The Steel Remains – Richard Morgan

The Steel Remains
By Richard Morgan
Pub: Gollancz

The story focus on the war hero Ringil Eskiath, who, ostracised because of his homosexuality, scrapes a living telling tales in an inn. Summoned home to track down a cousin sold into slavery Ringil is trust back into the world. Following the slave trail Ringil encounters a new enemy that threatens the whole of humanity.

Two of Ringil’s former comrades in arms; Egar Dragonbane, the leader of a barbaric steppe tribe, and Archeth Indamaninarmal a half human advisor to the Emperor of Yhelteth, have also been drawn into the encounter for reasons of their own, and are reunited with their old friend.

Driven by the three main characters the chapters rotate between the protagonists as their initially separate plot lines converge. While not as deeply plotted as Morgan’s SF works the book stands up well, dealing well with the three separate narratives before combining them with only a little of contrivance.

Rigil, Archeth and Egar are built up well, each with their own abilities, motivation, desires, needs, and more importantly vices. All there war veterans have been affected by their experiences and this colours much of their actions. None of them are perfect, and are presented in many shades of grey.

The world is sketched out, with much detail and history being briefly mentioned, but the substantive body of this background is little explored. This is finely balanced and leaves the reader wanting more rather than feeling lost. Better known for his SF works, Richard Morgan handles the transition to swords and sorcery ably, and has produced a believable setting.

Both sex, violence and language are explicit but fit was the rugged setting. The writing style is brutal and blunt, a marked difference from most fantasy. Consider this fair warning that the sex scenes in particular are written in a direct manner. Perhaps best described as fantasy noir the darkness of storyline and subject matter is offset by black humour.

Different from most fantasy The Steel Remains stays conscious of its roots. As a mix of action, fantasy, and noir I recommend it as worth a read. Hopefully the next book in the series will continue the form set by the first.