C.S. Friedman: Your Experience

[Rl'Halsinor]

I have become highly selective over the years on what I read concerning Fantasy. I've been burned too often on what seemed to be a promising read only to discover that I have purchased another cliche' ridden clone of what has gone before a zillion times. I have seen C.S. Friedman's works but have yet to spend my hard earned cash. Anyone read this author? What has been your experience? Thanks.

 

[DarkOra]

I've only read the Coldfire Trilogy by Friedman (Black Sun Rising, When True Night Falls, and Crown of Shadows), and it's up there as one of my favorite series (and one of the ones that I re-read from time-to-time). It's fantasy with some horror running through it (and a little sci-fi for good measure).

 

[Andre]

I have become highly selective over the years on what I read concerning Fantasy. I've been burned too often on what seemed to be a promising read only to discover that I have purchased another cliche' ridden clone of what has gone before a zillion times. I have seen C.S. Friedman's works but have yet to spend my hard earned cash. Anyone read this author? What has been your experience? Thanks.

Friedman is one of those authors I can recommend, tho with some minor reservations. Her greatest strength, IMO, is the ability to create and present truly alien cultures. Her Guerans (an offshoot of humanity), for instance, reminded me very much of Herbert's Dune in tone and depth. Her plotting can be a bit standard, but she tends to make up for it with her fascinating aliens.

In Conquest Born: I really liked this book. A few elements were a bit unoriginal, but the contrast between the two cultures was well done and I personally liked the two protaganists.

The Madness Season: Another good study of a truly different species. I didn't anticipate the twist at the end, which added to my enjoyment.

This Alien Shore: This book is two stories, which come together at the end. I really enjoyed one story, but found the other only mildly interesting. That said, I enjoyed the book. Her depiction of the Guerans would make an excellent basis for a campaign. I wish she would write more about them.

Black Sun Rising: This book has received some very favorable reviews, but I just couldn't quite get into it. I stopped after 130 pages or so. I still have it and may give it another try someday.

 

[Endur]

Her books are very good. She likes plot twists, almost as if she is writing a mystery.

Conquest Born and Madness Season were awesome novels. Different too. Many authors have difficulty writing different novels. Their characters seem the same even if the setting is different. CS Friendman didn't have that problem with her first two novels.

Coldfire Trilogy, series of three books. Great series. Excellent first two books in the series. The ending of the third book was somewhat telegraphed, but had a lot of neat twists.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

I've only read her Coldfire Trilogy, but it's one of the best series of books I have ever read. As Darkora mentioned, it is a blend of fantasy and horror, but there is also a very strong sci-fi element to it as well. Very well written, compelling characters (including one of the greatest "villains" of all time, IMO). The interaction between the two main characters, Damian Kilcanon Vryce and Gerald Tarrant is awesome, the magic aspect of the world is well thought out and consistently handled, and the world that she creates is just so creative and amazing that it just cries out for more development. I'm torn that Ms. Friedman doesn't like doing sequels and has long said (and maintained so far) that she is not going to do any more Coldfire novels. I'd love to see more, but at the same time, the trilogy is wonderful and complete in and of itself, and I wouldn't really trust anyone but Ms. Friedman to write any of the characters or use the world.

Definitely give it a try. I've heard that This Alien Shore is a really good novel as well, but I've haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[Eosin the Red]

In Conquest Born remains high on my list of good books despite having read it more than a decade ago.

The Coldfire stuff is interesting with a few great characters but overall an average series.

 

[ShadowDenizen]

Actually, I tried reading the :Coldfire: trilogy, and I couldn't even finish the first book, which is extremely unusual for me. :\

I can't quite pinpoint what it was that I disliked about the book, but there was definitely something that made me put it down and not pick it back up.

 

[Endur]

For Coldfire, the first book and to a lesser extent the third book, are a little difficult to get into.

But once you read the first book, it makes sense. It takes a while to get into what is going on with the characters.

 

[Wombat]

Actually, I tried reading the :Coldfire: trilogy, and I couldn't even finish the first book, which is extremely unusual for me. :\

I can't quite pinpoint what it was that I disliked about the book, but there was definitely something that made me put it down and not pick it back up.

I had the same problem. Like ShadowDenizen, I cannot put a finger on what stopped me, but I couldn't get up enough interest to finish the book, and this really puzzled me. Characterization? No, that wasn't it. Plot? Maybe. Pacing? Possibly. All I know is that I started reading and couldn't get through.

 

[Capellan]

In Conquest Born: I really liked this book. A few elements were a bit unoriginal, but the contrast between the two cultures was well done and I personally liked the two protaganists.

The Madness Season: Another good study of a truly different species. I didn't anticipate the twist at the end, which added to my enjoyment.

I read both of these, and while I never found myself actively disliking them, I never found myself particularly interested in the characters or what they were doing. Something about Friedman's writing or structure that kept me from getting 'involved' in the books.