Rating: 
Summary: Excellent science fiction
Review: This is an interesting and unusual story incorporating several compelling themes and a good variety of well developed characters, against the background of an earth subjugated into the empire of a strange alien culture. Multiple aspects of science, sociology, love, and the politics of conquest are woven into a complex and satisfying work with Friedman's customary skill. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Read
Review: This one of the best books I've ever read, re-read, re-re-read. There is always some new facet to the story discovered with each read. Truly what science fiction should be.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Sci-fi that raises the bar in this genre
Review: When I started reading this book, I realized that I was reading an outstanding novel in the science-fiction world. You may ask, "why is this reading outstanding?" Well, to begin with, the novel starts off with the world being enslaved by an alien race that very little is known about. The alien race is known as the Tyr, and the have enslaved the human race for hundreds of years. The novel thrusts you into this slavery with no real clue how the humans have become dominated. Immediately, our main character is taken hostage and we find out that he has been living for hundreds of years. This leads to the second reason this novel is entertaining. We find out that Daetrin is a shapechanger. Now, in my limited experience of reading sci-fi, I have not come across many shapechangers. The ones that I did have been cast in a negative light. However, our main character in this novel is going to be our reluctant hero. The novel is even more enjoyable, because our hero is so reluctant to identify what he really is on the inside. He has spent years trying to change what he was to be human.The novel is well worth the chance to read. It has many things to offer in the way of excitement and hidden mystery. Overall, the book should be read, and you will enjoy it!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Sci-fi that raises the bar in this genre
Review: When I started reading this book, I realized that I was reading an outstanding novel in the science-fiction world. You may ask, "why is this reading outstanding?" Well, to begin with, the novel starts off with the world being enslaved by an alien race that very little is known about. The alien race is known as the Tyr, and the have enslaved the human race for hundreds of years. The novel thrusts you into this slavery with no real clue how the humans have become dominated. Immediately, our main character is taken hostage and we find out that he has been living for hundreds of years. This leads to the second reason this novel is entertaining. We find out that Daetrin is a shapechanger. Now, in my limited experience of reading sci-fi, I have not come across many shapechangers. The ones that I did have been cast in a negative light. However, our main character in this novel is going to be our reluctant hero. The novel is even more enjoyable, because our hero is so reluctant to identify what he really is on the inside. He has spent years trying to change what he was to be human. The novel is well worth the chance to read. It has many things to offer in the way of excitement and hidden mystery. Overall, the book should be read, and you will enjoy it!
Rating:
Summary: It was really excellent!
Review: Wow, this book was great! I'm not usually one to read hard SF but with CS Friedman the writer, who can resist? I'm so glad I did read it. The plot was incredibly intriguing and gripped me closer as the story progressed, until it reached a point that made it literally un-put-down-able. The action is exciting and strange enough to give it that SF feel. I loved the Marra, which are a kind of pre-Iezu species. They were very, very cool. Daetrin was a sympathetic character. I mean, you become pretty drawn in to his story (unlike In Conquest Born, I might add) and care about his feelings. The timefugues he experiences were totally amazing! They're not only glimpses into his unique past but an excellent experience-bank that give you better understandings of certain situations, certain scenes. I love the way the author ended the book. It was kind of disturbing, very effective, but then there's the last sentence, which is so ridiculously in-character, that you can't help laughing, so that event though the story has taken you to dark places, and even though the main character is emotionally scarred, you end with a smile on your face! (If you've read the complete Coldfire Trilogy then you will understand what I mean. Damien has a similarly irresistable, humurous last-line in Crown of Shadows.) READ THIS BOOK. IT IS SO WONDERFUL. And it's like a prequel to This Alien Shore (1998 SF Friedman book), so when you're done reading The Madness Season, you'll probably want to read or re-read This Alien Shore.
Rating:
Summary: It was really excellent!
Review: Wow, this book was great! I'm not usually one to read hard SF but with CS Friedman the writer, who can resist? I'm so glad I did read it. The plot was incredibly intriguing and gripped me closer as the story progressed, until it reached a point that made it literally un-put-down-able. The action is exciting and strange enough to give it that SF feel. I loved the Marra, which are a kind of pre-Iezu species. They were very, very cool. Daetrin was a sympathetic character. I mean, you become pretty drawn in to his story (unlike In Conquest Born, I might add) and care about his feelings. The timefugues he experiences were totally amazing! They're not only glimpses into his unique past but an excellent experience-bank that give you better understandings of certain situations, certain scenes. I love the way the author ended the book. It was kind of disturbing, very effective, but then there's the last sentence, which is so ridiculously in-character, that you can't help laughing, so that event though the story has taken you to dark places, and even though the main character is emotionally scarred, you end with a smile on your face! (If you've read the complete Coldfire Trilogy then you will understand what I mean. Damien has a similarly irresistable, humurous last-line in Crown of Shadows.) READ THIS BOOK. IT IS SO WONDERFUL. And it's like a prequel to This Alien Shore (1998 SF Friedman book), so when you're done reading The Madness Season, you'll probably want to read or re-read This Alien Shore.
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