Legacy of Kings by C.S. Friedman

The conclusion to C.S. Friedman's Magister Trilogy.  (First book: Feast of Souls; second book: Wings of Wrath)

Legacy of Kings is an extremely satisfying climax to one of the most enjoyable fantasy series I've read.  Mysteries that are hinted at in the earlier books become clear in Legacy of Kings, and certain characters reach their full and ridiculously awesome potential!

Wings of Wrath by C.S. Friedman

Wings of Wrath is the sequel to Feast of Souls, and is the second book in Friedman's Magister Trilogy. This book made the Magister series even more compelling. I cannot wait for the third book, the ending of Wings of Wrath left a bunch of questions that I want answers to badly. It isn't expected to be released until May 2011, and that makes me very sad.


This book focuses on the world's fight against the terrifying "soul eaters" that are gradually returning, and various more complicated politics of the setting. Some of the characters in the background of the previous book got real, real interesting in Wings of Wrath. I especially enjoyed the Witch-Queen's chapters. She has incredibly fascinating motivations and perspectives.

I almost never enjoy reading sex-scenes. They do nothing for me and usually just make me cringe. At best, I normally feel like sex-scenes are a necessary evil for showing characters' relationships. In Wings of Wrath, CS Friedman wrote some amazing seduction scenes. They were vivid and tasteful and I actually enjoyed reading them. It was weird.

If you have any interest in fantasy books and haven't yet read Friedman, fix that now. Go get Feast of Souls and Wings of Wrath!

Feast of Souls by C.S. Friedman

This was the first book in C.S. Friedman's Magisters Trilogy. The Magisters setting is a world in which magic can be practiced only at the cost of minutes of life. Witches burn through their own life ("soulfire") to do magic, while Magisters possess a more mysterious source for their power. The story follows, among others, a girl named Kamala who wants to be powerful despite her traumatizing upbringing and inherent limitations. Other characters' story lines diverge and collide with hers throughout the book as Kamala figures out her power.


I originally read this book in college. It was recommended by a friend and was the first C.S. Friedman book I read. I had to read it again recently since I had forgotten too many details to properly enjoy the next book in the series (Wings of Wrath). I feel like I got more out of the book the second time. My original recollections about the book were that it was pretty much about Kamala and her adventures. On the second reading, the other plot lines seemed more relevant and the story that appears to be the focus of the entire series seemed to be more of the book's point.

Either way, it's a great story! C.S. Friedman's writing is almost always on the darkest edge of what I chose to read, as far as sex and violence, but she writes so well that it doesn't bother me. Her books tend to have memorable antiheroes. There are rarely characters that are simply good guys or bad guys. Almost all the characters in each of her books are flawed, but still have intentions and motivations you can relate to to some extent, and Feast of Souls is no exception. The main character is very, very flawed but still someone you will want to see come out ahead.

I am currently reading the second Magisters book, and the third one is anticipated for May 2011, but I don't hesitate to recommend this series to fantasy enthusiasts! All of C.S. Friedman's books are definitely worth checking out, and the Magisters Trilogy promises to be her most solid story yet. If you like interesting settings, complicated characters, and exciting adventure I can't recommend this series enough.