Feast of Souls (Magister Series #1)

by C. S. Friedman

Overview

A new trilogy of epic adventure from one of the finest writers in modern fantasy

C.S. Friedman, acclaimed author of The Coldfire Trilogy, returns to the epic style which has made her one of the most popular fantasy writers in the genre. In this first book of the trilogy, Friedman introduces readers to a world of high fantasy, replete with vampire-like magical powers, erotic interludes, treachery, war, sorcery, and a draconic creature of horrific power and evil that will have readers eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780756404635
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	02/05/2008
Series:	Magister , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	576
Sales rank:	691,501
Product dimensions:	6.76(w) x 10.88(h) x 1.53(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

An acknowledged master of Dark Fantasy, Celia Friedman is a John W. Campbell award finalist, and the author of the highly acclaimed Coldfire Trilogy, New York Times Notable Book of the Year This Alien Shore, In Conquest Born, The Madness Season, The Wilding and The Magister Trilogy.  Ms. Friedman worked for twenty years as a professional costume designer, but retired from that career in 1996 to focus on her writing. She lives in Virginia, and can be contacted via her website, www.csfriedman.com.

Table of Contents

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"C.S. Friedman makes fantastic things-and frightening things-seem very real...If you haven't read her work you need to do something about that right now." -Tad Williams "Imaginative, deftly plotted fantasy." -Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

"C.S. Friedman makes fantastic things-and frightening things-seem very real...If you haven't read her work you need to do something about that right now." -Tad Williams "Imaginative, deftly plotted fantasy." -Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

In this imaginative, deftly plotted fantasy from Friedman (The Wilding), the first of a new trilogy, a female witch's magic comes at a terrible cost: her own finite life force, which drains away with each spell. Nearly immortal male Magisters, on the other hand, tap a more murderous fuel for their power. No woman has ever found its source, until young Kamala, hardened by life as a child whore, insists on an apprenticeship and secretly becomes an unheard-of female Magister. Meanwhile, Prince Andovan, third son of the avaricious King Danton, is expiring from the baffling Wasting disease, which can only be caused by a Magister. When the enraged king banishes his right-hand Magister, the mysterious and sinister Kostas takes his place, much to the dismay of Andovan's benevolent mother, Queen Gwenofar. As the kingdom threatens to spiral toward a dark age, Kamala and Andovan find their fates entwined. Readers will eagerly await the next installment. (Jan.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

While witches spend their own life force to power their magic, shortening their existence with each use of their gift, wizards draw their magic from a source known only to themselves. No woman has ever mastered the right to call herself a magister-until a young woman named Kamela discovers the sacrifice that transforms her into something more than a witch, and her power may be the spark that brings the world to the brink of madness. The author of the best-selling "Coldfire Trilogy" (Black Sun Rising; When True Night Falls; Crown of Shadows) creates a world in which magic comes with a high price and the world's greatest struggles occur within the souls of men and women. Friedman's storytelling acumen and her ability to create unforgettably complex characters make this series opener an essential addition to any library's fantasy collection. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Start of a new fantasy trilogy-an elaborate vampire variant-from the author of the Coldfire trilogy (Crown of Shadows, 1995, etc.). At the court of King Danton Aurelius, Magisters (immortal sorcerers) have gathered to examine Prince Andovan and discuss his debilitating ailment. Cynical southern Magister Colivar confirms that Andovan has the incurable "Wasting." What the Magisters know, and what nobody else must ever learn, is that the Wasting is caused by the Magisters themselves, who drain their "consorts" of life-essence in order to power their magic. When the consort dies, the Magister simply fastens on another victim. Meanwhile, ill-used, red-headed peasant girl Kamala, who has powerful sorcery (but is reckoned a witch, since she has no consort) demands that reclusive Magister Ethanus train her to become a Magister. Ethanus carefully explains that women cannot ever become Magisters due to some constitutional weakness. Kamala persists nonetheless and-no surprise-becomes the first female Magister. With her vast power but poor control, she needs to pose as a mere witch in order to learn. Colivar, meanwhile, perceives that the cause of Andovan's Wasting is an unknown female with magisterial powers. Andovan, determined to learn the truth, plots with Colivar to fake his suicide. Royal Magister Ramirus and Danton are fooled by Andovan's fatal plummet from the rooftops; furious, Danton dismisses Ramirus and hires the ill-favored and sinister Kostas to replace him. Kamala, when molested by a Magister, kills her antagonist-thus becoming a target for other Magisters to hunt down and slay. Among other complications, the long-suppressed conflict between the warrior-heroes of old and theiradversaries, the demons, seems about to burst into flame. Well-fashioned and often absorbing, if hampered by a dearth of sympathetic characters. A good start to the trilogy. Agent: Russell Galen/Scovil Chichak Galen Literary Agency

Kirkus Reviews