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A review by songwind
Feast of Souls by C.S. Friedman
4.0
Friedman excels at writing conflicted protagonists. Feast of Souls is no exception.
Kamala is a young woman sold by her mother into prostitution at a young age. After years of suffering through it, she has learned that she is one of a few people who can use "witchery," the ability to turn one's own life force into magic. The unfortunate and predictable consequence of this is an early death. Kamala sets out to learn to be a Magister - one of a group of men who have discovered how to use their magic without meeting that untimely demise. The problem is, no woman has ever done it, and the Magisters' wisdom says it can't be done.
As she moves through this new world, Kamala becomes embroiled in the politics of Magisters, and of normal kings and princes. All of it takes place against the backdrop of the reemergence of an ancient and terrible threat.
Friedman does a very good job of balancing the extremely personal stories of Kamala and a few others against the world-affecting events. Neither feels as though it has been glossed over or given unwarranted prominence. By the end of the book, several long-term storylines for the series has been established, and the single book plot arcs have been deftly brought to a close. The magical schtick of her world is interesting without being overwhelming. All in all, an excellent book, and just what I expected from Friedman after Coldfire and stand-alone works like This Alien Shore.
Kamala is a young woman sold by her mother into prostitution at a young age. After years of suffering through it, she has learned that she is one of a few people who can use "witchery," the ability to turn one's own life force into magic. The unfortunate and predictable consequence of this is an early death. Kamala sets out to learn to be a Magister - one of a group of men who have discovered how to use their magic without meeting that untimely demise. The problem is, no woman has ever done it, and the Magisters' wisdom says it can't be done.
As she moves through this new world, Kamala becomes embroiled in the politics of Magisters, and of normal kings and princes. All of it takes place against the backdrop of the reemergence of an ancient and terrible threat.
Friedman does a very good job of balancing the extremely personal stories of Kamala and a few others against the world-affecting events. Neither feels as though it has been glossed over or given unwarranted prominence. By the end of the book, several long-term storylines for the series has been established, and the single book plot arcs have been deftly brought to a close. The magical schtick of her world is interesting without being overwhelming. All in all, an excellent book, and just what I expected from Friedman after Coldfire and stand-alone works like This Alien Shore.