C.S. Friedman's Coldfire Trilogy

Once in a great while a book comes along that transcends written word, that rises above all reader expectations. Such a book boldly paints a picture of profound meaning that it stays forever etched on the mind of the reader. Such a book also makes a reader question his own beliefs about right and wrong, about good and evil, about virtue and vice, ever seeking to define the thin line between the opposites and where one becomes the other. The Coldfire novels by Celia S. Friedman do just that, and brilliantly. Few novels can inspire in readers such loathing and hatred for a character and at the same time instill within them compassion and understanding for the same.

The story is set on another world called Erna, a world populated by a colony ship from Earth itself. The new settlers realized quickly that Erna wasn’t like Old Earth at all, that there was a force of nature on the planet that could take their fears and bring them to life—literally. The Fae, it is called. And it is deadly. It is a wonder that humans survived that first realization, that they were able to fight off the monsters of their fears come to life. But they were resilient and fought for their survival. Over time, some humans learned that they could manipulate the Fae, turn it to their own use, force it to obey them. Sorcerers and Adepts were born, and they found thriving business in the cities, creating wards that could be used to turn away the Fae-born and to reinforce structures in case of Earthquakes. Black Sun Rising is about one of those Adepts, a woman named Ciani whose mind is plundered by a demon, her memories and knowledge taken from her. It's the story of three men who race off into the unknown to restore Ciani's thoughts only to find that the threat to Ciani's life is a threat to the world.

Meet Damien Vryce, one of those men, a man of God, a man of such astounding courage that readers will ponder his character for years. Damien is a devout priest of his God, the One God. He is also a sorcerer, manipulating the Fae to his own purposes. He has taken a vow never to use the Fae for personal reasons, that he might not lose his soul.

Meet the Hunter, Gerald Tarrant, an undead man so evil that Damien would give his arms and his legs to kill him. And yet he won’t, he can’t, because he needs the Hunter. They must work together to fight a common enemy. The fact that the Hunter, a man who murdered his own family to gain eternal life, is the Neocount of Merentha, the very man who founded the Church that Damien serves, makes him even more repulsive to Damien. Gerald made an ultimate sacrifice merely so he could watch his Church through the centuries, that he might see the dream he dreamed come true.

So diabolically opposed in nature, these two forge an unsteady alliance in the face of a greater enemy. They travel through strange lands, meet strange races, and fight each other along the way, redefining their own sense of morality, compromising their values, risking their souls for the benefit of the majority. Will the Hunter and Damien Vryce ever be able to look at each other as friends? Or, when the battle is finished, will Damien keep good on his word that he will kill the Hunter, that the Hunter might not feed on the fears of men any longer? Or will Damien lose his soul and his stole because he unwillingly saves the Hunter’s life again and again, rationalizing such action because the common enemy is more dangerous than the Hunter? And will the Hunter, through his own actions, be breaking his own alliance with the Unnamed, losing his immortality?

Brilliantly written, unmistakably original, the Coldfire trilogy is a series that no serious reader should miss. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy today at your nearest bookstore. And begin a voyage of self-discovery through such vivid characters that you’ll question your own loyalties to each of them for months to come.

Volume 1: Black Sun Rising. © DAW Books

Volume 2: When True Night Falls.© DAW Books

Volume 3: Crown of Shadows.© DAW Books

Be sure to watch for C.S. Friedman’s NEW novel due in stores in September 1998! It’s called This Alien Shore. You can also visit www.merentha.org/forest.htm, an official fan page for C.S. Friedman’s books. There you will find a sample chapter from her new novel.

Cover art by Michael Whelan. The artwork in this review has been reproduced by permission from DAW books.

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Review written by Chad Cottle, edited by Jody Speight.