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eishe's review against another edition
5.0
When a colleague introduced me to the series, he said that the second book was what really sold it to him and he couldn't wait to read the third one. After reading the first book in the series, I was skeptical about that statement. Surely, Mr. Tregillis couldn't make the story more interesting. Alas, I was wrong. The character development, the plot twists, the everything. Just, wow. Certainly one of the best books I've read this year.
csdaley's review against another edition
5.0
I liked the 2nd book even more than the first. A merging of Lovecraft, espionage and science fiction. The book moves at a breakneck pace towards the ending and oh the ending. Talk about a cliff hanger. It was like setting off a bag of pop rocks in my head. I will force myself to wait a couple of books before I dive into the final book but I will be thinking about it until I do.
One of my new favorite series. Love that it is going to end with the next book. Plus, it's got a fantastic cover.
One of my new favorite series. Love that it is going to end with the next book. Plus, it's got a fantastic cover.
jonmhansen's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, holy cow did I enjoy this. Nazi superheroes vs. English warlocks are pretty much a safe bet with me. There should be more such books. Go on, I'll wait here with my money.
grandgranini's review against another edition
4.0
Bleak and brilliant sequel to "Bitter Seeds". Highly recommended.
fbone's review against another edition
4.0
Well, this was better than [I]Bitter Seeds[/I] the first in the Milkweed trilogy by Ian Tregillis. Several puzzles from the previous book fell into place and the final reveal was very creative. I also thought this one had more substance and development. To be honest, I wouldn't have continued after the first book but Kobo's 90% promo code brought the cost down to the "why not?" level. I'll read the final book in the series at a later date.
krakentamer's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, what an outstanding follow up to [b:Bitter Seeds|6881685|Bitter Seeds (Milkweed Triptych, #1)|Ian Tregillis|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316638191s/6881685.jpg|7099786]. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Great character development and the plot and action was top-shelf. This was not a new book with a new story using the same characters and situation from the first book - it truly was a continuation of the first story, which proved that the first book was even deeper (plot-wise) than was originally evident. Tregillis planted many (NON-BITTER) seeds in the first book that bloomed in this book - and obviously many more in both the first and second book that will bear even more fruit in the third.
I'm so glad that I didn't have to endure any wait between these books and could immediately jump into the next one.
I'm so glad that I didn't have to endure any wait between these books and could immediately jump into the next one.
wildeaboutbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Just as enjoyable as Bitter Seeds, the first book in the series, The Coldest War was dark and brooding and wonderfully bleak. The characters are complex and it's a challenge to admit to either really liking or hating any of them because they're all so "muddy". Provided that there's enough depth in the story to back it up, this can be a really fun literary characteristic (as seen in George R. R. Martin's work).
Gretel, a particularly brilliant and screwed up survivor of the initial Nazi experiments who is able to see events in the future, is hands down the most manipulative character I've ever met in literature. To illustrate my point, she talks another gifted character into committing suicide just so that, twenty years later, the jar that had been storing the victim's preserved brain would be on hand to be emptied out and used by a facility guard to pour liquor from a fellow guard in, thus distracting him and allowing her escape. That's cold- and amazing and disturbing and a brilliant plot device for Tregillis to employ. I know, I know, you're thinking "if she's so great, why didn't she escape from captivity twenty years earlier?"- but you'll have to read the book to unravel that mind pretzel.
I waffled on giving this book four stars only because time travel is included in the later parts of the book and I LOATHE time travel. It rarely works itself out in a way that the reader is not left with some unanswered questions. And it's just so hokey.
But I have faith in Tregillis and I believe that the third and final book will be magnificent. His writing is fluid and visceral and just a joy to read- in a grim and cheerless kind of way.
Gretel, a particularly brilliant and screwed up survivor of the initial Nazi experiments who is able to see events in the future, is hands down the most manipulative character I've ever met in literature. To illustrate my point, she talks another gifted character into committing suicide just so that, twenty years later, the jar that had been storing the victim's preserved brain would be on hand to be emptied out and used by a facility guard to pour liquor from a fellow guard in, thus distracting him and allowing her escape. That's cold- and amazing and disturbing and a brilliant plot device for Tregillis to employ. I know, I know, you're thinking "if she's so great, why didn't she escape from captivity twenty years earlier?"- but you'll have to read the book to unravel that mind pretzel.
I waffled on giving this book four stars only because time travel is included in the later parts of the book and I LOATHE time travel. It rarely works itself out in a way that the reader is not left with some unanswered questions. And it's just so hokey.
But I have faith in Tregillis and I believe that the third and final book will be magnificent. His writing is fluid and visceral and just a joy to read- in a grim and cheerless kind of way.
alexthelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Really excellent sequel. Kept me up at night sometimes thinking about what would happen next.
amywriterrose's review against another edition
4.0
The darkest book I have read to date. You can read of my thoughts on it here: https://amy-rosenfeldt.com/2021/10/22/coldest-war/