Pages: 582
ISBN: 9781841495323
Buy it from The Book Depository
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 a groundbreaking new fantasy novel, FEAST OF SOULS, she introduces us to a terrifying new world in which the cost of magic is just that--a world 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 terrifying 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.
The Verdict
I came across Feast of Souls while frantically searching my local library for something I haven't read yet. The cover looked intriguing and the promise of a 'dark fantasy' clenched the deal.
Having never read anything by Friedman I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly suprised. Her style reminds me of the dark twist that Brent Weeks gives his main characters. The most interesting part is how she creates a world where magic is fueled by soul energy. For each magical act the caster has to give up a bit of their life or, in the case of Magisters, that of their consorts.
There are no clear-cut heroes and the almost vampiric relationship between Magister and consort is something that makes you consider the morality of each character and the world they reside in.
I blew through the 582 pages within two days wanting to see how things turn out. While this is the first novel in a trilogy the ending provides enough closure to satisfy while at the same time making you yearn for more.
This is epic fantasy at it's best and I can't wait to get hold of the rest of the books in the trilogy. The second novel is already available, but the third is still a work in progress.
I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of Celia Friedman's work. If you like fantasy with a dark twist then this is definitely a novel to add to your reading list!
Rating 7.5/10
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