C.S. Friedman, born Celia S. Friedman in 1957, is an acclaimed American author known for her richly imagined science fiction and fantasy novels. Originally a costume designer, she transitioned to full-time writing in the late 1980s and quickly gained recognition with her debut novel In Conquest Born. Her most celebrated work, The Coldfire Trilogy, blends dark fantasy and science fiction in a hauntingly atmospheric world. Friedman’s bibliography spans multiple series—including The Magister Trilogy, Dreamwalker, and Alien Shores—as well as standalone novels and short stories. Her writing is praised for complex characters, philosophical depth, and genre-defying narratives that explore power, identity, and transformation