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Darkover (Chronological Order) #35
Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover
Return to Darkover, the planet of the Bloody Sun, with this collection of stories written by the originator of this world.
Free Amazons
"To Keep the Oath"
"Bonds of Sisterhood" aka "Amazon Fragment" (from the 1st draft of Thendara House)
"House Rules"
"Knives"
Hilary
"Firetrap", w/Elisabeth Waters
"The Keeper’s Price, w/Elisabeth Waters
"The Lesson of the Inn"
"Hilary’s Homecoming"
"Hilary’s Wedding"
Rohana
"Everything but Freedom"
Dyan Ardais
"Oathbreaker"
"The Hawk-Master’s Son"
"Man of Impulse"
"The Shadow"
Free Amazons
"To Keep the Oath"
"Bonds of Sisterhood" aka "Amazon Fragment" (from the 1st draft of Thendara House)
"House Rules"
"Knives"
Hilary
"Firetrap", w/Elisabeth Waters
"The Keeper’s Price, w/Elisabeth Waters
"The Lesson of the Inn"
"Hilary’s Homecoming"
"Hilary’s Wedding"
Rohana
"Everything but Freedom"
Dyan Ardais
"Oathbreaker"
"The Hawk-Master’s Son"
"Man of Impulse"
"The Shadow"
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1993
87 people are currently reading
747 people want to read
About the author
Marion Zimmer Bradley
799 books4,863 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 32 reviews
April 18, 2011
This is an anthology of short stories set in the Darkover universe. The stories give some new insights and interesting background on some of the characters in the Darkover books. Reading this has inspired me to go back and re-read the books.
May 27, 2014
RECEIVED COURTESY OF LIBRARYTHING'S EARLY REVIEWER PROGRAM
While I was so pleased to get this anthology via Early Reviewers, I found it rather disappointing. I had read some of the more recent Darkover books, and it turns out the writing style had changed a lot between the time these stories were written and those other books were published—as happens.
I was, however, much less upset by the writing when I found out that this was not a new post-mortem collection of MZB short stories, but rather an ebook reprint of a collection written in 1993. Several of the stories had clear "feminist" leanings that made me really dislike a lot of the characters, and in others, the writing was too clunky to stand.
On the bright side, I whipped through the second half of the book. The short novella and the following shorts were much more entertaining than the first half.
Overall, it's probably worth reading if you're a big fan of Darkover; if you're a relative noob to Darkover like I am, I don't think it's quite as enjoyable as it could be.
While I was so pleased to get this anthology via Early Reviewers, I found it rather disappointing. I had read some of the more recent Darkover books, and it turns out the writing style had changed a lot between the time these stories were written and those other books were published—as happens.
I was, however, much less upset by the writing when I found out that this was not a new post-mortem collection of MZB short stories, but rather an ebook reprint of a collection written in 1993. Several of the stories had clear "feminist" leanings that made me really dislike a lot of the characters, and in others, the writing was too clunky to stand.
On the bright side, I whipped through the second half of the book. The short novella and the following shorts were much more entertaining than the first half.
Overall, it's probably worth reading if you're a big fan of Darkover; if you're a relative noob to Darkover like I am, I don't think it's quite as enjoyable as it could be.
August 26, 2014
When I purchased this ebook, I think there weren't the titles included in this collection available as a single book. And when I got time to read it actually, I think there were, so I might not have thought many of those titles worth reading otherwise.
I'm not a fan of Dyan Ardais at all, and I actually rather hate him. but it was good to know the author's feelings about him. The piece about Rohana is as usual very disturbing.
I'm not a fan of Dyan Ardais at all, and I actually rather hate him. but it was good to know the author's feelings about him. The piece about Rohana is as usual very disturbing.
April 18, 2011
Collection of Short Stories, set on the world of Darkover, which gives backstories of several major characters in the series. The stories are well-written, interesting, and offer insights, particularly into Dyan Ardais, who is one of the more memorable dark characters. My favorites, as always, are the stories of the Renunciates, which begin the volume.
Read
May 5, 2013If you are a Marion Zimmer Bradly fan and have not picked up a Darkover novel, you are missing out on a whole other world - literally! Once sucked in, you will want to read every book...which will keep you busy for quite some time, even if you are a fast reader. :)
July 4, 2012
Anything Marion Zimmer Bradler - Marion and Orson Scott Card were my introduction to Fantasy. Read everything she wrote
October 2, 2012
I loved ALL the Darkover series books.
Read
October 8, 2012Loved the whole Darkover series.
September 26, 2014
Loved this series!!
October 4, 2015
I love Darkover. I like the early books most, Darkover Landfall, Under a Bloody Sun and I prefer the first edition of Heritege of Hastur. I expected to find all of those here.
November 13, 2016
I've read all the Darkover series and I can't think if very many series that rival it.
November 4, 2024
I was really excited to read this book when I found it at a used book store. One of the first popular female feminist authors from the 70s? Sick sign me up. There were some iffy outdated feminist ideologies thrown in there that started to get on my nerves. (And granted I never read the original books so this is going off of first impressions) like telling girls they don’t need men and they’re just as strong and capable? Cool awesome. Telling girls they’re sluts for dressing revealing/ girly and wanting a boy’s attention? Very not cool.
//Trigger warning// SA
Yesterday I was looking into the author and found out some disheartening information about her. Apparently in 2014 her daughter came out about her mother sexually abusing her.
I do my best to separate the artist from the art, but when the art is so aggressively connected to the artist like it is here- it’s impossible. There’s absolutely no way I can keep reading short stories about how men are evil and treat their women like dogs when the fucking author was no better to her own daughter.
In one of the short stories a little girl runs to their Amazon guild to ask to be let in because her step father was raping her. The characters go on a massive rant about how men keep doing this and they’re pigs etc etc etc. I had to stop reading. It made me feel sick. There’s no doubt in my mind that the author was overcompensating for who she was behind closed doors.
It’s a damn shame.
Maybe one day I’ll try to revisit the stories just so I can have the experience of reading them. But probably not.
//Trigger warning// SA
Yesterday I was looking into the author and found out some disheartening information about her. Apparently in 2014 her daughter came out about her mother sexually abusing her.
I do my best to separate the artist from the art, but when the art is so aggressively connected to the artist like it is here- it’s impossible. There’s absolutely no way I can keep reading short stories about how men are evil and treat their women like dogs when the fucking author was no better to her own daughter.
In one of the short stories a little girl runs to their Amazon guild to ask to be let in because her step father was raping her. The characters go on a massive rant about how men keep doing this and they’re pigs etc etc etc. I had to stop reading. It made me feel sick. There’s no doubt in my mind that the author was overcompensating for who she was behind closed doors.
It’s a damn shame.
Maybe one day I’ll try to revisit the stories just so I can have the experience of reading them. But probably not.
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* (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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* (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.
June 3, 2022
Darkover is like coming home again
Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover anthology is a wonderful retuen, for me, to classic sci-fi. Most of the stories contained within this book a by MZB alone, with a few in collaboration with others. Follow along with Ms. Bradley as she collects stories of some of her favorite characters in to one book. The lives of a Renunciat, a failed Keeper, and a Comyn Lord flow across the pages of this anthology. Enjoy Darkover as only the original author can tell the tales.
Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover anthology is a wonderful retuen, for me, to classic sci-fi. Most of the stories contained within this book a by MZB alone, with a few in collaboration with others. Follow along with Ms. Bradley as she collects stories of some of her favorite characters in to one book. The lives of a Renunciat, a failed Keeper, and a Comyn Lord flow across the pages of this anthology. Enjoy Darkover as only the original author can tell the tales.
March 20, 2018
I have read almost all books from Marion Zimmer Bradley. Except those which had not been translated into German - today i could read the English versions, too.
Those which i loved best were the ones about the towers - her "sisters (mercenaries)" and the story about the Hasturs. Some of my most beloved characters were: Jaelle n'ha Melora - Camilla n'ha Kyria - Regis Hastur - Danilo Syrtis and the story about the forbidden tower.
Those which i loved best were the ones about the towers - her "sisters (mercenaries)" and the story about the Hasturs. Some of my most beloved characters were: Jaelle n'ha Melora - Camilla n'ha Kyria - Regis Hastur - Danilo Syrtis and the story about the forbidden tower.
June 3, 2022
A collection of short stories from MZB's Darkover. They are grouped together to focus on particular characters at various points in their lives. The stories serve, according to MZB, to fill in gaps in the novels. The Renunciates are a particular subject, as well as the role of other ranks of women, freedom, and the lack thereof.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2020
Classic, classic! If you don't know this universe, start here
December 18, 2020
I had forgotten just how good the complilation of short stories was... this particularly good for those interested in characters of Dyan Ardais and Hilary Castamir...
April 11, 2022
Revisiting an old friend.
I have not read any Darkover books in over a decade. These short stories are just right to get the memories flowing . . . And let our grief be lessened.
I have not read any Darkover books in over a decade. These short stories are just right to get the memories flowing . . . And let our grief be lessened.
January 2, 2023
Darkover is a 26 book series. This one get me hooked. I plan to read all of them. The Mists of Avalon is amazing, and again, the beginning of a series. Marion Zimmer Bradley is a talented writer!
December 1, 2025
Loved the stories.
February 14, 2015
TO KEEP THE OATH:
A fantastic short story that tells of how torn Kindra, a Renunciate, is torn between what her heart says and the Oath of the Renunciates. It also gives us insight to who the emmasca Camilla is and some of her past too.
BONDS OF SISTERHOOD(previously titled AMAZON FRAGMENT):
In the Free Amazon section of the short story collections in ‘Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover’, Camilla and Rafaella can’t remember what it was that started them fighting in the first place. This short story tells how they came to be friends and lovers for life.
HOUSE RULES:
Lora is faced with a decision to send her son away when he is five years old like in her previous house, or to change that rule in her own house to suit her.
KNIVES:
Marna comes to the Guild House of Aderes for safety from her step-father’s sexual abuse. She’ll learn more than how to protect herself. She’ll learn to heal from her mother’s lack of care, love, and protection.
FIRETRAP: 3 1/2 Stars I Liked It/I Really Liked It
THE KEEPER’S PRICE:
Tells the heart aching story of Callista Lanart making her decision to be Keeper of Arilinn, and not fully understanding the price she will have to pay to avoid the increasingly deadly crisis that Hilary endures for the sake of the Tower.
THE LESSON OF THE INN:
After feeling crushed at her failed attempt to be the next Keeper of Arilinn, Hilary travels home, and is thrown into situations that will break her of the intensely strict behavior she has learned over the years while in training to be a Keeper under Leonie of Arilinn.
HILARY’S HOMECOMING:
The very thing that caused her to be dismissed from her training to be a Keeper could also be the thing to save her from a miserable marriage. Her mother forcefully pushes Hilary into marriage because she doesn’t believe Leonie released her from her training in the tower due to her health, but because of her lack of virginity.
HILARY’S WEDDING:
Still facing that marrying Damon is her best option for her to have a happy marriage, Hilary talks with a Renunciate midwife and weighs her available options for herself and her hard mother.
EVERYTHING BUT FREEDOM:
Unlike their wedding night, Rohana and Gabriel now are more than just out of love with one another, they are at odds. Because Gabriel wanted it, she does her duty for her man and her domain, and has a child way past the age for pregnancy. To comfort her troubled mind and heart is the Renunciate Kindra. This is also the story of Rohana’s baby son, Keith.
OATHBREAKER:
The curse of the father is passed on to his son. In a blurry haze of drunkenness and rage, Kyril beats his wife, the Lady Valentina to death. The critical situation in the domain forces Dyan to terminate his training at Arilinn Tower early. Before leaving the Tower, Fiora of Arilinn, the Keeper of Arilinn has Dyan take the monitor’s Oath. Now he will face the decision on how to handle the madness of his father and to keep his dedication to the Tower too.
THE HAWKMASTER’S SON:
Another great story with Rafael Hastur and Rafe Syrtis, while they were cadets in the Thendara City Guard. However, Dyan Gabriel, the Regent of Ardais, will not stand for a commoner such as Rafe raising his status through a marriage that goes against the Comyn’s authority.
A MAN OF IMPULSE:
Dyan Ardais will be surprised when he meets the Lady of Lindirsholme, Marilla Lindir.
THE SHADOW:
Danilo Syrtis will have to find a way out from under the shadows that he keeps finding himself in. The hardest shadow of them all is that of his foster-father Dyan Ardais. This short story tells us of the family emergency that gives Dani the right people and the right information for Danilo to sort out his and his father’s relationship with the Hastur’s. Danilo Syrtis and Regis Hastur will not only be sworn brothers, but the best of friends, and bredhyu for life.
A fantastic short story that tells of how torn Kindra, a Renunciate, is torn between what her heart says and the Oath of the Renunciates. It also gives us insight to who the emmasca Camilla is and some of her past too.
BONDS OF SISTERHOOD(previously titled AMAZON FRAGMENT):
In the Free Amazon section of the short story collections in ‘Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover’, Camilla and Rafaella can’t remember what it was that started them fighting in the first place. This short story tells how they came to be friends and lovers for life.
HOUSE RULES:
Lora is faced with a decision to send her son away when he is five years old like in her previous house, or to change that rule in her own house to suit her.
KNIVES:
Marna comes to the Guild House of Aderes for safety from her step-father’s sexual abuse. She’ll learn more than how to protect herself. She’ll learn to heal from her mother’s lack of care, love, and protection.
FIRETRAP: 3 1/2 Stars I Liked It/I Really Liked It
THE KEEPER’S PRICE:
Tells the heart aching story of Callista Lanart making her decision to be Keeper of Arilinn, and not fully understanding the price she will have to pay to avoid the increasingly deadly crisis that Hilary endures for the sake of the Tower.
THE LESSON OF THE INN:
After feeling crushed at her failed attempt to be the next Keeper of Arilinn, Hilary travels home, and is thrown into situations that will break her of the intensely strict behavior she has learned over the years while in training to be a Keeper under Leonie of Arilinn.
HILARY’S HOMECOMING:
The very thing that caused her to be dismissed from her training to be a Keeper could also be the thing to save her from a miserable marriage. Her mother forcefully pushes Hilary into marriage because she doesn’t believe Leonie released her from her training in the tower due to her health, but because of her lack of virginity.
HILARY’S WEDDING:
Still facing that marrying Damon is her best option for her to have a happy marriage, Hilary talks with a Renunciate midwife and weighs her available options for herself and her hard mother.
EVERYTHING BUT FREEDOM:
Unlike their wedding night, Rohana and Gabriel now are more than just out of love with one another, they are at odds. Because Gabriel wanted it, she does her duty for her man and her domain, and has a child way past the age for pregnancy. To comfort her troubled mind and heart is the Renunciate Kindra. This is also the story of Rohana’s baby son, Keith.
OATHBREAKER:
The curse of the father is passed on to his son. In a blurry haze of drunkenness and rage, Kyril beats his wife, the Lady Valentina to death. The critical situation in the domain forces Dyan to terminate his training at Arilinn Tower early. Before leaving the Tower, Fiora of Arilinn, the Keeper of Arilinn has Dyan take the monitor’s Oath. Now he will face the decision on how to handle the madness of his father and to keep his dedication to the Tower too.
THE HAWKMASTER’S SON:
Another great story with Rafael Hastur and Rafe Syrtis, while they were cadets in the Thendara City Guard. However, Dyan Gabriel, the Regent of Ardais, will not stand for a commoner such as Rafe raising his status through a marriage that goes against the Comyn’s authority.
A MAN OF IMPULSE:
Dyan Ardais will be surprised when he meets the Lady of Lindirsholme, Marilla Lindir.
THE SHADOW:
Danilo Syrtis will have to find a way out from under the shadows that he keeps finding himself in. The hardest shadow of them all is that of his foster-father Dyan Ardais. This short story tells us of the family emergency that gives Dani the right people and the right information for Danilo to sort out his and his father’s relationship with the Hastur’s. Danilo Syrtis and Regis Hastur will not only be sworn brothers, but the best of friends, and bredhyu for life.
February 26, 2025
Another anthology. This one had some very good stories and one long almost novel length one about Rohana who is an interesting character. I am reading this entire series in an ass backward manner. I should have read my way through all the novels and then read the filler stories. This also contains stories about Rohana's grandson Dyan. Quite a number of the stories in this book are repeated from other anthologies in the series.
Return to Darkover, the planet of the Bloody Sun, with this collection of stories written by the originator of this world.
Free Amazons
"To Keep the Oath"
"Bonds of Sisterhood" aka "Amazon Fragment" (from the 1st draft of Thendara House)
"House Rules"
"Knives"
Hilary
"Firetrap", w/Elisabeth Waters
"The Keeper’s Price, w/Elisabeth Waters
"The Lesson of the Inn"
"Hilary’s Homecoming"
"Hilary’s Wedding"
Rohana
"Everything but Freedom"
Dyan Ardais
"Oathbreaker"
"The Hawk-Master’s Son"
"Man of Impulse"
"The Shadow"
Return to Darkover, the planet of the Bloody Sun, with this collection of stories written by the originator of this world.
Free Amazons
"To Keep the Oath"
"Bonds of Sisterhood" aka "Amazon Fragment" (from the 1st draft of Thendara House)
"House Rules"
"Knives"
Hilary
"Firetrap", w/Elisabeth Waters
"The Keeper’s Price, w/Elisabeth Waters
"The Lesson of the Inn"
"Hilary’s Homecoming"
"Hilary’s Wedding"
Rohana
"Everything but Freedom"
Dyan Ardais
"Oathbreaker"
"The Hawk-Master’s Son"
"Man of Impulse"
"The Shadow"
March 22, 2014
A collection of story stories by MZB set in Darkover. Kind of connecting tissues between other works using characters involved in larger stories. Nearly all of these are domestic in nature, dealing with life of the characters in and around their relationships with others. Not as dramatic as larger works, but just as interesting. They really show how she was exploring different themes of Feminism, of society's reaction to different sexual orientations, of the internal thought processes of people as they struggled with the issues proposed. It is good that these stories were put into this E-book edition. Some of them hadn't been published in book form since their initial short story publication. They certainly deserved to be anthologized.
August 21, 2012
I kept picking up books that disappointed and not finishing them so decided to revisit some of my favorites that sat languishing upon my shelves for years. Love the Darkover series probably more than anything else and this re-reading reminded why I fell in love with Ms. Bradley's writing years ago. A must read for everyone!
October 16, 2011
OK. A good half of it was short stories that had already appeared in other anthologies. The new stuff pretty much meshed with the previous. Good, but nothing special. For Darkover completists, read it, otherwise, meh.
Read
September 2, 2007Reread in 2003.
February 28, 2012
The stories are uneven but fill in interesting gaps in the lore and history of Darkover. Good fun for fans and an accessible introduction for readers new to MZB's realm.
June 22, 2012
I have the whole series. I have read the books many times. Great author!
January 4, 2021
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
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