In this documentary covering CS Friedman’s life and work, you'll also receive exclusive interviews and storytelling tips for how to shift paradigms with your own sci-fi/fantasy stories.
CS Friedman is the queen of Westworld-like twists peppered throughout each story that build toward a "WAIT WTF!!!" conclusion.
Her novels won acclaim with readers as well as critics. The books hit best-seller lists. They won awards. They expanded a culture of fantasy fiction whose magic depends as much on rules as miracles. They demonstrated how often good fantasy is just good science fiction.
Resources and further reading from the documentary
In Conquest Born Reviews
Science Fiction Reads: Canadian BookTuber “Top 10 Lesser Known Science Fiction Novels” (10:55 timestamp)
Black Sun Rising Reviews
Booklist: “This tale definitely straddles the border between fantasy and sf, appealing to readers of both in the manner of Bradley’s chronicles of Darkover or McCaffrey’s of Pern…well-chosen detail continues to bring her worlds and characters to life quite well. So her latest is for anyone who cares for its kind of quest-romance.”
Library Journal: “Friedman has produced a splendid hybrid of sf and fantasy in this first volume of a trilogy. Hauntingly memorable protagonists, high drama, and vivid world-building mark the beginning of what promises to be a magnum opus of the imagination. A priority purchase for fantasy or sf collections.”
Locus: “Friedman has always been notable for the complex quirky detail work that makes her worlds fascinatingly memorable places to visit, and this is no exception. The style is lyric and fanciful, with arresting imagery…classic high fantasy.”
Locus: “Stunning…combines good historical world-building, vampires, religion, and transcendance in a tale that is both entertaining and carthartic…A feast for those who like their fantasies dark, and as emotionally heady as a rich, red wine.”
Science Fiction Review: “This book is a work of great power…some of the best writing I have seen in quite a while, and the ending is excellent. Very highly recommended.”
Midwest Book Review: “Friedman’s powerful drama is easily absorbed-and hard to put down.”
When True Night Falls Reviews
Library Journal: “Warrior priest Damien Vryce and immortal sorcerer Gerald Tarrant reunite in an uneasy alliance to combat an evil that threatens the delicate stability of life on Erna. There the mysterious force known as the “fae” conjures monsters from the stuff of dreams. This sequel to Black Sun Rising ( LJ 11/15/91) secures Friedman’s reputation both as a gifted storyteller and an innovative creator. A good choice for most libraries.”
Booklist: “On the planet Erma, humans have survived for 12 centuries in uneasy coexistence with the fae, a natural force with paranormal powers. Now those powers and the hostility of the fae are increasing, human survival on Erma is threatened, and a human priest-warrior and a native Erman female must go on a quest in search of a solution to the burgeoning conflict. This tale definitely straddles the border between fantasy and sf, appealing to readers of both in the manner of Bradley’s chronicles of Darkover or McCaffrey’s of Pern.”
Kirkus Reviews: “Second volume in the Cold Fire trilogy (after the well- received Black Sun Rising, 1991–not reviewed)–a disquieting hybrid epic with a science-fiction backdrop (starship colonists marooned on a remote, hostile planet) and a fantasy plotline: to survive, humanity must battle planet Erna’s inimical fae, a sort of evil magic, not to mention the cat-like natives, human sorcerers, demons, and what-all. Not for the purists, but competently wrought, independently intelligible, reasonably engaging, and worth a try for eclectic readers.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “Friedman writes cogently on the nature of human desire for knowledge and the dangerous covenants necessary to attain it.”
Library Journal: “This sequel to BLACK SUN RISING secures Friedman’s reputation both as a gifted storyteller and an innovative creator.”
KLIATT: “Exciting, at times hypnotic, this is a worthy successor to BLACK SUN RISING.”
Crown of Shadows Reviews
Book List: “Readers who have followed Friedman through Black Sun Rising and When True Night Falls will not be disappointed by this stout romance that concludes another fantasy trilogy. Here are Friedman’s usual virtues: plenty of action, brisk pacing, and characters and settings painted with broad strokes and vivid colors.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “This closing volume of Friedman’s Coldfire trilogy ably concludes one of the better fantasy series in recent memory…readers will be enthralled…(Friedman’s) general mastery of her material should delight her fans.”
Locus: “Stunning…Combines good historical world-building, vampires, religion, and transcendence in a tale that is both entertaining and cathartic. A feast for those who like their fantasies dark, and as emotionally heady as a rich, red wine.”
Library Journal: “Complex and compelling…. The richly detailed setting and strong supporting characters give substance to a tale that explores the consequences of embracing evil in hopes of achieving its redemption.”
Romantic Times: “Words do not suffice to describe the sheer imaginative genius, not to mention incredible power, of Ms. Friedman’s formidable storytelling gift–you simply have to experience it.”
This Alien Shore Reviews
Russ Allberry: “Friedman’s the sort of author who won’t be to everyone’s tastes. You have to have some tolerance for her tendency to write grand clashes of power between highly flawed, aggressively emotional people.”
Publishers Weekly: “Friedman keeps her tale moving at a vigorous pace that’s boosted through an abundance of well-chosen details, such as those accruing to the characterization of Jamisia’s unruly guest personality. The novel may read like a cross between cyberpunk and Star Wars, but it is likely to hold readers’ interest tenaciously. The ending neither requires nor precludes a sequel, so readers are left with some hope of again encountering Jamisia and the duel between the Guild and Earth that backdrops her adventures.”
Amazon.com: “C.S. Friedman’s galaxy full of altered humanities and vicious politics has room in it for tenderness and honor; this is a satisfying space opera because it is full of characters, some of whom will do the right thing. She is good on what stays the same when things change–the austere, mad, security expert Masada and the sweet slob Phoenix are recognizable types, but attractively individualized.”
NYT Book Review: “In interweaving the many threads of her narrative, Friedman has created a potent metaphor for the toleration of diversity”
SF Review: “Very highly recommended”
The Magister Trilogy Reviews
Publishers Weekly: “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.”
Booklist: “For the Magister Trilogy, Friedman conjures a world in which the price of using magic is the death of either the magician or a consort on whose life force he feeds. Ordinary witches usually die young. But magisters–all male, for it is believed that women cannot make the transition from witch to magister–are practically immortal, taking consort after consort and using them up. Prince Andovan, son of a powerful king, has fallen ill with a wasting disease. When his father consults the magisters, they realize that an unknown magister has taken the prince for a consort. They won’t say so, however, for that would put their lives and power at risk. But Magister Colivar helps the prince fake a suicide to track down his unknown exploiter. King Danton, driven nearly mad by his son’s “death,” falls victim to a souleater, which is worse than a magister. Magisters are parasitic; souleaters can destroy the world. Powerful, intricate plotting and gripping characters distinguish a book in which ethical dilemmas are essential and engrossing.”
Dreamwalker Trilogy Reviews
“Dreamwalker is nerve-twisting and fascinating. Siblings Jesse and Tommy are tangled in a murderous genetic bait-and-switch that transcends worlds and time…. Waiting for the next book will be tough!” — Tamora Pierce, New York Times-bestselling author of the Song of Lioness series
“[C.S. Friedman] writes bright, clear prose that can shine like gemstones or cut like broken glass. If you haven’t read her work you need to do something about that right now.” — Tad Williams, New York Times-bestselling author of the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series
“Once again, CS Friedman shows us strong characters and innovative magic that transcend genre. Dreamwalker is a satisfying read for long-time fans, but will also serve to showcase her work to a whole new generation.” — Peter V. Brett, New York Times-bestselling author of the Demon Cycle series
“There is plenty of suspense; some affecting, mild horror scenes; and intriguing hints at a much deeper game being played, with Jesse as the pawn.” ―Booklist
“Friedman skillfully blends science fiction and fantasy elements, tying them together with fairy tales and solid worldbuilding.” — Publishers Weekly
“Friedman does many things well in this novel, and her experience as an engaging storyteller is on full display…. Friedman shows that her writing and storytelling abilities are strong, regardless of what type of story she’s telling.” — Tor.com
“The fast pace and younger protagonist will make this an obvious crossover book for YA readers, appealing…to those teens (and adults) who enjoy Cassandra Clare.” — Library Journal
“Friedman does a great job at expanding upon the foundation she put in place in Dreamweaver.” ―Bookworm Blues
“Dreamseeker cemented this trilogy as one that I’m truly invested in.” ―No More Grumpy Bookseller
This Virtual Night Reviews
Publisher’s Weekly: “The long-awaited second entry in Friedman’s Outworlds series (after 1998’s This Alien Shore) will only whet the appetites of hard sci-fi fans for more adventures set in Friedman’s expertly rendered vision of the future. Centuries prior, a major technological breakthrough, the Hausman Drive, enabled humans to colonize the universe, but the development came with a steep price, as the drive altered the DNA of all those who used it, leading them to have mutated offspring who appear inhuman. Earth cut off all contact with these Variant colonists, but now a new method of travel into deep space offers the possibility of reunification for humankind. Against this backdrop, a mysterious explosion on Harmony Station disables the station’s life support system and kills two players of Dragonslayer, a virtual reality game. Suspicions of sabotage lead two very different characters to investigate: Micah Bello, Dragonslayer’s designer, fears he will be falsely accused of planting malware within the game and seeks to clear his name, and mercenary Ru Gaya is hired to look into an abandoned research station which may be linked to the explosion. Friedman perfectly balances action and characterization while keeping up a page-turning pace. Readers won’t want to put this one down.”
Newsweek: Master of science fiction Friedman will satisfy your cravings for all things space-opera in this second Alien Shores novel, packed with action and imagined worlds and filled to the brim with sparkling detail.
The Rest of CS Friedman’s family
Brother: Larry Friedman, author of three best-selling business books (Getting Partnering Right, The Channel Advantage, and Go-To-Market Strategy) and composes music in his spare time
Sister-in-law: Kim Dobson (Larry’s wife), artist and craftworker for fiber art, painting, drawing, silver jewelry, beadwork, and glass mosaics
Pets: Juno, a big grey Maine Coon; Xena, a beautiful orange tortoiseshell who thinks she’s a puppy dog; Belladonna, whose primary job is to be Xena’s playmate
In memoriam: Celia’s writer-father and mother have passed; Friedman says her father lived just long enough to see her first book published, and her mother is eulogized in the introduction to This Alien Shore, which was written while Celia helped care for her in her final months
CS Friedman’s Favorite Authors
Isaac Asimov
Brian Aldiss
Robert Silverberg
Cordwainer Smith (short stories, not novel)
Octavia Butler
Vernor Vinge (A Fire Upon the Deep)
George RR Martin (the Prophet CS Friedman said long, long ago that Martin “has written very little but it’s all worth reading”)
Barbara Hambly
Those Who Hunt the Night
Terry Adam
Michael Moorcock (An Alien Heat)
Phillip K Dick (Ubik)
Robert Silverberg
William Tenn
James Tiptree
Robert Sheckly
Richard Matheson
Haldeman
Stephen Brust
Tanya Huff
Annette Curtis Klause (The Silver Kiss)
Interviews
2023: BEAUTY AND NIGHTMARES ON ALIENS WORLDS: INTERVIEWING C. S. FRIEDMAN — Black Gate
2020: This Virtual Night interview at The American Reader by Marshal Zeringue
2020: Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist: This Alien Shore/This Virtual Night sequel interview
2012: Legacy of Kings — University Bookstore in Seattle, WA (Video)
Other videos
CS Friedman suggested these songs, which may serve as a kind of ambience music while reading her fantasy stories:
Real Fae
Jervis Bay After Dark reveals what the fae would look like to humans
Writing Advice Essays by CS Friedman
People often ask me what writing professionally is like…or how to go about writing a publishable book…or some other question that involves the writing process. Well, here’s the answer.
All right, I never thought of them as “beta readers.” The first ones were just “friends who believe in me and keep me going.” Back when I was working on my first novel, 700+ pages with no guarantee of publication, that was what I needed most.
Too often we create our worlds with a particular story in mind and assume that all the characters will respect our intentions. They don’t travel beyond the borders of our map, try to use artifacts in ways that we did not intend, seek loopholes in our Laws of Magic, or otherwise stress the limits of our universe.
Trade Secret: How To Get Your Book Published
Often I am approached by aspiring young writers who would like “the secret” to getting a book published. The formula is actually very simple.
Other Writing Advice Suggested By Celia S Friedman
“Visit Marion Zimmer Bradley at
http://www.mzbworks.com/
and check out her articles on the subject; they’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to get started.”
“You might also want to visit Russ Galen’s page, to access some outstanding articles he has written on related topics; look for the links at the bottom of http://www.sgglit.com/russell.htm”
Podcasts discussing the author, her work, and occasional associates
25 Years of Vampire: The Masquerade — The Erciyes Fragments — Episode 138 — October 4, 2019
Fantasy Talks — Episodio 03 | Grimdark & Gritty Fantasy — April 28, 2020 (Spanish)
Writing Tips and Writerly Musings — What Good Is An Agent? Answers From Writers. — June 14, 2021
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