The Steel Remains [Paperback]

 

 

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I'll be honest here: I didn't want to like this book. The huge hype that surrounded the novel (which has been discussed enough elsewhere), the really positive reviews, the fact that a sci-fi writer was attempting - or so it was suggested - to redefine the secondary-world fantasy genre...all of these made me hope that I didn't like the book. Perhaps that's rather petty, but it's the truth.

It only took me a few pages to realise that I was going to like The Steel Remains, whether I liked it or not.

Let me get something straight right now: The Steel Remains has not redefined the fantasy genre, it's not turned it upside down or set it alight. Yes, the violence is pretty brutal at times, there's plenty of swearing and some very full-on sex. But nothing that hasn't been done before. Well, except for maybe the sex. I wouldn't call these scenes gratuitous, but they are pretty intense. I must admit I actually found myself grinning like a naughty schoolboy when reading one of them, simply because it was so full-on. But that aside, I don't think there's much here that hasn't been done before in some shape or form. I would even go as far as questioning what the hell the hype was all about. I don't mean that in a negative way - just in the sense that by what was said, this novel was being made out to be the gritty (argh, that word again) fantasy novel to end all gritty fantasy novels. Which it's not. So, now that the hype issue has been kicked into touch, let's talk about the book itself.

As has been mentioned in other reviews, The Steel Remains is clearly driven by the characters. The undisputed star of the show is Ringil Eskiath, a former war-hero trading on past glories and living in something of a rut in a backwater village. Ringil's black sense of humour, basic sense of decency and open disdain for the society that he helped to save makes him a thoroughly engaging protagonist. The fact that he has a cool sword and knows how to use it also helps. The other POV characters - Egar the Dragonbane and the kiriath half-breed Archeth - are less absorbing, but still work well. Only Poltar - who appears but briefly as a POV character - seems rather one-dimensional, simply because his POV stint is used simply for plot reasons, as is his character.

To be honest, I actually found some of the minor characters more interesting than the POVs (Ringil aside). The young Emperor Jhiral is good, seeming at first as nothing more than a petulant, over-sexed incompetent, before revealing his canny intelligence later on. Ringil's mother, with her waspish demeanour and amusing conversations with Ringil, is also a lot of fun to read.

Morgan has also created an intriguing world for his story to unfold in, generally managing to achieve that sometimes tricky balance between sufficient detail and over-saturation. His world is instantly accessible, being at first fairly familiar but later revealing more diversity. There are some clear sci-fi influences as well, the most obvious being the Helmsmen. The sense of history is well-worked too, with references to various lost races and old battles. The fact that no less than three non-human races are referred to lends further depth and intrigue, and at times there is a decidedly political/social slant (which never becomes overbearing). The world-building takes a clear backseat to the characterisation (and rightly so) but Morgan still creates a detailed, believable world with one or two nice touches. Lemonade, anyone?

I'd not read a Richard Morgan novel before The Steel Remains so wasn't sure what to expect in terms of style. As it turns out, I like his style of prose a lot. His descriptive writing possesses a certain flourish and his action scenes pack a decent punch (though perhaps suffer from an abundance of detail - I don't really need to be told the exact positions/angles of weapons as they are swung - and the internal monologues add an extra dimension, as well as often being rather amusing. Dialogue is at times good, at other times a bit clunky. Readers who don't like modern dialogue in fantasy will probably not find Morgan's to their taste. Personally, I didn't have much of a problem with it (though certain words were jarring, like Ringil calling his father 'Dad'). There are some good one-liners though, particularly Ringil's response to his father after a certain incident in the kitchen...

There are some other flaws. The plot is serviceable but fairly thin on the ground, which wasn't so much a problem for me but will no doubt be for other readers. I did feel that Archeth and Egar lacked the depth of Ringil and were less interesting overall. At times when I reached the end of a chapter I'd find myself hoping the next one would focus on Ringil, as he was way more fun to read about, and easily has the more significant character progression. At times it feels like the other POVs have just sort of been tacked on to provide a foil for Ringil. There are some clear dynamics between them later on, but it's too little too late. Maybe in the next book we'll see more of their relationships...

I would have liked more background on certain things. On occasion items/events are referred to without sufficient information, for example the Helmsmen are referred to a number of times without any explanation as to what the hell they are, which is a little frustrating (although we do find out more later). Another aspect would be the Revelation - the dominant religion in the Empire, which is referenced a number of times but could have done with a little more exposition.

Still, complaints aside, I thoroughly enjoyed The Steel Remains. If you read this novel expecting fantasy to be redefined, you'll be disappointed. If you read it hoping for an enjoyable, black-humoured fantasy with plenty of violence and sex with a political undercurrent, then you're in luck.

The Steel Remains is not deserving of the hype that preceded it and doesn't add much to the genre that's not already there, but it's a damned fun ride for all that. Now, bring on the sequel...

I have no idea what the hype was about with this book. The plotline is average for fantasy and the story telling merely adequate. Descibed as 'bold' and 'brutal' on the cover I did think someone must have reviewed a different novel.

What is unusual is the excessive use of foul language and gratuitous crudity. It is really crass and grotesque in places. But not even the zealous overuse of bad language and at times repugnant scenarios (and I'm thinking here of the Emperor) can infuse originality or excitement into this very missable book. If you like heroic fantasy then stick with David Gemmell and Stephen Erikson

And, wow, how original...the hero still has issues with his dad and gets yelled at by his mum.

Yes, it really is that contrived.

Well it's a great time for us fans of sword play isn't it. New books leaping with Roman's, vikings, Spartans, Macadonians and even the odd Saxon are coming out all the time. And Fantasy? well it's a genre bursting at the seams with talented new comers. And now we have established big hitters from other genres coming over to jion the party! Stephen King no less and now Richard Morgan of 'Altered Carbon' fame, gives us this offering.

Question is, is it any good? Well it's ok but I think he'll need to improve a lot before Abercrombie and Fiest start losing sleep.

Fantasy has seen a gradual shift in trends over the years. Battles between dark and light have become battles between sides wearing grey. Epic and poetic world building has given way to 'gittyness', cynical humour and graphic violence. Morgan is definatley of the new breed, though the book failed to rip up and shred the fantasy writers manual in the way we are led to believe from the hype.

Yes 2 of the 3 lead characters are gay and this is certainly unusual though not unique (see also the Chosen) The book is also packed with profanities and sex and I normally quite like this, however this felt a bit like an author trying too hard to shock and be noticed. The swearing for instance well Egar the steppe tribesman swears constantly, well fair enough, the main hero Ringil, a noble born academy graduate also swears like a trooper well he is a maverick, then Archeth an intellectual human-Kiraith high bred, cusses like a brickies mate and even the laconic Emperor himself well you've guessed it F's and C's everywhere. In fact everyone swears even the author in the narrative.

On the plus side I quite liked the three main characters especially Egar who I would like to have seen more of. They are all decorated heroes whose past deeds are rapidly being forgotten by an ungrateful populace. We jion them all leading completely seperate lives and the story gradually brings them together again for a show down with some dimension jumping 'dwenga'.

A fair bit of excitement on the way, though the story rather wanders about aimlessly for the first 100 pages or so, but I did find after that I was hooked and went on to finish the book in a couple of sittings.

Minor Spoiler
My only other gripe is that the all powerful dwenga who start by materialising out of nowhere to snatch warriors away, animate human heads stuck on poles, shape shift and demonstrate super human reflexes in the middle part of the book, are by the end battle seemingly posing about the same threat as an over large cockroach as our heroes despatch them 2 at a time.

All that said Morgan has a winning style and if he can curb the excesses and instead gives us a better and more complex plot he could still give some of the established heavyweights of fantasy a run for their money.

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2.0 out of 5 stars disappointing.
this author can be a bit up and down with his offerings.. this is not one of his best... crude for crude's sake, a tired fantasy storyline and generally a bit of a let down. shame.

Published on 9 Dec 2009 by alistair johnston

5.0 out of 5 stars He can do Swords and Monsters too!
The author could start calling himself Richard F. Morgan; his characters swear constantly but monotonously.

But otherwise - glorious. Read more

Published on 4 Sep 2009 by Constant Bookworm

5.0 out of 5 stars Desperately needed modern fantasy for an old and tired genre
Ive read them all. From Tolkien to Ursula le Guin, Feist to Brooks and loved them all....But, i stopped reading fantasy sometime ago..... Read more

Published on 17 Jun 2009 by Damon Doyle

4.0 out of 5 stars Go on, cut his head off!
Having read Morgan's other books, I was a little disappointed to find that this book was a fantasy offering. Read more

Published on 9 Jun 2009 by A. DAVIES

5.0 out of 5 stars he's back
Richard Morgan, as with his other books, takes the standard subject and
turns it on its head. If you want plain meat and two veg, theres plenty out there, but if you want... Read more

Published on 5 April 2009 by Oliver Parish

5.0 out of 5 stars Intresting Fantasy
Well I really enjoyed this Novel. There's a fair nod towards Poul Anderson's The Broken Sword, and the "other realm" theme has often been explored in fiction. Read more

Published on 19 Mar 2009 by Mr. M. G. Stevens

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fantastic
The Steel Remains
I am not a normal fantasy reader but came to this book from Richard Morgan's science fiction books. Read more

Published on 2 Feb 2009 by Mr. R. D. Turner

1.0 out of 5 stars Silly. Avoid
I would recommend proper old fashioned fantasy by either David Gemmell or Raymond Feist, or proper modern fantasy by either Joe Abercrombie or Scott Lynch, over this... Read more

Published on 8 Jan 2009 by Mr P

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