Cold Blooded: A Cold Rush Novella

by Rohan O'Duill

“Don’t mistake my silence for weakness. No one plans a murder out loud.”

Veteran Marine Mint only worries about one thing—herself. But after being ordered back to the front lines, she has a decision to make—stand up and do the right thing, or finally get what she always wanted.

Fifteen-year-old Frida lives in deep space on a pirate vessel. Her father is a dissident warrior who fights the corporations running the system. When a corporation battle cruiser catches up to the ageing pirate vessel, death appears to be the only escape.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Military scifi done right. A superb take on corporation greed and madness in the uncaring vacuum of cold space. And in Mint, a true kick-ass character you can fully relate to.” Nick Snape, author of the Weapons of Choice Scifi Series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"A visceral reality of living and surviving when corporate greed and machinations have paramount control." T.K. Toppin - Science Fiction Author.

Genres: Science Fiction

286 pages, Paperback

Published January 7, 2025

About the author

Rohan is an Irish science fiction author descended from the oral storytellers of both the ancient Celts and Vikings… probably. Telling stories has been an essential part of human culture for thousands of years. Stories give us joy but they also teach us lessons and pass wisdom down through the generations.

That yearning to become a storyteller started young in Rohan, but a school system designed for academics and not the chaotic brilliance of a dyslexic mind stymied that aspiration.

But that smoldering desire to pass on stories, to express his creative soul, couldn't be contained. Inspired by the words of Rohan’s doppelganger Commander Riker, “Fear is the true enemy, the only enemy,” he started to write. At first Rohan spewed words onto the page like he had contracted the simian flu. But, with the help of his friends, Rohan began to sculpt those words into something palpable, something both ancient and new. An invite to everyone to share in the story and, most importantly, have some fun.

Reviews

[Rohan O'Duill · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author of this book it would not be right to rate the book itself. But I can tell you that I loved every minute of creating this novella.
This was the first time I worked with an editor the whole way through a project. And while I'm sure I broke his heart on many occasions he never let it show.
I had so much fun creating this book with my editor Dale Stromberg and my beta readers Zilla Novikov, Rachel A Rosen, Nick Snape, TK Topin, Tucker Lieberman and Bryan Chaffin.
And on top of that it was so rewarding to work with the artists Lonnie Busch, Marten Norr and Rachel A Rosen to bring the multiple covers and interior illustrations to life.
Thanks to the team at Lower Decks Press comprising of Emma and Jason.
What an amazing journey this has been. Thanks so much to everyone else who supported me along the way. I can't mention all of you, but you know who you are. ❤️❤️❤️

[Wick Welker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mech corporate warfare.

This is a military sci-fi action story that takes place at the rim of the solar system where the social structure has degenerated into corporate rivalry over scarce resources. The economic interests of the corporate entities are defended by mech warriors. This book is full of war games, raiding parties and salty characters. The narrative is tight and the writing was fun. It’s a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously and because of that, the serious parts work really well. While the settings and elements were a tad derivative, the crown jewel of the book are the characters and their relationships. Mint is a middle aged mech marine with plenty of attitude but of course an endearing heart of gold that comes out later in the story with a surprising gesture she makes to someone with whom she has a complicated past. The action was solid and the violence gratuitous. If you’re a fan of military sci-fi, this is a home run.

I read this as a judge for the SPSFC competition and this review has no bearing on the book’s standing in the competition.

[I. Merey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woof, the heinous get punished heinously! I gulped this book--I'm a fan of action and perhaps relate a bit too much to the tired characters that still got a fight (or three) left in 'em. >.> Mint is a middle-aged Marine hanging out in a fairly cushy training job, beyond the outer reaches of our solar system (AKA, the Cold). Bjorn is her ex friend-in-arms who's gone pirate: COLD-BLOODED follows their paths crossing again, forced to marionette in lethal space-skirmishes for valuable minerals and with psychopathically rich masters they must appease. O'Duill's writing is fun and cuts to the chase, but doesn't skimp on character development and real emotion. [Another, perhaps rather weird? aside is that the author manages to get in some DISTURBING imagery, so if you enjoy Equilibrium sashimi-ing the guy's face clean off type off ....CREATIVE violence, you'll get that in here too!] But it's not gratuitous: COLD-BLOODED punishes the wicked, but shows it's the (however imperfect) good who have to live and die by their machinations. Despite the deep-space setting, O'Duill's novella hits a chord that's dangerously current... There's blood, there's guts, there's sweat... there's tears. Read it!! [Also: MINT <33333333333333333333333333333]

[Rachel Ashera Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Military sci-fi with intelligence and heart, "Cold Blooded" is a fast-paced, brutal followup to the first Cold Rush novella, "Cold Rising" (you don't need to read them in order). A tale of corporate greed, resistance, and madness in the unforgiving environment of space, come for the Marines vs. pirates pew pew pew, and stay for the absolutely devastating ending. Witty and badass, this story never loses sight of either the cruelty of physics or the humanity of its characters.

[Zilla Novikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rohan delivers another epic space adventure - this time with mechs and a race for meteorites. His trademark wit and sense of fun are on full display with captivating characters, and the plot keeps you hooked. Loved it!

[T.K. Toppin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast-paced military sci-fi/space opera with heart. Delving into the human perspective and fallout effects from corporate greed, politics, and machinations. We follow the life of Mint, a hardened and seasoned officer as she just tries to navigate through life closed off and in numbness. She soon realises that this isn't the way as forces seem determined to change the course of her life. From cold rush games in full mech suits, to determine which side conquers a mineral-rich asteroids, visceral action and truly memorable characters. After reading the first book in the Cold Rush series, I was eager to dig into this this...and was not disappointed!

[Pete Aldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance, this appears to be a YA book (mainly because it's short and it has that beautiful cover art), but it isn't. This is Grimdark adult sci-fi at its finest. Graphic, bloody, raw, frenetic at times, large-than-life but also believable.

With Cold Blooded, author Rohan O'Duill cuts out all the fluff and focuses on the two essentials of an engaging story: character and plot. The one drives the other, always, in harmony with each other.

Mint is a character I can relate to in the beginning: older, jaded by year upon year of watching the same mistakes made around her without any ability to affect the decision-making of higher ups. She is true to her own code in the midst of this, and as the book progresses, is forced away from that code and onto a deeper, hitherto ignored one.

This book has it all: sociopathic bureaucracy and leadership, corporate battles over resources, gladiatorial combat, and deeper down the contrast between those who've pragmatically given into the way things are with those actively battling against it.

I loved the acceptance of and use of physics in this book, particularly during zero-g fighting. I enjoyed the final climactic battle.

But one of my favourite things about this was its embracing of consequences. Some authors go for flesh wounds (or for ridiculously implausible wounds to shoulders and stomachs that are easily healed). No spoilers, folks, but when people get hurt in this book, THEY GET HURT. And they stay hurt. Just like in real life.

Very good book.

[D.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really solid read. Second novel by Rohan O'Duill and just as engaging as the first.
Was left a bit shellshocked though. This universe is brutal and takes no prisoners (and if they do they tend to be executed one way or another) ... can't wait for the next one.

[Ian Welke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, fast paced, great mech scifi. Can't wait to read the sequel.

[The Reading Ruru (Kerry) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as a judge for SPSFC5 (team SpaceGirls)
Now at semifinalist stage - rtc

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review. Cold Blooded is a breathtaking adventure colored not only by the expansive universe Frida, Bjorn or for fiery willed soldier named Mint call home; but for the poignant complications each face over the course of the story with none of choices being either black and white.


Highly recommended.

[Nancy Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am one of the judges of team Space Girls for the SPSFC5 contest. This review is my personal opinion. Officially, it is still in the running for the contest, pending any official team announcements.

Status: Quarterfinalist
Read: 100%

I dare confess I think I read this book in pretty much one sitting. It's one of those books that is difficult to put down once you start it. The second statement I will mention here is that during most of the book, I could only describe it as an outstanding story.

While there are plenty of Dystopic Military Space Operas starring a disgruntled semi-retired soldier pulled into someone's political games, we seldom have stories starring a middle aged woman. That alone made the book stand out because reflexes worsen, old injuries nag and prior bad life habits come back to haunt them.

Readers quickly learn why our fearsome protagonist Mint has survived relatively unscathed performing one of the Solar System's most dangerous jobs. Dammit, I loved her no-nonsense attitude and how superior officers let her get away with punishing schoolyard bullies. She is full of sass while also constantly reminding the reader she didn't get to where she was for acting like a trigger happy yahoo. While her emotions sometimes get the worst of her, she tends to make calculated decisions during chaotic situations.

And as a former Cold-Rush marine, Mint has learned from a lifetime of trial & error. Which brings us into the fascinating new Wild-West of transplanetary exploitation where rival companies from planets Earth and Mars compete in a free-for-all televised contest. Any asteroids surpassing a specified distance to the Sun can become freely claimed by rival mining companies. Which usually entails its somewhat willing adult participants engage in life-or-death situations. This is done by sending piloted mecha suits and space cruisers into a Star Wars inspired blastathon until one party places a company flag on each opposing pole. Meanwhile, the UN acts like a neutral intermediary that both acknowledges claimant first dibs rights and makes money from the battle ratings. For brief instances, I almost felt like I was reading the televised deathmatch aspects of Dungeon Crawler Carl.

Unlike plenty of other books starring a former frontline grunt turned academy teacher, Mint enjoys her cushy & safe job without caring too much whether her students survive the Cold Rush games. As long as she has the comforts of a stable income and ample access to the officers bar, she is waiting patiently to reach retirement age.

Of course, when you happen to be one of the scant survivors of a secret elite military training program, your past will come to haunt you. Readers will soon join Mint as she is unwittingly breadcrumbed to first babysit an obnoxious lunatic nepo kid (I swear Cartag must be a Hamburg dynasty homage), get into danger, and meet a ghost from her past she thought was gone forever. I don't wish to spoil much else, other than I really liked her as a protagonist and imagined she looked like a middle aged version of Sergeant Calhoun from Wreck-it-Ralph.

Our second co-protagonist takes a while to warm up to, because his role in the story seems nebulous at first. In a society where population movement has homogenized ethnicities, Bjorn stands out like a sore thumb due to his pale freckled skin, bushy red hair and piercing blue eyes. Mentioned early in the story to be an orphan of unknown parentage, he grew up fond with Viking lore and instilled these beliefs to his daughter Frida, who seems to have inherited his physical traits and endless badassery. While I am certain the quirks are mere coincidence, I swear this Bjorn in most aspects has the same personality as the Bjorn from The Saga of Bjorn Unfrid by John Simons. The key differences here is that this series has no fantasy elements and in all likelihood, Bjorn might in reality have Antisocial Personality Disorder. With the caveat his superb ability to mask gave him enormous leeway for personal benefit.

There are other supporting characters peppered throughout the story, some overtly good guys such as the subcommander of the Telstat fleet, others with vividly evil & exploitable traits such as Agent Astro (who I imagined looked like Anton Ego from Ratatouille).

Prosewise, what this story lacks in purple prose compensates well with vivid explanations of the action, easy reading, and sprinkles of Mint's cynical sense of military humor. I believe readers with military backgrounds will enjoy this read and cheer when Mint gets away with Malicious Compliance mishaps. We also get to enjoy learning a bit about the intricacies of pilot mecha suits Gundam style, only without seeing the POV of mechanics. In this story, the sole POVs will come from current and past pilots.

Despite being such a short read, I felt this shortness worked in the book's favor because we get a clear picture of the world, Mint & Bjorn's competing roles and a story that never sags with a constant medium pace. If there was any complaints I could have, I felt the third and final act was a bit rushed. We do get some foreboding warnings earlier in the story where Bjorn and Mint mention something seems 'off' or 'amiss'. However, I feel the ending felt more like a set up for the inevitable sequel and less of a satisfying standalone.

Even so, it was a fantastic read and I feel honored to have been given the chance to read it.

4.5 stars!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping read from the first paragraph, I was transported to the Cold and immersed entirely in its world and characters. It pure happenstance that had just finished The Foundation Trilogy (again) the day I started reading this and I felt I’d got a free upgrade to 1st class. The only problem is waiting for another installment.

[Macdara Glynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well paced and enjoyable world building

From the early shorts to the recent novellas, there is obviously a large world in the mind of the author, and we are being guided along into its various factions, cultures and social orders. All these seen from a first person perspective of individuals. Great world building.

We are building towards something big in the world, but as a standalone book Cold Blooded is great fun. Well paced and reaches a wild conclusion.

More please!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free.
I wanted to first start off by warning any potential future readers that this book contains elements of LGBTQ+ and some non-traditional gender related topics that some readers may not want to engage with, particularly since there is no indication of this until chapter 4, unlike in the first book where this was disclosed in the synopsis. Most of the LGBTQ+ topics are okay from a story perspective, but on the non-traditional gender topics, those felt shoehorned into the story just to check a box, because those topics were a non-consequential sub-plot in the story. These themes however are mild and don’t appear often in the plot.
I really liked the idea of the plot where corporations have skirmishes, Cold Rushes, over asteroid mining rights; it is so dystopian, but it fits so well and is believable. On top of this, it is also televised which deepens the dystopian nature of this culture. This is also set against the backdrop of our solar system and in the shadow of the aftermath of an AI war. The topic of the AI war wasn’t mentioned much, but enough to be relatable to where we maybe heading in real life where a rouge AI causes all sorts of problems for humanity.
The author did a great job with world building, from the harsh mining operations on Mars, to posh stations like Neptune, to “rebellion” activist ships held together with scraps and a prayer, I felt immersed in these places. There were brief discussions of child labor on places like Mars, mostly from Mint recalling her past. This had a core foundation to who Mint was and shaped a lot of her choices throughout the story.
I enjoyed Mint’s personality; she doesn’t take crap from anyone and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. I also admire her principals, such as, keeping the stabilizing bar in her older-generation mech suit, even when all of Mint’s comrades had theirs removed. Her reason for doing this is the pain of the bar digging into her reminds her that outside of her suit, “a whole world of pain awaited [her].” I appreciate the juxtaposed nature of Mint’s post on Neptune Station compared to her being a traditionalist with an old suit, yet she is surrounded with a lot of new tech and suits. One of my favorite environmental aspects was how Mint described the officer’s lounge on Neptune Station, where one entire wall featured a giant display of Neptune’s surface instead of an actual window because the station was continuously spinning to create gravity. This was very believable and the way this and similar elements were put into the story, contributed to the realism and immersion.
I was disappointed that this book wasn’t longer, and it would have been nice to see some of the secondary characters developed more, particularly Cartag. But, I would have also liked to see more from the “shadow” mechs throughout the story too. Also, it does feel like some problems were rushed through fairly quickly, which doesn’t feel realistic because the story clearly makes it seem that most of the marines are dumb. The story also orbited around the idea of “Cold Rush” mining operations but didn’t really get us into the action as much as I would have liked, both in details of the skirmishes and the amount of Cold Rushes we get to read about (even if they were recalled from past events).
The way the chapters were organized were a little annoying and could have been done better, but it was mostly a stylistic choice, and a minor inconvenience. I do however, appreciate that the author had a dyslexia friendly font, which made it nice to read.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Blooded by Rohan O'Duill transports readers to a vividly imagined future where corporate powers dominate the solar system, wielding unparalleled influence. At the heart of this dynamic setting is Mint, a skilled yet detached marine mech pilot. Once content as an instructor, she is thrust back into action, navigating the chaos of the "Cold Rushes." Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she reunites with her former colleague, Bjorn—now a pirate—and his spirited daughter, Frida. Unexpectedly, Mint finds herself as Frida's reluctant guardian, forcing her to balance survival, loyalty to her friend, and her obligations to her corporate overlords.

What sets Cold Blooded apart is its remarkable ability to function both as a prequel and as a self-contained narrative. Striking a delicate balance, the story seamlessly establishes a foundation for the larger series while delivering a complete and compelling tale in its own right. Far from feeling like a mere setup, the book captivates with dynamic characters, unpredictable plot twists, and gripping conflicts. O'Duill’s storytelling ensures that Cold Blooded stands firmly on its own, an achievement worthy of high praise. Equally impressive is the depth and intricacy of the book's science fiction elements. The richly detailed futuristic worlds, advanced technologies, and innovative equipment are described with a precision that immerses the reader. Every aspect of this universe feels meticulously crafted, reflecting the author’s dedication to thoughtful world-building. The result is a setting that feels authentic and alive, adding a tangible sense of realism to the narrative.

Cold Blooded by Rohan O'Duill offers a thrilling blend of fast-paced action and intricate science fiction, making it an ideal pick for fans of the genre. Whether you’re new to O'Duill's work or already familiar with his universe, this novel delivers an engaging and satisfying experience. Highly recommended for readers who crave immersive storytelling and high-stakes adventure.

[I.K. Stokbaek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Blooded is set in our solar system in the 24th century, and cooperations are out there mining asteroids, and they’re deploying marines in mech suits to fight for the rocks and the rights to mine them.

I think this is a cool premise. While it’s not set on earth, it shows a plausible dystopian future. The author does a great job of creating an atmosphere of life in a world that is harsh and dangerous and cold for the majority of people, while the elites are playing games with humanity’s future and ordinary people’s lives.

The main character is a kickass lady in her fifties. She’s a marine, and she has depth and history, and I loved this character. Mint is assigned to look after an elite villain called Cartag. I didn’t like the way Cartag was written. I didn’t really understand his motivations, and he didn’t feel quite fleshed out. He was just evil and crazy for the sake of it.

There are other characters that were good. Bjorn, the rebel terrorist, who had more morals than one can really afford to have out there in the cold. And his daughter Frida, who is sort of just dragged along. Nobody asks her. She just wants to live her life and be an normal teenager, and I think her story was quite poignant.

I didn’t realise until the end that there are more books set in this world, and there’s a larger story connected with the events in Cold Blooded. This book works perfectly fine as a standalone, but I wouldn’t mind seeing these characters again, so that’s cool.

Overall, an enjoyable read. The ending was savage. I liked it.

[Atlas Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my GODS. This book was fucking AMAZING, it was horrible and delightful and evoked so many emotions. It was less fixated on activism and capitalism than I had expected, but was more focused on where capitalism is heading and what it's possibly going to build towards, especially as interstellar travel develops. I... just finished reading this book and ran to review it, it was so good. There's so many plot twists and surprises that made complete sense, but completely defied all of my expectations -- at times, it's painfully rational while still being a sci fi novel. The ending was simultaneously perfect and horrific, it was done incredibly well and ended on an amazing cliffhanger, but part of me wants to cry. You get so much more attached to the characters -- particularly the Marine -- than you'd ever expect, and in such a slow and natural way. The character development is incredibly natural, minus how well adjusted the child was in that short of a time period (though, given her characterization, it's believable enough) and though I'm generally not a fan of a "this child changed my outlook" approach to character development, this book did it in such a wonderful way I couldn't be upset. Don't get me wrong, I have MANY things to be upset about, but that's my emotional strings being pulled by fantastic writing. Would recommend and will probably read again, and while I did get a free copy I think this book is Well worth the money. I now need to buy the whole series apparently, because surely it can't end there!

[Luke Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cold Blooded is a military science fiction novella written by Rohan O’Duill. It follows Mint, a marine mech pilot as she is pulled away from her role as an instructor and back into battle. Set far into the future in a world where corporations have all but taken over the solar system and profit rules.

Cold Blooded has a lot of imagination, with plenty of cool ideas floating around its pages. Like a lot of military sci-fi, it is packed with military bravado and tough language that evoke images of Aliens or Predator. Even if the language can feel a little over the top at times and the dialogue needs a little tightening up, it still nevertheless manages to convey the toughness of the universe in which it exists.

Where the novella starts to fall away is in its execution. Cold Blooded could have benefited from being a little longer so that it could spend more time developing the characters. While Mint, Bjorn and Frida do get some characterisation and development, the minor characters are left in the cold. Cartag, one of the main antagonists, is thrown into the mix with very little introduction and as such his presence is hardly felt beyond being a minor thorn in Mint's side.

Combine that with the tendency for obstacles to be nothing but minor inconveniences that are easily solved within a couple chapters, and we have a novella that feels rushed and undercooked.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nick Snape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Blooded – what did I just read? One of the finest military action sci-fi novellas out there. O’Duill takes a sideways look at corporate greed, human desperation and sideswipe at how those with ethical standards are hunted and harried into submission. This is all wrapped up in a superbly structured story that drags the reader in and beats them over the head with brilliant action and characters you either root deeply for, or cheer when they finally get what’s coming to them. Amid all this is Mint who emerges as the central Marine around which the book revolves, and she has to be my favourite character of any military sci-fi book I’ve read (and that’s a lot). And no, she’s not perfect, but that’s the point. A novella that drops you over a huge, mineral-rich asteroid and watches you fight to the finish line. Military sci-fi done right. A superb take on corporation greed and madness in the uncaring vacuum of cold space. And in Mint, a true kick-ass character you can fully relate to. Simply superb.

[T Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate Cold Blooded as a 3 for me only, not necessarily for others. The thing is, I found the story to be very entertaining, even if a based on an old premise. Above the law mega corporations vs the government. I'm been reading SiFi for over 70 years, the so my personal standards are different from others.

If you can overlook my objections it is well worth a read. Characters 5 stars, pacing 5 stars, also backstory 5 stars.

So why the 3 stars? 3 reasons.
1. Obvious the author is not an American. Arse vs ass :) butt (pun intended) an American knows a Marine would never call another Marine a "Soldier" . I was one - 67 / 71.
2. The use of woke pronouns to indicate 3rd person singular individual in one chapter . But only one, thankfully. Judging response? Same in sample.
3. The description of the actions at the end bordered on sadistic-porn.

[Michael O’Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

COLD-BLOODED a great military sci-fi tale with memorable characters and fresh ideas on a possible future mankind in space. Mint is a great protagonist who gets caught up in drama and intrigue of profiteering, piracy, and privilege. And you’ll love hating on Cartag and Vreni unless, of course, you have a cold-blooded streak of sadism running through you.

The last military science fiction series I read was John Scalzi’s Old Man's War and once I started that series, I churned through it. O’Duill’s storytelling is comparable. He packs a lot into this novella. I’ll be picking up COLD RISING, the first in his Cold Rush series.

[Nancy Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fast-paced science fiction story. It offers a plausible future where corporations dominate the far reaches of the solar system. Mint, the main character, is a strong female lead, and her struggles within the corporate military, along with her quick wit, kept me reading from start to finish. I also enjoyed the idea of soldiers being shot “into the Cold” through space like “human missiles.” It was a fascinating look at how battles might unfold in the not-too-distant future. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys thoughtful, action-filled science fiction with memorable characters and imaginative world-building.

[A.L. MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This military sci fi book absolutely grabbed me and ramped up the intensity with every page. I love the concept of the mech suit battles - cold rushes - revolving around claiming mineral-rich asteroids. I really enjoyed Mint's interactions with Frida. Bjorn was a favorite too. Cartag is such a dirt bag it was enjoyable to hate him. The politics of this world are very neat and I liked how the threads of competing ambitions entwined at the end. The ending is a gobsmacker too. I really had fun reading this book.

[Bill Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was a blast! I loved the idea of these warring corporations for minerals on asteroids where marines in giant mechs fight each other. There is a ton of characterization in this short tale, lots of action, a mustache twirling possible villain/possible comrade in arms, and gallons of blood. Honestly, I wasn't sure where this story was going because there were a number of lane shifts (I won't say twists because they weren't really drastic turns) but the ending was phenomenal. I did NOT see part of the ending coming and it was bloody fantastic. Great sci-fi novella, highly recommend!

[Kath Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was instantly transported to Mint's world, fascinated by the hard edge she has built in the Cold. The action scenes were thrilling - the book was impossible to put down. I cheered for her fight against the corporations, loved the relationship building with Frida. I can't wait to read more from this author in this world, and others. A compelling read.

[Archie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title mentions, this book is fairly cold blooded. Lots of viscous fighting by not so friendly characters. There are a few warm fuzzies along with twists and turns which made it an enjoyable read.

Disclosure: I read Cold Blooded as a judge for the SPSFC#5 and received a complementary copy of the book.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold blooded is an action packed, military novella with violence and twists around every corner! Mint is tough as nails and I loved watching and waiting for what she was going to do next. It showcases corporate greed and the levels they're willing to go to get what they want. I can't wait to read the next one!

[Bryan Chaffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, fast read

A fun, fast read. Rohan O'Duill's vision of a corporate future in the outer reaches of our solar system is all too plausible. His mix of hope and the cold realities of that future, and the fighting spirit of Mint, his main character, made for a gripping story.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Blooded was my first introduction to the work of Rohan O'Duill and I could not help but be impressed by the amount of storytelling and character development he was able to pack into a short book. I have not read a lot of military sci-fi and I was not sure that this book would be such a good fit for me, but I found myself engrossed in the corporate rivalries and the layers of backstabbing and betrayal certainly kept me guessing. Mint is a really engaging character, fast witted and even quicker to mouth off, she is a tough no nonsense bad ass bitch and I adored her. Seeing her past catch up with her and force her to make some very hard decisions brought her humanity to the fore, and made the devastating ending of the book even more brutal and heart breaking - readers if you need a happy ever after this is not the book for you. Though Mint was my favourite, I really enjoyed several of the other characters, most notably Bjorn and his daughter Frida. For readers who are looking for action there are some vividly described fight scenes, some involving Mech suits while others are a little closer to hand to hand combat and there is no squeamishness when it comes to describing the bloody and brutal consequences of those fights. It really did not take long for me to be hooked by the storytelling in this novella and once I finished I found myself wishing it was not over and heading off to buy the previous novella, Cold Rising because I need more stories in this world and from this author.