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Darkover
Darkover is the planet giving its name to the ''Darkover'' series of science fiction-fantasy novels and short stories by Marion Zimmer Bradley and others published since 1958. According to the novels, Darkover is the only habitable planet of seven orbiting a fictional red giant star called Cottman. The Cottman stellar system Bradley describes Cottman's Star as a red giant, around which seven planets orbit. Among these, CottmanIV, known to its inhabitants as Darkover, is the only habitable planet. The three inner planets and two outer planets are not habitable. CottmanV is an ice planet that while not toxic to humans, cannot naturally support a self-sustaining human population. Like Cottman V, Darkover is a planet stuck in a permanent ice age. Only one small equatorial strip of its single smallish continent is warm enough to support limited agriculture, fishing, and livestock. Similar in size to Earth, Darkover has a lower gravity due to its relative lack of metals; it also has ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Darkover Series
The Darkover series is a collection of science fiction-fantasy novels and short stories written by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The series is set on the planet of Darkover, where a group of humans have been stranded and have developed their own unique culture and society. The books focus on the conflicts between the human settlers and the native population of Darkover, as well as the struggles of the various factions on the planet. The series is known for its complex world-building and exploration of themes such as gender, sexuality, and mental illness. Occasionally, Bradley collaborated with other authors, and she also edited and published Darkover stories by other authors in a series of anthologies. After Bradley's death, the series was continued, mostly by Deborah J. Ross with the permission of the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust. Commenting on the significance of the Darkover series, science fiction author Baird Searles said that the books were "destined to be '' The Fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Marion Zimmer Bradley
Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley (June 3, 1930 – September 25, 1999) was an American author of fantasy, historical fantasy, science fiction, and science fantasy novels, and is best known for the Arthurian fiction novel ''The Mists of Avalon'' and the ''Darkover'' series. Noted for the feminist perspective in her writing, her reputation has been posthumously marred by multiple accusations of child sexual abuse by her daughter Moira Greyland, and for allegedly assisting her second husband, convicted child abuser Walter Breen, in sexually abusing multiple unrelated children. Biography Born Marion Eleanor Zimmer on June 3, 1930, she lived on a farm in Albany, New York, and began writing at the age of 17. She was married to Robert Alden Bradley from October 26, 1949 until their divorce on May 19, 1964. They had a son, David Robert Bradley (1950–2008). During the 1950s she was introduced to lesbian advocacy organization the Daughters of Bilitis. After her divorce, Bradley marri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Exile's Song
''Exile’s Song'' is a science fantasy novel by American writers Marion Zimmer Bradley and Adrienne Martine-Barnes, part of the ''Darkover'' series. It was first published in hardcover by DAW Books in 1996. The book takes place during the era of Darkover's history known as the second age post-Comyn and after the coming of the Terrans. The book is part of a trilogy within the series comprising ''Exile's Song'', '' The Shadow Matrix'' and ''Traitor's Sun''. It takes place fifteen years before ''Traitor's Sun''. ''Exile's Song'' represents a dramatic alteration of Bradley's view of the masculine/feminine, technological/ecological, Terran/Darkover dichotomies that she has explored throughout the ''Darkover'' series. In her earliest ''Darkover'' writing (1960s), she portrayed the planet's semi-feudal culture as played-out and in need of saving by the technologically superior Terrans. In the middle period (1970s-1980s), the books display a growing ambivalence to both views. In ''Ex ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The World Wreckers
''The World Wreckers'' is a science fantasy novel by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley, part of her ''Darkover'' series. First published by Ace Books in 1971, it features a complex sub-plot involving the sexual interactions between hermaphrodite native species, known as the ''chieri'', and humans. The book contains pivotal events in the part of the series that Zimmer Bradley identified as "After the Comyn/Against the Terrans". Every book that follows chronologically, refers to ''The World Wreckers''. In "Author's Notes on Chronology", Bradley implies that ''The World Wreckers'' occurs about eighty years after the events in ''The Winds of Darkover'', basing this assertion on the age of Desideria Storn in the two books. Plot summary The mysterious Andrea Closson accepts a contract to wreck the economy of Darkover, so that the planet must turn to the Terran Empire for assistance. Closson's thoughts reveal that she is a native of Darkover, a child of the Yellow Forest. Regis Ha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Darkover Landfall
''Darkover Landfall'' is a science fiction novel in the ''Darkover series, Darkover'' series by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley. It was originally published in 1972 by DAW Books. It has since been republished several times and is included as part of the ''Darkover: First Contact'' omnibus. According to Bradley's obituary, the events of this book take place at the end of the 21st century. Plot summary ''Darkover Landfall'' concerns the crew and colonists of a starship, spaceship that is forced to crash land on Cottman IV, an inhospitable planet in orbit around a red giant. The crew become accidental colonists when the ship loses contact with Earth and they realize rescue is impossible. The book introduces surnames, religion, religious and cultural themes that echo throughout the ''Darkover series, Darkover'' series of books. This series spans millennia, as the ship's descendants populate the world and develop unique cultures and psi abilities. Though ''Darkover Landfall'' is n ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Two To Conquer
''Two To Conquer'' is a science fantasy novel by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley; it is part of the ''Darkover Darkover is the planet giving its name to the ''Darkover'' series of science fiction-fantasy novels and short stories by Marion Zimmer Bradley and others published since 1958. According to the novels, Darkover is the only habitable planet of se ...'' series, set at the end of Ages of Chaos, in the period of Darkover's history known as the Hundred Kingdoms. The book's introduction places it two hundred years after the events in the book entitled '' Stormqueen!''. The book includes several key events in the Darkover chronology, including the creation of The Compact by Varzil the Good, the destruction of Hali Tower, and the beginnings of merger between the priestesses of Avarra and the warriors of the Sisterhood of the Sword.http://www.darkover.com/new/darkover/guide/books/conquer.en.html Darkover.com summary of novel The events of this book overlap with Book VI ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Winds Of Darkover
''The Winds of Darkover'' is a science fantasy novel by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley, part of her Darkover series. It was first published by Ace Books in 1970, as an Ace Double bound tête-bêche with ''The Anything Tree'' by John Rackham. This is the first Darkover novel to include references to the Sharra Matrix. In terms of the Darkover timeline, Bradley states in "Author's Notes on Chronology" that ''The Winds of Darkover'' occurs about four years after the events in '' Star of Danger''. One the underlying themes of ''The Winds of Darkover'' is rape. Bradley provides her readers with parallel experiences – the rape of Allira Storn by the bandit Brynat, and the psychic rape of Dan Barron by Loran Storn. Both Allira and Dan are overcome by force and their bodies made to do things they would not have done by choice. In both cases, the perpetrators justify their actions on the basis of need – Brynat needs to marry Allira to legitimize his sack of Storn, and Lora ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Heritage Of Hastur
''The Heritage of Hastur'' is a science fantasy novel by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley, part of the ''Darkover'' series. It was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1975. It explores sexual themes, particularly the view that homosexuality is a normal variant of human sexuality. ''The Heritage of Hastur'' is set in what Bradley called Darkover's Second Age Against the Terrans (after the Comyn). In ''The Bloody Sun ''The Bloody Sun'' is a science fantasy novel by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley, part of her ''Darkover'' series. It was first published by Ace Books in 1964. The novel was substantially rewritten, expanded, and republished under the same t ...'', Lew Alton is described as age 11, which suggests that this book takes place 10–15 years later.http://www.darkover.com/new/darkover/guide/books/heritage.en.html Darkover.com summary of novel Plot summary The story, told from the alternating points of view of Regis Hastur and Lewis Alton, star ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Shattered Chain
''The Shattered Chain'' is a novel by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley, part of her ''Darkover'' series. In terms of the Darkover timeline, ''The Shattered Chain'' takes place about ten years before '' Thendara House''. ''The Shattered Chain'' is the first Darkovan novel to explore the world of the Renunciates - the Free Amazons or ''comhii letzi''. The Renunciates are women who, despite living in a deeply patriarchal and feudal culture, have renounced both the protection and control of men, cutting their hair and living apart, vowing never to marry ''di catenas'' with a man. ''The Shattered Chain'' is divided into three parts, the first titled 'Rohana Ardais: Comynara', the second 'Magda Lorne: Terran Agent' and the third, 'Jaelle n'ha Melora: Free Amazon', and each follows one female character's experiences with the Free Amazons of Darkover. Plot summary Part I: Rohana Ardais, ''Comynara'' Lady Rohana Ardais, a Comyn woman of middle-age who possesses psychic ''laran'' abi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Bloody Sun
''The Bloody Sun'' is a science fantasy novel by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley, part of her ''Darkover'' series. It was first published by Ace Books in 1964. The novel was substantially rewritten, expanded, and republished under the same title in 1979; Bradley's short story "To Keep the Oath" was included in this edition and all subsequent reprintings. The expanded rewrite retains the basic plot structure but is more closely connected to several other ''Darkover'' books, especially ''The Forbidden Tower''. It also changes the identity of one of Kerwin's parents, although the later book ''Exile's Song'' uses his textually original parentage as background information. Plot summary Damon Ridenow learns that Leonie Hastur, Keeper of Arilinn, has died. His daughter, Cleindori (a nickname, meaning "Golden Bell"; her real name was Dorilys Aillard, daughter of Jaelle n'ha Melora) arrived with Kennard Alton in tow. She has decided to go to Arilinn to train as their Keeper. Ridenow ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rediscovery
''Rediscovery'' is a science fantasy novel by American writers Marion Zimmer Bradley and Mercedes Lackey, part of the ''Darkover'' series of novels and short stories published in the United States since 1958. It was first published by DAW Books in 1993. ''Rediscovery'' deals with Earth's reestablishment of contact with the lost human colony on the planet Darkover after centuries of societal development on the colony world. It presents the backstory necessary for understanding '' The Sword of Aldones'', ''Sharra's Exile'', and ''The Heritage of Hastur''. The story take place between 2,000 and 5,000 years after human colonization of the planet in ''Darkover Landfall''. Plot summary On Darkover, Lorill Hastur accompanies his twin, Leonie, to Dalereuth Tower for training. The keeper, Fiora, discovers that she has amazing but undisciplined ''laran'' powers. A Terran ship heads towards Cottman's Star, seeking possible descendants of pre-Empire lost colony ships of the distant past. A ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Traitor's Sun
''Traitor's Sun'' is a science fiction novel by American writers Marion Zimmer Bradley and Adrienne Martine-Barnes in the ''Darkover'' series. It was first published by in hardcover by DAW Books in 1998.http://www.mzbworks.com/ Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Trust The book falls in the Darkover Darkover is the planet giving its name to the ''Darkover'' series of science fiction-fantasy novels and short stories by Marion Zimmer Bradley and others published since 1958. According to the novels, Darkover is the only habitable planet of se ... time periods that the author called " Against the Terrans: The Second Age (after the ''Comyn'')". In terms of Darkover's timeline, the book starts fifteen years after '' The Shadow Matrix'', and is a continuation of that story. Plot summary On Darkover, Regis Hastur, the planet's regent for many years, suffers a stroke and dies. As the Comyn gather for the funeral, Lew Alton (former senator) and Herm Aldaran (current senator) discuss the gr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
