Cold Commands (#2) by Morgan [April 4, 2022]

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

This is a Buddy Read for The Cold Commands by Richard K. Morgan starting April 4, 2022.

[Rob]

in

[Choko]

I will be here:)

[Dave]

I will be ready to start this tomorrow.

[Dave]

I don't know if anyone else is reading this yet. After a couple of busy days I am only through Ch. 7 so far. (view spoiler)[I'm not sure yet where this story is going. I was rather surprised at how Ringil came into the story. Here I thought we were being introduced into a new POV in this book with Gerin, but nope, just kidding. That was short-lived... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I will start it tomorrow... Running a tad behind...

[Rob]

I'm coming to it late as well. Hoping to start tomorrow.

[Choko]

I am in the second chapter, and I am guessing this is a flashback so far. What happened to that pimp in order to make a point was pretty brutal... What has been happening to a 15 year old pretty boy - horrible! Just as horrible as for the women though... The soldier's comparison to the march during the war - very good point!

[Choko]

OMG! You know, when I started reading this, I couldn't understand what exactly was happening, because I thought it was the second book in a totally different series I am reading right now!!! This is why I was confused... Now that I got my head in the right place, in the right world, I am back on track... I was wondering when we will get back on the ship with the dragon bones, but nope, totally different story... I am sorry about my previous post, nothing to do with it...

So, we are in current time and on a chain of slaves. Got it!

[Choko]

Just thought Ch. 5.... Dave, you are not kidding about Gerin! I thought that he would (view spoiler)[ be saved somehow, maybe by Ringil, who seems to have gotten some magic at this point... What he did with the dogs leads me to think some time has passed since the last book and he has gotten some magic lessons... (hide spoiler)]

[Dave]

Choko wrote: "Just thought Ch. 5.... Dave, you are not kidding about Gerin! I thought that he would [spoilers removed]"

I am not sure that it is ever made clear how long after the first book that this one takes place. I would guess maybe a year, or even several years. It seems apparent that at least some time has passed.

And a ship with dragon bones? What series is that from? It must be one that I haven't read because it doesn't sound familiar.

[Choko]

I am supposed to start the second R. J. Barker of the "Tide Child Series"... The main character there is a slave, who at the time of the first book is 19... I thought maybe this was some type of flashback, but I was just all turned around... I am sorry about that...

I am through Ch. 10... (view spoiler)[ Boy, Ringil is definitely not the usual "hero"... That slaver lady, whom I wanted dead, didn't get it easy from R & Co. I wanted revenge, but this is not how I imagined it... We have gotten way away from our understanding of "killing but with honor, so we can separate the good guys from the bad" times... I am not complaining, just noting.

I wonder what our resident half alien chick is going to find... Something there seems ominous... Another red light that came flashing was not only when that "something" started talking to her and her company, but the old dude with the horses... I wonder if he is the one who killed the mercenaries who are with Ringil... (hide spoiler)]

[Rob]

Choko wrote: "OMG! You know, when I started reading this, I couldn't understand what exactly was happening, because I thought it was the second book in a totally different series I am reading right now!!! This i..."

LOL. That's too funny :)

[Choko]

Ch. 11... The Demon G-d's rant about what the hell do people expect from them when they choose a champion, was hilarious!!!!!:)))

[Dave]

Choko wrote: "I am supposed to start the second R. J. Barker of the "Tide Child Series"... The main character there is a slave, who at the time of the first book is 19... I thought maybe this was some type of fl..."

No worries. I haven't read that one, but it does seem to be a pretty popular series at the moment.

[Dave]

Through Ch. 16 now. Just a couple of miscellaneous thoughts to put forth at the moment.

(view spoiler)[This flu or whatever the illness is that was spreading among the slaves and then Ringil seems to have caught, must be important in some way, because it has been mentioned too many times now. I suspect that it will either have some significant bearing on Ringil's narrative arc or some larger role in the overall events of the book.

Archeth's discovery of Anasharal has been quite strange and unexpected. He/it/whatever appears to be some sort of AI-based machine from space? Am I failing to make some sort of connection to anything else that I should be, or are we supposed to be mostly in the dark about what this is right now? (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Dave, I am at the same place in the book... (view spoiler)[I think Anasharal was orbiting in space as a satellite, put there by Archeth's people back in the day, in order to watch for impending trouble... I am guessing the trouble would be coming either by the lizard folks or the elf people, dark or light court... At least this is how I am understanding it. The Helmsman is some cyborg hybrid, with computer and organic parts, and was living in this weird egg like thing, in which he/it arrived on Earth... It asked for her to meet it, because her people created it, so it feels she is its best link to the humans they are supposed to protect by that ancient pact ... I hope this is true, and it hasn't decided that this is a good time for it to bring even more chaos ...

About that illness, I think you are right. I am scared that Ringil might have caught it... (hide spoiler)]

[Rob]

I started this morning. UP to chapter 3...
Gerin(view spoiler)[I think i now get your confusion, Choko. It feels like we should know this character. I'm drawing a blank. (hide spoiler)]

Dragonbane(view spoiler)[He's bored and hanging out. Trouble is around the corner then. (hide spoiler)].

[Choko]

Rob, right! I think we have been reading a lot of grim Fantasies with slaves as POV characters lately...

[Dave]

Choko wrote: "Dave, I am at the same place in the book... ..."

Thanks for clearing that up, Choko. I must have been zoning out during one of the Archeth chapters, because I apparently overlooked some of those details.

[Choko]

Up to Ch. 24... (view spoiler)[ So, somehow Ringil has been chosen by a G-d, or whatever passes for a G-d in this world, which are most likely the Light Court, whom our guys fought in the previous book, and who are passing as the "Angels" at the Citadel; or the Dark Court, where this Demon G-d who saved Ringil, but wasn't on time to save the slave kid, seems to be from. The way I understand it, the Light Court, where Gil's lover is from, and whom he just met again but in the past, in the Gray Places, which seems to be place outside of time, has lost his wings as a payment for his talent with the mandolin (which was not what he wanted), to that weird being with the book of prophecies... I loved that scene with the creature and Gil, where he chose his own prophecy, and it wasn't a happy ending one...

This is the first time I read a Fantasy with an explicit gay sex scene! I am not a big fan of explicit sex scenes in my fantasy books, but I appreciate the fact that this exists! We really have grown up since the 1990's, haven't we...

I wonder where The Helmsman is going with his prophecy of the awakening changeling, and why he wants Archeth to go to that hidden city of her people so badly... I don't trust him/it at all!!! I still don't like the Emperor either... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Wow! Up to Ch. 28... (view spoiler)[ A living Dragon!!! And I think that woman on the ship is one of the Elf people... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Up to Ch. 32... Egar sure knows how to get in trouble... As you said, Rob, bored Egar means trouble coming... I have no idea how he will come out of this mess...

[Choko]

Ch. 42... This was pretty horrific!!! I want her and all those assholes to pay!!!

[Choko]

I just finished reading... I feel a bit disoriented... The book is moody and the jumps in time through the Gray Places makes the story a bit choppy... This world's versions of the Eldridge Folks, light and dark court, are very unusual and fascinating, but I wish they were a bit more flashed out. I know the author tells his story with actions, not so much explanations, but I would appreciate a bit more specifics. And not only about them. The Helmsman, those cyborg-like AIs, and the more Sci-Fi parts of the story also feel elusive, but not in a satisfying way. I need more detail, since I am sure we will keep on discovering their motivations as we have been through the first two books - a crumb at a time...

I liked the characters, as imperfect and with all of their failings, so I want to know what happens from here on. This is why, I hope you guys would want to continue with the series, and read the last book some time before the end of the month... If not, just let me know if and when... I will appreciate it:)))

[Dave]

Choko wrote: "Up to Ch. 24... ..."

Now it is my turn to catch back up to you Choko. I just finished Ch. 24. (view spoiler)[A couple of times during these sections I have wondered if any of these events are Ringil actually hallucinating due to the sickness (plague I guess?), but this does not seem to be the case.

As for the gay sex scene, don't forget that there was at least one in the first book, so maybe this is the second time haha. I think that often in fantasy books, sex scenes have a tendency to feel out of place, because they have a tendency to be clumsy and don't fit the narrative. In this case, stylistically, the way they are written, they seem to fit in with the grittiness of the world and the astringency of the characters. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Dave, I totally agree. This is why I didn't have any complaints about it. I think Erikson and Sanderson do a much worse job of it, honestly. But yes, most of my favorite authors just suck at doing sex scenes. This one was at least congruent with the situation and the style of storytelling. I was all for it, but I am also aware that there are readers who might be turned off by it. It was definitely a risk on Morgan's part, which I totally appreciate...

[Dave]

Choko wrote: "Dave, I totally agree. This is why I didn't have any complaints about it. I think Erikson and Sanderson do a much worse job of it, honestly. But yes, most of my favorite authors just suck at doing ..."

I can't say that it is really my cup of tea, but neither is murder, and I sure read about plenty of that...

[Dave]

Choko wrote: "Up to Ch. 32... Egar sure knows how to get in trouble... As you said, Rob, bored Egar means trouble coming... I have no idea how he will come out of this mess..."

I am through Ch. 32 now. Egar certainly has gotten himself into a predicament. Morgan is really putting a lot of different things into this book that I was not expecting. Perhaps too many. I hope it all comes together in a satisfying way, because I am still not sure where all of this is leading...

[Choko]

Yeah, this is the main issue I think the author had with the book - continuity. With the time jumps through the Gray Places, it looks like he gets himself in a bind more often than not...

[Rob]

I'm had some slow days due to some medical issues, but am back in the saddle again.

Up to 18
Ringil (view spoiler)[yes, the plague thing definitely seems a larger issue and Ringil has decided to sit with it. He has quite the plot armor going after being surrounded by the bounty hunters, but then again that was an unnecessary scene, so more a demonstration of someone is looking out for him than plot armor I guess. (hide spoiler)]

Archeth (view spoiler)[Just past the point where the emperor meets the helmsman - who yes, I agree probably just dropped from space delivers a bad news cliffhanger. Not much else to report on here, but get on board that ride. (hide spoiler)]

Egar (view spoiler)[Joining up with someone he just met to sneak into somewhere he doesn't belong. Oh great life choices. (hide spoiler)]

Considering where all the characters are at, yes it very much feels like I'm only 38% into the book :) Going to read more now.

[Choko]

The author has chosen the hardest way to tell his story... The time jumps and the vagueness of all the storylines make it harder for him and for the reader. Not that he doesn't find ways to bring things together, but still, he creates confusion just by the structure of the story telling...

[Dave]

Choko wrote: "I just finished reading... I feel a bit disoriented... The book is moody and the jumps in time through the Gray Places makes the story a bit choppy... This world's versions of the Eldridge Folks, l..."

I just finished the book, and I pretty much agree with your assessment, Choko. It seemed to me like Morgan kept introducing a lot of interesting ideas, but then either does not flesh them out enough, or does not follow through on them. A few things just disappear from the story altogether. Perhaps some of them will be picked up again in the third book. The three main characters are well-written, and that is what carried me through the book. There were a few times where I had difficulty envisioning exactly what was happening, or why. I think I want to read the third book at some point, but it is not calling out to me all that loudly.

[Dave]

Rob wrote: "I'm had some slow days due to some medical issues, but am back in the saddle again.

Up to 18
Ringil [spoilers removed]

Archeth [spoilers removed]

Egar [spoilers removed]

Considering where all ..."

I think that I enjoyed reading Egar's chapters the most, particularly later on in the book, despite his sometimes questionable choices. Or perhaps because of them...

[Choko]

Dave, exactly. However, I would like to read it because I need closure. After all this elaborate setup, I am expecting something... more from the last book... When would you like to read it? I am not pushing, just so I can plan on it...

[Dave]

I'm booked up for the next couple of weeks or so. Perhaps sometime in May? I'm flexible though. We can wait and see what works for Rob as well, if he wants to read it.

[Choko]

Totally! May sounds good to me:)

[Rob]

Sorry for the delay in response! Been dealing with some health issues that are thankfully now resolved. I think my schedule pushes the third book into June at this rate or the last week of May - around the 29th if that works for you all.

I found the middle of the book digressing too much and rather disjointed. I didn't come that close to dumping it (as I'm not one who tends to do that, I like to suffer I guess) but was glad I stuck with it since the plot finally picked up and got interesting again in the last third. I finished I think two weeks ago now.

[Choko]

I am so glad you are doing better!!! I know how it is, I have been dealing with chemo, but my last one was this last week... Yay!

The end of May is good with me.

[Dave]

Okay, I will see what I can do to fit this in. I pulled it off the shelf and I see that it is definitely a bigger book than the first two. June will be a busy reading month for sure.

Hope you are both doing okay with your health issues!

[Choko]

Dave, my main battle was last year. I survived it!!! Now it's just maintenance:) I am good, thank you! Thank goodness for books:))))

[Dave]

Agreed. :-) Glad to hear it!

[Dave]

Are we still on for the third book? If so, I'll be starting it in the next day or two when I finish my current book.

[Choko]

I am good with that:)))

[Rob]

I'm in :) I'll start tonight or tomorrow. Bit of craziness around here. bought a new house and getting this one goes on the market this coming Friday, so my reading time has been crimped lately!

[Rob]

Guess we may as well continue right in this thread.

[Dave]

Works for me, I'll start tomorrow. Good luck with the house, Rob, exciting but stressful times no doubt. If I never have to deal with that again, that will be just fine with me. :-)

[Rob]

Yes, this is my second home. I don't want to do it again for another 30 years if I can help it. That'll put me well past 55+ community consideration (and hopefully not assisted living!)

[Dave]

I finished Ch. 14. (view spoiler)[Not really a whole lot to comment on to this point. It seems that they are in search of the Illwrack Changeling, which was mentioned a bit in the previous book. Is this a good idea? No doubt some bad things will happen. At least Ringil seems to have pretty interesting magic at his disposal now... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Up to Ch. 5... Our Dragon Bane seems to be getting in trouble no matter what is happening in the world around him. And Ringil (view spoiler)[ is in trouble because the Dark Court is waaaaayyy to interested in him... That is never a good thing!

Archeth is pissed that she is settled with babysitting those idiots who are supposed to be helping her find
the Changeling... And the scene where she was going to chuck the Helmsman overboard was pretty hilarious:))) (hide spoiler)]