I have just finished reading Laura Ann Gilman’s The Cold Eye. It was on my “must read 2017” list, so I was THRILLED when it turned up on my Kindle (they do that when you preorder them – just show up in the carousel like some fancy gift that’s just for you).
The book both met my expectations and didn’t, strangely. I think maybe it had been too long since I read Silver On The Road, and so I had a bit of trouble really losing myself in the book at first. That being said, it’s perhaps even stranger than Silver as Isobel starts to come into her powers more fully, and starts to realize that maybe not all of her talents were given by the Devil. It’s full of spirit-animals (handled with aplomb and cultural sensitivity), a deadly coven of magicians, strange wardings, and the really cool, expansive world that kept me going through the first novel. I just love Isobel so much, even though she gets a little frightening by the end.
As a 30-something year old woman, I also feel vindicated in my huge crush on Gabriel. He’s such a good guy, and that is in full display. Gilman gets major bonus points, too, for her treatment of Gabriel and Isobel’s relationship. It’s affectionate as he cares for her through the debilitating work she’s doing for the territory, but it never turns romantic. Every time you start to get romance thoughts in your head, Gilman brings up the stark contrast in their ages and you affirm that it’s more of a parent/child thing they have going. Gilman also gets bonus points for not glossing over all the inconvenient and sometimes gross realities of being out on the road.
I would 100% recommend this book no matter how you do it, but suspect that it’s probably better if you go straight from Silver to Cold Eye. I intend to read the series over in order when the 3rd book comes out next year in hopes that will help with some of the reentry issues I experienced.
See? I’m already planning my second read. That’s how good it is.
As always, happy reading!
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