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mrbear's review
5.0
This book was pretty sweet (though if I were able to, I'd probably give it 4.5 stars because it wasn't quite as enjoyable as Mistborn), and definitely worth a read. The writing is occasionally too blunt, but generally the plot is pretty good, and some of the characters are extremely interesting (mostly just Tarrant and the Priest, since Ciani and Senzei are both quite boring/one dimensional). I never had trouble getting through this book, and am definitely looking forward to the next 2 in the series.
hidodey's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bucketsjen's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
The Coldfire Trilogy is a classic science fantasy series - with a developed magical system, solid plot, and characters who can feel typical to those familiar with the genre but who are easy to get attached to nonetheless (even if there are times I wanted to reach through the book to smack them upside the head).
joshhall13's review
5.0
This epic fantasy does something few books of this genre can. It held my attention through every page of the massive volume.
I really want to continue the series, but damn the book is so long... hmm.
I really want to continue the series, but damn the book is so long... hmm.
pronkbaggins's review
4.0
3.75/5 stars
Well. I picked up this book because it was one of the top sci-fi series to start, apparently. When I started it, I was confused as to how this could be considered sci-fi, as it seemed like an epic dark fantasy. Well, it's both.
The book is filled with a rich world and lots of great imagery. I would say it is more of an epic fantasy with science fiction elements. The story is intriguing enough for me to move forward to the second book in the trilogy.
That being said, I wish that I connected to some of the characters a little bit more. Some of the main characters were interesting, but I just did not connect to them.
The epilogue was one of my favorite parts, which is rare. It was an entertaining read!
Well. I picked up this book because it was one of the top sci-fi series to start, apparently. When I started it, I was confused as to how this could be considered sci-fi, as it seemed like an epic dark fantasy. Well, it's both.
The book is filled with a rich world and lots of great imagery. I would say it is more of an epic fantasy with science fiction elements. The story is intriguing enough for me to move forward to the second book in the trilogy.
That being said, I wish that I connected to some of the characters a little bit more. Some of the main characters were interesting, but I just did not connect to them.
Spoiler
I wish I could have connected to Ciani more, but I did not really feel much for the character. She seemed really cool, but I could not understand why everyone was so moved by her, because as the reader I did not get that connection. I felt more connected to Hesseth than Ciani. Moreover, I know that the characters were surviving and traumatized at every corner, but I was shocked that Ciani did not grieve Senzei's death more. They had such a strong bond of friendship. There was a lot accomplished by the book, but I think it lacked some depth in character developmentThe epilogue was one of my favorite parts, which is rare. It was an entertaining read!
ngreads's review
5.0
First off, Gerald. I feel like that is enough reason to love this book. Terrible person, wonderful character. Loved him.
On a more in-depth note...
So glad I found this gem at a used bookstore. This book was different from anything I’ve read before. The world building was detailed and unique, the characters compelling and complex, and the writing absolutely fantastic. The way that the book’s structure itself is used for pacing and the way that the writing itself feels is just an experience in and of itself.
Absolutely wonderful. What else can I say?
(As an aside, that cover. Michael Whelan does it again. Period.)
On a more in-depth note...
So glad I found this gem at a used bookstore. This book was different from anything I’ve read before. The world building was detailed and unique, the characters compelling and complex, and the writing absolutely fantastic. The way that the book’s structure itself is used for pacing and the way that the writing itself feels is just an experience in and of itself.
Absolutely wonderful. What else can I say?
(As an aside, that cover. Michael Whelan does it again. Period.)
elllljayyyy's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
3.0
First published in 1991, this chunky volume is the opening book in the Coldfire Trilogy. It largely reads like fantasy, complete with sorcerors and demons, but has some science-fiction trappings. In the years that it waited neglected on my shelves, I read the prologue a couple of times and set it aside without being hoooked. This time, knowing that people I respect had loved the book, I persisted.
Spoilers ahead.
In this case, I didn't initially like the characters. All told, there are approximately a dozen point-of-view characters, but one of them, Damien, receives considerably the largest page count. And I didn't find Damien an immersive, fully convincing character. He is a man of a faith, a priest whose religion guides his life, yet that aspect of his character didn't communicate itself at all well to me. [The "to me" is important -- every reader comes to a book with a different background and so reacts differently.] Likewise, fairly early in the story, Damien falls in love, but this, too, didn't feel convincing to me. And the book lacked touches that would have made me warm to him quickly: acts of kindness, moments of diffidence, certain types of humor and fallibility. I only gradually and incompletely came to sympathize with him.
Another of the major characters has aspects that incline me to sympathize with him: his isolation, his commitment, his rather snarky attitude, yet I found it difficult-to-impossible to get past certain extravagantly repellent acts of his.
Overall, I enjoyed this moderately rather than extravagantly, and am in no immediate hurry to progress to book two. Three out of five middling stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Spoilers ahead.
Spoiler
I can see why they enjoyed "Black Sun Rising." The worldbuilding is improbable if viewed as science fiction, but allows for a detailed and unusual mix of an alien planet and sorcerous powers. The plot is dramatic and energetic, the main characters frequently in a crisis. The use of magical healing means that they can sustain what would otherwise be lethal injuries yet continue their adventures the next day. This last point is one I usually consider a weakness rather than a strength, but can make for a page-turner provided I like the characters.In this case, I didn't initially like the characters. All told, there are approximately a dozen point-of-view characters, but one of them, Damien, receives considerably the largest page count. And I didn't find Damien an immersive, fully convincing character. He is a man of a faith, a priest whose religion guides his life, yet that aspect of his character didn't communicate itself at all well to me. [The "to me" is important -- every reader comes to a book with a different background and so reacts differently.] Likewise, fairly early in the story, Damien falls in love, but this, too, didn't feel convincing to me. And the book lacked touches that would have made me warm to him quickly: acts of kindness, moments of diffidence, certain types of humor and fallibility. I only gradually and incompletely came to sympathize with him.
Another of the major characters has aspects that incline me to sympathize with him: his isolation, his commitment, his rather snarky attitude, yet I found it difficult-to-impossible to get past certain extravagantly repellent acts of his.
Overall, I enjoyed this moderately rather than extravagantly, and am in no immediate hurry to progress to book two. Three out of five middling stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
spitzig's review
3.0
I liked the moral ambiguity. I liked her idea of a fantasy world created by belief. The characters were pretty good. Well, the priest and the evil protagonist were the only real characters.
sonice's review
4.0
3.5 stars. One the one hand, the world this is set in is fascinating. I love how the whole planet is just one evolutionary butterfly effect. It's much more science fiction than fantasy, which made it easier for me to roll with the fairly soft magic system; it comes across as a natural phenomenon that's just not completely understood yet, and I expect moving into books 2 and 3 that we'll get some more answers as to what makes it all tick.
On the other hand, the plot wasn't the greatest and most of the characters weren't all that great either (with one major exception). If you lifted these aspects out and imposed them onto a typical medieval-fantasy world, I don't think this would have been nearly so much fun. Not bad, but not all that good either.
I do have to acknowledge that, despite having some undeniable problems, this book kept me interested right up to the very end. I will be moving in to "When True Night Falls" shortly.
On the other hand, the plot wasn't the greatest and most of the characters weren't all that great either (with one major exception). If you lifted these aspects out and imposed them onto a typical medieval-fantasy world, I don't think this would have been nearly so much fun. Not bad, but not all that good either.
I do have to acknowledge that, despite having some undeniable problems, this book kept me interested right up to the very end. I will be moving in to "When True Night Falls" shortly.