Crown of Shadows - C. S. Friedman [0]
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Demon’s wake
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
The Dark Within
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-one
Twenty-two
Twenty-three
Twenty-four
Twenty-five
Twenty-six
Twenty-seven
Where Power Abides
Twenty-eight
Twenty-nine
Thirty
Thirty-one
Thirty-two
Thirty-three
Thirty-four
Thirty-five
Thirty-six
Thirty-seven
Thirty-eight
Thirty-nine
Forty
Forty-one
Forty-two
Dawn
Forty-three
Forty-four
Forty-five
JOURNEY INTO NIGHTMARE ...
“The path we have to take,” the demon warned Damien, “lies through the substance of the Hunter’s own fear. Are you ready for that?”
Through the smoky film guarding the room he could see a glistening blackness, like an oil slick, that rippled thickly as the earth-fae flowed into it. Hungry, it seemed. Terribly hungry. A foul odor rose up from its surface, a stink of blood and carrion... and worse.
“He feared sunlight. Heat. Healing. All the things that life is made of.”
“Don’t be naive, Reverend Vryce.”
The vile stuff was moving slowly toward him; if he stayed where he was it would soon make contact. “Death,” he said sharply. “He feared death more than anything.”
“Not death,” the demon said.
Startled, he looked at Karril. The Iezu’s eyes were dark, unreadable.
“Death isn’t a thing or a place,” Karril told him. “It’s a transition. A doorway, not a destination. Think,” he urged. “You know the answer.”
And he did, suddenly. He knew it, and grew weak at the thought. Was that what lay ahead of them? No wonder Karril didn’t want to get involved.
“Hell,” he whispered. “He feared Hell.”
The critics rave for C. S. Friedman’s stunning Coldfire trilogy:
“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.”—Locus
“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.”—Romantic Times
“The creative genius of C. S. Friedman bums brightly with the publication of her stunning new novel, blending elements of science fiction and fantasy into an extraordinary reading experience.”—Rave Reviews
“Friedman writes cogently on the nature of human desire for knowledge and the dangerous covenants necessary to attain it....”—Publishers Weekly
“Some of the best writing I have seen in quite a while, and the ending is excellent. Buy this one. Don’t wait for it to come out in paperback. Very highly recommended.”
—Science Fiction Review
“A superb storyteller of amazing power and infinite subtlety, Ms. Friedman sweeps us off on the magical wings of her imagination for another splendid reading experience.” —Rave Reviews
“This sequel to BLACK SUN RISING secures Friedman’s reputation both as a gifted storyteller and an innovative creator.”—Library Journal
“A good mystery wrapped in an adventure story and set against an original and often fascinating background.”
—Science Fiction Chronicle
“WHEN TRUE NIGHT FALLS combines SF and fantasy motifs in a believable manner. C. S. Friedman also manages to work theological discussions in without slowing the pace. Recommended.—Starlog
“Competently wrought, independently intelligible, engaging.” —Kirkus
“An excellent blend of horror, fantasy, and science fiction. I can’t wait for the final volume.”
—Philadelphia’s Weekly Press
“One of the better fantasy series in recent memory ... readers will be enthralled... (Friedman’s) general mastery of her material should delight her fans.”
—Publishers Weekly
“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. A priority purchase.”
—Library Journal