Publishing Information:
Publisher: Penguin Publishing; 1 September 1992
ISBN: 978-0886775278
ASIN: B00452V3YG
Series: Coldfire Trilogy #1
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson
Amazon
Synopsis: "The Coldfire trilogy tells a story of discovery and battle against evil on a planet where a force of nature exists that is capable of reshaping the world in response to psychic stimulus. This terrifying force, much like magic, has the power to prey upon the human mind, drawing forth a person's worst nightmare images or most treasured dreams and indiscriminately giving them life. This is the story of two men: one, a warrior priest ready to sacrifice anything and everything for the cause of humanity's progress; the other, a sorcerer who has survived for countless centuries by a total submission to evil. They are absolute enemies who must unite to conquer an evil greater than anything their world has ever known."
After reading the short story/novella Dominion (see last week's review), I had to quickly jump into the series to see if it was just as enthralling.
Black Sun Rising is the first in the Coldfire Trilogy. From what I can gather from the first novel, mankind has reached the stars and one bold group of colonists landed on the planet of Erna, over the millennia, mankind has lost the ability travel the stars as they now rely on the strange magical forces that are bound to the planet.
The humans that have colonized the planet are led by the church which does its best to curb the use of the magic found on the planet. However, the fae, or magic that is found on the planet is also sentient and manipulates and preys on the human's mind. Some sorcerers can bend the fae to their will.
Enter our two protagonists. First off is Gerald Tarrant, the undead sorcerer. He is a very compelling character, very powerful and mysterious. He instantly became a favorite in the series. There is also the church's representative, Damien Vyce. He is one of the church's warrior priests. A paladin if you will. The two individuals must come together to solve the problem of the rising powers of the fae. Of course there is also a female lead, Ciani, who is an Adept, someone who can work the fae to her will.
The story does move a little more slowly that most of the novels that I have been reading recently, and usually that would be the books downfall; however, because of the great writing put forth by Friedman and the way that Gerald manipulates those around him and that his undertaking of this mission is still a bit of a mystery, really gets under your skin and makes it hard to turn away from the book.
The magic system is also very fascinating. While you can manipulate the planet's fae, or magic, you must also be aware that it can overwhelm you as well. It is nearly as powerful as the Adepts, and in some cases far more powerful than an Adept.
The world building is interesting. We know that it is the future, but for some reason the colonists have reverted back to a medieval setting. It might be the magic has had something to do with it or perhaps it is something completely different. But, it is an interesting conundrum.
After reading Dominion and Black Sun Rising, I am a fan of C.S. Friedman. As I write this review I have not completed the trilogy, but plan to in the very near future. Recommended.
Plot 9/10
Characters 7/10
Style 8/10
Overall 8.5/10
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