When True Night Falls

In most trilogies, the second book is the weakest of the three. This is one of the exceptions. Like the first book, it gets off to a rather slow start, but is probably an even better read once things get going. Religious themes are even more rampant here; as with Black Sun Rising, if you don't like books that make you think, look elsewhere. There's not really a whole lot I can say. If you've read Black Sun Rising, you'll want to read this one too. If you haven't, you should. That's all there is to it.

Don't ask my why. This book is very emotional and intense and very action-packed, and the end, well, the end made me cry. I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say that this book gets you attached to the characters and to feel the desperation of certain situations, and so, when something sad happens, it's very very sad. But I'm giving a wrong impression. This book is far from a tragedy. It's the fast-paced sequel to Black Sun Rising, that most excellent of books, though this one is better, being more effective. In this book you learn a lot more about Erna, sacrifices, the turning of Tarrant: how a man revered as "prophet" could become the "Hunter" a vampire-like adept. I adore passages in this book that were so descriptive that I was there alongside the characters and the dialogue between Damien and Tarrant, those antagonistic allies, - well those are priceless. I keep rereading chapters over and over, getting a thrill over how closely attached I feel to this world and this cast. The mix of theology with SF and fantasy (even a skillful dab of horror) kept the story original in a genre that is afflicted with formulaic creations. The author's imagination in creating the fae and a character so utterly "cool" but complex as Tarrant (the Hunter) is pretty astounding. If I've convinced you that this book is as great as it is, then you must first read Black Sun Rising and after reading this one, read Crown of Shadows. I assure you, the Coldfire Trilogy is worth it.

First I was uncertain I would like this one after Black Sun Rising eclipsed everything else. I also worried that the plot would be weak, but let me tell you, When True Night Falls is my favorite of the Coldfire Trilogy. Damien begins to understand the nature of Tarrant's transformation from the Prophet to the Hunter. Their relationship is explored more deeply, and you see sides of Tarrant you had hoped, but weren't sure, were there. I loved this book so much, and some parts were so moving I cried. I think the action in this book was excellently executed and that you can really picture the desperation that the characters go throw as they confront the obstacles in their path to the enemy. The theological discussuions in this book really got me thinking. This book is not your usual rainbow-dragon-magic-and-princess kind of fantasy. It's gritty and intelligent and just an overall WOW. Be sure to read the last in this series, Crown of Shadows.

Following a deep and thinking debut, C.S. continues to make us think about not only the power of the characters but also about our own religious connections and meanings. I found the book to be of the kind you don't want to put down. If you like deep thinking and meaningful Fanatasy I would say that this book and its series is a must for your home library.

_When True Night Falls_ is the sequel to _Black Sun Rising_, set five months after the end of that novel. The evil that Damien, Ciani, Hesseth and Tarrant found in the rakhlands is just the beginning. Now, Damien, Tarrant and Hesseth must find the originator of the evil, and conquer *it* as well, before Erna as they know it is destroyed. The characters continue to change throughout this second part of The Coldfire Trilogy. A must read for anyone who has read and enjoyed _Black Sun Rising_, any of C. S. Friedman's other books, or who just enjoys complex, layered plots and fascinating, absorbing characters.