Cold Iron [Mass Market Paperback]

Melisa Michaels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997

When hard-bitten but pretty California private investigator Rose Lavine is hired to protect Jorandel, the charismatic singer of an ""elf-rock"" band, she discovers dark secrets lying behind the Fairy magic of the beat. Original."

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Roc; 1st edition (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451456548
• ISBN-13: 978-0451456540
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,907,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad for a first attempt, November 24, 2001

By 

Kali "bengaligirl" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cold Iron (Mass Market Paperback)

For a first novel wetting its toes into the realm of fantasy this book is not too bad an attempt though I have to admit it is borderline fantasy in certain areas. I agree with one reviewer that some of the characters could do with having their mouths washed out with soap (and I am no prude) but other than that it was pretty good. The characters (thought overtly vulgar when there was no need to be) were well portrayed, and the plot interesting enough to keep you turning the pages. The book leads you into an integrated modern society where human and elves live side-side though not always in harmony. Enter Rosie Lavine, a jaded PI who is hired by a Rock Group's official groupie, Candy Cayne (no joke here folks) to find out who might be trying to kill the lead singer of a Elf Rock Group called Cold Iron. At first Rosie thinks it is all a piece of Rosie's drug induced imagination but when she is warned off by a group of professional thugs she changes her mind and immerses herself into the bizarre world of sex, drugs and Elf Hard Rock Music. Attracted to Jorandel, the sexy but degenerated lead singer, Rosie is on a roller coaster ride of a lifetime and it's not a pleasant experience. Haunted by her own demons, mainly from her childhood, Rosie lurches from clue to clue in a desperate bid to find out who wants the charismatic Jorandel dead. There are an assortment of other characters that thread in and out of the story as it wound its way to its climax, but it was Rosie and Candy who kept me turning the pages, as well the destructive relationship taking place between Rosie and Jorandel, played out in the sordid world of Elf Hard Rock music. I did enjoy the book but I feel it could have been so much more. All the same for a first attempt into fantasy Ms Michaels didn't do too bad a job really.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, complicated, compelling book!, October 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cold Iron (Mass Market Paperback)

I can't for a minute understand why some of the other reviewers didn't like this book. Sure, it isn't traditional fantasy, though it does have elves. Sure, it isn't Tolkein. It is a tough, contemporary, urban fantasy novel with a very strong mystery. Though its characters are not always (even usually) admirable, COLD IRON is absolutely compelling, with exceptionally strong narration and enough plot twists to make even the most experienced mystery fan (like myself) happy.

This is not a story about happy woodland creatures flitting among the trees; this is a story of hardened people, of hopes and dreams, of the horrible decadence of (some) rock bands. The magic and even the existence of the elves does not need to be explained by Ms. Michaels. They are woven seamlessly into contemporary society and are utterly believeable in the framework of this novel. The subculture that Ms. Michaels has created works - that's all that is important, not how it got to be that way. It just is. You believe it.

Even as you may not respect or agree with some of the decisions made by the characters, their choices are within character and hold together. The elfrock musicians are certainly not put forth to be emulated, but they can be studied and understood. We don't have to like all of them, but we have to believe that they could - and do - exist in the world that Ms. Michaels has created. In my eyes, that is high praise indeed.

I heartily recommend COLD IRON. It definitely is not high fantasy, but is an interesting and compelling book with a great deal going on beneath the surface. Above all, this book is engaging and entertaining! Isn't that what we look for when we read?

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's all worth it for Jorandel, March 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cold Iron (Mass Market Paperback)

COLD IRON has its flaws (parts of it are a bit too graphic for my taste, and a lot of the characters need their mouths washed out with soap), but Jorandel, the lead singer for the elfrock band Cold Iron, is fascinating. Self-centered, disgusting, sociopathic, yes. Also incredibly complex and well-drawn. I bought the book for him. Jorie is repulsively attractive. I just wish I had liked the ending better.