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Darkover (Publication Order) #31
Snows of Darkover
Noted authors--including Mercedes Lackey, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Diana Paxson--return to Darkover, the planet of the Bloody Sun where a wall of ice separates man from the snowy wasteland
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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601 people want to read
About the author
Marion Zimmer Bradley
800 books4,878 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fan fiction and reprinted some of it in commercial Darkover anthologies, continuing to encourage submissions from unpublished authors, but this ended after a dispute with a fan over an unpublished Darkover novel of Bradley's that had similarities to some of the fan's stories.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 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 24, 2013
Some of the later stories in this collection are weak and have the characteristics of a fanzine and fan fiction from which this collection is based. However, for a fan or a reader of the Darkover series, this collection is worth picking up for a few reasons. The first is Deborah Wheeler’s story “Cradle of Lies” which in some ways foreshadows her excellent work in the Clingfire trilogy. Additionally, a few of the stories like “The Awakening”, “The Chieri’s Godchild” and “The Yearbride” look at the end of society and sacrifice. There are two funny stories, including one written by Mercedes Lackey. Perhaps the best story is “The Midwinter’s Gift” by Jane Edgeworth which is a twist on a famous story by O.Henry.
Two of the short stories – “Fire in the Hellars” and “A Matter of Perception” – show promise but are somewhat lacking. In one case it is the use of dialect that throws the reader.
Two of the short stories – “Fire in the Hellars” and “A Matter of Perception” – show promise but are somewhat lacking. In one case it is the use of dialect that throws the reader.
November 18, 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* (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.
November 23, 2017
Continuo a comprare e leggere i libri di MZB per inerzia ed affetto letterario, ma vorrei tornare allo stupore di quando lessi La Signora delle Tempeste! Ormai è tutto così scontato e conosciuto che si prova solo consuetudine. Qui c'è qualche buon racconto, ma niente di sostanzioso. Peccato.
July 22, 2020
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
January 7, 2026
It was a great collection of stories.
December 8, 2025
“Il Dono del Solstizio d’Inverno” di Jane Edgeworth, da solo, meriterebbe l’acquisto di questa antologia: un racconto delicato, romantico, apparentemente privo di eventi, intimo. Non è l’unico gioiellino di questa antologia, ma “Il Dono del Solstizio d’Inverno” si discosta da tutti gli altri per l’atmosfera di calore umano di cui è pervaso e che scalda il cuore a mano a mano che si procede con la lettura.
Altrettanto delicato, seppur in modo diverso, “Il Chieri” di Cynthia McQuillin.
Anche “Una nuova vita” di Roxanna Pierson sta a sé: è infatti un racconto incentrato su una Libera Amazzone del tutto scevro della tipica aria di squallore che permea le storie che vede tali donne come protagoniste.
Certo, non mancano racconti che abbassano – e di molto – la qualità generale dell’antologia, ma nel complesso merita di essere letta.
Altrettanto delicato, seppur in modo diverso, “Il Chieri” di Cynthia McQuillin.
Anche “Una nuova vita” di Roxanna Pierson sta a sé: è infatti un racconto incentrato su una Libera Amazzone del tutto scevro della tipica aria di squallore che permea le storie che vede tali donne come protagoniste.
Certo, non mancano racconti che abbassano – e di molto – la qualità generale dell’antologia, ma nel complesso merita di essere letta.
February 27, 2016
CRADLE OF LIES:
Ashara Alton, Underkeeper of Neskaya Tower, is determined to continue the work of her mentor and trainer Varzil. Is the cost of a female Keeper too high for Darkover?
POETIC LICENSE:
What can the Free Amazon Tayksa do when Lord Ridenow’s son is accused of stealing from the reputable musician Anndra?
Ashara Alton, Underkeeper of Neskaya Tower, is determined to continue the work of her mentor and trainer Varzil. Is the cost of a female Keeper too high for Darkover?
POETIC LICENSE:
What can the Free Amazon Tayksa do when Lord Ridenow’s son is accused of stealing from the reputable musician Anndra?
December 17, 2011
Another strong three, just shy of four. I was very impressed by a number of stories and in particular the very sweet gay "Christmas" story moved me quite a bit. But, there were a couple of updates that were very well done, and a couple of originals that were very much that.
April 17, 2009
OK - So I had to mark this one with 5 stars because I'm published in it. See Matix Blue.
August 10, 2014
Darkover Anthology - these are so good. This is an old one; I loved the short stories. Visiting Darkover is always a treat!
February 1, 2019
A couple of old familiar names and other stories of descendants. No boring stories. A couple fairly unique twists.
Read
July 15, 2011Too many authors.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews