Good start to a trilogy

Cold Magic by Kate Elliott is the first in the Spiritwalker trilogy and tells the story of Cat Hassi Barahal as she comes to terms with the strange new path her life is taking her and the new powers she acquires. Cold Magic has been on my TBR list for some time. I’d picked it up several months back when it was on special offer on Kindle for $1.99, but never got round to reading it. It moved up the list a few weeks ago when I read an intriguing article on the magic system, yet it never quite made it to the top. Finally a couple of weeks ago, Audible released it as an audiobook. This is the first of the books to be released on Audible, so I picked it up to listen to during my nightshifts and it finally made it to the top of the list. I’m very glad it did!

What I liked

Interesting themes. Elliott explores some interesting themes in this novel. One of the major ones is magic vs technology. The society in which Cat lives is beginning to make progress with industrialisation and this engenders conflict with the powerful Mage Houses, the magic wielders. It is notable that the brunt of the Cold Mages’ destructive power is directed at symbols of industry and innovation – an airship and a factory. I look forward to seeing where this goes in the subsequent books

Another interesting theme is that of family and betrayal. Cat feels deeply betrayed by the actions of her uncle and aunt as does Andevai’s family to some extent by his changed attitude since his becoming a Cold Mage.

Identity is another interesting theme explored in the series. Cat strongly identifies with the Hassi Barahals who raised her, but after what she perceives as their betrayal she is no longer certain about who she is, especially given the new powers she discovers. When she meets her half brother Rory, her identity is thrown into even more confusion. This theme is even more apparent in the character of Andevai who is torn between his identity as a member of a poor but loving family and his status as a Cold Mage. It appears he is struggling to fit in with either community.

The worldbuilding. Ms Elliott’s blog is entitled “I make up worlds” and it’s clear this is something she very much enjoys. The worldbuilding in Cold Magic is excellent. I enjoyed the alternative history variation of our world that she has created. I especially enjoyed the intelligent trolls – one of whom is a solicitor!

I understand one of the lynchpins of the series is intended to be the relationship between Cat and her cousin Bee, whom she loves like a sister. It’s clear that they are very close, and protecting each other is a major motivation for the two. However, the cousins don’t spend much time together in this book so it doesn’t come across as strongly as it might. I suspect this may be more prominent in the next two books.

The narration. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Charlotte Parry. A poor or mediocre narrator adds little to a book other than saving you the trouble of reading it for yourself, offering little more than the Kindle’s robotic text to speech. A great narrator, on the other hand, really brings the characters to life. Ms Parry is of the second variety. It was easy to tell which character was speaking by the voice she used, and she picked up the stage directions perfectly (he said coldly, for example).

What I didn’t like

The overall story arc. At this point, I’m not entirely certain what our protagonist’s goals are other than self preservation and what the consequences might be if she fails to achieve them. I hope this is clarified in the subsequent books.

All in all, I very much enjoyed Cold Magic and gave it four stars out of five

6 people found this helpful

Absolutely Brilliant Fantasy!

Listening to this book is the most fun I've had in a long, long time! I was a little worried when it started out with two 19 year old school girls at an academy, but it quickly veered off from there and took on a very different aspect. To say I was up all night listening is not, I repeat, NOT an exaggeration!

There are great reviews at Amazon that give the gist of the plot, but I don't want to spoil a second of this book. If you love fantasy you will love this.

The best part is the rest of the trilogy is already written (and I'm assuming being prepared for audio right now), and a sequel set of books is already available on Amazon, so, yippee!

I'm now a fan of Kate Elliott's. A big one.

P.S. I'm not a big fan of YA (with very, very few exceptions), but I had been assured by the reviews at Amazon that this was not YA -- but even if it is, it's still the best book I've listened to this year!

8 people found this helpful

Disappointing

Excellent setting completely undone by overuse of simile and metaphor, awkward misogyny and poor characterisation.

1 person found this helpful

Excellent, non-typical fantasy

Would you listen to Cold Magic again? Why?

Cold Magic has a fascinating alternative/side history to earth. Instead of Rome falling, it continued on for another 1000 years. The result is a very different Europe and world. Of course, and there's magic, which was a very interesting system that helped tell the story.

All the main characters are characters of color, which was very refreshing to read. Kate Elliot had done extensive history to make a believable world, but also to bring to light the kind of history we would not normally see. She does a wonderful job of world building that is extensive and brilliant.

Any additional comments?

The cover is white-washed sooooo badly. Most of the characters in this book are mixed/black due to the alternative history presented. Kate Elliot does a fantastic job of looking into other cultures and pointing out that history is written by the victors, so don't judge this book by its cover. I promise its better than that!

1 person found this helpful

Mystery Magic with a Heavy Accent

The story is whimsical and easy to like but I don't think I would have finished it if I had read the print version. The author gives every character except the main one (Kathren) long old roman names that would be hard to identify with (especially since they are never nick named or shorted).

This is definitely not a teen or children's book, although the book doesn't cuss or have explicit content, it uses a lot of old or big words that are hard to catch as an adult because the narrator has such a thick and lisp-drawn accent. I love accents generally but I found my self getting lost listening to this tale. It is action packed, mysterious and a bit drawn. Don't mistake this criticism for disliking the book all together.. I've debated returning the book or trying to relisten to it someday. As you can see from my rating Overall the story is a good time waster and not completely deplorable. My guess is the narrator is still an intermediate-professional. She doesn't make you hate the story but doesn't draw you into it either. A bit more vocal variation might help.

There are a few narrators on audible that I love, Gabra Zacman is one who has never steered me wrong. She pulls you into even the worst-written tales.

Stories that I might compare this one to? It has the story-type of Maria V. Snyder's Touch of Power, The Hobbit. The writing style is not at all like those authors though. The writing style would be closer compared to Mercedes Lackey series. Big words, old names, hard to listen to (mostly her choice of narrators - Except Tales of 5 kingdoms... that series is addictive!), and jumpy.

So my recommendation for you is to try this book and if you don't like it return it. It's three sections for iPhone users, so will give you a nice long listen. This isn't a book that I hate or fell in love with. I'm not sure that I would continue on if this was a series, but its worth one listen.

1 person found this helpful

Slow start but stick with it

I almost stopped listening for the first third of the book. There are so many descriptions and history, that I often lost the story. But about a third of the way through, I was totally hooked. All of the characters and history and storylines came together. I have downloaded the next two books. Definitely worth staying with it! Great narration too.

Great book

It’s a great book. I dock the performance for pronouncing the main family as “hussy Barahal.” Hah-see. Hah-see!

Even better the second time around.

This was my first Kate Elliot story and I read all three books when they came out. I READ them. I bought the series of three audio books when they came available and yesterday I decided it was time to enjoy this story again. I'm glad I waited so long. I remember vaguely what will happen, but there are still surprises. I'm enjoying having the story in audio format. It is giving the book an entirely new dimension. What is surprising me is that I am remembering this story by the visual images I formed when I first read it. Kate Elliot says, "I build worlds". and she does. (I think I got that quote correct!)

Enjoy the blend

Would you listen to Cold Magic again? Why?

I have listened twice, the second time to pay more attention to the inner growth of Cat, but also a bit to wonder about the plausibility of becoming attracted to this Cold Mage. I can't imagine it if the roles were reversed.

Any additional comments?

What I enjoyed most was the blend of genres, but am surprised by the love hate polarity among people who have reviewed it. As I listened, the narrative brought to mind a host of other stories to muse about and compare. Elliott does not bury us in an avalanche of place and people names - just enough. Nor do we get swamped with interior monologue. Just the right blend of action. I am going on to the next book, hoping the romance element doesn't grow too intolerable.

One of my Favorites

Charlotte Parry masterfully narrates this excellent book. Her voice is clear and the character voices are nicely varied.

The Spiritwalker trilogy is one of my all-time favorite series. I've read and listened to all three books several times over and, if anything, love it even more each time.

I didn't get pulled into the story right away the first time, I think it took two or three chapters. Then I was all in. I most enjoy the realistic, fascinating characters, the wonderful relationships, the adventures and excitement, and the humor. This book is a masterpiece.

I highly recommend. And if the beginning feels slow to you, hang in there. It's just the calm before the storm.