[Keyoke]

I saw one of our users, Hope For Humor, mention C.S. Friedman as a author that is under-rated in the scifi field. And, oddly enough, it's true. While I havent read her scifi stuff, I did read the COldfire trilogy (Scifi/Fantasy), and enjoyed it quite abit..

So, I thought I'd start asking people if they have read any of her scifi stuff?

She's written This Alien Shore, Madness Season, and In Conquest Born.

Any thoughts on these series? I'm thinking of starting In Conquest Born before I tackle The Naked God (It's a huge book!)..

Keyoke

[Hobbit]

I've read This alien Shore and quite liked it (though I haven't read the Coldfire Series - yet). Thought it was quite good.

The general premise is that the means of travelling further afield from Earth actually causes genetic damage - unbeknownst to the original travellers. This leads to the creation (a la Dune) of a Spacer's Guild in charge of space travel. The main character in the book is a potential solution to the genetic problem - a girl called Jamisia, who is an experiment living on the Shido habitat but forced to run, hunted by the Outspace Guild who monopolise travel and see her as a threat. She hears voices in her head that are a potential means to solve the problem.

Lots of space opera scenarios then - different planets and space stations, part Downbelow Station, part Harvest of Stars, part Dark Angel, part Dune, part Snow Queen, but a good read. It uses lots of 'bits' from other books and SF themes but uses them well.

Hobbit

[Lady Fox]

I've read all of Friedman's work, and I haven't been disappointed yet. Her characters jump out of the page at you and take hold of your immagination. Her world building is superb as well. In Conquest Born is my fav book by this author. I've always hoped she would write a sequel to it, but no luck so far.

[Keyoke]

Thought I'd let you know, Lady Fox, that she is currently working on a sequel to "In Conquest Born".. It's called "The Wildling".. I guess the story takes place sometime after the events of "In Conquest Born." Though, this news is a little old, so, let's keep our fingers crossed.

Thanks for the input, I'm still kinda of divided between the three.. This Alien Shore, Madness Season, and In Conquest Born.. But, I am leaning towards In Conquest. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Keyoke

[This message has been edited by Keyoke (edited February 24, 2002).]

[DarthV]

I really enjoyed her Colfire and This Aline Shore books. Can't wait to tear through The Madness Season and In Conquest Born.

From her offical fan site, The Wilding should be finished and published this year. Here's to hoping!

[Rob B]

Liked and loved Coldfire also really enjoyed This Alien Shore. At times it was a bit slow-going, but a thought provoking, enjoyable read. Plan on picking up the 15th anniversary edition of In Conquest Born.

[Hobbit]

Slightly off topic - what is different about the anniversary edition (if anything?)

I looked at CJ Cherryh's Downbelow Station in a similar way, though the only difference was that she'd written an introduction to the new edition of the book.

Is this similar?

Hobbit

[Rob B]

...continuing the straying off the topic...
Damn Hobbit, are you channeling my thoughts again? I was just browsing Cherryh's books on my lunch break on amazon.com and was figuring on picking up Downbelow Station.

How is Cherryh's SF, btw? I was looking at Downbelow Station, The Faded Sun Trilogy, Foreigner and The Chanur Saga all as possibilities. All of it sounds pretty interesting and received favorable comments.


...back to topic, for now...
As for the 15th Anniv Edition of ICB, I think there is a new intro by the author, or some such thing.

[Lady Fox]

Thanks for the info! It's been a long time since the first publication of INC. I had just about given up hope for a sequel.

[Hobbit]

...nice to see the psychic circuit is still working, FF. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

I really like Downbelow Station. It is complex (though not as complex as some of her work!) but has a nice pace to it that some of her later work lacks. She was honourably mentioned in the space opera thread round here somewhere.

I thought Foreigner was OK, though complicated. Not a lot seems to be happening (it's not exactly fast-paced space opera) but the aliens are definitely alien. The book (the first in a series!) deals with communication and how other alien cultures can misunderstand each other.

If you want to try CJ, then Downbelow is probably the best start.

Hobbit

(Rats - and I forgot to thank you for the information on ICB....thank you!) http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Hobbit (edited February 26, 2002).]