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Darkover (Publication Order) #16
La Donna del Falco
Un mondo lontano e immerso in un medioevo cupo, magico e misterioso.
Chiusi a nord dall'immenso ghiacciaio chiamato Muro intorno al Mondo, a ovest dall'Oceano e a sud dal Deserto, i primi abitanti di Darkover si stabilirono in epoca remota in una zona coperta di foreste.
Dai popoli originari di quei territori ebbero in dono la magia e i talismani che raddoppiavano la loro forza e le loro capacità mentali.
Durante le Età del Caos, gli eserciti in guerra tra loro, appartenenti alle grandi casate dinastiche, calpestano i sogni degli uomini e delle donne comuni, ma anche quelli della piccola nobiltà assoggettata al volere dei potenti. Romilda MacAran, figlia di un nobile minore, è una di questi. Ha rinunciato al suo diritto di primogenitura e scelto quella libertà che, su Darkover, soltanto un uomo può ottenere. Vive nella foresta e possiede il Tocco, un dono rarissimo: il potere di comunicare con gli animali… Ma non le serve a nulla: le donne, per quanto capaci, possono solo stringere matrimoni di convenienza. Romilda non vuole sottomettersi e, trovando il coraggio di fuggire da un padre padrone, arriverà a toccare con mano i grandi eventi che sconvolgono il suo mondo...
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1982
14 people are currently reading
1553 people want to read
About the author
Marion Zimmer Bradley
800 books4,876 followersMarion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series, often with a feminist outlook.
Bradley's first published novel-length work was Falcons of Narabedla, first published in the May 1957 issue of Other Worlds. When she was a child, Bradley stated that she enjoyed reading adventure fantasy authors such as Henry Kuttner, Edmond Hamilton, and Leigh Brackett, especially when they wrote about "the glint of strange suns on worlds that never were and never would be." Her first novel and much of her subsequent work show their influence strongly.
Early in her career, writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter, and Lee Chapman, Marion Zimmer Bradley produced several works outside the speculative fiction genre, including some gay and lesbian pulp fiction novels. For example, I Am a Lesbian was published in 1962. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published, and for a long time she refused to disclose the titles she wrote under these pseudonyms.
Her 1958 story The Planet Savers introduced the planet of Darkover, which became the setting of a popular series by Bradley and other authors. The Darkover milieu may be considered as either fantasy with science fiction overtones or as science fiction with fantasy overtones, as Darkover is a lost earth colony where psi powers developed to an unusual degree. Bradley wrote many Darkover novels by herself, but in her later years collaborated with other authors for publication; her literary collaborators have continued the series since her death.
Bradley took an active role in science-fiction and fantasy fandom, promoting interaction with professional authors and publishers and making several important contributions to the subculture.
For many years, Bradley actively encouraged Darkover fan fiction and reprinted some of it in commercial Darkover anthologies, continuing to encourage submissions from unpublished authors, but this ended after a dispute with a fan over an unpublished Darkover novel of Bradley's that had similarities to some of the fan's stories. As a result, the novel remained unpublished, and Bradley demanded the cessation of all Darkover fan fiction.
Bradley was also the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she particularly encouraged young female authors, she was not averse to including male authors in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley. Ms Bradley was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death in September of 1999.
Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon. A retelling of the Camelot legend from the point of view of Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar, it grew into a series of books; like the Darkover series, the later novels are written with or by other authors and have continued to appear after Bradley's death.
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.
(from Wikipedia)
Bradley's first published novel-length work was Falcons of Narabedla, first published in the May 1957 issue of Other Worlds. When she was a child, Bradley stated that she enjoyed reading adventure fantasy authors such as Henry Kuttner, Edmond Hamilton, and Leigh Brackett, especially when they wrote about "the glint of strange suns on worlds that never were and never would be." Her first novel and much of her subsequent work show their influence strongly.
Early in her career, writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter, and Lee Chapman, Marion Zimmer Bradley produced several works outside the speculative fiction genre, including some gay and lesbian pulp fiction novels. For example, I Am a Lesbian was published in 1962. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published, and for a long time she refused to disclose the titles she wrote under these pseudonyms.
Her 1958 story The Planet Savers introduced the planet of Darkover, which became the setting of a popular series by Bradley and other authors. The Darkover milieu may be considered as either fantasy with science fiction overtones or as science fiction with fantasy overtones, as Darkover is a lost earth colony where psi powers developed to an unusual degree. Bradley wrote many Darkover novels by herself, but in her later years collaborated with other authors for publication; her literary collaborators have continued the series since her death.
Bradley took an active role in science-fiction and fantasy fandom, promoting interaction with professional authors and publishers and making several important contributions to the subculture.
For many years, Bradley actively encouraged Darkover fan fiction and reprinted some of it in commercial Darkover anthologies, continuing to encourage submissions from unpublished authors, but this ended after a dispute with a fan over an unpublished Darkover novel of Bradley's that had similarities to some of the fan's stories. As a result, the novel remained unpublished, and Bradley demanded the cessation of all Darkover fan fiction.
Bradley was also the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she particularly encouraged young female authors, she was not averse to including male authors in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley. Ms Bradley was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death in September of 1999.
Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon. A retelling of the Camelot legend from the point of view of Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar, it grew into a series of books; like the Darkover series, the later novels are written with or by other authors and have continued to appear after Bradley's death.
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.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
October 20, 2013
while I enjoyed the darkover series as a whole, this book was probably my favorite. I remember signing it out of the local library when I was in sixth or seventh grade, and getting so caught up in romilly's familial angst, and her desperation to fit in somewhere, anywhere, that by the time I got the end I was in tears. the story stuck with me, so when I stumbled across a copy in a second-hand bookstore a few years back I immediately snatched it up and brought it home.
July 13, 2023
La jeune Romilly dispose du laran familial : savoir dompter les animaux. Alors qu'elle espère prendre la suite de son père dans ce domaine, ce dernier lui annonce ses fiançailles avec un noble voisin. Romilly décide alors de prendre sa liberté dans un royaume en pleine guerre civile.
Une deuxième entrée dans l'univers de La romance de Ténébreuse déjà beaucoup plus convaincante que Reine des orages. Là où ce dernier nous plongeait abruptement sans grandes explications dans un univers qu'il nous fallait appréhender, La belle fauconnière s'avère beaucoup plus abordable pour le lecteur découvrant cet univers. De plus, certaines thématiques un peu lourdes du tome précédent sont absentes de celui-ci.
L'intrigue nous fait donc suivre Romilly, une jeune noble éprise de liberté qui va décider d'aller à l'encontre des standards de sa société et partir découvrir le monde. Véritable roman initiatique classique dans ce qu'il raconte, il se laisse parcourir avec plaisir pour découvrir ce qu'il arrivera ensuite à notre héroïne. Le choix de nous faire suivre une femme dans une société patriarcale n'est évidemment pas un hasard et le roman se veut encore une fois de ce point de vue particulièrement engagé envers l'émancipation de la condition féminine. A cela se rajoute une intrigue politique concernant la guerre civile en cours. Légère déception concernant cette dernière : Marion Zimmer Bradley semble tenter de nous vendre comme une surprise une révélation qu'elle a elle-même plus ou moins révélée depuis au bas mot une centaine de page. Je n'ai pas compris si je devais être vraiment surpris... Si l'histoire ne m'a jamais littéralement transporté, elle reste cependant très agréable à suivre.
Concernant l'univers de ce roman, il est bon de préciser qu'avoir lu les romans précédents n'est pas du tout requis. A l'inverse, commencer par celui-ci peut même être recommandé, la technologie y est beaucoup moins présente. Le lien avec les autres livres s'effectue via les noms des familles nobles mais plusieurs générations semblent s'être écoulées entre les romans (et je ne suis pas sûr qu'il soit indiqué canoniquement lequel des deux que j'ai lus se déroule en premier), ce qui permet de partir sur une base vierge pour le nouveau lecteur.
Un petit mot tout de même pour préciser que je trouve la couverture de l'édition que j'ai lue très perturbante, histoire de goût. ^^"
Une deuxième entrée dans l'univers de La romance de Ténébreuse déjà beaucoup plus convaincante que Reine des orages. Là où ce dernier nous plongeait abruptement sans grandes explications dans un univers qu'il nous fallait appréhender, La belle fauconnière s'avère beaucoup plus abordable pour le lecteur découvrant cet univers. De plus, certaines thématiques un peu lourdes du tome précédent sont absentes de celui-ci.
L'intrigue nous fait donc suivre Romilly, une jeune noble éprise de liberté qui va décider d'aller à l'encontre des standards de sa société et partir découvrir le monde. Véritable roman initiatique classique dans ce qu'il raconte, il se laisse parcourir avec plaisir pour découvrir ce qu'il arrivera ensuite à notre héroïne. Le choix de nous faire suivre une femme dans une société patriarcale n'est évidemment pas un hasard et le roman se veut encore une fois de ce point de vue particulièrement engagé envers l'émancipation de la condition féminine. A cela se rajoute une intrigue politique concernant la guerre civile en cours. Légère déception concernant cette dernière : Marion Zimmer Bradley semble tenter de nous vendre comme une surprise une révélation qu'elle a elle-même plus ou moins révélée depuis au bas mot une centaine de page. Je n'ai pas compris si je devais être vraiment surpris... Si l'histoire ne m'a jamais littéralement transporté, elle reste cependant très agréable à suivre.
Concernant l'univers de ce roman, il est bon de préciser qu'avoir lu les romans précédents n'est pas du tout requis. A l'inverse, commencer par celui-ci peut même être recommandé, la technologie y est beaucoup moins présente. Le lien avec les autres livres s'effectue via les noms des familles nobles mais plusieurs générations semblent s'être écoulées entre les romans (et je ne suis pas sûr qu'il soit indiqué canoniquement lequel des deux que j'ai lus se déroule en premier), ce qui permet de partir sur une base vierge pour le nouveau lecteur.
Un petit mot tout de même pour préciser que je trouve la couverture de l'édition que j'ai lue très perturbante, histoire de goût. ^^"
Read
May 6, 2014I've mentioned before that I find the terrestrial animals on Darkover a bizarre aberration. Like hawks, in this case. But there are some Darkovan creatures in this book, like the sentry-birds. This makes it a little less like a terrestrial story just displaced to a different landscape.
I think the character of the child Caryl is more important than he's often given credit for. For a pampered prince sent to Nevarsin to be toughened up (in the hope that he'll then survive threshold sickness and dynastic battles, I gather), he's remarkably adept as a hostage, saving the lives of his captors more than once. And he acts as peacemaker on more than one occasion.
It's always troubled me that Darkovan society never seems to have developed arbitrators. Wars and blood-feuds rage unchecked, but there's no class of negotiators. Judges are mentioned in one of the later books (more or less tangentially), but where are the 'reasonable men' (and women), who try to reconcile quarrels BEFORE they start resulting in mayhem and death? One would like to hope that Caryl would begin developing such a bloc, before fraternal strife further decimates a society already weakened by inbreeding and the unique reproductive problems associated with laran.
I observe that the nonsense about crying being worthless is compounded in this book by the ridiculous argument that anger is beneficial. This double whammy of balderdash has killed more people (men AND women) than many other less pernicious myths.
There's also a repeated argument (it's stated at least three times) that nonhuman animals have 'neither memory or imagination'. This Cartesian nonsense has been perpetuated too often. Is it plausible that creatures who have the EXACT SAME neurons as humans won't have ANY of the same characteristics, because they don't cross some arbitrary threshold of 'consciousness'? The idea that nonhumans animals don't learn (or retain what they learn)is preposterous--as is the idea that nonhuman animals have no concerns besides fear or immediated desires. It's been repeatedly proven that dogs (for example) do dream--what do these Cartesian dualists think they're dreaming ABOUT? In the final roundtable session of Wim Kayzer's A Glorious Accident, Stephen Jay Gould points out that many people have questioned whether Descartes ever owned a dog. If he did, they question, how could he argue that a dog is an unreasoning, insensate automaton? This is anthropocentrism at its worst. I would recommend Darwin's The Expression of The Emotions in Man And Animals as a corrective, except that it's fairly graphic in its description of emotional and physical abuse against zoo and domestic animals, and a better study of the issue is overdue.
2014--I've been rereading the whole series according to internal chronology. This is third on the list. It's a good book on its own, but it doesn't really fit in the series. If it had been written as an Earthbound fantasy, it would probably be more consistent. As it is, the Darkovan trappings seem a little extraneous. As, in a different way, the terrestrial trappings seem a bit extraneous--in a Darkovan setting.
I think the character of the child Caryl is more important than he's often given credit for. For a pampered prince sent to Nevarsin to be toughened up (in the hope that he'll then survive threshold sickness and dynastic battles, I gather), he's remarkably adept as a hostage, saving the lives of his captors more than once. And he acts as peacemaker on more than one occasion.
It's always troubled me that Darkovan society never seems to have developed arbitrators. Wars and blood-feuds rage unchecked, but there's no class of negotiators. Judges are mentioned in one of the later books (more or less tangentially), but where are the 'reasonable men' (and women), who try to reconcile quarrels BEFORE they start resulting in mayhem and death? One would like to hope that Caryl would begin developing such a bloc, before fraternal strife further decimates a society already weakened by inbreeding and the unique reproductive problems associated with laran.
I observe that the nonsense about crying being worthless is compounded in this book by the ridiculous argument that anger is beneficial. This double whammy of balderdash has killed more people (men AND women) than many other less pernicious myths.
There's also a repeated argument (it's stated at least three times) that nonhuman animals have 'neither memory or imagination'. This Cartesian nonsense has been perpetuated too often. Is it plausible that creatures who have the EXACT SAME neurons as humans won't have ANY of the same characteristics, because they don't cross some arbitrary threshold of 'consciousness'? The idea that nonhumans animals don't learn (or retain what they learn)is preposterous--as is the idea that nonhuman animals have no concerns besides fear or immediated desires. It's been repeatedly proven that dogs (for example) do dream--what do these Cartesian dualists think they're dreaming ABOUT? In the final roundtable session of Wim Kayzer's A Glorious Accident, Stephen Jay Gould points out that many people have questioned whether Descartes ever owned a dog. If he did, they question, how could he argue that a dog is an unreasoning, insensate automaton? This is anthropocentrism at its worst. I would recommend Darwin's The Expression of The Emotions in Man And Animals as a corrective, except that it's fairly graphic in its description of emotional and physical abuse against zoo and domestic animals, and a better study of the issue is overdue.
2014--I've been rereading the whole series according to internal chronology. This is third on the list. It's a good book on its own, but it doesn't really fit in the series. If it had been written as an Earthbound fantasy, it would probably be more consistent. As it is, the Darkovan trappings seem a little extraneous. As, in a different way, the terrestrial trappings seem a bit extraneous--in a Darkovan setting.
August 26, 2023
La donna del falco è il terzo capitolo in ordine cronologico del ciclo di Darkover. La protagonista è una giovanissima falconiera che si trova in rotta con la famiglia perché essendo donna non le viene permesso di lavorare con gli animali e sviluppare il suo potere, che prevede una sorta di contatto empatico e telepatico con le altre creature viventi. Amando a mia volta molto gli animali, ho adorato subito Romilda e la sua straordinaria sensibilità; così come la sua voglia di affermarsi come individuo ancora prima che come donna. Le sue continue riflessioni sul genere, sui rapporti fra uomini e donne, su come le relazioni fra gli individui sono condizionati dal genere, ne fanno un libro decisamente femminista; col femminismo ha in comune la riflessione e la critica della società, della famiglia, della relazione uomo/donna e anche il sentimento antispecista che pervade il libro. Romilda però si sente sempre inclassificabile, non riesce a far parte di un gruppo perché il suo spirito di libertà è troppo forte per sottostare a regole rigide e capisce di essere giudicata sempre e comunque in quanto donna; mentre il suo desiderio è di essere valutata con gli stessi canoni di onore, lealtà e capacità con cui vengono giudicati gli uomini. Il rapporto fortissimo e a volte incontrollato che instaura con uccelli e cavalli rende alcuni di questi animali veri e propri personaggi del libro. Tutta la storia è incentrata sulle lotte di potere fra il re legittimo in esilio e il suo usurpatore per poi incanalarsi sul campo di battaglia. Ma durante il racconto, che è anche un viaggio, Romilda (figlia di un Signore) incontra vari strati della società, dai contadini ai sapienti ai soldati esplorando il mondo di Darkover sotto punti di vista più ampi.
Dicembre 2017
Dicembre 2017
March 6, 2012
Ah... Darkover. After having read eleven Darkover books, reading the next two (Stormqueen! and Hawkmistress! in the omnibus The Ages of Chaos) feels like returning home, albeit to a fantasy home. This was surprising since The Ages of Chaos takes place in early Darkovan chronology, before Darkovans meet with the Terrans. The previous Darkover books I read, with the exception of Darkover Landfall have the underlying theme of the clash of Darkover culture with Terran culture. In The Ages of Chaos, this underlying theme is missing. However, there are still aspects of Darkover culture that are familiar from previous novels (although the setting is an earlier time period). What makes the two novels in The Ages of Chaos stand out is the sacrifices that are being made in order to bred and keep laran (Darkovan psi powers) within the ruling families.
In the first novel of the omnibus, Stormqueen!, the story centers around a young woman (a pre-teen more accurately), Dorilys, with a special type of laran to call forth lightning and storms. Stubborn, willful, and terribly spoiled as the heir to her father's domain, Dorilys has killed twice already before her father decides he needs more help training and controlling his daughter and her powers. From one of the Towers, a trained monitor is sent to help along with another who has his own laran to fear and to conquer as well as his own personal worries - worries that affect not just him, but the whole of Darkover. The story is told primarily through the viewpoints of the two who are sent to help Dorilys.
In the second novel, Hawkmistress!, the story is told through the main character, Romilly, who eventually runs away from home after being told she must marry a man she finds absolutely repulsive. Fed up with being told what she could and couldn't do (as a 'Lady'), she disguises herself as a boy as it is safer than to travel as a young woman alone (she is 14 in the beginning of the story) only to find that she rather enjoys the freedom she has disguised a boy - more freedom than she ever had as a girl. The story is set against the background of a civil war, and Romilly finds herself in the company of exiled men and others who are loyal to the exiled King Carolin. Romilly's laran is the ability to share minds with hawks and horses (and other animals). As her father's daughter, she learned to train hawks and horses, but at the age of 14 was being told it was "unseemly" to be doing such things (things she loved to do). Such is the impetus for her leaving her home (even her prospective husband would not let her continue training hawks and horses). Romilly's only real desire is to be herself and to train hawks and horses. Her laran seems harmless enough, but there are consequences and side effects she hadn't thought of. As time passes and as she сontinues to use her laran (without Tower training), she finds her powers aren't really all that simple to deal with and that they could put her own life at risk.
Although I initially thought I wouldn't enjoy these two stories as much as the previous Darkover stories, I was surprised to find I enjoyed them just as much. Part of this, I think, is how Bradley writes. I find her style engaging. As for the stories, you are hardly bored as something is always happening and the characters are always doing something (unlike other books I could name, but won't since they are probably mentioned on this blog somewhere already). This makes for good pacing in a story. Need I say that there were a few twists here and there? How could there not be, these two stories are set in the 'Ages of Chaos' after all. ;)
Overall, a good read. The omnibus gets 5 out of 5. :D
(Originally posted on my blog - http://www.brigidsflame.com/feymorgai...
In the first novel of the omnibus, Stormqueen!, the story centers around a young woman (a pre-teen more accurately), Dorilys, with a special type of laran to call forth lightning and storms. Stubborn, willful, and terribly spoiled as the heir to her father's domain, Dorilys has killed twice already before her father decides he needs more help training and controlling his daughter and her powers. From one of the Towers, a trained monitor is sent to help along with another who has his own laran to fear and to conquer as well as his own personal worries - worries that affect not just him, but the whole of Darkover. The story is told primarily through the viewpoints of the two who are sent to help Dorilys.
In the second novel, Hawkmistress!, the story is told through the main character, Romilly, who eventually runs away from home after being told she must marry a man she finds absolutely repulsive. Fed up with being told what she could and couldn't do (as a 'Lady'), she disguises herself as a boy as it is safer than to travel as a young woman alone (she is 14 in the beginning of the story) only to find that she rather enjoys the freedom she has disguised a boy - more freedom than she ever had as a girl. The story is set against the background of a civil war, and Romilly finds herself in the company of exiled men and others who are loyal to the exiled King Carolin. Romilly's laran is the ability to share minds with hawks and horses (and other animals). As her father's daughter, she learned to train hawks and horses, but at the age of 14 was being told it was "unseemly" to be doing such things (things she loved to do). Such is the impetus for her leaving her home (even her prospective husband would not let her continue training hawks and horses). Romilly's only real desire is to be herself and to train hawks and horses. Her laran seems harmless enough, but there are consequences and side effects she hadn't thought of. As time passes and as she сontinues to use her laran (without Tower training), she finds her powers aren't really all that simple to deal with and that they could put her own life at risk.
Although I initially thought I wouldn't enjoy these two stories as much as the previous Darkover stories, I was surprised to find I enjoyed them just as much. Part of this, I think, is how Bradley writes. I find her style engaging. As for the stories, you are hardly bored as something is always happening and the characters are always doing something (unlike other books I could name, but won't since they are probably mentioned on this blog somewhere already). This makes for good pacing in a story. Need I say that there were a few twists here and there? How could there not be, these two stories are set in the 'Ages of Chaos' after all. ;)
Overall, a good read. The omnibus gets 5 out of 5. :D
(Originally posted on my blog - http://www.brigidsflame.com/feymorgai...
September 7, 2021
Non mi ricordo molto di questo libro, solo che la protagonista era molto ben caratterizzata. La sua fuga per i monti Hellers mi avevano tenuta parecchio con il fiato sospeso... anni dopo la lettura mi sono trasferita ad Aosta e mi è capitato sovente di fare escursioni in montagna... non c'è stata volta che non abbia pensato a Romilda...
November 17, 2016
I loved this story. Romilla is a great woman and her story is wonderful. I think this historical period of Darkover is one of the most fascinating, oh well, all Darkover eras a re fascinating!
I'm so glad I decided to read the whole series again!
I'm so glad I decided to read the whole series again!
December 31, 2022
Il voto finale di questo romanzo avrebbe dovuto essere di quattro stelle anziché tre, ma purtroppo mi sono reso conto che da quando ho scoperto i fatti legati alla vita privata della Bradley non riesco più a leggere i suoi scritti senza fare confronti col suo vissuto.
È un peccato - parlando da lettore - doversi fermare a riflettere sulla paradossalità, o verrebbe da dire ipocrisia perfino, di alcuni passaggi che riescono a scuotermi per l'estrema umanità e sensibilità con cui sono descritti.
Questo romanzo in particolare ci parla di libertà: la giovane Romilda non vuole piegarsi all'inflessibile severità del padre, né alle regole e ai ruoli che la società impone alle donne, e grazie alla sua determinazione riesce a dimostrare a tutti coloro che incontra il suo valore, il suo coraggio e la sua estrema sensibilità.
È un peccato - parlando da lettore - doversi fermare a riflettere sulla paradossalità, o verrebbe da dire ipocrisia perfino, di alcuni passaggi che riescono a scuotermi per l'estrema umanità e sensibilità con cui sono descritti.
Questo romanzo in particolare ci parla di libertà: la giovane Romilda non vuole piegarsi all'inflessibile severità del padre, né alle regole e ai ruoli che la società impone alle donne, e grazie alla sua determinazione riesce a dimostrare a tutti coloro che incontra il suo valore, il suo coraggio e la sua estrema sensibilità.
March 28, 2023
Non proprio quattro stelle
Decisamente non il migliore della sua produzione. In molti passaggi sembrava perdere la direzione, qualunque fosse
Decisamente non il migliore della sua produzione. In molti passaggi sembrava perdere la direzione, qualunque fosse
October 30, 2021
It was OK, but nothing to write home about.
April 11, 2020
“La Donna del Falco” è un libro che ha sia un grosso pregio che alza la qualità, sia un grosso difetto che la fa precipitare. (lievi spoiler, io vi avviso)
🦅Il libro è scorrevole, ma soltanto l’arrivo (un po’ tardivo) di veri personaggi secondari (Orain prima di tutti, ma ci torneremo) risolleva una trama altrimenti molto scontata di una classica ragazza ribelle che fugge dalla sua famiglia nobile e da un matrimonio indesiderato, che si traveste da uomo e che a ogni pagina ci tiene a ribadire quanto lei “non sia come tutte le altre donne”. (Cerco di ricordarmi che questo libro è stato pubblicato nell’82, ma a volte è facile dimenticarselo...)
Note di merito: per quanto la protagonista non mi stia sempre simpatica, la sua passione per i falchi e i cavalli non è soltanto un abbellimento messo lì per fare colore, ma è reale e concreta. Romilda è una persona con una vocazione: questo è reso molto bene, e il suo potere che si manifesta in un legame mentale con gli animali resta una delle cose più interessanti del libro.
Altra nota positiva: anche se si unisce a un gruppo di donne guerriere, lei non diventa brava a combattere e non le piace farlo. I suoi interessi sono altri, e ho apprezzato il non volerla rendere anche una guerriera a tutti i costi.
🦅Passiamo alle note negative. La trama che ci mette veramente tanti capitoli prima di decollare, i numerosi conflitti morali e sociali presentati ma non sviluppati, e i rapporti che rimangono irrisolti come se fossero insignificanti. Non è la prima volta che l’autrice mette nei suoi libri molti punti e conflitti interessanti, ma poi non si prende il disturbo di affrontarli sul serio.
Inoltre, la serie di personaggi secondari e “parentele svelate” degli ultimi capitoli (delle quali almeno una telefonatissima) non aggiungono granché alla storia, ma anzi, aumenta la sensazione di assistere a una soap opera medievale conclusa con molta fretta.
Ci sono anche alcune incongruenze, non gravi, ma che continuano a passare sotto gli occhi durante la lettura. La stirpe reale si riconosce per i caratteristici –e immaginavo rari- capelli rossi, ma poi il 90% del cast ha i capelli di varie sfumature del rosso, quindi non vedo quale importanza possa avere questo tratto fisico. Oppure, viene detto che Orain non è abbastanza vecchio da essere il padre di Romilda, per poi invece dargli quarant’anni e un figlio proprio coetaneo di lei.
🦅Ma il vero pregio del libro è senza dubbio il rapporto fra Romilda e Orain, e tutta la storia di loro due.
Interessante, ben sviluppata con un buon crescendo, molto divertente, e basata su equivoci che il lettore vede molto prima della protagonista, e che proprio per questo vuoi vedere come andranno a finire.
Peccato che manchi totalmente un dialogo risolutivo, o almeno conclusivo, fra loro due. Dal momento esatto in cui Romilda si rivela a Orain, lui scompare dalla narrazione lasciando un vuoto gigantesco.
Mi è piaciuta l’importanza di lui nel pezzo finale: il fatto che ci fosse proprio lui nel ruolo di persona da salvare lasciava intendere chiaramente che non avesse mai smesso di essere importante per Romilda. Ma tutto questo mi ha solo fatto sentire ancora di più la mancanza di un vero confronto. Manca un dialogo serio, mentre l’intero finale risulta frettoloso, risolto a tarallucci e vino e pacche sulle spalle. Troppo facile far finire tutto così bene e così in fretta.
Una grossa occasione mancata, a parer mio. Chissà, forse Orain piaceva solo a me e gli do più credito di quanto intendesse l’autrice. Ma questo libro, alla fine, l’ho letto volentieri e ne ho apprezzato i lati positivi.
🦅Il libro è scorrevole, ma soltanto l’arrivo (un po’ tardivo) di veri personaggi secondari (Orain prima di tutti, ma ci torneremo) risolleva una trama altrimenti molto scontata di una classica ragazza ribelle che fugge dalla sua famiglia nobile e da un matrimonio indesiderato, che si traveste da uomo e che a ogni pagina ci tiene a ribadire quanto lei “non sia come tutte le altre donne”. (Cerco di ricordarmi che questo libro è stato pubblicato nell’82, ma a volte è facile dimenticarselo...)
Note di merito: per quanto la protagonista non mi stia sempre simpatica, la sua passione per i falchi e i cavalli non è soltanto un abbellimento messo lì per fare colore, ma è reale e concreta. Romilda è una persona con una vocazione: questo è reso molto bene, e il suo potere che si manifesta in un legame mentale con gli animali resta una delle cose più interessanti del libro.
Altra nota positiva: anche se si unisce a un gruppo di donne guerriere, lei non diventa brava a combattere e non le piace farlo. I suoi interessi sono altri, e ho apprezzato il non volerla rendere anche una guerriera a tutti i costi.
🦅Passiamo alle note negative. La trama che ci mette veramente tanti capitoli prima di decollare, i numerosi conflitti morali e sociali presentati ma non sviluppati, e i rapporti che rimangono irrisolti come se fossero insignificanti. Non è la prima volta che l’autrice mette nei suoi libri molti punti e conflitti interessanti, ma poi non si prende il disturbo di affrontarli sul serio.
Inoltre, la serie di personaggi secondari e “parentele svelate” degli ultimi capitoli (delle quali almeno una telefonatissima) non aggiungono granché alla storia, ma anzi, aumenta la sensazione di assistere a una soap opera medievale conclusa con molta fretta.
Ci sono anche alcune incongruenze, non gravi, ma che continuano a passare sotto gli occhi durante la lettura. La stirpe reale si riconosce per i caratteristici –e immaginavo rari- capelli rossi, ma poi il 90% del cast ha i capelli di varie sfumature del rosso, quindi non vedo quale importanza possa avere questo tratto fisico. Oppure, viene detto che Orain non è abbastanza vecchio da essere il padre di Romilda, per poi invece dargli quarant’anni e un figlio proprio coetaneo di lei.
🦅Ma il vero pregio del libro è senza dubbio il rapporto fra Romilda e Orain, e tutta la storia di loro due.
Interessante, ben sviluppata con un buon crescendo, molto divertente, e basata su equivoci che il lettore vede molto prima della protagonista, e che proprio per questo vuoi vedere come andranno a finire.
Peccato che manchi totalmente un dialogo risolutivo, o almeno conclusivo, fra loro due. Dal momento esatto in cui Romilda si rivela a Orain, lui scompare dalla narrazione lasciando un vuoto gigantesco.
Mi è piaciuta l’importanza di lui nel pezzo finale: il fatto che ci fosse proprio lui nel ruolo di persona da salvare lasciava intendere chiaramente che non avesse mai smesso di essere importante per Romilda. Ma tutto questo mi ha solo fatto sentire ancora di più la mancanza di un vero confronto. Manca un dialogo serio, mentre l’intero finale risulta frettoloso, risolto a tarallucci e vino e pacche sulle spalle. Troppo facile far finire tutto così bene e così in fretta.
Una grossa occasione mancata, a parer mio. Chissà, forse Orain piaceva solo a me e gli do più credito di quanto intendesse l’autrice. Ma questo libro, alla fine, l’ho letto volentieri e ne ho apprezzato i lati positivi.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2013
I stayed up way too late last night finishing this, despite having already read it countless times. It doesn't seem to have lost any of its impact since the last time I read it. It's not a perfect book, but I'm disinclined to pick at its faults. And in rereading it now, I'm suspecting it to be one of the influential books of my life. I have had thoughts like this more than once, and acted accordingly:
I noticed that latter bit more this time than in previous rereads. Because homosexuality has always been a normal part of my daily life, it wasn't particularly note-worthy to see it in books when I was a kid. Especially when you consider how early I read Rubyfruit Jungle (I think I was eight or so). But now I'm struck by the awareness of the world in which it was published, and that makes it more impressive.
As always, I finished this with a wish for more. Not that it's incomplete, but I'd love to see them all a few years down the line. If nothing else, I'd love to read Caryl's story. But I'll have to wait until I find out if there really is an after-life. If so, I'm sure I will spend many years of it reading the never-written sequels to many favorite books!
She told herself, all the old tales of heroism and quests always begin with the hero having to overcome many trials. Now I am the hero - why is the hero always a man? - of my own quest, and I have passed the first trial.I also find myself thinking a lot about The Harper Hall of Pern, for the first time thinking how similar they are. Romilly and Menolly have a lot in common, from running away, figuring out how to survive, stumbling into company with people for whom she can help make a difference in the fate of the world. And, of course, the connection with animals. And the under-stated background romance that is a future probability more than a present reality. And the matter-of-fact reality of homosexuality, though that had a bigger personal impact on Romilly than Menolly.
I noticed that latter bit more this time than in previous rereads. Because homosexuality has always been a normal part of my daily life, it wasn't particularly note-worthy to see it in books when I was a kid. Especially when you consider how early I read Rubyfruit Jungle (I think I was eight or so). But now I'm struck by the awareness of the world in which it was published, and that makes it more impressive.
As always, I finished this with a wish for more. Not that it's incomplete, but I'd love to see them all a few years down the line. If nothing else, I'd love to read Caryl's story. But I'll have to wait until I find out if there really is an after-life. If so, I'm sure I will spend many years of it reading the never-written sequels to many favorite books!
September 9, 2012
I have read none of the Darkover fantasy series before; this was the first and it was very good. Romilly MacAran is the main character of the novel with a gift of laran, psychic powers inherited from her father, which allows her to train horses and birds. In fact, it is the threat of losing the hawk she trained that is the last straw that sends her running from home and the arranged marriage to an lecherous,old widower. Romilly dresses as a boy, has adventures, gets out of scrapes, learns more about her laran, saves herself, and then saves a kingdom. The novel was a little too much feminist leaning, perhaps, and Romilly has a period where she is a bit of a snot that I found unattractive as she deals with the horrors and exigencies of war. The story also didn't end satisfyingly for me, sort of abrupt and unfinished, but then I didn't realize that it is part of a long series. I guess what clinches my review is that I liked Hawkmistress! enough to want to read the other books in the series.
September 16, 2011
I do think this one of the weakest novels--if not THE weakest!--that I've read in Bradley's Darkover series. Yes, it has a very strong female character &, yes, there is the conflict between the sexes. But nothing really happens within the conflict between men & women, father & daughter or maintaining tradition vs. striving for independence. Nothing happens except a very interesting female character huffs & puffs & broods over life not being fair. Instead of lifting the story, it drags it down into netherworld of boredom.
By no means let this assessment turn you off from this series for I truly enjoy the planet Darkover & will return to it again--Bradley is a great writer. I just think the planet could have done without this addition to the canon. I would suggest a reader start somewhere else.
By no means let this assessment turn you off from this series for I truly enjoy the planet Darkover & will return to it again--Bradley is a great writer. I just think the planet could have done without this addition to the canon. I would suggest a reader start somewhere else.
September 17, 2022
Same story line and people as Zandru's Forge but from one of its non-primary characters.
This book has good pacing, although I started to scan the paragraphs in the last several pages to get to the meat of the plot. Thankfully I read this in hardback where the vocals and the mental thoughts have different font styles; I suspect I might have been frustrated by the audio and it's inability to distinguish this without an narrater's inflections to distinguish this.
This book has good pacing, although I started to scan the paragraphs in the last several pages to get to the meat of the plot. Thankfully I read this in hardback where the vocals and the mental thoughts have different font styles; I suspect I might have been frustrated by the audio and it's inability to distinguish this without an narrater's inflections to distinguish this.
August 14, 2020
Where Stormqueen! was more about the breeding-program, Hawkmistress! was more about the Hundred Kingdoms. I loved them both in their own rights. Both Dorilys & Romilly are strong characters. Dorilys is frightening wonder, and Romilly is emotionally driven. Both are awesome & I'm eager for Thunderlord!
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/6242342-news-flash-more-darkover-novels?ref=ru_lihp_up_abp_1_mclk&uid=6242342
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/6242342-news-flash-more-darkover-novels?ref=ru_lihp_up_abp_1_mclk&uid=6242342
October 30, 2014
Clearly my one of my favourites in Darkover along with The Forbidden Tower. Very engaging character and storyline, all the feministic touch of MZB but not too much, gripping story and lot of nature there. Loved it.
February 20, 2017
Great story, as ever.
February 3, 2021
This book in the Darkover series tells a complete story and could stand alone. The episode in this book provides some information about the history of Darkover in the days before the Compact.
A lot happens in the story and for the most part, the pace is good. There are a few times where the mental battle going on inside Romilly is more repetitive than I'd like. The wrap up in the ending after what I would call a second climax is very quick.
Romilly is a very strong female character, but of course she has insecurities she must overcome. There is some definite character development, but I wasn't sure I liked Romilly when she regressed to being stubborn and juvenile just before the climax.
She also has some confusing relationship issues, both romantic and non-romantic. I had to backtrack a couple of times to be sure I understood what was happening. The relationship with Ranald is unsatisfying, not being developed enough. Some significant things happened with and to him yet MZB didn't really lay enough foundation for that relationship. Romily spent some time with Alderic before she left home but then he disappears until almost the end of the story and what happens there doesn't really make sense.
The subject of a wild telepath comes up a few times and becomes a big part of the story. I would have liked to have seen that explored more. I also would have liked to have seen one of Romilly's friends and mentors metaphorically slap her aside the head and then logically explain things to her. That very thing happens with self defense training and she learns as a result.
There is a strong theme regarding the suppression of women in society, even among the elite. Interestingly, MZB throws in a theme of taking unfair advantage of innocent animals. But these topics, especially the latter, are handled inconsistently. One minute Romilly is practically in a rage over one or the other and the next minute she is back to cooperating with the treatment.
Mature themes: much of this series was written before sex was described in mainstream books. In this book and others, sex takes place but it is not explicitly described. However, sexuality is discussed. Romilly faces unwilling marriages which repulse her. She barely avoids a rape. War violence is described sometimes with some appalling detail, but not overdone. Romilly's father is oppressive with her and early in the story, at the age of 15, he beats her in front of others to the point of destroying her dress and leaving her bleeding. A character is tortured.
A lot happens in the story and for the most part, the pace is good. There are a few times where the mental battle going on inside Romilly is more repetitive than I'd like. The wrap up in the ending after what I would call a second climax is very quick.
Romilly is a very strong female character, but of course she has insecurities she must overcome. There is some definite character development, but I wasn't sure I liked Romilly when she regressed to being stubborn and juvenile just before the climax.
She also has some confusing relationship issues, both romantic and non-romantic. I had to backtrack a couple of times to be sure I understood what was happening. The relationship with Ranald is unsatisfying, not being developed enough. Some significant things happened with and to him yet MZB didn't really lay enough foundation for that relationship. Romily spent some time with Alderic before she left home but then he disappears until almost the end of the story and what happens there doesn't really make sense.
The subject of a wild telepath comes up a few times and becomes a big part of the story. I would have liked to have seen that explored more. I also would have liked to have seen one of Romilly's friends and mentors metaphorically slap her aside the head and then logically explain things to her. That very thing happens with self defense training and she learns as a result.
There is a strong theme regarding the suppression of women in society, even among the elite. Interestingly, MZB throws in a theme of taking unfair advantage of innocent animals. But these topics, especially the latter, are handled inconsistently. One minute Romilly is practically in a rage over one or the other and the next minute she is back to cooperating with the treatment.
Mature themes: much of this series was written before sex was described in mainstream books. In this book and others, sex takes place but it is not explicitly described. However, sexuality is discussed. Romilly faces unwilling marriages which repulse her. She barely avoids a rape. War violence is described sometimes with some appalling detail, but not overdone. Romilly's father is oppressive with her and early in the story, at the age of 15, he beats her in front of others to the point of destroying her dress and leaving her bleeding. A character is tortured.
October 20, 2024
Это третья книга из цикла Дарковера, которую я прочитала. К первым двум были вопросики по гендерной части, но написанное в 70-80х и не может их не вызывать, когда живёшь в 2024.
Но от третьей книги я просто набила себе синяк от фейспалма. Такое чувство, что авторка, пока писала, периодически теряла сознание и забывала, что хотела сказать страницу назад. Логика в полной отключке: персонажи постоянно дают клятвы и через две минуты делают то, что поклялись не делать; в одном предложении говорят прямо противоположные вещи типа "Это ужасно страшное задание, будь осторожна, тебя там могут убить! Но вообще веселуха, конечно, ты там просто улыбнись, кому надо, и всё будет ок. Но если ты слишком широко улыбнёшься, то тебя убьют, о боже, как мне заранее жаль тебя! Как здорово, что я даю тебе такое весёлое задание!"
Главная героиня не отстаёт и всю книгу ведёт себя как полная идиотка, каждую страницу меняя решения и давая тут же нарушаемое клятвы направо и налево; то становится вегетарианкой, то с аппетитом ест жареную птичку, потом тут же начинает плакать над погибшим стервятником; не слушает вообще никого и всех вокруг считает тупыми, потом страдает от того, какая она бедная и одинокая, потом опять со всеми срётся...
Видно, что авторку очень волнуют вопросы равноправия, она много внимания уделяет выдаче замуж насильно, желаниям самих женщин, уважению к ним со стороны мужчин; при этом все женщины, которых встречает главная героиня, удостаиваются только презрения и осуждения буквально за всё, что они делают: носят платья или брюки, вышивают или дерутся на мечах, хотят замуж или хотят хранить девственность - плохи все! Мизогиния как она есть.
Последние 10% книги читала, стиснув зубы (не умею бросать начатое), и мечтала, чтобы они все уже там поубивали друг друга и на Дарковере воцарился мир. Но увы, типичный хэппи-энд.
Но от третьей книги я просто набила себе синяк от фейспалма. Такое чувство, что авторка, пока писала, периодически теряла сознание и забывала, что хотела сказать страницу назад. Логика в полной отключке: персонажи постоянно дают клятвы и через две минуты делают то, что поклялись не делать; в одном предложении говорят прямо противоположные вещи типа "Это ужасно страшное задание, будь осторожна, тебя там могут убить! Но вообще веселуха, конечно, ты там просто улыбнись, кому надо, и всё будет ок. Но если ты слишком широко улыбнёшься, то тебя убьют, о боже, как мне заранее жаль тебя! Как здорово, что я даю тебе такое весёлое задание!"
Главная героиня не отстаёт и всю книгу ведёт себя как полная идиотка, каждую страницу меняя решения и давая тут же нарушаемое клятвы направо и налево; то становится вегетарианкой, то с аппетитом ест жареную птичку, потом тут же начинает плакать над погибшим стервятником; не слушает вообще никого и всех вокруг считает тупыми, потом страдает от того, какая она бедная и одинокая, потом опять со всеми срётся...
Видно, что авторку очень волнуют вопросы равноправия, она много внимания уделяет выдаче замуж насильно, желаниям самих женщин, уважению к ним со стороны мужчин; при этом все женщины, которых встречает главная героиня, удостаиваются только презрения и осуждения буквально за всё, что они делают: носят платья или брюки, вышивают или дерутся на мечах, хотят замуж или хотят хранить девственность - плохи все! Мизогиния как она есть.
Последние 10% книги читала, стиснув зубы (не умею бросать начатое), и мечтала, чтобы они все уже там поубивали друг друга и на Дарковере воцарился мир. Но увы, типичный хэппи-энд.
October 18, 2024
When I read “Zandru’s Forge” I was expecting the story to continue after the battle. But that story was written long after this one. What I found in this story was Romilly’s story and how she was a hawkmistress.
In the Ages of Chaos, there was the fight over who should rule. Carolin Hastur was the one that King Felix named as his heir. But when he died, Carolin’s cousin Rakhal usurps the crown and is out to kill Caolin. A war happens.
Romilly who is 15 years old and lives in the mountains with her family and has the full MacAran gift of being able to communicate with animals. She trains a verrin hawk which only was thought to only be trained and flown by men. Her father The MacAran has no patience to allow a girl to do what boys or men should do and gives her hawk to her older brother. When she defies him, he beats her and is marrying her off to a much older man. So, she runs away disguised as a boy.
This story tells of her adventures and involvement in the war between the Hasturs. It gives you the full story that is only touched on in “Zandru’s Forge”. But her story doesn’t really end there and hopefully we will get to visit it again in the next book.
In the Ages of Chaos, there was the fight over who should rule. Carolin Hastur was the one that King Felix named as his heir. But when he died, Carolin’s cousin Rakhal usurps the crown and is out to kill Caolin. A war happens.
Romilly who is 15 years old and lives in the mountains with her family and has the full MacAran gift of being able to communicate with animals. She trains a verrin hawk which only was thought to only be trained and flown by men. Her father The MacAran has no patience to allow a girl to do what boys or men should do and gives her hawk to her older brother. When she defies him, he beats her and is marrying her off to a much older man. So, she runs away disguised as a boy.
This story tells of her adventures and involvement in the war between the Hasturs. It gives you the full story that is only touched on in “Zandru’s Forge”. But her story doesn’t really end there and hopefully we will get to visit it again in the next book.
November 20, 2025
Marion Zimmer Bradley, and her literary work, must be viewed through two, often competing, lenses.
First, she was writing stories with strong, relatable female protagonists battling male oppression at a time when very few other authors were prepared to do so. Many modern readers cannot conceive of a time when women were not allowed to have a credit card in their own name, which was but one of the policies Bradley was dealing with in her time. She was a feminist long before it became fashionable. She was one of a very few voices that spoke powerfully to young women about their own worth. Much of her writing, read today, can be seen as trite, obvious, or overbearing, but it must be remembered that it was none of those things at the time it was written. This was a woman who co-founded, and named, the Society for Creative Anachronism, who championed pagan rights when the mainstream saw them as satanic, and who encouraged and published unknown female authors like Mercedes Lackey. Viewed through this lens, Bradley was a progressive woman to be lauded, as she was, posthumously, when she received the World Fantasy Award for lifetime achievement in 2000.
Second, and hideously, Bradley was a pedophile, who molested her own children. She also procured and groomed children for her husband, Walter Breen, to assault. She admitted to knowing what he was doing to these children, but refused to stop helping him, much less report him or interfere with his desires. Her own daughter was her accuser, so we can be assured this is not a "he said, she said" situation. Viewed through this lens, then, her life and work become irredeemably tainted.
We are, perhaps, used to evaluating art for art's sake, commenting on Ender's Game, or Harry Potter, as though their authors' views, hateful as they are, should not condemn the output of their minds and hands. Perhaps we are right to do so; after all, these views are only beliefs and words, no matter how widespread a bully pulpit their famous speakers are able to command. However, when beliefs and words turn into actions, we must draw the line. Since 2014, when definitive proof finally came to light, I have found myself unable to recommend anything written by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I remain so appalled by her actions that I can never give more than one star to anything she has written, no matter how groundbreaking, how heartfelt, how astounding it may be. I urge everyone reading this to join me in boycotting her work forever.
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* (extremely rare) There is something very wrong with this book &/or this author; never again.
** (seldom) Has flaws, or I just couldn’t get into it; no thanks.
*** (usual) Not great, not bad; no need to return to it.
**** (often) Better than average; I’d read it again.
***** (rare) A superb example of the genre, &/or an incredible piece of art; I re-read it often.
First, she was writing stories with strong, relatable female protagonists battling male oppression at a time when very few other authors were prepared to do so. Many modern readers cannot conceive of a time when women were not allowed to have a credit card in their own name, which was but one of the policies Bradley was dealing with in her time. She was a feminist long before it became fashionable. She was one of a very few voices that spoke powerfully to young women about their own worth. Much of her writing, read today, can be seen as trite, obvious, or overbearing, but it must be remembered that it was none of those things at the time it was written. This was a woman who co-founded, and named, the Society for Creative Anachronism, who championed pagan rights when the mainstream saw them as satanic, and who encouraged and published unknown female authors like Mercedes Lackey. Viewed through this lens, Bradley was a progressive woman to be lauded, as she was, posthumously, when she received the World Fantasy Award for lifetime achievement in 2000.
Second, and hideously, Bradley was a pedophile, who molested her own children. She also procured and groomed children for her husband, Walter Breen, to assault. She admitted to knowing what he was doing to these children, but refused to stop helping him, much less report him or interfere with his desires. Her own daughter was her accuser, so we can be assured this is not a "he said, she said" situation. Viewed through this lens, then, her life and work become irredeemably tainted.
We are, perhaps, used to evaluating art for art's sake, commenting on Ender's Game, or Harry Potter, as though their authors' views, hateful as they are, should not condemn the output of their minds and hands. Perhaps we are right to do so; after all, these views are only beliefs and words, no matter how widespread a bully pulpit their famous speakers are able to command. However, when beliefs and words turn into actions, we must draw the line. Since 2014, when definitive proof finally came to light, I have found myself unable to recommend anything written by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I remain so appalled by her actions that I can never give more than one star to anything she has written, no matter how groundbreaking, how heartfelt, how astounding it may be. I urge everyone reading this to join me in boycotting her work forever.
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* (extremely rare) There is something very wrong with this book &/or this author; never again.
** (seldom) Has flaws, or I just couldn’t get into it; no thanks.
*** (usual) Not great, not bad; no need to return to it.
**** (often) Better than average; I’d read it again.
***** (rare) A superb example of the genre, &/or an incredible piece of art; I re-read it often.
December 13, 2021
Somehow I missed out on this Darkover novel but its one of the best, telling of warring kingdoms before the Domains and the rule against sorcerous weapons of mass destruction. It concerns Romilly. an untrained telepath with a strong moral compass and a love of animals, especially hawks and horses. Her "laran"allows her complete rapport with her beloved hawk, Preciosa, and the magnificent black horse, Sunstar, to be trained for the King. Unwillingly, she's dragged into the fight between rivals for the throne and is so appalled by the violence that she almost retreats from humankind. But she is human and has to choose.
The only reason I didn't give the story five stars was because the ending was unsatisfactorily rushed, but definitely recommended.
The only reason I didn't give the story five stars was because the ending was unsatisfactorily rushed, but definitely recommended.
September 13, 2024
I remembered this book fondly from my early forays into fantasy reading. Now, however, I can’t even finish it.
The family violence, the sexual abuse - some comment about an animal abuser being worse than a child molester?? - the man old enough to Romilly’s father looking longingly on the supposed young boy, and holding back only because of the ‘boy’s’ religious upbringing (which is clearly against gay sex). …
Even if I didn’t know of MZB’s personal history, these things would make my skin crawl. I could separate her personal life from her books, but to my mind they have definitely not aged well.
The family violence, the sexual abuse - some comment about an animal abuser being worse than a child molester?? - the man old enough to Romilly’s father looking longingly on the supposed young boy, and holding back only because of the ‘boy’s’ religious upbringing (which is clearly against gay sex). …
Even if I didn’t know of MZB’s personal history, these things would make my skin crawl. I could separate her personal life from her books, but to my mind they have definitely not aged well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2025
I picked this book up at my local library's 'pulled from circulation' pile, and this book was a piece of GOLD in my TBR pile. It took me halfway through the book to realize why I liked this 'young girl coming of age with untrained powers'; it reminds me so much of the Immortals Quartet by Tamora Pierce. This book was a very realistic, comforting read.
Cons: the end seemed very rushed. I understand the character was in a downward spiral of war PTSD/ untrained powers madness, but the last chapter felt very 'we only have 5 pages left, write SOMETHING to tie the loose ends up!!'
Cons: the end seemed very rushed. I understand the character was in a downward spiral of war PTSD/ untrained powers madness, but the last chapter felt very 'we only have 5 pages left, write SOMETHING to tie the loose ends up!!'
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2025
Dieses husch-husch in manchen Teilen von Darkover finde ich auch schade. Ab und zu hätten ein paar Seiten mehr nicht geschadet. Genauso geht es mir mit dem teilweise herbeigekrampften und aus manchen Situationen nicht ganz erklärbaren Happy End, was für mich nicht immer sein muß. Ich schiebe das aber auf die Zeit, in der Darkover geschrieben wurde. Damals war dieser Stil eher üblich, das ist mir schon bei anderen Büchern aufgefallen.
July 17, 2025
I’m reading these book chronologically which makes this book 4 for me and to be honest it’s been my favorite so far! Romilly is the strongest character in this series so far. What she endures in this book is amazing and I was sad to say goodbye to the character at the end. This will be the one I suggest first if anyone wants to dive into the vast world of Darkover.
November 20, 2017
Loved it, loved it, LOVED IT! What an amazing book with strong heroine. I loved the independence and critical thinking the Romilly has. Her views on marriage and womens right were expressed so wonderfully.
September 6, 2018
Com este livro termino a trilogia Darkover publicada pela DIFEL.
O terceiro livro da cronologia (segundo Wikipédia e considerando unicamente os livros da MZB) retrata a estória da Romilly MacAran no fim da Era do Caos em Darkover.
O terceiro livro da cronologia (segundo Wikipédia e considerando unicamente os livros da MZB) retrata a estória da Romilly MacAran no fim da Era do Caos em Darkover.
July 31, 2021
This is my favourite book! I first read it when I was around 11 years old and have read it multiple times since. I think it's the most easy to read and follow along out of all darkover-books I've read. You do not have to have read the other books out of the series to understand the plot.
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