Friedman's territory is the blurred area between good and evil. A writer of epic fantasies with a few sci-fi trimmings, Black Sun Rising is the first book in the Coldfire Trilogy. On the colony planet Erna seismic disruptions wreak havoc and a natural force known as 'the fae' preys on the human mind. A priest and sorcerer at odds with each other reluctantly join forces to battle ultimate evil.
Arc I of the Wars of Light and Shadow finds two feuding brothers reluctantly teaming up to take on the evil Mistwraith which has cursed the land of Athera for more than 500 years. Despite the guidance of the Fellowship of Sorcerers the Mistwraith manages to disrupt the uneasy alliance. Typical and somewhat mundane epic sword & sorcery that may appeal to fans of this sort of stuff.
'The Farseer Trilogy' by Robin Hobb (1995-97)
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More epic sword & sorcery, this time with a distinctly Arthurian heritage. The first book, Assassin's Apprentice, has a bastard stablehand with royal blood ending up in training to be an assassin. The hero discovers he has a few dark magic tricks up his sleeve and is perceived by some to be a threat to the throne. Followed in successive years by Royal Assassin and Assassin's Quest.
Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop (1998)
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First book of the Black Jewels Trilogy. The females of the Blood, a matriarchal society of magic-users, are challenged by the males they enslave. Neither side is terribly nice to the other in this war of the sexes. To top things off, the goodies live in Hell and are led by a guy named Saetan who tries to help out the girl destined for the Blood leadership. Erotic mature-audiences-only fantasy.
Rhapsody [S1] by Elizabeth Haydon (2001)
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Haydon surprised many when she uncorked one of the best high fantasy series to come along in recent times (Child of Blood). Rhapsody is a little heavy on background, but the story of a musical "Namer" and her two cohorts pursued from ancient times through fourteen centuries by a fire-born demon is nothing short of enthralling. Be warned though… you will want more.
The Jackal of Nar by John Marco (1999)
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Marco refreshingly breaks the sword and sorcery mould by pitting science against magic in his Tyrants & Kings trilogy. This first book in the series has a defeated warrior setting out to combat the sorcerer Tharn in the service of his Emperor. Toss in a love-at-first-sight interest and a few underlying motivational twists and this is a rip-roaring fantasy epic.
The Magician's Guild by Trudi Canavan (2001)
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Another of the host of fine fantasy authors coming out of Australia, Canavan continues to surprise even herself with her continued success. The Black Magician trilogy well and truly put her on the map internationally. In the first volume the magicians of Imardin go about their annual purge of the city's riff-raff. A girl fights back and, unexpectedly, proves to have the power to do it.
The Name of the Wind [S1] by Patrick Rothfuss (2007)
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Released to a wave of critical acclaim, a man posing as a humble innkeeper reveals his amazing life story to a biographer named Chronicler who has unearthed his true identity. This volume recounts Kvothe's earlier years tracing his path to learning higher magic. Dramatic tension is provided courtesy of the Chandrian, the legendary demons who murdered his family. Outstanding.
