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Summary: Brilliant cross-genre fantasy.
Review: It's rare, in fantasy, to come across something new, or at least a new combination of old things. The Coldfire Trilogy, of which Black Sun Rising is the first book, is that and more. The opening gives us a shocking and tantalizing view of the past, and then introduces us to the main story. Friedman's "take" on magic -- how it works, what it does, and the consequences of its existence and use -- are well-thought-out. It is in fact the way that the powers work on Erna that drives the events in all three books. Well, that and rather ordinary human motivations magnified beyond all mortal comprehension. One of the most striking points of the book, for me, is that it features a true-blue Hero -- Father Damien Vryce -- who has sworn to destroy the Hunter, a monstrous being something like a demonic vampire, and who finds himself instead ALLIED with the Hunter against something even more terrible. The combination of true Good and Evil making alliance is surprisingly well and convincingly done, and revelations as to who and what the Hunter really is will jolt the reader as well as the characters in the book. The Hunter himself, whose actual name is Gerald Tarrant, may be one of the most fully realized and tragic villains ever created, and you come to sympathize with him. This is something of a shock the first few times it happens; "Oh, poor Gerald! What a horrid thing to happen. Boy, I sure hope he gets through... WHAT AM I SAYING? This is the guy who chooses innocent young women to terrorize unto death in order to feed upon their fear!" One's moral compass takes a bit of a beating in this one at times, but in actuality trust your gut instincts; good really is good, and evil really is evil. What that makes Gerald Tarrant, ahh, now THAT is one of the reasons to buy this book. So stop reading this review! Order now!
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Summary: Creative! Interesting characters!
Review: C. S. Friedman has really outdone herself in Black Sun Rising, the first book of the Coldfire Trilogy. The characters, the plot, the scene she sets will pull you right into the story. I won't give away any of this wonderful story, it should be yours to discover. This book is a "must read"! In fact, I loved the story so much I had to buy the trilogy in the hardcover edtion because I had worn out my paperback copies. It is really that good. I am hoping for a similar series in the future from Ms. Friedman.
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Summary: dont be fooled
Review: i cant believe so many people gave this book good rankings. the characters and plot are boring, you never truly know what they are trying to accomplish. ...
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Summary: Better Than Average
Review: Listen apprently our friend steve from Herndon, Va USA has a problem with books you actullay have to read instead of lightly skimming while glued to the idiot box. This book is a must for anyone who likes books that dont tell you everything up front. Say it with me Steve c-l-i-m-a-x and that is exactly how the book ends in a climax. If a book were to tell you everything at the start there would be no point in reading it. Simply put the book has charchters you love and hate at the same time and try to have a little imagination.
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Summary: I wished I didn't have to sleep so I could finish it...
Review: One of the best books I have ever read (and I read a LOT). The author has come up with an extremely interesting and original world populated with characters that are real people- not just standard "Villain", "Hero", "Heroine" types. The characters show the complexity of how people are so thoroughly you feel you are traveling right along with them. This was a book that thoroughly captured my imagination and left me torn- if read it as fast as possible to find out what happens then it would be over that much sooner!
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Summary: average at best
Review: this book is nothing special. some of the characters are alright but i didnt really care about them. the problems with this book is that there are only like 4 characters in the book, thats it you dont even know what they are up against or what they're trying to accomplish until the end. and the thing the really irritates me about this book is how whatever problem arises there is always one and only one way to solve it, and it is always dangerous and it is always some unexplained use of the magic or something completely ridiculous that has never occured until this point in the story, so if for instance the characters need to climb a mountain in 2 seconds its ok cause his magic can transport them to the top when they have been walking the whole book, ... like that. dont waste your time with this book, pretty boring and ridiculous, corny secondary characters and plot that fails to grab you
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Summary: Newest "Lord of the Rings"
Review: i first started to read this trilogy when i was thirteen years old. i loved it then, and i love it more every time i read it. black sun rising is one of the best books i've ever read, and the trilogy is probably the best one ever put out. 'black sun rising' keeps you on the edge of your seat, turning every page without stop. you fall in love with the characters almost immediately, and after awhile the one you love the most is tarrant. (if only he were a real person ...) c.s. friedman outdid herself, and i hope she outdoes herself again.
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Summary: Excellent Good vs Evil Book
Review: This excellent book is the first of a trilogy. It's the start of a good vs evil tale. But, in this case, not only is good pitted against evil, it's also bound to evil. Both are trying to accomplish their own goals: one for love, the other for survival. By the end of the book, this morphs into something much bigger (which is taken up by the second in the series). Excellent book.
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Summary: Fantasy and Science Fiction at it's best!!!
Review: If you have ever wondered about purchasing a fantasy book with sci-fi elements thrown in, then purchase this book. If this book and it's subsequent volumes don't hook you then nothing ever will. C.S.Friedman is without a doubt my favorite author, and this book is the reason why. Imagine sometime in the not so distant future where Earth's population has reached a critical point. The only solution to this is to find another world capable of sustaining human life. Enter Erna, a planet which at first seems merely unstable due to the many earthquakes but whose secrets are soon realized to be the true danger to the humans who have come to call this home. The book starts out some twelve centuries after humans have arrived and they have come to terms with an environment that responds to their thoughts. The Fae, which is similar to "the Force" in Star Wars with two exceptions. First it can be "seen" by those who use it. Those who can see it without even accessing it are called adepts, Sorcerors need to access it to see it. The second difference is that it comes in a few varieties, meaning some people can use only a certain type of Fae while others have access to a different kind. The problem with using the Fae is beginning to become apparent as years of using it for one's own selfish reasons are making the Dark Fae extremely powerful. This is first noticed by four individuals who all have their own reasons for discovering what is to be done to stop this new threat.
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Summary: 'Fae'ntastic!
Review: This book is very very interesting. It mixes up many genres, from horror to fantasy, and it is closer to science-fiction than "The Wheel of Time" and "The Song of Ice and Fire" are: Erna is the planet where a human expedition finally landed, after a year-lasting voyage in the space. This world is apparently similar to the Earth, but there is a fundamental difference... Erna is permeated by an invisible essence, the 'fae', that gives substance and form to every man's thought... So everythig a man fears becomes reality... demons, spirits... Some people can interact with fae and manipulate it, but the fight against monsters generated by human fears seems without hope. The story offers an almost scientific explanation to supernatural events like magic and demons: they aren't the result of some inexplicable forces, instead they are the natural consequence of fae, this dangerous and powerful entity that reacts to every man's presence by giving physical consistence to his nightmares and desires. It doesn't have any awareness, it is not good nor evil, it is like water and air and fire, it is just another 'element' of Erna.
The idea of 'fae' is fantastic, original and splendidly developed.
The characters also are very well described, they have a great depth: the hostile arguments between Damien Vryce and the Hunter are every time TRUE, realistic and have wonderful moral implications. I suggest you to read this book because it is SO nice and I'm sure it is different from every book you've ever read! TRUST ME!
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