The Darkling Hills

Lindahne #1

by Lori Martin

A new edition of the evocative fantasy novel!

In the ancient land of the Five Hills, the worshippers of Nialia, goddess of Fate, see the future in fire and wisps of smoke. But the followers of Armas, god of Strength and Power, are grounded in the past and have a practical grasp of the present. They are forbidden to marry among the Nialians, the seers of the future. For a child born of such love will be godlike, having all time and knowledge in his grasp, and the mortal shell will not contain it. Death or madness will result, and a great destruction will come upon the Hills...

Now in the first year of the Sixth Hold of the King, the warning signs of a coming evil are increasing. A challenge to royal supremacy grows in strength and cunning in the passages of the palace, while across the border the enemy prepares in secret for war against them. Dalleena, the young royal heir, finds her once-strong powers of prophecy failing. To protect her country, she knows only that she must commit a great crime and heresy - risking her own life and the life of her lover. From the palace of Lindahne to the edge of the Sea, from the darkness of Sanlin's Cave to the secret political maneuverings of Mendale, this epic fantasy novel seizes the imagination as the story sweeps to the final joining of battle across the darkling Hills.

Praise for THE DARKLING HILLS

"A carefully wrought fantasy . . . of romance, intrigue, and war. Martin's first novel is recommended" - Library Journal

"Interesting and imaginative" - Publishers Weekly

"A gripping first novel" - The Hartford Courant

Watch for the upcoming sequel, CALLING UP THE FIRE

Genres: Fantasy

Unknown Binding

First published April 5, 1988

About the author

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (otherwise known as Long Island, New York), Lori Martin was a fantasy author whose first novel THE DARKLING HILLS was published by New American Library and Signet in the 1980s. Falling prey to life’s many distractions, including the necessity of earning a living and raising children, Martin nearly forgot how much fun it is to make stuff up. She has recently returned to fantasy writing, issuing a new edition of THE DARKLING HILLS as well as its long-awaited sequel, CALLING UP THE FIRE, now available for the first time in the original English. Martin is currently at work on a new series.

Reviews

[pastbedtimestories · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He thought that the company was beautiful, composed of the best of his people, the young men cheerful and eager, their husky and healthy bodies ready for the long miles, the women singing sweetly, their movements supple and strong.
He thought, And all this, this true and deep loveliness, is going to war."

Everything about this book is epic. The scope of the plot. That when you get to the end you realize it's all been a preface to so much more.

I had thought for some reason there was not a second book, and then I saw one was published in German three years later in 1991, Calling Up the Fire, which was odd since the author is from America, but then I saw the English version came out in 2014, and THEN I saw it's available for free on Kindle Unlimited and my happiness is uncontained. I already have it, but I will let it sit for a while and come back to this world in the future, not yet. No, not yet.

I love all the characters in The Darkling Hills so unbelievably much. They all have their unique personalities and purposes. The quiet, persistent strength that is Dalleena. Her friend and support throughout that is Lilli. Rendell's love and belief in Dalleena.

I mean, what makes this book so epic is how all the characters come together in the end and serve out their individual purposes.

The way Nichos and Pillyn find each other in the end. How Temhas learns to be a good man. How Ayenna the Queen survives and is still out there. The tiny little role of Quienos in this huge book, but yet he saves Ennilyn, even though it's for selfish reasons all his own.

It was like watching all the puzzle pieces magically come together right before your eyes.

Some might say the first half is a bit slow, and I saw this is a complaint in the second novel also, but the reward. THE REWARD. It's all worth it. BEYOND worth it in the end.

I loved Baili and his small history that so expertly explained his personality and closeness to Pillyn.

Everyone in the book has a reason for what and who and how they are.

You can even understand Sillus's jealousy of his brother Raynii, the King, and the sad weakness of his own son, Carden.

I loved the chapters explaining the histories and motives of the Old Gods because you saw how those same plots were all playing out again in the present. I'll never forget Rendell walking through the Gate of Sanlin, and "the cure" The Watcher brought back to save Dalleena.

But, in the end, this book felt like Dalleena's. She is the ultimate strength and power coursing through everything. THROUGH IT ALL.

Dalleena is the Relas.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully tragic story. I read The Darkling Hills around 20 years ago as a library find. I had to own it and received it as a gift from my husband who had searched high and low for a copy, as it was out of print. I’ve held onto it and decided to read it, again. I had forgotten how tragic this story became! It was deeply felt when the characters formed such bonds and the choices that had to be made. I’m looking forward to discovering the rest of this story in the long awaited sequel that I’m currently reading. Thank you Lori, for continuing The Darkling Hills in Calling up the Fire 💞✨

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fact that I had a little trouble getting into this story struck me as rather funny when, immediately after finishing reading, I went on line to see how soon the next book will be available. My mind keeps coming up with so many possible scenarios in spite of other tasks at hand.

Dalleena is not only the royal heir, she was chosen by Nialia, goddess of Fat,.herself. Dalleena had readily agreed to follow the goddess and did so for years, Recently, she found herself reluctant to enter Nialia's temple to pray. She went to the temple grounds daily for services. She found reasons to be nearby. Still she could not force herself to enter. With a little nudge from the high priestess, Dalleena finally enters and begins to pray. Nialia comes to her at once, questioning why it had taken her so long to come even though she, Nialia, was calling. Then Dalleena saw what she had been trying so hard to avoid. Serious trouble was on it's way. To save her country she must commit a horrible sin, break the strongest taboo in existence. Could she save them all before they kill her?

Obviously I enjoyed the story and am ready to see what happens next. I have a feeling...

I received this book as a goodreads giveaway .

[Beth Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read this book when it first came out 25ish years ago, and I loved it. I remember being deeply affected by the story, to the point where when my copy disappeared some years back, I hunted down another one at a used book store. I was, however, always bothered that the story was not finished. When the internet made finding stuff easy, the only information I could find was that a sequel was possibly published, but only in German, it seemed. Last year, I learned that the author was on GR, and she had announced a republication of the first book and a publications of the second. I am thrilled to say that this novel was as beautiful as I remember it from my teenage years (always a worry when one reached back to nostalgia). I am thoroughly excited to be able to finally read the second book and find out how the story actually ends.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well thought out fantasy. The mythology that the author weaves in throughout the book is very detailed and beautiful. The characters are very real, caught up in forces beyond their control. I wish I could get the sequel to this book. I've heard rumors of one, but only published in another language. It's a pity. Although the book stands well on its own, I really would love to see how the prophecy pans out.

[Terri Blom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adore this book - and I'm not a fantasy fiction fan. However, the quality of the writing alone is enough to make this worth the read. The story is engrossing, the characters well-drawn and believable, and the descriptions of the fantasy world very clear. Have read it a number of times since it was first published and it never fails to captivate me.

[Firefly_1824 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little slow getting into the plot, since it's quite obvious what the first part is at the very beginning, but it delivers. It's clearly intended as the first part of two books, but unfortunately the sequel is nowhere to be found. The strength of the people and their beliefs in this book was solid and refreshing.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was beautiful, but felt like it glossed over some of my favorite aspects(like the romance between the 2 main characters) in a way that I couldn't care too much about the bad things that happened to them. The author also chose to use a somewhat omniscient viewpoint, which is fine, but I felt that it didn't work well with some of the stream of consciousness writing that was thrown in. I enjoyed it, and may attempt the sequel in the future, but it is probably not a reread.

[Aryani Siti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable!

[Suzanne Thackston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not actually pre-reviewing this book, it's been a favorite for decades now. But it's been SO long since I last read it, and I'm so excited to revisit it. I sure hope it holds up.

I've spent years praying for a follow-up to this, but Ms. Martin has not obliged. But even with an ending that prays for more content, I remember this book being a reader's dream. I'll let you know if it holds up.

10/31/25 Finished a re-read that was long overdue, and it was lovely to be in Lori Martin's world again. It wasn't until I came here just now to add to this review that I see that she has FINALLY published a badly-needed sequel and I'm over the moon.

I'm leaving this at 5 stars, despite a few quibbles, because the world-building is so lovely, the story so myth-tinged, the religion so compelling. I was once again devastated by the ending, not just the hard parts but by being left dangling so. Oh, I hope the sequel is good.

I also felt this time as if I didn't get to spend enough time with either Dalla or Rendell. The characters are well-conceived and interesting and real, but just a little more time in their heads could really have brought them to life. Hoping to see that in the next one.

Still mourning for what was lost in this story, and now excited to see what comes next. I love that I can't even begin to figure out where it's going to go!

[Cyn Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads, First Read.

Forbidden love, power, war and corruption all play a part in this story. A royal heir by birth, Dalleena is a seer of the future, chosen by the Goddess Nialia. The Goddess of Fate. It is said that those followers of Nialia, are forbidden to marry the followers of Armas, the God of Strength and power. For if they were to bear a child, that child will be so godlike, that death of madness will consume them and that will lead to destruction for all. But as Dalleena find her powers failing, she also finds herself falling in love with a handsome Armas. A traitor within her own family and war with the neighbouring country, this novel is filled with excitement, sadness and perseverance.

I really enjoyed reading this novel and I am looking forward to reading the next book.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, although it was a little too tragic for my taste. All in all the story was great and the relationships between the characters was written nicely. Most of all, I loved the setting of this fantasy world. It also slightly reflected our own world in it's dynamics.

[Miriam Michalak · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old fashioned fantasy tale of forbidden love, power, war, loyalty and corruption. Gods, goddesses, myths and men - wonderful!