C.S. Friedman...Magister Trilogy

   So, I really dislike reading a bad book, I drop it if it does not grab me in the first few pages, yes I agree that is silly, but I just hate wasting my time. If a book does not hook me pretty early I don't want to waste to much time waiting for it to "get better".

I love to read, it is something I hope I never have to give up. I am however a very picky reader. Yes I look at he covers, and tend to choose a book by its cover, I also tend to rely on the opinions of friends when it comes to books I choose to read. I'm a sad sad person.

I have my favorites, authors I really enjoy. The classics are a given, C.S. Lewis and Tolkien and such. But more modern authors are the ones I really love. Tad Williams, Terry Goodkind, George R.R. Martin, Glen Cook, Robin Hobb are all on the top of my list.

I loved Robert Jordan at one point, but as his stories seemed to get more and more convoluted I dropped him, It kinda bums me out that he passed away.

I see that each of these authors has an issue here and there.

I also have authors I dislike, Stephen King, Jim Butcher, I could go on as it would seem. This list is far larger, and I feel like I would have to "justify" why I dislike these guys, and I really don't want to get into the reasons. So I leave it at the two I dislike the most.

Art: Michael Whelan

And now to the point, ugh, I tend to ramble.

C.S. Friedman, I read her Coldfire Trilogy years ago, pushed on to me by my buddy Sean, and I must say it was one of the best series I had ever read. I found it near impossible to set the books down and could easily pick up the series again and re-read it. Ganth in many ways has alot of its roots in that series.

I have recently started her Magister Series, and once again she does not let me down, just three chapters in and I am hooked.

I love a good writer, someone that can make you feel some sort of "connection" with the characters  A storyteller how is able to grab a hold of you and hold your attention.

I am a sucker for a good story. In almost any format, from Gaming to Novels to Comics and Video Games. If the story is powerful enough, you have my undivided attention. This desire for good storytelling is even reflected in my style of Game Mastering, as I enjoy the Character's Stories as much as my own as I guide the game.

C.S. Friedman is a master, and within those first few chapters I am locked into this new series. The concept of magic in this world is so awesome, it is something so scary. I just think it is something that the OSR crowd looks at in it's different views of magic. I don't want to give anything away but if you haven't, try out the Coldfire Trilogy, and after follow me with the Magister Trilogy.

ERIC!