book data
133 ratings, 3.86 average rating, 27 reviews
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published
2007
by DAW Hardcover
binding
Hardcover, 464 pages
isbn
0756404320
(isbn13: 9780756404321)
description
At the end of her bestselling Coldfire trilogy, C.S. Friedman challenged readers to imagine what a world would be like if sorcery required the ...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 211)
Read in July, 2008
Marketing of books is strange, this beginning of a new trilogy, by an experienced author of some cult books nearly passed under my radar. Thank goodness it did not, it´s probably the best fantasy novel I have read recently. The setting is interesting, the economics of magic are original and suitably creepy. There are courtly intrigues, mythical history, well drawn characters and a feeling that this series will bring a lot yet. I look forward to the rest of the series.
As drawbacks, it´s on...more
As drawbacks, it´s on...more
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Read in March, 2007
At present, I would consider Martin and Friedman the best living authors of Fantasy. Both are capable of rendering deeply 3 dimensional characters, endearing them to the readers (and presumably themselves) and offering them to the rightful fates that their worlds require. That's no mean feat, when it's far more palatable to pad their worlds in the name of story-telling, keeping them in gilded adventures, with only a shadow of true risk.
That's a beautiful thing.
This book has many of CS ...more
That's a beautiful thing.
This book has many of CS ...more
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Read in July, 2008
This is a wonderful fast-paced fantasy book. It's dark in places and it's not saturated with sexuality or the usage of sexuality in order to play games with someone, either as a pawn or not. It's pretty refreshing, actually. Characters are believable and I hope for more characterization of some rather intriguing characters. While at some point the faint misogynist and acute misandrist perspectives can seem somewhat simplified in their roots and solutions, it carries the story well. Believable en...more
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8 comments
Once again Friedman produces a masterpiece. Her books are consistently creative, deep, and satisfying. This is no exception. I find that in today's fantasy novels, true originality is very rare. Mostly there are variations on an old theme, and rehashing and combining a couple of archetypal plots. Friedman's works are all strikingly innovative. But she also manages to pace her books well, develop intriguing and memorable characters, and tells a really good story. This is a great book - th...more
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Read in October, 2008
recommends it for:
Fans of darker fantasy
Friedman excels at writing conflicted protagonists. Feast of Souls is no exception.
Kamala is a young woman sold by her mother into prostitution at a young age. After years of suffering through it, she has learned that she is one of a few people who can use "witchery," the ability to turn one's own life force into magic. The unfortunate and predictable consequence of this is an early death. Kamala sets out to learn to be a Magister - one of a group of men who have discove...more
Kamala is a young woman sold by her mother into prostitution at a young age. After years of suffering through it, she has learned that she is one of a few people who can use "witchery," the ability to turn one's own life force into magic. The unfortunate and predictable consequence of this is an early death. Kamala sets out to learn to be a Magister - one of a group of men who have discove...more
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recommends it for:
People I hate. Literary masochists. Femi-nazis. Misandronists.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in August, 2008
This book was really awesome - which is not surprising, as I loved Friedman's previous books (plus we share a name, so I have to like her). A world where the cost of magic and sorcery is lifeforce itself, where the ageless Magisters strut their black cloaked way through a complex political scene, and where an ancient evil has begun making its way back from exile towards human lands. It's a good old epic fantasy, but excellently written with some great concepts - I just love Friedman's writing ...more
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Read in April, 2008
This is an interesting world in which the price of using magic is the death of the witch, or for higher practicioners, the unaware consort on whose life force he feeds. The book opens with a Prince suffering from the wasting sickness and the higher magicians wondering how they can hide the fact that he is losing his virility because one of their ranks is siphoning it off. The plot, as with most good sci-fi, is very complex & interesting. I will definitely be reading the next one.
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Read in March, 2008
Everyone,
If you are looking for a nice dark twist to your standard fantasy here it is. I read this book and personally enjoyed it a lot. The characters are nicely flawed and the descriptions are good yet not over detailed.
Its the best book I have read in some time and I am looking forward to reading the whole series.
I read this author's coldfire trilogy and it was great too.
If you are looking for a nice dark twist to your standard fantasy here it is. I read this book and personally enjoyed it a lot. The characters are nicely flawed and the descriptions are good yet not over detailed.
Its the best book I have read in some time and I am looking forward to reading the whole series.
I read this author's coldfire trilogy and it was great too.
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Read in September, 2008
Typical Friedman fare - great characters, intriguing and original settings, engaging plot. Particularly appreciate her unique take on magic and its (supposedly) different effects on men and women. She lost me a bit towards the end, in which I felt her narrative became a bit unwieldy, but I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
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Read in June, 2008
Interesting premise, darker along the lines of her Coldfire saga rather than her sci-fi work, but that's not a bad thing. Reminded me a bit of some of the overtones of George R.R. Martin. I will probably read the rest in this trilogy when they come out, but it hasn't grabbed me enough to rave about it to everyone I know.
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Read in March, 2008
C. S, Friedman, Feast of Souls. My only complaint is Friedman’s successful portrayal, the intense reality of the lead character’s extremely intense personality, which had been molded by having been sold in prostitution as a child. She had escaped that life but it continued to color her actions and behavior.
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Read in February, 2008
C.S. Friedman is one of my writers. She comes up with these compelling and vaguely creepy ideas and weaves a wonderful story around them. After I finished this, I combed amazon for indications of when volume two might be available, this one having left me so hungry for more.
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Read in March, 2007
The Coldfire Trilogy is one of my all-time favorites, so when I saw that Friedman had a new fantasy out, I was jumping up & down in excitement.
And it is great! Very dark but very compelling. Very strong anti-heroine. Will she find redemption? Can't wait for the next book!
And it is great! Very dark but very compelling. Very strong anti-heroine. Will she find redemption? Can't wait for the next book!
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Jami by:
Picked it up randomly at Walmart.recommends it for: Everybody
This was my first taste of C.S. Friedman and I am HOOKED!! Absolutely brilliant right up there with Sara Douglass who has by far become my favorite fantasy/fiction author. I want the next in the series to be out yesterday and I am eagerly reading her older work.
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C.S. Friedman is not for everyone. She is generally dark and her tales are of less-than-desirable protagonists. This book is about sorcery and power and greed. The story does lend itself to thoughts and discussion of morality.
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Read in August, 2008
Very good book, I look forward to the second book in the series. ALthough there is one cheesy sentence at the end of the next-to-last chapter that had me giggling for hours....
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Read in October, 2006
recommends it for:
People who want to try fantasy
Amy - Chris' friend Celia wrote this book and shared a signed pre-release copy! I am not a fantasy-reader generally, but very much enjoyed this book. Try it, you'll like it.
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Read in July, 2008
Once again, Ms. Friedman delivers an incredible fantasy world full of intriguing characters that I found hard to put down. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
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Read in August, 2007
An interesting and dark beginning to a fantasy series. I thought the setting was well-imagined and unique, and I can't wait to read the next two books in the series!
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