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The Magister Trilogy #1
Feast of Souls
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 ultimate sacrifice-that of life itself. Now, in Feast of Souls , she introduces us to a terrifying world in which the cost of magic is just that...in which the fuel for sorcery is the very fire of the human spirit, and those who hunger for magical power must pay for it with their lives. In this epic tale of nightmarish shadows and desperate hope, the greatest threat of all may not be that of ancient enemies returned, or ancient wars resumed, but of the darkness that lies within the hearts of men.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
C.S. Friedman
44 books1,236 followersCelia S. Friedman is a science fiction and fantasy author. She has also been credited Celia S. Friedman and Celia Friedman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews
July 7, 2018
“Have you ever made a flame dance upon a windowsill?” he asks softly. “Or called a lighting bug to your hand on a summer’s night? Have things ever happened because you wished they would, or those who would hurt you gone away suddenly and no one knows the reason?”
The crystalline gaze is steady. “No, sir, because those things bring death. And I do not mean to die.”
Reasons you should read Feast of Souls:
-The badass quotes
-Kamala, the protagonist, is dark af
-Yassss women thriving and winning in a patriarchal society
-There's more than one strong female character
-No special snowflake syndrome
-Friedman builds anticipation like the pre-chorus in Taylor Swift's song Dress
-Killer magic system
-Kamala's "diamond" gaze (not what y'all think)
-The Witch-Queen would be sitting on the Iron Throne in two seasons
-No cheesy star-crossed love??? 100% here for this content
-Lots of scheming
-High Queen Gwynofar is proof that traditional femininity does not equate weakness
-Remorse is for losers and Magisters don't have time for that shit
Reasons not to read Feast of Souls:
December 12, 2014
I just finished the audio version of this book. C.S. Friedman is one of my favorite authors. She does dark fantasy like it's meant to be done. Plus, she has a way with scratching my itch for an antihero like no author author can manage. This isn't her best trilogy (I think that honor goes to the Black Sun Rising series), but it's pretty close. I love her writing. I love her characterization, and her complex world building. Perhaps the thing that caught me the most about this book that I never really realized before (though I can't understand why because IT IS SO OBVIOUS) is what an interesting spin on women's rights this book is. Sometimes this story steps on its own toes, gets a little too cerebrally involved in itself, which can cause occasional plot hiccups (or make readers feel like things are dragging on a bit longer than they need to). Other than that, it's very enjoyable.
Solid start to a trilogy that, if not her best, is pretty damn close.
Elizabeth Rodgers is a great narrator. Some of her voices got on my nerves... a little too dark, a little too "evil" sounding... campy, I guess, mostly with the male voices, which she seems to struggle with a bit. Barring that, she easily pulls readers into the book, and her smooth voice and cadence will keep you hooked pretty easily.
Solid start to a trilogy that, if not her best, is pretty damn close.
Elizabeth Rodgers is a great narrator. Some of her voices got on my nerves... a little too dark, a little too "evil" sounding... campy, I guess, mostly with the male voices, which she seems to struggle with a bit. Barring that, she easily pulls readers into the book, and her smooth voice and cadence will keep you hooked pretty easily.
Read
November 3, 2023DNFed at 50%
August 15, 2011
I feel, after reading multiple reviews and seeing a majority of people provide a lot of stars on this, that i should provide some insight into my low rating.
Friedman has a great concept but unfortunately never gets off the ground with the characters. Most come off as paper thin ideas, devoid of much description minus a few details on hair and eye color with one predominant character trait. They have about as much personality as the players in a one shot D&D game.
The world of magic seems infinite in it's potential, yet she fails to provide any ground rules and spends so little time on the context of her magical world that none of seemed to give any reasonable boundaries.
Most of all, and what led me to end up skimming most of this book, was the concept of male/female differences so was unbelievable I could barely buy it. In hundreds of years it seems that no woman could ever think to kill a man to gain power minus one. Bull. This idea of broad brush strokes was repeated mercilessly within her world and provided a superficial level to the reader. Friedman spends a lot of time telling you about things instead of showing you anything. Names of gods are not provided, magister culture is given in heaps of paradigms that make no sense, world concepts and history play a huge role in the plot but are never more than backdrop stories bandied about in a few lines of dialogue. Not very intriguing or well formed storytelling.
There is one character though that I appreciated, that of the witch-queen. If all chapters were written with that level of depth it would have been a good read.
Friedman has a great concept but unfortunately never gets off the ground with the characters. Most come off as paper thin ideas, devoid of much description minus a few details on hair and eye color with one predominant character trait. They have about as much personality as the players in a one shot D&D game.
The world of magic seems infinite in it's potential, yet she fails to provide any ground rules and spends so little time on the context of her magical world that none of seemed to give any reasonable boundaries.
Most of all, and what led me to end up skimming most of this book, was the concept of male/female differences so was unbelievable I could barely buy it. In hundreds of years it seems that no woman could ever think to kill a man to gain power minus one. Bull. This idea of broad brush strokes was repeated mercilessly within her world and provided a superficial level to the reader. Friedman spends a lot of time telling you about things instead of showing you anything. Names of gods are not provided, magister culture is given in heaps of paradigms that make no sense, world concepts and history play a huge role in the plot but are never more than backdrop stories bandied about in a few lines of dialogue. Not very intriguing or well formed storytelling.
There is one character though that I appreciated, that of the witch-queen. If all chapters were written with that level of depth it would have been a good read.
June 1, 2011
Eh. Seriously, eh. Read both this and the next in the trilogy based on excellent reviews - but these books really aren't great. Not awful - but pedestrian at best. Strongest element is the worldbuilding, which is fairly creative. Otherwise, however - pretty generic high fantasy, with somewhat cardboard characters. Apparently significant characters can and do die, which I applaud, but unlike in G RR Martin's books, I don't particularly care about any of them. Basically, pales in comparison to Martin, Hobb, Bujold, and Gay Gavriel Kay's better works - and frankly is less entertaining than even somewhat shallower fantasies like Jim Butcher's Codex series. Will probably read the finale to see how it plays out, but ... eh.
Shelved as 'i-have-a-need-to-buddy-read'
September 24, 2020This is only $2.99 right now and that blurb had me at "vampire-like powers."
I'M ON A FANTASY BINGE RN
I'M ON A FANTASY BINGE RN
January 30, 2016
I read this so long ago I'd forgot what it was all about. As I now have the rest of the Trilogy I reread this and was glad that I did.
A very good spin on Male dominated magic. The Sorcerers are life vampires, that need other peoples souls to do unlimited magic and live forever, of course they keep this secret or they would face extermination. Too bad a crafty, determine woman discovers they haven't a monopoly after all.
Besides that major shift in the norm, humanities greatest enemy has returned. Creatures that also devour human life force.
Decent writing and a fast pace with good character development. Also it's nice to find more Sorcery and less Swords for a change.
A very good spin on Male dominated magic. The Sorcerers are life vampires, that need other peoples souls to do unlimited magic and live forever, of course they keep this secret or they would face extermination. Too bad a crafty, determine woman discovers they haven't a monopoly after all.
Besides that major shift in the norm, humanities greatest enemy has returned. Creatures that also devour human life force.
Decent writing and a fast pace with good character development. Also it's nice to find more Sorcery and less Swords for a change.
January 14, 2018
are you retarded?!
i just got to the bit where the magistrate dies and she is all upset. UPSET. what the hell? i cant even. their power comes from taking the LIVES of PEOPLE. ...any reaction? nope, none at all. all happy about it.
but one damn evil wizard dies, when she defended herself in self def-fence, and suddenly a hard ass character is crying. CRYING.
omg its like Buffy crying after the death of every vampire she kills.
i'm so pissed of by this, i dont even want to hear the rest of the book.
edit:
ok so i read the rest of the book.
i dont have a single character i like. i dont care and in fact would prefer all of them to die. oh no wait, i like the High Queen, but i dont trust the writer so i wont read the rest of the books. the writer will probably make me hate her by the end. so i'm stopping here.
and i just have to say, this rave about the characters not being fully good or evil is ridiculous. there is no good in this world created. no one teaches it, no one feels it, no one promotes it. everything is grey with bits of black thrown in here and there.
i can't respect these kind of characters. i would like it far more if they had been good but got things wrong, or failed at times but really strove for something better. if there would have been a lot less descriptive mood settings and more internal dialogue from the main character.
Kamala or Kabala, what ever her name was, did not act stable and did not act human and was all together stupid. and all the while i'm supposed to be enraptured by her red hair and diamond eyes and the fact that she is such a rebel? she didnt do one single page worth of THINKING in the entire book.
i would have liked her more if she found the power after a long life of or if she was curing someone and her life force ended before the job was done so in anger and frustration she shouts no to Death and reaches out and find a spark in the darkness. thus she is reborn, but does not know what caused it yet. much better, because the magister who was her master, did not teach her, he just made her do lots of magic work so she would use up all her power and die. that was the big training. use it up, die and fight to stay alive.
ugh, not so bad at times this book, but not at all great and quite often plain stupid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2018
DNF. The book isn't horrible, but I couldn't take the misandry in it anymore. Besides, the main character is terribly frustrating. Weirdly, this novel was written in 2007, this is stuff I would expect in 2018. I keep seeing female readers complaining about male writers drawing attention to female body parts/ bad representation and calling it sexist, but frankly I find self-loathing in regards to one's gender a tad more problematic and sexist. Yet I see nobody complain when 90% of female heroine in fantasy books written by female writers, hate being a woman and hate anything representing womanhood. IMO this is way more harmful they the supposed chauvinism of male writers. Sometimes, I wonder if they hate themselves/ their life so much and their frustration lead them to create self-hating MC.
Anyway, i don't know how good Friedman's other books are, but if Feast of Soul isn't all that well-known and popular, it's because it isn't very good. I don't like the Name of the Wind at all and can't comprehend its fandom, and yet, I have to admit that it's a far superior book.
I suppose it's me and not the book. Your enjoyment of the book will depends on what feminism means to you and if you don't mind a book without fleshed-out world-building.
Anyway, i don't know how good Friedman's other books are, but if Feast of Soul isn't all that well-known and popular, it's because it isn't very good. I don't like the Name of the Wind at all and can't comprehend its fandom, and yet, I have to admit that it's a far superior book.
I suppose it's me and not the book. Your enjoyment of the book will depends on what feminism means to you and if you don't mind a book without fleshed-out world-building.
June 1, 2011
i had a whole long rant here about what a sexist piece of shit this book was, but you know what? i'm sick of making myself more irritated about it. i have finally finished it so i can stop wasting my brain cells on it, yay! (i do miss collander and omnibus (collivar and ramirus, whatever) though. fortunately, i will have completely forgotten about them by the time the second book comes out so i will not even be tempted to read it. sometimes i really love my brain.)
(review pulled from lj.)
(review pulled from lj.)
March 9, 2018
I REALLY like the premise that magic has a cost. That just makes sense.
July 26, 2011
Oh, C.S. Friedman. Your name stirs up nostalgia and memories of hours spent curled up in an old worn armchair. I used to adore your books. It seems like only yesterday that my friend told me to pick up
Black Sun Rising
because he thought that I would like it. He was right. I remember voraciously devouring
When True Night Falls
and
Crown of Shadows
and wanting more.
In Conquest Born
blew me away and
This Alien Shore
left me agog. True,
The Madness Season
was a little different, and I don't remember it as fondly as the others, but I still enjoyed it. I remember your books as being full of description, giant blocks of text that took up the whole page. Not that that was as bad thing. Those were blocks of richly descriptive text, prose that brought the story to life.
So what happened? I read Feast of Souls and I was far from impressed. Where was the rich prose and intricate details of the past? Maybe time is clouding my memory and your previous books were not as profoundly striking as I remember, but Feast of Souls made me feel as thought I was reading an outline to one of your books, like you had rushed through this one purely to get to the paycheck at the end. Not only was the writing style less verbose than I recalled, but I felt like the characters and the plot were missing some of the intricacies that I remembered fondly from your other books. These characters felt like recycled versions of old characters, Rhys like Damien Vryce and Colivar like Gerald Tarrant (especially when you take into account the whole undead vampire bit).
This book has tempted me to go back and reread all my old Friedman favorites and see if they are as good as I remember and, to tell the truth, I worry that if I do I will discover that they are terrible.
Now, I will stick it out and finish this trilogy and cross my fingers that it gets better. And even if The Magister Trilogy disappoints, I'll read your next one too and hope for a return to the Friedman quality of the past. But I only have so much patience.
So what happened? I read Feast of Souls and I was far from impressed. Where was the rich prose and intricate details of the past? Maybe time is clouding my memory and your previous books were not as profoundly striking as I remember, but Feast of Souls made me feel as thought I was reading an outline to one of your books, like you had rushed through this one purely to get to the paycheck at the end. Not only was the writing style less verbose than I recalled, but I felt like the characters and the plot were missing some of the intricacies that I remembered fondly from your other books. These characters felt like recycled versions of old characters, Rhys like Damien Vryce and Colivar like Gerald Tarrant (especially when you take into account the whole undead vampire bit).
This book has tempted me to go back and reread all my old Friedman favorites and see if they are as good as I remember and, to tell the truth, I worry that if I do I will discover that they are terrible.
Now, I will stick it out and finish this trilogy and cross my fingers that it gets better. And even if The Magister Trilogy disappoints, I'll read your next one too and hope for a return to the Friedman quality of the past. But I only have so much patience.
July 6, 2018
Note: This book has a very binary view of gender that may be harmful and insulting to its readers. For more information, read the last paragraph.
At best, Feast of Souls serves for mindless entertainment* but little else. The writing is passable, and there are enough interesting ideas about magic and stewing plot elements to keep the reader engaged. Friedman has a refreshing take on magic in her universe. All power has a real and tangible human cost. Unfortunately, Feast of Souls focuses too much on the mechanics of its unique magic system, at the cost of its world-building and depth. Friedman constantly reminds the audience of the primary tenants dictating magic, and treads those same tired lessons over and over again. By the middle of the book, these tenants get tiring, especially when they are not explored in new ways.
Feast of Souls has paper-thin world-building. The only details readers receive about the world are ones in direct service to the plot. The multiple kingdoms of the story feel nearly interchangeable due to their lack of uniqueness. The book's characters are flat and do not undergo any significant development. A select few characters were entertaining to read about, but I only became invested in one of them.
Feast of Souls' major flaw is its simplistic understanding of gender and how this understanding was applied to its magic system and world-building. While many of the female characters demonstrated a variety of strengths and flaws throughout the book, the book's very premise undermined them. Feast of Souls' premise is that women cannot unlock the greatest source of magic due to their gender and "nature" (e.g. bringing new life into the world). That's such a skewed perspective, made worse by the fact that minor female characters throughout the book are defined almost exclusively by sexual relationships with men. Most of the female leads had also been subject to sexual control. Describing misogyny in this medieval fantasy world is not what I take issue with; the problem is that minor characters are frequently only described in this frame of reference and lack all other humanity. Combine this fact with the male-dominated magic system premised on the "nature" of all women and the book becomes quite insulting.
*Please not that this book should have a trigger warning for a particularly graphic scene. The story's topics are very dark and explicit, and readers should be forewarned.
At best, Feast of Souls serves for mindless entertainment* but little else. The writing is passable, and there are enough interesting ideas about magic and stewing plot elements to keep the reader engaged. Friedman has a refreshing take on magic in her universe. All power has a real and tangible human cost. Unfortunately, Feast of Souls focuses too much on the mechanics of its unique magic system, at the cost of its world-building and depth. Friedman constantly reminds the audience of the primary tenants dictating magic, and treads those same tired lessons over and over again. By the middle of the book, these tenants get tiring, especially when they are not explored in new ways.
Feast of Souls has paper-thin world-building. The only details readers receive about the world are ones in direct service to the plot. The multiple kingdoms of the story feel nearly interchangeable due to their lack of uniqueness. The book's characters are flat and do not undergo any significant development. A select few characters were entertaining to read about, but I only became invested in one of them.
Feast of Souls' major flaw is its simplistic understanding of gender and how this understanding was applied to its magic system and world-building. While many of the female characters demonstrated a variety of strengths and flaws throughout the book, the book's very premise undermined them. Feast of Souls' premise is that women cannot unlock the greatest source of magic due to their gender and "nature" (e.g. bringing new life into the world). That's such a skewed perspective, made worse by the fact that minor female characters throughout the book are defined almost exclusively by sexual relationships with men. Most of the female leads had also been subject to sexual control. Describing misogyny in this medieval fantasy world is not what I take issue with; the problem is that minor characters are frequently only described in this frame of reference and lack all other humanity. Combine this fact with the male-dominated magic system premised on the "nature" of all women and the book becomes quite insulting.
*Please not that this book should have a trigger warning for a particularly graphic scene. The story's topics are very dark and explicit, and readers should be forewarned.
June 12, 2013
I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down until I have finished. It kept me up all night and I have no complaints.
Compliments to the author for developing such an intricate magical system. I share the view of many on this subject. The trade-off of supernatural powers just makes sense to me, and it's refreshing to see magical universes are not unlimited in their resources. The fact that magic drains the very essence of life itself creates an interesting dynamic in which this reader can understand the logic of the characters and thus sympathize with them.
In addition, I also enjoyed the dark themes and the political divide in this novel. I am drawn to books with these characteristics.
Perhaps what I loved the most about the story is the strong spirit of the female protagonist. Kamala had a very tough childhood, but she didn't use it as an excuse to be bitter about the world. Instead, she takes the only special thing she had and tries to achieve what few men (and no women) ever achieved. And she did not reach her goal without obstacles or adversity along the way. She is feminine, but strong; curious, and courageous. I would love to see more books out there with strong, charismatic female characters like Kamala.
It's been awhile since I have fallen in love with a story like this, I truly cherish these moments.
Compliments to the author for developing such an intricate magical system. I share the view of many on this subject. The trade-off of supernatural powers just makes sense to me, and it's refreshing to see magical universes are not unlimited in their resources. The fact that magic drains the very essence of life itself creates an interesting dynamic in which this reader can understand the logic of the characters and thus sympathize with them.
In addition, I also enjoyed the dark themes and the political divide in this novel. I am drawn to books with these characteristics.
Perhaps what I loved the most about the story is the strong spirit of the female protagonist. Kamala had a very tough childhood, but she didn't use it as an excuse to be bitter about the world. Instead, she takes the only special thing she had and tries to achieve what few men (and no women) ever achieved. And she did not reach her goal without obstacles or adversity along the way. She is feminine, but strong; curious, and courageous. I would love to see more books out there with strong, charismatic female characters like Kamala.
It's been awhile since I have fallen in love with a story like this, I truly cherish these moments.
August 3, 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 one book it´s hard to judge on its own. While there is some resolution to the plot and it´s not exactly a cliff hanger per se, this is still just the overture to something major. I will reserve judgment of this book till I know what is going on with the "hidden forces". I don´t know whose responsibility it is ( author or editor) but there are some inconsistencies with the narrative, the past history of the emotional relationship between King and Queen seems to change as the book goes forward. I think there is a contradiction about the death ( or not) of one of the main character´s younger brother - perhaps it is a hint, or perhaps a detail just not caught.
As drawbacks, it´s one book it´s hard to judge on its own. While there is some resolution to the plot and it´s not exactly a cliff hanger per se, this is still just the overture to something major. I will reserve judgment of this book till I know what is going on with the "hidden forces". I don´t know whose responsibility it is ( author or editor) but there are some inconsistencies with the narrative, the past history of the emotional relationship between King and Queen seems to change as the book goes forward. I think there is a contradiction about the death ( or not) of one of the main character´s younger brother - perhaps it is a hint, or perhaps a detail just not caught.
July 4, 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 ending, as well where I didn't feel the "oh-isn't-this-convenient reaction to a character's appearance at a certain place.
I eagerly await the second book; I wonder if it will disappoint...
I eagerly await the second book; I wonder if it will disappoint...
October 7, 2007
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 - the only problem is that we have to wait a year for the sequel.
April 30, 2019
4.5
Audio book.
Full review soon
Audio book.
Full review soon
October 11, 2020
“Tonight . . . tonight that last precious spark will go out. And if she is lucky, if she is strong, if she is above all else determined … something else will take its place. Whether she can endure living with that something is another question entirely.”
Semi-epic fantasy fiction following a woman who becomes a Magister, thought to be impossible in her world. Based on the athra (soulfire) witch magic of a previous Friedman series, these stories ramp up the sorcery through men, who obtain their power through the soulfire of others, not themselves. But it’s not so simple. Slow paced series opener, establishing atmosphere and characters.
“You dare not regret what you are. Not even for a moment. Human sympathy is anathema to the power that keeps you alive.”
Lots of emotion and misdirected motives. Good conflict and inner voices.
“Tomorrow could not be better if one failed to survive today.”
Manages a satisfying conclusion to the first story with sufficient hooks to draw the reader into subsequent books. Satisfying is a relative term, as some readers will be shocked and dismayed at the denouement of this story.
“He will not be a hero himself, though he will help bring a hero into existence. His strength will never be measured, but he will test the strength of others. He will attend upon Death without seeing it, change the fate of the world without knowing it, and inspire sacrifice without understanding it.”
Semi-epic fantasy fiction following a woman who becomes a Magister, thought to be impossible in her world. Based on the athra (soulfire) witch magic of a previous Friedman series, these stories ramp up the sorcery through men, who obtain their power through the soulfire of others, not themselves. But it’s not so simple. Slow paced series opener, establishing atmosphere and characters.
“You dare not regret what you are. Not even for a moment. Human sympathy is anathema to the power that keeps you alive.”
Lots of emotion and misdirected motives. Good conflict and inner voices.
“Tomorrow could not be better if one failed to survive today.”
Manages a satisfying conclusion to the first story with sufficient hooks to draw the reader into subsequent books. Satisfying is a relative term, as some readers will be shocked and dismayed at the denouement of this story.
“He will not be a hero himself, though he will help bring a hero into existence. His strength will never be measured, but he will test the strength of others. He will attend upon Death without seeing it, change the fate of the world without knowing it, and inspire sacrifice without understanding it.”
November 7, 2012
This book-- I have conflicted feelings about this book--but only mildly conflicted because for the most part, I didn't really like it. The female characters were problematic at best. Strong, yes. And under a heavy patriarchal rule, I get that, that's fine. But the three dominant (and only real female characters in the book) have been raped, get raped, or use sex and are utterly dependent on men for their well-being. They are strong women yes, but character wise? Not so much. The strongest was perhaps, the Queen, I can't even remember her name--so of course she was raped for the sake of the plot, and perhaps a future plot point.
Also, for the most part, most of the unnamed men in this book, were portrayed in a really negative light. Not all men are rapists. Not all men are pedophiles. The king, Danton, though made slightly more complex but not by much, was brutish looking and so of course was mean and cruel and it really annoys me how nobility is looked on as nothing but snobbish where the men are lustful and the women are contemputous. Is it present? Well sure. But it irks me that the only people who can be rich and heroic are shown as completely hating this rich life that they lead. See:Andovan. It's a trope that I see in many books. I think a stronger point would have been made if these background characters, rather than being one note to promote the characters good points, were more complex.
Though I have to say I do love the magic system. I think it's pretty clever though the cognitive disconnect that girl has to go through is impressive. It's very difficult for her to be sympathetic. Yes, terrible things happened to her when she was a child. She was a member of the terrible things happening to a peasant girl-child club pretty much so she chooses to live at the expense of others. Can it work? Well yes. But it seems to me that she spent most of the book running away. In fact, that's my problem with the women of this book. For the most part they are reactionary rather than taking action. They change nothing, they just try to fix what has been broken. All the action taken comes from the men like Andovan and Covliar.
Andovan, by the way, is a dumbass. Him faking his death caused a lot more problems then if he would have just told the truth. It just seemed way too convoluted. And then coming back. I don't know,man.
Will I read the next book? Eh, maybe. if I have nothing better to do. I want to find out what happens but for the most part the book irritated me.
Also, the story should have really started at the 250 page mark. Before that it's all buildup and backstory. I realize it's a fantasy novel but then again you can always cut to the meat and backfill later in subtle ways. The writing though is decent enough and can be downright good at times but eh. Eh. I'm afraid some things in this book are way too annoying for me.
Sort of as a post-script. I realize this is also a trend in fantasy and fiction in general and not just limited to one book--but the only people you have specifically of color are foreign or traders or that one pedo guy? Really book? Really? Come on. The world is not white with some black people in it. Racial diversity! Don't be afraid of it!
Also, for the most part, most of the unnamed men in this book, were portrayed in a really negative light. Not all men are rapists. Not all men are pedophiles. The king, Danton, though made slightly more complex but not by much, was brutish looking and so of course was mean and cruel and it really annoys me how nobility is looked on as nothing but snobbish where the men are lustful and the women are contemputous. Is it present? Well sure. But it irks me that the only people who can be rich and heroic are shown as completely hating this rich life that they lead. See:Andovan. It's a trope that I see in many books. I think a stronger point would have been made if these background characters, rather than being one note to promote the characters good points, were more complex.
Though I have to say I do love the magic system. I think it's pretty clever though the cognitive disconnect that girl has to go through is impressive. It's very difficult for her to be sympathetic. Yes, terrible things happened to her when she was a child. She was a member of the terrible things happening to a peasant girl-child club pretty much so she chooses to live at the expense of others. Can it work? Well yes. But it seems to me that she spent most of the book running away. In fact, that's my problem with the women of this book. For the most part they are reactionary rather than taking action. They change nothing, they just try to fix what has been broken. All the action taken comes from the men like Andovan and Covliar.
Andovan, by the way, is a dumbass. Him faking his death caused a lot more problems then if he would have just told the truth. It just seemed way too convoluted. And then coming back. I don't know,man.
Will I read the next book? Eh, maybe. if I have nothing better to do. I want to find out what happens but for the most part the book irritated me.
Also, the story should have really started at the 250 page mark. Before that it's all buildup and backstory. I realize it's a fantasy novel but then again you can always cut to the meat and backfill later in subtle ways. The writing though is decent enough and can be downright good at times but eh. Eh. I'm afraid some things in this book are way too annoying for me.
Sort of as a post-script. I realize this is also a trend in fantasy and fiction in general and not just limited to one book--but the only people you have specifically of color are foreign or traders or that one pedo guy? Really book? Really? Come on. The world is not white with some black people in it. Racial diversity! Don't be afraid of it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2009
Just finished this and I'm pretty pumped about starting the 2nd book in the series. It seems like the first really original fantasy book that I've read in a long while. It's actually NOT about some amazingly all-powerful magical object that can only be wielded by one person in the entire world, who must then take it across the realm to some dark and terrible place. Madness. I guess if I have to compare it to another fantasy series it would be George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire but so far it's got a faster pace and is much easier to read in general. Also, the majority of the characters are actually likable. There are a few things about her writing style that kind of bother me (I'd list them but I'd rather not ruin it for you if you're actually planning on reading it) and if it weren't for those few things you can just bet your ass that this would be getting 5 stars instead of 4.
June 21, 2016
1.5/5; 2 stars; C-
I finally finished this book, but, sadly, only because my garden is so freaking huge that it took me about 10 hours to weed it and I just left the audiobook running while I worked. I know a lot of people loved this story but it did not grab me. I couldn't really feel connected to any of the characters and couldn't get excited about the plot. I started this book last year and tried a few times to get into it. I should have just let it go.
I finally finished this book, but, sadly, only because my garden is so freaking huge that it took me about 10 hours to weed it and I just left the audiobook running while I worked. I know a lot of people loved this story but it did not grab me. I couldn't really feel connected to any of the characters and couldn't get excited about the plot. I started this book last year and tried a few times to get into it. I should have just let it go.
November 26, 2017
sporo postaci i dziwnych imion. czasami się gubiłam 😁
September 21, 2019
I was interested to read a fantasy novel with a unique twist on vampires but this ultimately wasn't as exiting as I'd hoped. There were a lot of characters I didn't care about and it was difficult to connect with the female protagonist. It wasn't terrible but I skimmed a lot and it left me feeling meh.
June 2, 2013
Terrible, terrible, terrible!
I just don't understand all the rave reviews - on picking up this book I was under the impression it would make for a good fantasy read but I couldn't make myself get halfway through.
So, you get a universe where witchery consumes the souls of female witches, while males can apparently become "Magisters", and thus use magic unlimitedly without making themselves die. At the same time, the prince Andovan is riddled by a terrible disease, and in the wake of some more events, starts a journey to find out who is making him sick. So, what was so bad about this?
First of all, the characters and their names. My God, what kind of third grade author names characters "Andovan" or "Colivar"? This was just a first hint of how un-inspired the whole book is. Very bad naming, and even worse, character development (at least up to 45% of the book, as my e-reader pointed, moment I gave up on it). Now, the characters. Andovan is by far the most stereotypical character: he is obviously better in many ways than his princely brothers, kind-hearted, honourable, brave and of course, incredibly determined. Ethanus, typical mentor character, with nothing special. Danton, typical short-sighted king, temperamental and oblivious to the bad fermenting next to him. The rest: very predictable. The only like-able character is Kamala, but even she has bouts of incredible stupidity that make one wonder how on Earth she became a Magister.
Secondly, plot development - no actual subtlety on C.S. Friedman's part. She is very clumsy in introducing new characters and new plot subparts, it's as if they're shouted in CAPS LOCK in readers' faces. You don't actually get to figure anything out on your own, but you don't really need to, since there really isn't much this book brings to the scene.
Thirdly, it just seems like a bad mix of previous fantasies, with very little consistency altogether. Just like a re-hash of previous stuff: you get some sorcerers, some fancy (and ridiculous) names, some BAD, EVIL souleaters, some stereotypical good guys, and voila, fantasy book churned out. There was no complexity to the magic system, it's as if the author selected the easy way out. What exactly and how exactly did Kamala learn all that she did? OH well, we don't actually find out. One moment, she is a teenage whore and the next, she can suddenly transform into a bird.
Lastly, and most disturbing, is the writing style. Maybe it's just not my thing, but I find the author's affected way of writing disturbing. Particularly when writing about Andovan or Kamala, every 5 lines she feels the need to emphasize how great they are in a way or another. While her style is not entirely unpleasant in itself, this becomes a real hindrance. Combined with the predictability of the plot it just made it a chore to get through this.
All in all, a big disappointment.
I just don't understand all the rave reviews - on picking up this book I was under the impression it would make for a good fantasy read but I couldn't make myself get halfway through.
So, you get a universe where witchery consumes the souls of female witches, while males can apparently become "Magisters", and thus use magic unlimitedly without making themselves die. At the same time, the prince Andovan is riddled by a terrible disease, and in the wake of some more events, starts a journey to find out who is making him sick. So, what was so bad about this?
First of all, the characters and their names. My God, what kind of third grade author names characters "Andovan" or "Colivar"? This was just a first hint of how un-inspired the whole book is. Very bad naming, and even worse, character development (at least up to 45% of the book, as my e-reader pointed, moment I gave up on it). Now, the characters. Andovan is by far the most stereotypical character: he is obviously better in many ways than his princely brothers, kind-hearted, honourable, brave and of course, incredibly determined. Ethanus, typical mentor character, with nothing special. Danton, typical short-sighted king, temperamental and oblivious to the bad fermenting next to him. The rest: very predictable. The only like-able character is Kamala, but even she has bouts of incredible stupidity that make one wonder how on Earth she became a Magister.
Secondly, plot development - no actual subtlety on C.S. Friedman's part. She is very clumsy in introducing new characters and new plot subparts, it's as if they're shouted in CAPS LOCK in readers' faces. You don't actually get to figure anything out on your own, but you don't really need to, since there really isn't much this book brings to the scene.
Thirdly, it just seems like a bad mix of previous fantasies, with very little consistency altogether. Just like a re-hash of previous stuff: you get some sorcerers, some fancy (and ridiculous) names, some BAD, EVIL souleaters, some stereotypical good guys, and voila, fantasy book churned out. There was no complexity to the magic system, it's as if the author selected the easy way out. What exactly and how exactly did Kamala learn all that she did? OH well, we don't actually find out. One moment, she is a teenage whore and the next, she can suddenly transform into a bird.
Lastly, and most disturbing, is the writing style. Maybe it's just not my thing, but I find the author's affected way of writing disturbing. Particularly when writing about Andovan or Kamala, every 5 lines she feels the need to emphasize how great they are in a way or another. While her style is not entirely unpleasant in itself, this becomes a real hindrance. Combined with the predictability of the plot it just made it a chore to get through this.
All in all, a big disappointment.
March 26, 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 Friedman's characteristic hallmarks -- strong female characters -- willful and hurt, as well as some of her typical male leads -- the noble and kind self-sacrificial males and the alien, detached ones who yet have some kind of compassion. The rules of her world are again as merciless as they should be... Which provides a wonderful backdrop to the drama that she sets in motion in this book.
I look forward to watching as she weaves this skein to its conclusion.
Bravo!
That's a beautiful thing.
This book has many of CS Friedman's characteristic hallmarks -- strong female characters -- willful and hurt, as well as some of her typical male leads -- the noble and kind self-sacrificial males and the alien, detached ones who yet have some kind of compassion. The rules of her world are again as merciless as they should be... Which provides a wonderful backdrop to the drama that she sets in motion in this book.
I look forward to watching as she weaves this skein to its conclusion.
Bravo!
October 2, 2011
With all three out now of this awesome trilogy, it may just be time to pick up this little gem. Please check out my full review HERE
December 16, 2013
Very good epic fantasy that gets out of its own way. Only the basic world building frees the reader to invest in plot and characters.
http://www.staffersbookreview.com/201...
http://www.staffersbookreview.com/201...
August 26, 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....
October 22, 2018
Previous to reading this book I have read all of Friedmann’s other novels (aside from the Magister series) and really enjoyed them. I ended up really enjoying this book first novel in the Magister series as well. This is a beautifully written epic fantasy series with engaging characters, an interesting magic system, and an intricate plot.
I listened to this on audiobook and it was very well done. I thoroughly enjoyed this as an audiobook and plan on listening to the rest of the series on audiobook as well. I would definitely recommend if you enjoy audiobooks.
The story follow a number of different characters. The first of these is Kamala, a young woman who is determined to become a Magister when previously only men have become Magisters. The second is Andovan, a young prince who is suffering from a wasting disease and decides to strike out on his own to find the cause of this illness. We also hear from a number of Magisters, the mad king Danton, and the king’s wife Gwen.
I love the magic system in this book. It is intriguing and interesting to learn about. All the characters are very engaging and easy to read about, even the evil ones. The story is complex but easy to follow and has themes of good vs evil. I also love all the thoughts and questions around how magic is used and if the Magisters lives are really worth more than anyone else's.
Overall this was an excellent epic fantasy read. I would recommend to those who enjoy epic fantasies with interesting magic systems and classic themes of good vs evil.
I listened to this on audiobook and it was very well done. I thoroughly enjoyed this as an audiobook and plan on listening to the rest of the series on audiobook as well. I would definitely recommend if you enjoy audiobooks.
The story follow a number of different characters. The first of these is Kamala, a young woman who is determined to become a Magister when previously only men have become Magisters. The second is Andovan, a young prince who is suffering from a wasting disease and decides to strike out on his own to find the cause of this illness. We also hear from a number of Magisters, the mad king Danton, and the king’s wife Gwen.
I love the magic system in this book. It is intriguing and interesting to learn about. All the characters are very engaging and easy to read about, even the evil ones. The story is complex but easy to follow and has themes of good vs evil. I also love all the thoughts and questions around how magic is used and if the Magisters lives are really worth more than anyone else's.
Overall this was an excellent epic fantasy read. I would recommend to those who enjoy epic fantasies with interesting magic systems and classic themes of good vs evil.
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