
Crown of Shadows
Coldfire Trilogy, Book 3
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $29.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
R.C. Bray
-
By:
-
C. S. Friedman
About this listen
More than a millennium after the human race forges an uneasy stalemate against the demonic human-psyche feeders known as the fae, a pain-hungry demon called Calesta declares war on all living beings.
©1995 C.S. Friedman (P)2012 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
This Alien Shore
- Outworlds, Book 1
- By: C. S. Friedman
- Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney
- Length: 19 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is the second stage of human colonization - the first age, humanity's initial attempt to people the stars, ended in disaster when it was discovered that Earth's original superluminal drive did permanent genetic damage to all who used it - mutating Earth's far-flung colonists in mind and body. Now, one of Earth's first colonies has given humanity back the stars, but at a high price - a monopoly over all human commerce.
-
-
Another excellent novel by C.S. Friedman!
- By KH on 09-06-12
By: C. S. Friedman
-
Feast of Souls
- Magister Trilogy, Book 1
- By: C. S. Friedman
- Narrated by: Elisabeth Rodgers
- Length: 18 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
C.S. Friedman, acclaimed author of The Coldfire Trilogy, returns to the epic style which has made her one of the most popular fantasy writers in the genre. In this first book of the trilogy, Friedman introduces listeners to a world of high fantasy, replete with vampire-like magical powers, erotic interludes, treachery, war, sorcery, and a draconic creature of horrific power and evil that will have listeners eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series.
-
-
difficult in the beginning but........
- By Amazon Customer on 04-29-13
By: C. S. Friedman
-
The Darkness That Comes Before
- The Prince of Nothing, Book One
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: David DeVries
- Length: 20 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a world scarred by an apocalyptic past, evoking a time both 2,000 years past and 2,000 years into the future, untold thousands gather for a crusade. Among them, two men and two women are ensnared by a mysterious traveler, Anasûrimbor Kellhus - part warrior, part philosopher, part sorcerous, charismatic presence - from lands long thought dead. The Darkness That Comes Before is a history of this great holy war, and like all histories, the survivors write its conclusion.
-
-
Finally in audiobook!
- By Andy on 06-28-12
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
The Wilding
- By: C. S Friedman
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 18 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The tribal Braxan - created to become the ultimate warriors. The Azeans - raised to master the power of the mind. Two civilizations fighting an endless war over a long-forgotten cause. Now, after a century and a half, the legacy of their greatest military leaders threatens to tear apart both empires.
-
-
Unnecessary sequel
- By KH on 09-19-12
By: C. S Friedman
-
In Conquest Born
- By: C. S. Friedman
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 21 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Conquest Born is the monumental science fiction epic that received unprecedented acclaim - and launched C.S. Friedman's phenomenal career. A sweeping story of two interstellar civilizations locked in endless war, it was nominated for the John W. Campbell Award.
-
-
Impressive world building
- By KH on 09-19-12
By: C. S. Friedman
-
The Faded Sun Trilogy
- By: C. J. Cherryh
- Narrated by: Paul Woodson
- Length: 30 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Collected in one volume is all three books in C. J. Cherryh's epic The Faded Sun trilogy: Kesrith, Shon'jir, and Kutath.
-
-
always check with the author
- By Anita on 05-24-19
By: C. J. Cherryh
-
This Alien Shore
- Outworlds, Book 1
- By: C. S. Friedman
- Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney
- Length: 19 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is the second stage of human colonization - the first age, humanity's initial attempt to people the stars, ended in disaster when it was discovered that Earth's original superluminal drive did permanent genetic damage to all who used it - mutating Earth's far-flung colonists in mind and body. Now, one of Earth's first colonies has given humanity back the stars, but at a high price - a monopoly over all human commerce.
-
-
Another excellent novel by C.S. Friedman!
- By KH on 09-06-12
By: C. S. Friedman
-
Feast of Souls
- Magister Trilogy, Book 1
- By: C. S. Friedman
- Narrated by: Elisabeth Rodgers
- Length: 18 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
C.S. Friedman, acclaimed author of The Coldfire Trilogy, returns to the epic style which has made her one of the most popular fantasy writers in the genre. In this first book of the trilogy, Friedman introduces listeners to a world of high fantasy, replete with vampire-like magical powers, erotic interludes, treachery, war, sorcery, and a draconic creature of horrific power and evil that will have listeners eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series.
-
-
difficult in the beginning but........
- By Amazon Customer on 04-29-13
By: C. S. Friedman
-
The Darkness That Comes Before
- The Prince of Nothing, Book One
- By: R. Scott Bakker
- Narrated by: David DeVries
- Length: 20 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a world scarred by an apocalyptic past, evoking a time both 2,000 years past and 2,000 years into the future, untold thousands gather for a crusade. Among them, two men and two women are ensnared by a mysterious traveler, Anasûrimbor Kellhus - part warrior, part philosopher, part sorcerous, charismatic presence - from lands long thought dead. The Darkness That Comes Before is a history of this great holy war, and like all histories, the survivors write its conclusion.
-
-
Finally in audiobook!
- By Andy on 06-28-12
By: R. Scott Bakker
-
The Wilding
- By: C. S Friedman
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 18 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The tribal Braxan - created to become the ultimate warriors. The Azeans - raised to master the power of the mind. Two civilizations fighting an endless war over a long-forgotten cause. Now, after a century and a half, the legacy of their greatest military leaders threatens to tear apart both empires.
-
-
Unnecessary sequel
- By KH on 09-19-12
By: C. S Friedman
-
In Conquest Born
- By: C. S. Friedman
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 21 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Conquest Born is the monumental science fiction epic that received unprecedented acclaim - and launched C.S. Friedman's phenomenal career. A sweeping story of two interstellar civilizations locked in endless war, it was nominated for the John W. Campbell Award.
-
-
Impressive world building
- By KH on 09-19-12
By: C. S. Friedman
-
The Faded Sun Trilogy
- By: C. J. Cherryh
- Narrated by: Paul Woodson
- Length: 30 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Collected in one volume is all three books in C. J. Cherryh's epic The Faded Sun trilogy: Kesrith, Shon'jir, and Kutath.
-
-
always check with the author
- By Anita on 05-24-19
By: C. J. Cherryh
-
Elric of Melniboné
- Volume 1: Elric of Melnibone, The Fortress of the Pearl, The Sailor on the Seas of Fate, and The Weird of the White Wolf
- By: Michael Moorcock, Neil Gaiman - Foreword
- Narrated by: Samuel Roukin
- Length: 24 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is one of the most well-known and well-loved fantasy epics of the twentieth century: the story of Elric, emperor of the dying kingdom of Melniboné. For a hundred centuries the Melnibonéans have ruled from the Dragon Isle of Imrryr. Now, after years of corruption and decadence, Elric’s amoral cousin Prince Yyrkoon, the brother of his beloved Cymoril, sets his eyes on the Ruby Throne. Elric must face his treacherous cousin not as a warrior but as a sorcerer king once again in league with the ancient gods of Melniboné, the Chaos Lords, and thus sealing his inexorable fate.
-
-
Skip the first chapter, it's not Moorcock.
- By Ted C. on 02-17-22
By: Michael Moorcock, and others
-
The Madness Season
- By: C. S. Friedman
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 19 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He'd had so many names over the centuries, so many new identities that he could scarcely remember who he had originally been. Now his name was Daetrin, a name given by the alien conquerors of humankind, the Tyr. Three hundred years had passed since the Tyr conquered the people of Earth as they had previously overcome numerous races throughout the galaxy.
-
-
Quickly becoming a fan of C.S. Friedman
- By KH on 08-23-12
By: C. S. Friedman
-
The Way of Kings
- The Stormlight Archive, Book 1
- By: Brandon Sanderson
- Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
- Length: 45 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter. It has been centuries since the fall of the 10 consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor.
-
-
It doesn't get any better than this!
- By Robert on 10-26-12
-
Son of the Black Sword
- Saga of the Forgotten Warrior, Book 1
- By: Larry Correia
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 16 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After the War of the Gods, the demons were cast out and fell to the world. Mankind was nearly eradicated by the seemingly unstoppable beasts until the gods sent the great hero, Ramrowan, to save them. He united the tribes, gave them magic, and drove the demons into the sea. Ever since, the land has belonged to man, and the oceans have remained an uncrossable hell, leaving the continent of Lok isolated.
-
-
Woo'd & Won
- By Toriangirl on 11-06-15
By: Larry Correia
-
Nine Princes in Amber
- The Chronicles of Amber, Book 1
- By: Roger Zelazny
- Narrated by: Alessandro Juliani
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Amber is the one real world, of which all others including our own Earth are but Shadows. Amber burns in Corwin's blood. Exiled on Shadow Earth for centuries, the prince is about to return to Amber to make a mad and desperate rush upon the throne.
-
-
Great book, lame deal!
- By Robert on 08-13-12
By: Roger Zelazny
-
The Last Wish
- By: Andrzej Sapkowski
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Geralt the Witcher—revered and hated—holds the line against the monsters plaguing humanity in this collection of adventures, the first chapter in Andrzej Sapkowski’s groundbreaking epic fantasy series that inspired the hit Netflix show and the blockbuster video games.
-
-
Better than the show, of course!
- By Cheryl Dias on 01-07-20
-
Rhapsody
- Child of Blood
- By: Elizabeth Haydon
- Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins
- Length: 30 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rhapsody is a woman, a singer of some talent who is swept up into events of world-shattering import. On the run from an old romantic interest who won't take no for an answer, Rhapsody literally bumps into a couple of shady characters: half breeds who come to her rescue in the nick of time. Only the rescue turns into an abduction, and Rhapsody soon finds herself dragged along on an epic voyage--one that spans centuries and ranges across a wonder-filled fantasy world.
-
-
Good story! Terrible narration.
- By CharmY2K on 04-30-15
By: Elizabeth Haydon
-
Gardens of the Moon
- The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 1
- By: Steven Erikson
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 26 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins.
-
-
An engrossing yet demanding high epic
- By Adnan on 11-20-12
By: Steven Erikson
-
Red Rising (Part 2 of 2) (Dramatized Adaptation)
- Red Rising, Book 1
- By: Pierce Brown
- Narrated by: Alejandro Ruiz, Richard Rohan, John Kielty, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he toils willingly, trusting that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children. But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
-
-
Woooooooow!!!!
- By Emily G. on 07-27-23
By: Pierce Brown
-
The Shadow of the Torturer
- The Book of the New Sun, Book 1
- By: Gene Wolfe
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Shadow of the Torturer is the first volume in the four-volume epic, the tale of a young Severian, an apprentice to the Guild of Torturers on the world called Urth, exiled for committing the ultimate sin of his profession - showing mercy towards his victim.
Gene Wolfe's "The Book of the New Sun" is one of speculative fiction's most-honored series. In a 1998 poll, Locus Magazine rated the series behind only "The Lord of the Rings" and The Hobbit as the greatest fantasy work of all time.
-
-
great writing, won't appeal to everyone
- By Ryan on 03-20-10
By: Gene Wolfe
-
Of Blood and Fire
- The Bound and the Broken, Book 1
- By: Ryan Cahill
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Epheria is a land divided by war and mistrust. The High Lords of the South squabble and fight, only kept in check by the Dragonguard, traitors of a time long past, who serve the empire of the North. In the remote villages of Southern Epheria, still reeling from the tragic loss of his brother, Calen Bryer prepares for The Proving - a test of courage and skill that not all survive. But when three strangers arrive in the village of Milltown, with a secret they are willing to die for, Calen’s world is ripped from under him and he is thrust headfirst into a war.
-
-
Didn’t expect a “grow up power fantasy”
- By Mike Thomas on 07-23-22
By: Ryan Cahill
-
The Forgetting Moon
- By: Brian Lee Durfee
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 30 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to the Five Isles, where war has come in the name of the invading army of Sor Sevier, a merciless host driven by the prophetic fervor of the Angel Prince, Aeros, toward the last unconquered kingdom of Gul Kana. Yet Gault, one of the elite Knights Archaic of Sor Sevier, is growing disillusioned by the crusade he is at the vanguard of just as it embarks on his Lord Aeros' greatest triumph. While the eldest son of the fallen king of Gul Kana now reigns in ever increasing paranoid isolationism, his two sisters seek their own paths.
-
-
alright-ish
- By Matthew on 05-10-19
By: Brian Lee Durfee
Critic reviews
Featured Article: The Best Fantasy Audiobook Series
There is nothing like a great fantasy series, one that invites you to bring yourself into an inventive world unlike our own. And a masterful fantasy audiobook can further enhance that feeling, taking an engaging reading experience and amping it up to the realm of total immersion. Marked by brilliant narration and perfect character voices, a stellar audiobook series takes an already amazing fantasy saga and transforms it into an unforgettable adventure. If you’re looking for the best fantasy book series to listen to, these titles are a great place to start.
What listeners say about Crown of Shadows
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jacobus
- 11-21-14
An enjoyable trilogy with a satisfying ending
In a world called Erna seemingly hostile to human dreams and thoughts an unusual story draws to a close. Has the fallen prophet an vampire-like creature of the religion in the one god, the God of Earth and Erna, done enough to be redeemed out of his centuries of hunting women as prey? Will the priest Reverend Damien Canon Vrice done enough to save his friend? How will he choose between his religion and his loyalty to a very dark person?
C.S. Friedman ends a successful trilogy with a good ending. While I thought she was totally against religion - almost like Philip Pullman - she was debating the value of religion throughout the story. I found her approach interesting and refreshing.
R.C. Bray did an excellent job of reading the book. It is very much in the same line as the other two books he read in the trilogy.
If you want a relaxing well put together fantasy story, why not give this trilogy a go?
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- SAJK in BigD
- 08-14-19
I've Been CROWNED!
Terrific conclusion to the series!
All threads tied nicely and I believe a great resolution for each character!
As usual, Bray's narration was fantastic and every character had their own distinct voice and attitudes.
While I'm a glutton and would love more stories for these characters and within Erna, neither are required for enjoyment of this series!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 03-18-22
So I met an author online
Gerald Tarrant is intoxicating and complicated. Damien Vries is to Urna what Jack Reacher is to Georgia. And Kalesta? Lex Luthor would be envious.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Charles H.
- 11-04-20
Great 3rd installment.
A great conclusion to the trilogy. I wish however there would have been a few more books in the series.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Veronica
- 02-15-13
Great ending to an interesting trilogy :)
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes definitely, its always amazing to see a new word with some pretty interesting concepts and the characters are not bad at all . :)
What was one of the most memorable moments of Crown of Shadows?
I really loved all the book but I think by the end I was speechless , nice twists :)
What does R. C. Bray bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I think that R.C Bray did bring the book to live , he did an awesome job all together ,I hope I will found his work more often in this genre . Thank you R C Bray :)
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
"Sacrifice" maybe or "Don't trust the dead guy" :)
Any additional comments?
Great writing, C S Friedman did a wonderful job with this trilogy hopefully she will add more books in this world :)
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dorothy T. Rose
- 01-09-18
Excellent finish!
Skillfully written and wonderfully performed. Bray had real talent in devising didn't voices for each character.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Katherine
- 03-20-15
But wait! There's More!
3.5 Originally posted at Fantasy Literature.
Crown of Shadows brings C.S. Friedman’s COLDFIRE trilogy to a close. (This review may contain spoilers for the previous books, which you really must read before beginning Crown of Shadows.)
In the previous book, When True Night Falls, the unlikely allies Reverend Damien Vryce and undead vampire Gerald Tarrant battled their way across hostile foreign countries to combat the evil force that was threatening humanity. Just when they thought they were finished, they were essentially told: “But wait! There’s more!” Now they’re on their way back home where they will — they hope — finally really combat the actual final real ultimate source of evil … which turns out to be Calesta the demon.
Damien and Gerald will once again be called on to travel together to intimidating foreign lands, fight side-by-side, and save each other’s lives. There will again be deadly enemies, powerful illusions, and hostile terrain to overcome. Just when I thought Friedman had put Gerald and Damien through every lethal landscape she could think of, she sends them through a horrible hell inhabited by Gerald’s numerous victims. This part is quite upsetting and makes us question whether or not we really want to see Gerald redeemed.
Meanwhile Calesta has been mustering up his own troops. One of these is the patriarch of Damien’s church. This man has the best of intentions and we even see him calling for unity and tolerance, but he has no idea that his desire to rally his church on a crusade against Gerald is playing right into a demon’s plans. Friedman does a great job with this character, using him to again emphasize the blurriness of the line between good and evil.
Calesta has also dredged up Gerald’s last living descendant, a decadent man named Andrys who is perfectly willing to be Calesta’s pawn. For most of his life he has let hatred and despair drive him, but he also will be changed by his encounters with the other characters in this tale.
Friedman surprised me with this story. With all the emphasis on sacrifice and redemption, I kind of thought I knew how it was going to turn out, but I was wrong. The story is about sacrifice and redemption, but it didn’t go like I expected. Also surprising are the stunning revelations we get about where the demons of Erna came from. I liked this part of the story best.
In audio format Crown of Shadows is only 19 hours long (book 1 was 24 hours and book 2 was 26 hours long) but it is still longer than it needs to be with too much page time spent describing travelling. This is my main complaint about the series. The trilogy could have been condensed to two volumes and it would have been better. Despite the length, though, the COLDFIRE trilogy is an above average epic science fantasy that’s smart and thought-provoking.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- james
- 09-10-12
it was just ok
What did you love best about Crown of Shadows?
I like that tarrent did get a chance for redemption.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Crown of Shadows?
at the end.........dont want to mess it up for others.
Which scene was your favorite?
in the hunting shop
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
none
Any additional comments?
This series was ok. It could have been better. Everytime someone was close to death Vryce would just heal them or himself. That kind of ruins any suspense.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kai Ellis
- 12-29-22
a powerful conclusion to an incredible story
Stunning worldbuilding and captivating characters and delicious dialogue all add up to a series that's one of my all time favorites. I gladly re read all three books every few years. The prose can be overwrought, and there are a few phrases you might get tired of hearing - "he drew in a deep breath", "he thought he saw a smile on their lips, but he couldn't be sure", "tears, hot tears fell from his eyes", "he vomited as if that physical act alone could rid his body of the terror inside him", the list goes on - but these things are all EASILY forgiven because of just how excellent everything else is and just how surprising yet inevitable the conclusion to the tale feels. There's talk now of the series being developed into a TV show, and when you get a glimpse of how vivid and complex the worldbuilding is in these books, I think you'll agree how exciting that possibility sounds.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- James
- 01-07-25
A great finish
Third and final book in this series. Very enjoyable finish. If you enjoyed the other two then go ahead and get this one as well. Same narrator, story and conclusion. All are great!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!