rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

4,5 rounded up.

This is my kind of book, really immersive, slow but eventful. The characters were great, the worldbuilding was great...
Aranthur is (apart from the prologue) the sole POV, but there are a lot of characters to meet along the way.

I haven’t had coffee yet and my head is nearly exploding from the effort of writing in English and thinking at all so bear with me.

Aranthur is a farmboy turned student who finds himself in the middle of almost every major event, he dives in head first and ...more

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Dec 28, 2018 J.P. Ashman rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Review to follow...

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Oct 30, 2018 Charlie added it · review of another edition

DNF - Damn I am in one heck of a reading slump. Not grabbed at all. Heard great things so will try and come back to it.

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Oct 08, 2018 Holly (The GrimDragon) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi, the-infinite-library, gdm

*Review originally published on Grimdark Magazine*

“Superb,” the man in the black cloak said, and slammed his dagger into the young man’s temple, killing him instantly. The blade emerged from the other temple with admirable precision, and the man in the black cloak supported the corpse all the way to the floor, stepping away from the flow of blood. Then he filled the secret compartment with his deadly secret, wearing gloves; one tiny jewel skittered away across the table and he tracked it down, p ...more

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Jul 22, 2019 Ned Ludd rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was a reread. And I am certainly glad I gave it a second go. This was definitely on par with Cameron’s historical fiction (in terms of quality). That speaks volumes. Loved the historical vibes!

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Sep 22, 2019 Izzie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library, epic-fantasy

3.5 stars, rounded up because it's well-written and I want to read the rest of the series. ...more

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Aug 28, 2018 James (ObservantRaven) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Shortly after I started reading Cold Iron I was thoroughly engrossed and realised I was nearing the 30 page mark but had yet to see a new chapter so I flicked forward a bit and noticed that indeed Cold Iron didn’t have chapters in it. This shocked me slightly as I have not experienced this since I last read a Terry Pratchett book (which has been quite a number of years) and writing a fantasy book without chapters is no small feat. As I continued to read the book I became increasingly impressed b Shortly after I started reading Cold Iron I was thoroughly engrossed and realised I was nearing the 30 page mark but had yet to see a new chapter so I flicked forward a bit and noticed that indeed Cold Iron didn’t have chapters in it. This shocked me slightly as I have not experienced this since I last read a Terry Pratchett book (which has been quite a number of years) and writing a fantasy book without chapters is no small feat. As I continued to read the book I became increasingly impressed because Miles Cameron has managed to create such a vivid and vast world with extraordinary flow and storytelling which on its own is something to behold but to do this without chapters in something else entirely.

The story Miles Cameron has crafted is something truly amazing as you experience many different cultures, weapons and character styles, you can tell he has been inspired by a number of countries, races and religions when writing Cold Iron. This made reading about each different character, their background and weapons was extremely interesting and intriguing. At times due to the depth put into the world and characters I almost felt like I was reading a great historical fiction book and for me this was a breath of fresh air as I have never experienced this with a fantasy book.

One aspect of the story I thoroughly enjoyed reading was the sword fighting. Miles Cameron has created sword fighting scenes like nothing I have ever experienced. The way he writes them is so fluid and in depth that I found it very easy to vividly imagine a fight scene occur.

When I first read the synopsis for Cold Iron and realised that it was a coming of age fantasy book I had a set idea in my head of what I was going to experience due to the amount of these I have read over the years but was I experienced with Cold Iron was nothing like what I had expected. Miles Cameron has taken some of the typical tropes you would find in a coming of age fantasy and tweaked them into something brilliant. Our main character Aranthur is not a prophesied one, incredibly talented in everything he does or does he succeed at everything. He comes across like a very down to earth character that wants to succeed at what he does through hard work, determination and sometimes through sheer force of will. All the thrown in with his personality traits and attitude makes him extremely enjoyable to read about because you are always left wondering what he is going to do next and when he succeeds at something you find yourself cheering for him. What I did discover with Aranthur was that instead of being exceptional in one area he also seemed to be like a jack of many and the only area I think he maybe excelled at more was his swordsmanship but could have been due to a number of factors that I won’t spoil for you.

There are only a couple of coming of age fantasy books that I have loved as much as I did Cold Iron and this book is truly amazing in its own right without that factor. It is exceptional fantasy book that deserves to be read by everyone who enjoys fantasy and possibly historical fiction. I am extremely glad I read Cold Iron and I am really looking forward to see what Miles Cameron has planned for its sequel, in the mean time however I am going to make sure I pick up his Traitor Son Cycle series. ...more

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Sep 08, 2018 Siavahda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: assorted-human-magic-users, lgbtqai-inclusive, friendship-rules, automatic-buy-authors, adventure, dragons, favorites, strong-women, awesome-girls, girls-kicking-ass-and-taking-names

While I still dislike Gollancz for their continuously poor copy-editing - especially with regards to Cameron's works I never find less than dozens of typos/formatting errors, and far too many instances of dialogue where character names are mixed up (one that stands out in Cold Iron is a priest telling someone off and then glaring at 'the priest', ie addressing and then glaring at himself, apparently).

But as usual, Cameron's story and writing is amazing, and it looks like Masters & Mages is goin ...more

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Oct 25, 2018 DaMaar rated it it was amazing

Shelves: magic-warrior

The Fight Scenes

The Fight Scenes were amazing! The weapons were many and meticulously detailed but you didn’t feel you were being lectured they were just presented well within the flow of the story. The MC's rise was unhurried and his grasp of fighting was methodical. He learned and applied what he was taught - no magic sword and 2 days of training here. ...more

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Oct 15, 2019 Sam rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, fantasy, read-2019

I really loved this book at the end but we had a difficult beginning together. The 1/3 of the book is a 5 star for me and I almost rated the book that overall. Upon reflection, I dropped it to a 4. I think the beginning of the book struggles with some pacing. There were some moments where I just wondered what the point was or where I wondered how I was still reading a book where nothing was really happening, at least to the main character.

There are, however, all these hints of deeper political i ...more

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Jul 01, 2019 StormBlessed Fox rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2-stars, fantasy, 2019

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 23, 2019 Mike rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

More please! Straight up heroic fantasy with a fixed POV set in an interesting fantasy world vaguely similar our own.

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About Miles Cameron

Miles Cameron

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Miles Cameron is an author, a re-enactor, an outdoors expert and a weapons specialist. He lives, works and writes in Toronto, where he lives with his family. This is his debut fantasy novel.

Other books in the series

Masters and Mages (3 books)

Books by Miles Cameron

The Red Knight (The Traitor Son Cycle, #1)

The Fell Sword (The Traitor Son Cycle, #2)

The Dread Wyrm (The Traitor Son Cycle, #3)

A Plague of Swords (The Traitor Son Cycle, #4)

The Fall of Dragons (The Traitor Son Cycle, #5)

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