The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan

Ringil Eskiath is a bored hero of Gallows Gap. Although full of regrets of the past and is shunned by his family because of his sexual preferences, no one really notices it beneath his cocky and arrogant attitude. 

One day he was surprised to see his mother asking him for help to look for a female cousin sold into slavery. Gil agrees reluctantly. Taking with him his Kiriath sword Ravensfriend, he visits old friends and meets new enemies. What he was about to unravel however involved more at stake than just the cousin he was supposed to rescue.

Egar the Dragonbane is the clanmaster of the Skaranak, but his family and his people are dissatisfied with his ways. Ways and thinking which have been changed during his time at the wars. Meanwhile, Archeth Indamaninarmal is tied to the Yhelteth emperor. Being the only half-Kiriath half-human left, she feels out place. Both Egar and Archeth are old friends of Gil. A gathering of dangerous forces and a prophecy brings the three together ten years after the war against the Scaled Folk.

Although Gil's mission seems to be easy at first, his inquiries prove that there is more that's happening behind the scenes. And what seems to be three separate stories come together halfway through the first book of the series A Land Fit for Heroes. 

The technology and magic used in the book are not uncommon, but the concepts are easier to grasp. The author does not play too much with words to explain what he wants to say. His facility with the language is impressive and more evident in the action scenes. He's straightforward and unpretentious in his choice of words. His style is consistent with the lead character Gil. Honest, sometimes too blunt for his own good, but fulfills what is expected of him and still has some surprises left for the reader to make him an exciting character.

I have to warn the reader of Gil's and Archeth's sexual preferences (and yes, there are some bed scenes). If you're not open-minded about two characters who do not follow the usual bad-ass, straight male character and sexy, strong female character, then the book is not for you. I think however that it's one of the strong points of the book. Gil's and Archeth's sexual orientation do not diminish the quality of the book at all.

The only issue I have is that the point-of-view jumps from one character to another sometimes within a scene. But that small detail aside, the book has interesting fight scenes and magic. Plus, it's not as complicated as some other series with several story-lines to follow.

Rating: 9 out of 10