What do you think?
Rate this book
Cold Counsel
In Chris Sharp's new epic fantasy Cold Counsel, Slud of the Blood Claw Clan, Bringer of Troubles, was born at the heart of the worst storm the mountain had ever seen. Slud’s father, chief of the clan, was changed by his son’s presence. For the first time since the age of the giants, he rallied the remaining trolls under one banner and marched to war taking back the mountain from the goblin clans.
However, the long-lived elves remembered the brutal wars of the last age, and did not welcome the return of these lesser-giants to martial power. Twenty thousand elves marched on the mountain intent on genocide. They eradicated the entire troll species—save two.
Aunt Agnes, an old witch from the Iron Wood, carried Slud away before the elves could find them. Their existence remained hidden for decades, and in that time, Agnes molded Slud to become her instrument of revenge.
For cold is the counsel of women.
However, the long-lived elves remembered the brutal wars of the last age, and did not welcome the return of these lesser-giants to martial power. Twenty thousand elves marched on the mountain intent on genocide. They eradicated the entire troll species—save two.
Aunt Agnes, an old witch from the Iron Wood, carried Slud away before the elves could find them. Their existence remained hidden for decades, and in that time, Agnes molded Slud to become her instrument of revenge.
For cold is the counsel of women.
272 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2017
30 people are currently reading
1119 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 11, 2017
I received an ARC of Cold Counsel in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Chris Sharp and Tor.
The Troll, Slud of the Blood Claw Clan was born amidst the most intense storm that the world had ever witnessed. The narrative of Cold Counsel is about his bitter revenge following on from the eradication of the Troll race in a brutal genocide manufactured by the Elves. Luckily, newborn Slud, son of the clan's leader was whisked away from destruction by the witch Agnes in secret. The tale unfolds in the Iron Wood where Agnes had been raising and moulding Slud into a tool of vengeance. "For cold is the counsel of women."
I have to admit that even from the beginning, this seemed like an unusual but intriguing concept with a Troll being the hero. Slud's tusk-bearing, axe-wielding, and hulking presence reminded me of the warrior Orcs from Lord of the Rings. It is very much a coming of age tale as Slud looks to reclaim the mountain from the Goblin hordes. I was interested to see if a Troll on his own could carry the weight of a fantasy tale as I couldn't imagine such a character meeting or befriending anyone on his travels. Fortunately, I was incorrect and some of the colorful companions he meets are just as bizarre and unusual at Slud. I enjoyed reading the point of view chapters from the mind of legendary demon wolf, Luthar, and my favourite was the perspective of Neither-Nor, a tattooed rogue twin-blade flaunting Goblin. Sharp works this strange angle of presenting a fantasy story admirably well. Troll's are still brutes, Goblin's are still mischevious and often untrustworthy but these races, normally the villains of fantasy, are given human qualities but without trying to manipulate our already formed views of them too much.
I noticed another reviewers' status update stating that they didn't like the way Slud's vocals were written. It is in broken, almost slang English and at first, I thought it a was child-like presentation. On reflection and as I got further into the story, I decided I liked what Sharp had done with Slud's and some of the other characters speech. Instead of child-like, I naturally started reading these parts in harsh, guttural Scottish or Jamaican accents depending on the person in question and this was actually really fun in painting the overall picture of the world and its players in my mind. In addition, who expects a Troll to have a posh British accent anyway?
The fabricated fantasy world isn't too grandiose. The majority of what happens takes place in the Iron Wood, at the Goblin's mountain capital and other places traversed on the journeys in-between. Where this book exceeds is in its Troll-lead pummelling high speed and brutal action scenes. I had a lot of fun reading this book. The created world seems a nice mix of typical fantasy and Norse mythology (with mentions of the Gods Odin and Hel etc...) This is a pretty great standalone story that doesn't try to pretend it is trying to create something groundbreaking, grand and epic. At 288 pages it is a quick read and that is a reason that the characters aren't too complex. They all have a primary motive and that is about it but as mentioned, Cold Counsel is all about the blood and guts action and the Goblin's political turbulence. At the finale, it is ambiguously presented that a sequel could follow but perhaps the author is as unsure as I am to know if this is the end of Slud's adventures. Sharp's well-written tale following a Troll's destiny is highly recommended, firstly for the plot and action, secondly to say you have read a book where the Troll was the hero. 3.5/5 - Rounded up because I am in a good mood.
James .. www.youandibooks.wordpress.com
The Troll, Slud of the Blood Claw Clan was born amidst the most intense storm that the world had ever witnessed. The narrative of Cold Counsel is about his bitter revenge following on from the eradication of the Troll race in a brutal genocide manufactured by the Elves. Luckily, newborn Slud, son of the clan's leader was whisked away from destruction by the witch Agnes in secret. The tale unfolds in the Iron Wood where Agnes had been raising and moulding Slud into a tool of vengeance. "For cold is the counsel of women."
I have to admit that even from the beginning, this seemed like an unusual but intriguing concept with a Troll being the hero. Slud's tusk-bearing, axe-wielding, and hulking presence reminded me of the warrior Orcs from Lord of the Rings. It is very much a coming of age tale as Slud looks to reclaim the mountain from the Goblin hordes. I was interested to see if a Troll on his own could carry the weight of a fantasy tale as I couldn't imagine such a character meeting or befriending anyone on his travels. Fortunately, I was incorrect and some of the colorful companions he meets are just as bizarre and unusual at Slud. I enjoyed reading the point of view chapters from the mind of legendary demon wolf, Luthar, and my favourite was the perspective of Neither-Nor, a tattooed rogue twin-blade flaunting Goblin. Sharp works this strange angle of presenting a fantasy story admirably well. Troll's are still brutes, Goblin's are still mischevious and often untrustworthy but these races, normally the villains of fantasy, are given human qualities but without trying to manipulate our already formed views of them too much.
I noticed another reviewers' status update stating that they didn't like the way Slud's vocals were written. It is in broken, almost slang English and at first, I thought it a was child-like presentation. On reflection and as I got further into the story, I decided I liked what Sharp had done with Slud's and some of the other characters speech. Instead of child-like, I naturally started reading these parts in harsh, guttural Scottish or Jamaican accents depending on the person in question and this was actually really fun in painting the overall picture of the world and its players in my mind. In addition, who expects a Troll to have a posh British accent anyway?
The fabricated fantasy world isn't too grandiose. The majority of what happens takes place in the Iron Wood, at the Goblin's mountain capital and other places traversed on the journeys in-between. Where this book exceeds is in its Troll-lead pummelling high speed and brutal action scenes. I had a lot of fun reading this book. The created world seems a nice mix of typical fantasy and Norse mythology (with mentions of the Gods Odin and Hel etc...) This is a pretty great standalone story that doesn't try to pretend it is trying to create something groundbreaking, grand and epic. At 288 pages it is a quick read and that is a reason that the characters aren't too complex. They all have a primary motive and that is about it but as mentioned, Cold Counsel is all about the blood and guts action and the Goblin's political turbulence. At the finale, it is ambiguously presented that a sequel could follow but perhaps the author is as unsure as I am to know if this is the end of Slud's adventures. Sharp's well-written tale following a Troll's destiny is highly recommended, firstly for the plot and action, secondly to say you have read a book where the Troll was the hero. 3.5/5 - Rounded up because I am in a good mood.
James .. www.youandibooks.wordpress.com
September 10, 2017
This was a lot of fun. It harkens back to the days of Sword and Sorcery with Conan raising his axe and revenging himself, only this one takes a full slant of the tale.
He's a troll. A troll hero, growing up with a needle-teethed hag who's been training him to be a whirlwind of destruction from his birth following the obliteration of his tribe.
The best part is, we never have to deal with those pesky humans. We've got goblins galore, all of whom are fun and interesting and colorful, PoV's that simultaneously create a legend out of Slug the Troll or taking up the adventure for multiple fun reasons, with some memorable dialogue.
What's best is the action. This is all about the action. That's not to say we don't get a lot of PoV's and reasons why peeps are doing their thing because we do, but most importantly, it's all about the adventure.
Sword and Sorcery isn't dead. It's just become strange. :)
He's a troll. A troll hero, growing up with a needle-teethed hag who's been training him to be a whirlwind of destruction from his birth following the obliteration of his tribe.
The best part is, we never have to deal with those pesky humans. We've got goblins galore, all of whom are fun and interesting and colorful, PoV's that simultaneously create a legend out of Slug the Troll or taking up the adventure for multiple fun reasons, with some memorable dialogue.
What's best is the action. This is all about the action. That's not to say we don't get a lot of PoV's and reasons why peeps are doing their thing because we do, but most importantly, it's all about the adventure.
Sword and Sorcery isn't dead. It's just become strange. :)
June 5, 2023
This ruled. A blast from start to finish. Kinetic action that for the most part avoids feeling overly cartoonish. Left me wanting more of Slud of the Blood Claw Clan.
September 9, 2017
A bloody revenge story that will probably appeal most to those who like RPG lit. That isn't necessarily me. While I appreciated some of the witty elements (which to be fair, included a lot of swearing) and the interesting assortment of characters, the actual story was a bit narrow for my taste.
The story is pretty much focused on a single campaign by the main character, with guidance from his adoptive "aunt", to invade a mountain fastness and kill everyone inside in the most gory way possible. I think the book may have worked better for me if it were novella length, but as a novel I wanted a bit more plot development.
That said, although it wasn't my personal cup of tea, I thought the writing was quite engaging. If you like this genre then it is worth a look.
The story is pretty much focused on a single campaign by the main character, with guidance from his adoptive "aunt", to invade a mountain fastness and kill everyone inside in the most gory way possible. I think the book may have worked better for me if it were novella length, but as a novel I wanted a bit more plot development.
That said, although it wasn't my personal cup of tea, I thought the writing was quite engaging. If you like this genre then it is worth a look.
September 5, 2017
In a fantasy world set after Ragnarok, the last surviving troll seeks vengeance on the goblin tribe that has taken residence on the mountain his people called home. Slud Blood Claw has been trained and magically conditioned since birth by a powerful hag to be the ultimate tool of brutal vengeance. On his path to victory over the vile Khan of the Rock Wolf goblin clan he encounters an extremely varied cast of bizarre characters.
Fair warning: this book seeks to gross you out on nearly every page. Even so, some parts of the book really stand out in this regard including poetry from a mad torture victim who is being literally eaten alive. It's also a book about monsters. Characterful, fascinating and engrossing ones, but they're all monsters doing monstrous things. There's no good guys, or even righteousness. It's a brutal, short and often disgusting tale of brutal characters doing horrible things to each other.
Slud himself is the least of them. The goblins of the Rock Wolves, and in particular Dingle and Fixelcrick, are brilliantly done. The Khan of the Rock Wolves himself stands out as a loathsome character in a book where all the characters could be described that way. The lone surviving goblin of the Moon Blade clan, Neither-Nor is wonderful as well and his banter with the thuggish Slud is terrific. Neither-Nor also has a way with words, and one word in particular. But we also get viewpoints from a distant descendant of Fenrir and the hag Black Agnes as well. As a character piece, this is masterful.
It's also interesting that this is only the first part of Slud's revenge story. It should be an interesting series as he moves on to the real movers of the death of his people.
Fair warning: this book seeks to gross you out on nearly every page. Even so, some parts of the book really stand out in this regard including poetry from a mad torture victim who is being literally eaten alive. It's also a book about monsters. Characterful, fascinating and engrossing ones, but they're all monsters doing monstrous things. There's no good guys, or even righteousness. It's a brutal, short and often disgusting tale of brutal characters doing horrible things to each other.
Slud himself is the least of them. The goblins of the Rock Wolves, and in particular Dingle and Fixelcrick, are brilliantly done. The Khan of the Rock Wolves himself stands out as a loathsome character in a book where all the characters could be described that way. The lone surviving goblin of the Moon Blade clan, Neither-Nor is wonderful as well and his banter with the thuggish Slud is terrific. Neither-Nor also has a way with words, and one word in particular. But we also get viewpoints from a distant descendant of Fenrir and the hag Black Agnes as well. As a character piece, this is masterful.
It's also interesting that this is only the first part of Slud's revenge story. It should be an interesting series as he moves on to the real movers of the death of his people.
June 9, 2020
It started out really well but fizzled out around 35% for me. Really had to push through to finish it. Me sad.
Read
May 22, 2017DNF at 21%.
This one just isn't catching my imagination.
It's always an interesting conceit to tell a story from the point of view of a "bad guy." However, while Slud the troll is indubitably a "bad guy," he's merely thuggish and brutal, rather than interesting. He's also rather dim-witted, and doesn't seem to possess any personal motivation: his quest for revenge is merely something that he's been trained into by his 'foster-mother,' Agnes.
Agnes could be an interesting character, but rather than being a mortal individual consumed by loss and bitterness, she seems to be some sort of avatar of a supernatural being, with the result that she feels extremely flat and opaque.
I have to admit that while reading the prologue, I found myself hoping that the narrative would switch to another point of view for the main story. But, it didn't, and after checking other reviews, it seems that the whole book sticks with Slud. Unfortunately, I'm not sticking with him...
This one just isn't catching my imagination.
It's always an interesting conceit to tell a story from the point of view of a "bad guy." However, while Slud the troll is indubitably a "bad guy," he's merely thuggish and brutal, rather than interesting. He's also rather dim-witted, and doesn't seem to possess any personal motivation: his quest for revenge is merely something that he's been trained into by his 'foster-mother,' Agnes.
Agnes could be an interesting character, but rather than being a mortal individual consumed by loss and bitterness, she seems to be some sort of avatar of a supernatural being, with the result that she feels extremely flat and opaque.
I have to admit that while reading the prologue, I found myself hoping that the narrative would switch to another point of view for the main story. But, it didn't, and after checking other reviews, it seems that the whole book sticks with Slud. Unfortunately, I'm not sticking with him...
September 15, 2017
3.5 that I'm rounding up. A troll tale, set in a Norse mythic world and centred around revenge.
February 27, 2017
Ive only read a few books about trolls and goblins so I was excited to jump into this. Maybe Im just not use to adult fantasy but the writing slowed my reading pace. I felt like it didnt flow easily and I found myself rereading a lot of sentences which was my only real issue with this book. I know adult fantasy typically takes more concentration on my part so I didnt let it diminish my excitement for the story. The world and the characters were fascinating but it took me about a quarter of the book before I got use to the writing and was really invested in the story. I especially enjoyed the last quarter of the book. It was a fun and intense ending.
The main character Slud is an intelligent and terrifying brute of a troll. The last of his kind. The anti-hero aspect was a wonderful change from the fantasy books Ive been reading lately. Slud was raised by a witch after his whole clan was killed by elves. There was a couple sensitive issues with the witch being abusive in her quests to make Slud stronger and with Slud hurting himself to help him think more clearly. I personally dont think these issues took away from the story. Their brutal culture set them a part from humans. This isnt to say humans cant be brutal. It just isnt the norm for us like it is for these creatures.
The author did a wonderful job creating memorable and unique characters. I loved the Goblin Neither-Nor and was excited to have them form an alliance. Neither-Nors complaining and interactions with Slud made me laugh. The scenes with the Wolf King Luther and the Omega female were some of my favorites. I thought the Hag, Fixelcrick and Dingle were all interesting characters. I also really enjoyed the Fire Salamanders. Overall this book had an engaging plot, compelling characters and a rich world. I would definitely recommend it. I hope I get the review the sequel. The wait might drive me crazy.
*received in exchange for an honest review*
(Side Note: Goodreads why isnt this book showing up on my challenge through the android app)
The main character Slud is an intelligent and terrifying brute of a troll. The last of his kind. The anti-hero aspect was a wonderful change from the fantasy books Ive been reading lately. Slud was raised by a witch after his whole clan was killed by elves. There was a couple sensitive issues with the witch being abusive in her quests to make Slud stronger and with Slud hurting himself to help him think more clearly. I personally dont think these issues took away from the story. Their brutal culture set them a part from humans. This isnt to say humans cant be brutal. It just isnt the norm for us like it is for these creatures.
The author did a wonderful job creating memorable and unique characters. I loved the Goblin Neither-Nor and was excited to have them form an alliance. Neither-Nors complaining and interactions with Slud made me laugh. The scenes with the Wolf King Luther and the Omega female were some of my favorites. I thought the Hag, Fixelcrick and Dingle were all interesting characters. I also really enjoyed the Fire Salamanders. Overall this book had an engaging plot, compelling characters and a rich world. I would definitely recommend it. I hope I get the review the sequel. The wait might drive me crazy.
*received in exchange for an honest review*
(Side Note: Goodreads why isnt this book showing up on my challenge through the android app)
August 23, 2017
In a forgotten crease of the mountain there is a part of the forest where a dark conjuring has hidden two trolls from everyone and everything for two decades. It is in this hut, deep in the Iron Wood, that Aunt Agnes, an ancient troll, has raised and trained the young troll she whisked away from the great war with the Elves and the eradication of their entire race in order to have him take back what is his and more.
“Revenge,” the troll answered with a humorless smile. “Slud’s come to break de mountain, ’n’ den de whole world after.”
Cold Counsel follows Slud, the last of the Trolls as he sets out this quest of vengeance. Presented as fantasy with a solid dose of Norse mythology mixed in, the story is pretty fast paced, with lots of explosive action sequences, fun interactions between characters, mythical creatures, magic and more. Where it did fall short for me was in the lack of good guys department. No denying, this is essentially a story about bad guys vs bad guys and that is in itself interesting, and worth a read. Sadly, I found myself ambivalent at best regarding the fates of the main characters. While I did want the worse bad guys to meet their demise, I was not as excited as I should have been for the lesser bad guys to be the architects of said demise. *shrugs. I was not a fan of the speech patterns of the main character either. Not entirely out of character for a troll in this regard, and I could accept that, but I found it jarring.
This was my first book by Chris Sharp and the man can write. Apart from the two complaints I listed above, there is little else to fault with Cold Counsel and I am looking forward to getting my hands on some other works of his.
“Revenge,” the troll answered with a humorless smile. “Slud’s come to break de mountain, ’n’ den de whole world after.”
Cold Counsel follows Slud, the last of the Trolls as he sets out this quest of vengeance. Presented as fantasy with a solid dose of Norse mythology mixed in, the story is pretty fast paced, with lots of explosive action sequences, fun interactions between characters, mythical creatures, magic and more. Where it did fall short for me was in the lack of good guys department. No denying, this is essentially a story about bad guys vs bad guys and that is in itself interesting, and worth a read. Sadly, I found myself ambivalent at best regarding the fates of the main characters. While I did want the worse bad guys to meet their demise, I was not as excited as I should have been for the lesser bad guys to be the architects of said demise. *shrugs. I was not a fan of the speech patterns of the main character either. Not entirely out of character for a troll in this regard, and I could accept that, but I found it jarring.
This was my first book by Chris Sharp and the man can write. Apart from the two complaints I listed above, there is little else to fault with Cold Counsel and I am looking forward to getting my hands on some other works of his.
February 21, 2017
A dark, brutal revenge story set in a mythical fantasy world - fairly straight forward in both premise and execution - but lacking in a certain something that makes it anything more than what it is at face value. Not bad, but not great either. Full video review: https://youtu.be/198E_ojjXwU
March 3, 2017
An absolutely triumphant return! Chris Sharp has definitely found himself in this dark, grotesque fantasy-on-steroids. I can't wait to read more of Slud's exploits in future installments. Great, cathartic read!
February 26, 2017
I spent two days trying to read this and made it about 40% through before I gave up and skipped to the last two chapters. I'm sure it will be a great read for the right reader, but that apparently isn't me.
Slud manages to be both unlikable and boring, spending much of his time as a passive protagonist following a path that has been set out for him by the woman who raised him.
Agnes is potentially interesting, being the revenge-focused remnant of something much more ancient, but she's also (as far as I can tell from the first 40%, last two chapters and epilogue) the only named female character in the book. The only other female character so far was an unnamed water fairy who existed only to help Slud on his journey and have sex with him. There are whole hordes of goblins, but none of them appear to be women, and there are no worldbuilding excuses given, which suggests that Chris Sharp just didn't care enough to bother with them.
Mostly, though, Cold Counsel just wasn't what I wanted it to be. I was hoping for a clever, fresh take on trolls and goblins as main characters, maybe with some interesting playing around with common tropes or some fun subversions of tried and true narratives. While I didn't read the whole book, I didn't see any signs of cleverness or fun in the parts I did read. Disappointing. I'd hoped for an innovative sword and sorcery adventure perhaps in the neighborhood of Adrian Tchaikovsky's Spiderlight (also from Tor.com), which I loved last year, but this is nowhere close to that caliber of work.
Slud manages to be both unlikable and boring, spending much of his time as a passive protagonist following a path that has been set out for him by the woman who raised him.
Agnes is potentially interesting, being the revenge-focused remnant of something much more ancient, but she's also (as far as I can tell from the first 40%, last two chapters and epilogue) the only named female character in the book. The only other female character so far was an unnamed water fairy who existed only to help Slud on his journey and have sex with him. There are whole hordes of goblins, but none of them appear to be women, and there are no worldbuilding excuses given, which suggests that Chris Sharp just didn't care enough to bother with them.
Mostly, though, Cold Counsel just wasn't what I wanted it to be. I was hoping for a clever, fresh take on trolls and goblins as main characters, maybe with some interesting playing around with common tropes or some fun subversions of tried and true narratives. While I didn't read the whole book, I didn't see any signs of cleverness or fun in the parts I did read. Disappointing. I'd hoped for an innovative sword and sorcery adventure perhaps in the neighborhood of Adrian Tchaikovsky's Spiderlight (also from Tor.com), which I loved last year, but this is nowhere close to that caliber of work.
December 14, 2016
I actually didn't read the synopsis to this book before I selected it, which happened to be a good thing. It is merely the introduction to a grander story that slashes it's way onward. Intermingled with a lot of Norse mythology, Cold Counsel was a book I enjoyed far more than I thought I would.
It follows the story of Slud. He doesn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the kitchen, merely a fantastically large brute who has been raised by Aunt Agnes, a witch living in a dark forest called Iron Wood. His upbringing is brutal, riddled with tests and challenges and tales of great battles between gods and monsters. All of this, is merely a taste of the unfolding story.
The writing flows really well. You get a sense of the characters and the world around them clearly. Good vivid descriptions incorporating the senses like smell, and sight, and sound, that it was easy to imagine Slud's exploits during the course of the story. The characters are also given so much life. From Neither-Nor and his almost eccentric paranoid nimbleness to the seething anger that boils within Aunt Agnes.
A really fantastic novel, unfortunately quite short, but engaging and fun.
It follows the story of Slud. He doesn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the kitchen, merely a fantastically large brute who has been raised by Aunt Agnes, a witch living in a dark forest called Iron Wood. His upbringing is brutal, riddled with tests and challenges and tales of great battles between gods and monsters. All of this, is merely a taste of the unfolding story.
The writing flows really well. You get a sense of the characters and the world around them clearly. Good vivid descriptions incorporating the senses like smell, and sight, and sound, that it was easy to imagine Slud's exploits during the course of the story. The characters are also given so much life. From Neither-Nor and his almost eccentric paranoid nimbleness to the seething anger that boils within Aunt Agnes.
A really fantastic novel, unfortunately quite short, but engaging and fun.
December 26, 2017
A troll, a night-hag and an undead goblin walk into a bar.
What? Oh, it’s not a joke. It’s how the post-credits scene would look if Chris Sharp’s novel were a Marvel movie instead of a book.
The axe-wielding beauty on the cover is Slud. The last surviving warrior of the Blood Claw Clan, Slud isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. In fact, he may even be the bluntest – or so it seems. Slud’s thick dialect can easily be taken as evidence of stupidity; but don’t be fooled. Mountain trolls might not be as eloquent as us humans (well . . . some of us, at least), but Slud lacks none of the brutal cunning of his own kind.
Rarely subtle, often hilarious – Cold Counsel is peppered with its main protagonist’s blunt observations and delightful profanities. But though the blurb and cover (which Fantasy-Faction had the pleasure of revealing a few months ago!) might suggest that this is Slud’s story and Slud’s alone, the big troll is actually more of a catalyst for a chain of reactions (read: crazy shit) that affect the lives of everyone on the mountain. And if Slud is the catalyst, his ‘Aunt Agnes’ is the scientist; you know, the mad one who, after spending years cultivating the right conditions for her experiment, decides finally to throw caution to the winds and unleash her agent out into the mix.
Unsurprisingly, the reaction it causes is – how can I say this? – quite volatile. Prodded along by Aunt Agnes (whose counsel is, indeed, rather nippy), Slud barrels through hordes of enemies and even a few potential allies. And it’s the latter who are the focus of the story; Cold Counsel is as much their tale as it is Slud’s.
Agnes kicks it off, Slud drives it forward – but Cold Counsel is as much the story of a select few individuals who find themselves caught in the troll’s path, knocked down like dominoes and then scooped up in his wake. Goblins like Dingle (a hapless scout), Neither-Nor (an unkillable warrior), Hairy Herald (a hairy herald) and Fixelcrick (a Hex Doktor with an unhealthy feather fetish) each have the opportunity to weigh in with their own conflicting perspectives on events, as do Luther the wolf and Agnes the night-hag.
The Warcraftian characters and easily recognisable ‘evil’ races are clearly inspired by the author’s love of role-playing games. The setting, on the other hand, is a little more uncertain, though there are enough references to Norse mythology to suggest that it’s Cold Counsel is set in a kind of alternative Midgard. Wherever it may be, you get the sense that it doesn’t really matter. Instead, we’re encouraged to focus on the characters’ immediate surroundings. Cold Counsel is all about the locale: the hundred-foot-high pine trees, the smell of snow on the wind, the howling of wolves and the flapping of ravens’ wings – all combine to suffuse the story with a compelling sense of myth and wildness.
In many ways, Cold Counsel is more than it promises to be; but it’s also – in other ways – less. In spite of its boldness, I found the first few chapters a little slow and heavy; as a result, I struggled somewhat to engage with the characters. Slud is disappointingly bland, and his passiveness at the beginning of the story means the early chapters lack any real sense of urgency. Even when the tale gains momentum, Slud’s chapters continue to feel strangely flat. Thankfully, the other characters frequently hop in to liven things up, with Neither-Nor turning out to be the novel’s real show-stealer.
Cold Counsel isn’t perfect (is any book?), but it’s well worth your time. For something so relatively short, it manages to pack a real punch; and even though it doesn’t immediately deliver on everything it seems to promise, I suspect that by the time you reach the end you’ll be as eager for the sequel as I am. A Marvel movie, it ain’t. But I like to think that if DC ever made a Suicide Squad spinoff featuring monsters instead of men, the teaser trailer would look a little something like Cold Counsel’s ending.
What? Oh, it’s not a joke. It’s how the post-credits scene would look if Chris Sharp’s novel were a Marvel movie instead of a book.
The axe-wielding beauty on the cover is Slud. The last surviving warrior of the Blood Claw Clan, Slud isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. In fact, he may even be the bluntest – or so it seems. Slud’s thick dialect can easily be taken as evidence of stupidity; but don’t be fooled. Mountain trolls might not be as eloquent as us humans (well . . . some of us, at least), but Slud lacks none of the brutal cunning of his own kind.
The utter darkness and the sound of his exhales echoing about the little chamber reminded him of the time that Agnes had made him build a coffin and dig a big hole. She’d fed him mushroom tea and left him down there with nothing but the silence and hallucinations for a full day before digging him back up to see what he’d learned. “Don’t fuckin’ trust no one dat tells ya to get in da box,” he’d answered before his beating.
Rarely subtle, often hilarious – Cold Counsel is peppered with its main protagonist’s blunt observations and delightful profanities. But though the blurb and cover (which Fantasy-Faction had the pleasure of revealing a few months ago!) might suggest that this is Slud’s story and Slud’s alone, the big troll is actually more of a catalyst for a chain of reactions (read: crazy shit) that affect the lives of everyone on the mountain. And if Slud is the catalyst, his ‘Aunt Agnes’ is the scientist; you know, the mad one who, after spending years cultivating the right conditions for her experiment, decides finally to throw caution to the winds and unleash her agent out into the mix.
Unsurprisingly, the reaction it causes is – how can I say this? – quite volatile. Prodded along by Aunt Agnes (whose counsel is, indeed, rather nippy), Slud barrels through hordes of enemies and even a few potential allies. And it’s the latter who are the focus of the story; Cold Counsel is as much their tale as it is Slud’s.
Agnes kicks it off, Slud drives it forward – but Cold Counsel is as much the story of a select few individuals who find themselves caught in the troll’s path, knocked down like dominoes and then scooped up in his wake. Goblins like Dingle (a hapless scout), Neither-Nor (an unkillable warrior), Hairy Herald (a hairy herald) and Fixelcrick (a Hex Doktor with an unhealthy feather fetish) each have the opportunity to weigh in with their own conflicting perspectives on events, as do Luther the wolf and Agnes the night-hag.
The Warcraftian characters and easily recognisable ‘evil’ races are clearly inspired by the author’s love of role-playing games. The setting, on the other hand, is a little more uncertain, though there are enough references to Norse mythology to suggest that it’s Cold Counsel is set in a kind of alternative Midgard. Wherever it may be, you get the sense that it doesn’t really matter. Instead, we’re encouraged to focus on the characters’ immediate surroundings. Cold Counsel is all about the locale: the hundred-foot-high pine trees, the smell of snow on the wind, the howling of wolves and the flapping of ravens’ wings – all combine to suffuse the story with a compelling sense of myth and wildness.
In many ways, Cold Counsel is more than it promises to be; but it’s also – in other ways – less. In spite of its boldness, I found the first few chapters a little slow and heavy; as a result, I struggled somewhat to engage with the characters. Slud is disappointingly bland, and his passiveness at the beginning of the story means the early chapters lack any real sense of urgency. Even when the tale gains momentum, Slud’s chapters continue to feel strangely flat. Thankfully, the other characters frequently hop in to liven things up, with Neither-Nor turning out to be the novel’s real show-stealer.
Cold Counsel isn’t perfect (is any book?), but it’s well worth your time. For something so relatively short, it manages to pack a real punch; and even though it doesn’t immediately deliver on everything it seems to promise, I suspect that by the time you reach the end you’ll be as eager for the sequel as I am. A Marvel movie, it ain’t. But I like to think that if DC ever made a Suicide Squad spinoff featuring monsters instead of men, the teaser trailer would look a little something like Cold Counsel’s ending.
August 15, 2017
This review and others posted over at
my blog.
This book was so much fun!
Slud, our…hero…is a blunt, violent and foul-mouthed troll (though he is definitely out-foul-mouthed by his unwilling goblin companion, Neither-Nor) and he was so refreshing! I can’t think of the last time I read a book with a completely non-human cast and reading about primarily trolls and goblins was certainly a first.
Slud is nearly the last of his kind, except for his bizarre Aunt (who isn’t really his aunt) Agnes. She’s been torturing training him for combat without his knowledge by giving him strange drugs, starving him, making him sleep outside in the snow, burying him alive and telling him to perform other strange tasks. When she’s killed by a pack of goblins while Slud is away from their home, he begins his quest for revenge. Little does he know, Agnes had plans for him all along. Little does she know, Slud doesn’t give a fuck.
Neither-Nor is another lone wanderer, his clan having been wiped out by the Rock Wolves some years ago. He makes his living slaughtering them when he can and coming back to life whenever killed, thanks to the handy runes carved into almost every inch of his body. When Slud discovers Neither-Nor’s powers after murdering him, he decides to force the goblin to help him for his quest for revenge. The two become an awesome duo and form a weird frenemyship. Neither-Nor is one of the swearingest (yep) characters I’ve ever encountered and I love it.
The rest of the cast is just as colorful. Aunt Agnes is clearly a woman of many lives and incarnations, judging by the glimpses of her past we’re given. I’d love a book about her, actually. There are references to Nordic gods (like Hel and Thor) and there’s even a giant talking wolf, Luther. There’s a little Renfield-esque goblin named Dingle who grew on me (like a fungus, I suppose, but still) and the rest of the goblins have some pretty awesome names like: Flogga, Hat-Trick, Skinny Karl, Long-Pig, Short-Fuse and Hot-Shot. I wondered, did these goblins name themselves?
I flew through this book and enjoyed Sharp’s descriptions like, “The muck smelled like rotting death with a lump of shit on top, but still, for some reason, he put it on his tongue and swallowed,” and his semi-morbid outlook, “Like was about will and luck, and the rest was just suffering, and the fleeting illusion that the suffering abated for a few stolen minutes here and there.”
If you’re looking for a fun fantasy read with uncommon characters, lots of f-bombs, violence, ancient gods and an unrelatable but awesome protagonist, definitely give this book a chance. I certainly hope this will turn into a series!
This book was so much fun!
Slud, our…hero…is a blunt, violent and foul-mouthed troll (though he is definitely out-foul-mouthed by his unwilling goblin companion, Neither-Nor) and he was so refreshing! I can’t think of the last time I read a book with a completely non-human cast and reading about primarily trolls and goblins was certainly a first.
Slud is nearly the last of his kind, except for his bizarre Aunt (who isn’t really his aunt) Agnes. She’s been torturing training him for combat without his knowledge by giving him strange drugs, starving him, making him sleep outside in the snow, burying him alive and telling him to perform other strange tasks. When she’s killed by a pack of goblins while Slud is away from their home, he begins his quest for revenge. Little does he know, Agnes had plans for him all along. Little does she know, Slud doesn’t give a fuck.
Neither-Nor is another lone wanderer, his clan having been wiped out by the Rock Wolves some years ago. He makes his living slaughtering them when he can and coming back to life whenever killed, thanks to the handy runes carved into almost every inch of his body. When Slud discovers Neither-Nor’s powers after murdering him, he decides to force the goblin to help him for his quest for revenge. The two become an awesome duo and form a weird frenemyship. Neither-Nor is one of the swearingest (yep) characters I’ve ever encountered and I love it.
The rest of the cast is just as colorful. Aunt Agnes is clearly a woman of many lives and incarnations, judging by the glimpses of her past we’re given. I’d love a book about her, actually. There are references to Nordic gods (like Hel and Thor) and there’s even a giant talking wolf, Luther. There’s a little Renfield-esque goblin named Dingle who grew on me (like a fungus, I suppose, but still) and the rest of the goblins have some pretty awesome names like: Flogga, Hat-Trick, Skinny Karl, Long-Pig, Short-Fuse and Hot-Shot. I wondered, did these goblins name themselves?
I flew through this book and enjoyed Sharp’s descriptions like, “The muck smelled like rotting death with a lump of shit on top, but still, for some reason, he put it on his tongue and swallowed,” and his semi-morbid outlook, “Like was about will and luck, and the rest was just suffering, and the fleeting illusion that the suffering abated for a few stolen minutes here and there.”
If you’re looking for a fun fantasy read with uncommon characters, lots of f-bombs, violence, ancient gods and an unrelatable but awesome protagonist, definitely give this book a chance. I certainly hope this will turn into a series!
March 1, 2017
Pretty straight forward dark fantasy revenge story. It's an easy and quick read and overall enjoyable, if that's what you are looking for.
February 22, 2017
I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of Sharp's latest foray into dark fantasy and ended up finishing this adrenaline-fueled yarn over the course of two winter nights. Cold Counsel can be summed up in a single word: epic. Slud is my new favorite character and Sharp's approach to fantasy is bloody fantastic. Sharp creates a world layered with mythology and fills it with memorable characters that are both wicked and tender. All hail Slud!
April 13, 2017
Fantasy is not my usual genre but when I came across this book the description spoke to the kid in me who had loved Conan the Barbarian and Lord of the Rings. I decided to read it and was not disappointed. The book grabs you from the first page and doesn't release you again until the intense ending. I love the sheer efficacy with which C. Sharp writes - not a word or sentence is wasted and as a result every sentence packs a vivid, action-packed punch. The writing is evocative and raw and the result is a fully immersive experience where every sentence draws you further into Slud's world. Like some other readers, I found that I wished the book could be longer and I really hope that a sequel will follow. I was completely absorbed by this book and the limitless imagination of its author. The book is a thoroughly enjoyable and well-written assault on the senses - highly recommended!
February 4, 2017
Having loved this author's previous book, I jumped at the chance to review this one. This tells the story of Slud, who was the sole reminder of the Blood Claw Clan. As a babe, he was found by an old witch named Aunt Agnes and she proceeded to mould him into the perfect weapon to get revenge.
Slud was absolutely terrifying!! A big brute of a troll, with no morals, whom has been raised by Aunt Agnes by completing challenge after challenge, all designed to make him nearly unbeatable and impervious to pain. Fueled with a little bit of Magic too. He was brought up listening to Agnes telling tales of the old Gods and what life should be like. Eventually Agnes realises that Slud is ready to take back his mountain and what follows is a dark and brutal tale of revenge!
Right from the start, the author brings you into this fantastical world, filled with myth and legend, that he has created. This is a dark fantasy, yet you can't help but kind of root for Slud in all his brutality! The world building and character development was amazing and it's what I loved best about this book. I also loved how, despite the dark tone of the story, the author throws in a little levity here and there!
Character wise, each was well written and developed. Slud, as I said was terrifying, Aunt Agnes was truly terrifying!!! Neither Nor was intriguing and the rest were all easy to like. I loved reading about the wolves as well!!
This is a dark, brutal, bloody, great book ;) Brilliantly written and executed and one that I devoured once starting. I pretty much loved everything about it. It's a fast paced, engrossing and darkly delicious read. From the well written and thought out story, to the brutal and savage characters, this is a must read!!
Slud was absolutely terrifying!! A big brute of a troll, with no morals, whom has been raised by Aunt Agnes by completing challenge after challenge, all designed to make him nearly unbeatable and impervious to pain. Fueled with a little bit of Magic too. He was brought up listening to Agnes telling tales of the old Gods and what life should be like. Eventually Agnes realises that Slud is ready to take back his mountain and what follows is a dark and brutal tale of revenge!
Right from the start, the author brings you into this fantastical world, filled with myth and legend, that he has created. This is a dark fantasy, yet you can't help but kind of root for Slud in all his brutality! The world building and character development was amazing and it's what I loved best about this book. I also loved how, despite the dark tone of the story, the author throws in a little levity here and there!
Character wise, each was well written and developed. Slud, as I said was terrifying, Aunt Agnes was truly terrifying!!! Neither Nor was intriguing and the rest were all easy to like. I loved reading about the wolves as well!!
This is a dark, brutal, bloody, great book ;) Brilliantly written and executed and one that I devoured once starting. I pretty much loved everything about it. It's a fast paced, engrossing and darkly delicious read. From the well written and thought out story, to the brutal and savage characters, this is a must read!!
November 29, 2016
I requested an ARC of this book because I loved C. Sharp's last book, The Elementalists.
My forays into fantasy for adults are pretty mundane (e.g., G.R.R. Martin) so this was not my usual pick. But I found it oddly enthralling. Maybe because of the election, I was looking for something to escape my reality. Whatever the reason, I am pretty sure that Agnes, one of the main characters, is just what I needed to filter all my rage into. She is the twisted, reincarnation of a goddess wronged, and she is out to destroy those who destroyed her world. Sounds about right to me.
This was a hard book to put down - fast, cruel, funny, dark. The world C. Sharp creates pulls from ancient mythology but never takes itself too seriously. Just like in the Elementalists, his humor and nimble writing make for an enthralling, fascinating look into a world I didn't even know I was looking for. Now if I could just figure out how to summon Agnes and Slud - I have a few people I want to sic them on.
My forays into fantasy for adults are pretty mundane (e.g., G.R.R. Martin) so this was not my usual pick. But I found it oddly enthralling. Maybe because of the election, I was looking for something to escape my reality. Whatever the reason, I am pretty sure that Agnes, one of the main characters, is just what I needed to filter all my rage into. She is the twisted, reincarnation of a goddess wronged, and she is out to destroy those who destroyed her world. Sounds about right to me.
This was a hard book to put down - fast, cruel, funny, dark. The world C. Sharp creates pulls from ancient mythology but never takes itself too seriously. Just like in the Elementalists, his humor and nimble writing make for an enthralling, fascinating look into a world I didn't even know I was looking for. Now if I could just figure out how to summon Agnes and Slud - I have a few people I want to sic them on.
December 27, 2018
"The spirits of the air had been left to their own devices, but the flames continued a slowed advance along the ridge. The ground was still hot below Agnes's feet. A crust of char covered the earth in the fire's wake, and the dense, towering woods had been turned to a spotty field of blackened spikes. The air was heavy with smoke, and with every breath, Agnes sucked more of it into her lungs, inhaling the essence of the trees she'd destroyed. All of the forest's anger and sadness was hers to taste, but the smoke was murder on her voice--reduced now to a husky whisper."
Cold Counsel felt like a throwback epic fantasy, but with a troll as the main protagonist. A modern old school tale, if you will.
Slud "Bringer of Troubles" was born to the chief of the legendary Blood Claw Clan. His father, inspired by Slud, decides that he wants to unite the trolls against the other races. This results in a bloody battle, with the trolls ending up on the losing end. In fact, Slud is the sole survivor. He was saved by his "Aunt" Agnes, a witch. She raises him in secret and guides him, training him to be a glorious killing machine.
I was sold on a story told from the troll's POV. Plus that radical cover! This has sat on my shelf for far too long, so I decided I wanted to read it during the holidays because it is relatively short and it's also a standalone. A rarity in fantasy!!
This had trolls, elves, witches, goblins and magic.. oh my!
Unfortunately, I feel like this is a book you read in a few big chunks, rather than pick up for 15 minutes here and there like I did. I just couldn't get invested in the story because I wasn't with it long enough. The writing didn't ignite any sort of spark within me. I also felt a disconnect with the characters. They were never quite developed fully. It's not a bad book, it just didn't blow me away. I liked it enough, but it was a bland Caesar salad when I wanted a plate of nachos. Delicious, sexy nachos loaded with jalapeños rammed into my face. Mmm.
Cold Counsel felt like a throwback epic fantasy, but with a troll as the main protagonist. A modern old school tale, if you will.
Slud "Bringer of Troubles" was born to the chief of the legendary Blood Claw Clan. His father, inspired by Slud, decides that he wants to unite the trolls against the other races. This results in a bloody battle, with the trolls ending up on the losing end. In fact, Slud is the sole survivor. He was saved by his "Aunt" Agnes, a witch. She raises him in secret and guides him, training him to be a glorious killing machine.
I was sold on a story told from the troll's POV. Plus that radical cover! This has sat on my shelf for far too long, so I decided I wanted to read it during the holidays because it is relatively short and it's also a standalone. A rarity in fantasy!!
This had trolls, elves, witches, goblins and magic.. oh my!
Unfortunately, I feel like this is a book you read in a few big chunks, rather than pick up for 15 minutes here and there like I did. I just couldn't get invested in the story because I wasn't with it long enough. The writing didn't ignite any sort of spark within me. I also felt a disconnect with the characters. They were never quite developed fully. It's not a bad book, it just didn't blow me away. I liked it enough, but it was a bland Caesar salad when I wanted a plate of nachos. Delicious, sexy nachos loaded with jalapeños rammed into my face. Mmm.
February 6, 2017
An ARC of this book was received from the publisher in exchange for a free blurb:
"This is an old school, classic adventure for all those young at heart and willing to join the heat of battle. Sharp by name and by craft: he’s not just an excellent actor, but also an excellent writer."
"This is an old school, classic adventure for all those young at heart and willing to join the heat of battle. Sharp by name and by craft: he’s not just an excellent actor, but also an excellent writer."
March 6, 2017
Had a great time with this book. Slud is awesome!
March 2, 2017
What happens when an indestructible Troll, an immortal Witch, a grumbling and frequently death-defying Goblin warrior get together ? They plot revenge. They wage war. And all shit breaks loose.
Cold Counsel is a nod to the classic sword & sorcery tales of the old, wrapped in layers of new sensibilities that appeal to us readers, now used to realistic amounts of grit in such make-believe grim worlds. Slud, the lead character - a Troll, the last one left in this world, is brought up by an old witch, Agnes who prepares him for the war ahead - to wrestle back the Mountain from the rogue clan of Goblins, proclaiming this to be their kingdom. The book follows the adventures of Slud, a fairly simplistic lad blessed with ferocious strength and trained for destruction as he goes about laying to waste, the clan of upstart Goblins that had laid claim to the mountain where he was born - and previously was ruled by his father, a King of trolls.
This one's dark, brutal and absolutely epic in how the story unfolds. The action is relentless and heady and the writing is sharp & bright as spilled blood. It's addictive and the plot hints at a scope, far more epic than the author lets be, in this first book in the series following Slud's quest. It's classic in keeping to traditions left over by legends like Tolkien & others as the world features familiar races of trolls, goblins, witches all fighting a series of events that involves cheating death over and over again. But trust me, the treatment is utterly modern - and arresting. The details of the world - a throwback to the apocalyptic events of Ragnarok where the older Gods of Norse mythology fought each other and died - is evocative and sensory as you live and die alongside the 'heroic' team assembled by Slud to take the fight to win the mountain back.
I daresay, old wine in a new packaging but still tastes as heady and fun as we first encountered it. A longer review to come!
Cold Counsel is a nod to the classic sword & sorcery tales of the old, wrapped in layers of new sensibilities that appeal to us readers, now used to realistic amounts of grit in such make-believe grim worlds. Slud, the lead character - a Troll, the last one left in this world, is brought up by an old witch, Agnes who prepares him for the war ahead - to wrestle back the Mountain from the rogue clan of Goblins, proclaiming this to be their kingdom. The book follows the adventures of Slud, a fairly simplistic lad blessed with ferocious strength and trained for destruction as he goes about laying to waste, the clan of upstart Goblins that had laid claim to the mountain where he was born - and previously was ruled by his father, a King of trolls.
This one's dark, brutal and absolutely epic in how the story unfolds. The action is relentless and heady and the writing is sharp & bright as spilled blood. It's addictive and the plot hints at a scope, far more epic than the author lets be, in this first book in the series following Slud's quest. It's classic in keeping to traditions left over by legends like Tolkien & others as the world features familiar races of trolls, goblins, witches all fighting a series of events that involves cheating death over and over again. But trust me, the treatment is utterly modern - and arresting. The details of the world - a throwback to the apocalyptic events of Ragnarok where the older Gods of Norse mythology fought each other and died - is evocative and sensory as you live and die alongside the 'heroic' team assembled by Slud to take the fight to win the mountain back.
I daresay, old wine in a new packaging but still tastes as heady and fun as we first encountered it. A longer review to come!
July 22, 2017
This book was a great fantasy romp! Slud is a Troll, adopted by an old witch named Agnes. He is raised harshly and with purpose as Agnes trains him to be self sufficient, tough and a deadly fighter. On a random chance Slud runs afoul of a large tribe of goblins, led by the Mountain King, a corpulent, power mad drunkard. The ensuing fight destroys Agnes and wounds Slud greatly, and the goblin wolf riders burn the only home Slud ever had. He runs and finds instructions from Agnes, including a potion, a vile brew to allow him to live through the next couple of days. Slud ends up finding a lethal goblin called Neither-Nor, very special in that the runework upon his skin allows magic to knit him back together from even the most lethal of wounds, as long as his entire body is present to be knitted back together. He and Slud end up going after the fortress of the Mountain King.
Agnes returns from the dead in a new form, as she is a force of divine power. The book mentions flashbacks and memories she has of being present when Fenrir, the world killing wolf slew Odinn. There are also mentions of giants and other gods that she claims are her children.
Slud, being the last troll alive is special and Agnes has a plan for him. In his travels he meets a water spirit who gives him a very special axe that he wields to deadly effect. The end result here is Slud and company, including a goblin who worships Slud as the Death lord, seeing as he licked the last of Agnes' potion from the bottle left after Slud drank it. It gives him the ability to heal quickly and becomes much tougher. He can almost see through Slud's eyes when he tries to locate him the first time. Also a goblin wizard joins the crew, as well as the help they receive from Luther, the talking progeny of Fenrir. He and his mate Riga are the last of a group of wild wolves who hate the goblins with passion, and the wolves the goblins have enslaved and use for mounts and food. This motley crew makes war on the thousands of goblins within the Mountain King's fortress.
This was a fun read, and full of humor and tense moments, as well as bone crushing combat. The magic is strong and prevalent here and there is a lot of epic fantasy moments within these pages.
I really enjoy Mr. Sharp's writing style and his attention to visceral detail, sounds, smells and minutae that go far to really detail scenes out for the reader. This was an wonderful experience.
Danny
Agnes returns from the dead in a new form, as she is a force of divine power. The book mentions flashbacks and memories she has of being present when Fenrir, the world killing wolf slew Odinn. There are also mentions of giants and other gods that she claims are her children.
Slud, being the last troll alive is special and Agnes has a plan for him. In his travels he meets a water spirit who gives him a very special axe that he wields to deadly effect. The end result here is Slud and company, including a goblin who worships Slud as the Death lord, seeing as he licked the last of Agnes' potion from the bottle left after Slud drank it. It gives him the ability to heal quickly and becomes much tougher. He can almost see through Slud's eyes when he tries to locate him the first time. Also a goblin wizard joins the crew, as well as the help they receive from Luther, the talking progeny of Fenrir. He and his mate Riga are the last of a group of wild wolves who hate the goblins with passion, and the wolves the goblins have enslaved and use for mounts and food. This motley crew makes war on the thousands of goblins within the Mountain King's fortress.
This was a fun read, and full of humor and tense moments, as well as bone crushing combat. The magic is strong and prevalent here and there is a lot of epic fantasy moments within these pages.
I really enjoy Mr. Sharp's writing style and his attention to visceral detail, sounds, smells and minutae that go far to really detail scenes out for the reader. This was an wonderful experience.
Danny
February 20, 2017
SHARP'S LATEST BOOK, COLD COUNSEL, IS A FAST PACED , BLOODY WONDERFUL ROMP. A GREAT ESCAPE FROM REALITY. FANTASY ADDICTS WILL LOVE THIS ONE.
December 17, 2016
Got a galley copy from the publisher. Loved the grounded, tactile approach to fantasy--the world-building and mythology feels layered and rich but we never get bogged down in it. Sharp gives us just enough to sense his total knowledge and control of Slud's world but keeps his focus (wisely) on the propulsive narrative which reads, at times, more like a heist/revenge story that happens to feature a troll rather than a traditional fantasy epic. It's dark, certainly, but not self-serious. As brutal as it sometimes gets, it remains a fun book to read (as opposed to being "brutal for the sake of brutality", which can feel punishing to me.) Slud's a perfect ongoing series hero in the tradition of The Man With No Name: a pragmatic and relentless badass who does most of his talking with his weapon of choice. (In this case, a very "thirsty" axe.) An extremely satisfying fantasy adventure that's at once self-contained and a natural set-up for future installments. I'll be looking forward to the next.
March 25, 2017
If you like stories steeped in Norse mythology, unapologetic anti heroes, vicious combat, or primeval fantasy, you will devour this book.
I haven't pursued these types of stories much in my own reading life, so I was a real flight risk from the onset. But the opening passage announces its brutal, epic elegance, and I was drawn instantly into the narrative. I enjoyed the ride all the way through, surprised to find an unforgettable story of hope, triumph, and (dare I say) companionship in seemingly unforgivable characters. 4+ stars.
I haven't pursued these types of stories much in my own reading life, so I was a real flight risk from the onset. But the opening passage announces its brutal, epic elegance, and I was drawn instantly into the narrative. I enjoyed the ride all the way through, surprised to find an unforgettable story of hope, triumph, and (dare I say) companionship in seemingly unforgivable characters. 4+ stars.
August 7, 2017
If you like:
1) Grimdark fantasy
2) Conan the Cimmerian
3) Morally ambiguous characters
4) A story with a wicked sense of humor
5) Bloody and thunderous battles
6) The idea of a troll as the protagonist
Then you will love this book.
I did.
1) Grimdark fantasy
2) Conan the Cimmerian
3) Morally ambiguous characters
4) A story with a wicked sense of humor
5) Bloody and thunderous battles
6) The idea of a troll as the protagonist
Then you will love this book.
I did.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews