Marion Zimmer Bradley

On the enigmatic world of Darkover, where ancient psychic gifts intertwine with the remnants of advanced technology, two… On the enigmatic world of Darkover, where ancient psychic gifts intertwine with the remnants of advanced technology, two young men grapple with their dual heritage. Straddling the divide between the planet's powerful, isolationist clans and the encroaching influence of the Terran Federation, they find themselves thrust into a web of dangerous political intrigue. As rival factions vie for control, these outcasts must confront their true identities and make impossible choices. The path they forge will not only define their own destinies but could also ignite a war that threatens to forever cleave Darkover in two. read more

Although the natives of Darkover are the descendants of a long-lost Terran colony ship, they distrust the Terran spacers… Although the natives of Darkover are the descendants of a long-lost Terran colony ship, they distrust the Terran spacers who have recently taken up residence on their planet. Many feel that these strangers from space have the power to disrupt the entire society of Darkover. Yet despite the mutual prejudice between the peoples of Earth and Darkover, Terran Larry Montray and Kennard Alton, the heir to the Alton Domain, forge a bond of friendship which flourished even in the face of their families' disapproval. Will their personal alliance fracture the stability of both their cultures? read more

When a Terran ship crashed on Darkover, many of the colonists and crew wished to stay and build an Earthlike society on… When a Terran ship crashed on Darkover, many of the colonists and crew wished to stay and build an Earthlike society on the alien planet. They might be the most intelligent species on that world and could make themselves its lords and masters. They didn't realize the dangers that lurked until the Ghost Wind began to blow and the powers of Darkover worked to claim them completely... read more

"THE HERITAGE OF HASTUR, longest and most intricate of the Darkover books, is a brilliant epic of the pivotal event in t… "THE HERITAGE OF HASTUR, longest and most intricate of the Darkover books, is a brilliant epic of the pivotal event in the strange love-hate relationship between the Terran worlds and the semi-alien offspring of forgotten peoples. This is the novel of the Hastur tradition and of the showdown between those who would bargain away their world for the glories of star-borne science and those who would preserve the special "matrix" power that was at once the prize and the burden of ruddy-sunned Darkover."--Back cover. read more

Retells the legend of King Arthur as perceived by the women central to the tale, from the zealous Morgaine, sworn to uph… Retells the legend of King Arthur as perceived by the women central to the tale, from the zealous Morgaine, sworn to uphold her goddess at any cost, to the devout Gwenhwyfar, pledged to the king but drawn to another. read more

Bard di Asturien, ambitious soldier-outlaw, and of his opponent, Varzil the Good, who struggled to establish the Compact… Bard di Asturien, ambitious soldier-outlaw, and of his opponent, Varzil the Good, who struggled to establish the Compact. And it is also the story of a man from distant Terra named Paul Harrell who was the exact duplicate of Varzil's enemy. read more

The House of the Tiger has successfully ruled Merina in times of peace, but now as an emperor's army conquers their king… The House of the Tiger has successfully ruled Merina in times of peace, but now as an emperor's army conquers their kingdom, the ruling house's three most powerful women abdicate their thrones, establish new identities, and go into hiding in order to fight from behind the scenes. Reprint. read more

This famous and bestselling series continues with the bestselling fantasy author, Mercedes Lackey. Leonie Hasture, heads… This famous and bestselling series continues with the bestselling fantasy author, Mercedes Lackey. Leonie Hasture, headstrong daughter of one of the most powerful telepathic families who rule Darkover, is to be trained in the use of her psychic powers. Although this is an event she has long dreamed of, she is plagued by a terrifying premonition.... read more

...an incredible blending of fantasy and science fiction. Eventually the Terrans rediscover their long-lost -- and now a… ...an incredible blending of fantasy and science fiction. Eventually the Terrans rediscover their long-lost -- and now alien -- colony: Darkover. Things are different there. While adolescent male homosexuality is generally tolerated on Darkover, men are expected to outgrow it. When Dyan Ardais takes lovers young enough to be his sons, he risks not just his reputation, but his life. Life in a Tower as a Keeper, the chaste virgin who holds a circle together, is grueling. Few succeed in the long, painful years of training. The ones who do have power greater than any queen, but what happens to the ones who don't? Darkovan technology is based on matrix stones that amplify psychic gifts, and people with those gifts work in the Tower circles. But duty to family outweighs everything else, and anyone can be called home from the Tower to marry as her family dictates. A Comyn lady can have lands, wealth, family...everything but freedom. Women can become Free Amazons, but that life has its own set of challenges. Before a candidate's trial period ends, she must decide if she is truly meant to cope with everything being a Free Amazon entails. read more

After spending her youth in the Terran Empire, Margaret Alton returns to Darkover, the planet of her birth. There she di… After spending her youth in the Terran Empire, Margaret Alton returns to Darkover, the planet of her birth. There she discovers she has the Alton Gift - forced rapport and compulsion - one of the strongest and most dangerous of the inherited "Laran" gifts of the telepathic Comyn - the ruling families of Darkover. And even as she struggles to control her newfound powers, Margaret finds herself falling in love with the Regent to the royal Elhalyn Domain, a man she has been forbidden to marry, for their alliance would irrevocably alter the power balance of their planet! read more

Darkover: for some the planet beneath the bloody far-off sun, had the reputation of being a half-frozen lump of dust on… Darkover: for some the planet beneath the bloody far-off sun, had the reputation of being a half-frozen lump of dust on the edge of nowhere. For Jeff Kerwin, Jr, Darkover meant only one thing - home. Returning there after many long years, Kerwin had not been prepared for what he was to find . . . For from the first day he set foot on the planet he had been hounded by a sinister, swarthy man who made no secret of the shadowing. Then there was the strange discovery that there was no record anywhere of his birth and childhood on Darkover. All the dark forces of this mysterious world were banding together to deny him - and Jeff Kerwin vowed to risk everything to find out why. read more

The eighth Darkover anthology returns to stories about the Free Amazons, also called Renunciates. Here are twenty-two br… The eighth Darkover anthology returns to stories about the Free Amazons, also called Renunciates. Here are twenty-two brand new tales about the Renunciates, including Marion Zimmer Bradley's account of how Camilla and Rafaella changed from enemies to best friends. Stories in this volume were written by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Deborah J. Ross, Mercedes Lackey, Diana L. Paxson, Elisabeth Waters, Emily Alward, Priscilla W. Armstrong, Lynne Armstrong-Jones, Chel Avery, Margaret L. Carter, Patricia B. Cirone, Mary Fenoglio, Kelly B. Jaggers, Judith Kobylecky, Jean Lamb, Vera Nazarian, Patricia Duffy Novak, Diann S. Partridge, Andrew Rey, Janet R. Rhodes, Annette Rodriguez, and Joan Marie Verba. read more

The seventh anthology of all-original Darkover stories adds to the legends of the Planet of the Bloody Sun. This volume… The seventh anthology of all-original Darkover stories adds to the legends of the Planet of the Bloody Sun. This volume contains stories by Deborah J. Ross, Mercedes Lackey, Lynne Armstrong-Jones, Barbara Denz, Cynthia Drolet, Mary Frey, Dorothy J. Heydt, Judith Kobylecky, Meg MacDonald, Patricia Duffy Novak, Diann Patridge, Janet Rhodes, Judith Sampson, Micole Sudberg, Joan Marie Verba, L.D. Woeltjen, and Elisabeth Waters & Marion Zimmer Bradley. read more

A gripping new fantasy novel set in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover universe. Darkover, a Lost Colony far out on the ga… A gripping new fantasy novel set in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover universe. Darkover, a Lost Colony far out on the galactic rim, a world of telepaths, nonhumans, and warlords ... a world about to discover the terrible destructive power of weapons of the mind ... Traumatized by psychic warfare as a child, a young woman with extraordinary psychic talents negotiates a treacherous path, risking unforeseen dangers to create a haven where she and others can use their skills for good. In Darkover's dim past, before the tumultuous Ages of Chaos, small kingdoms still vied for power with sword and spear. But with the rise of psychic abilities called laran, unscrupulous leaders turned to half-trained sorcerers for an advantage. One such struggle arose between the realms of Hastur and its ambitious neighbor, Carcosse. Leora Hastur is still a child when her laran awakens, and the resulting crisis almost claims her life. Her beloved older sister, Neave, and her father's small circle of telepathic workers manage to save her, but nothing can shield her from the horrors of the impending war. Leora's younger sister perishes in the firestorm of laran-fueled destruction when Lord Carcosse and his sorcerer attack their home. Scarred and deeply traumatized, Leora is sent to a faraway Tower for healing. In the process, she grows to womanhood and develops her extraordinary Gifts, wanting nothing more than to live and work among fellow telepaths. But war is brewing once more ... To prevent another catastrophe, Lord Hastur brokers an alliance, with marriage to Leora as part of the treaty. Rather than see others suffer as she has, Leora reluctantly agrees. As she and Neave travel to the wedding, one calamity follows another, from a flash flood to an attack by nonhuman catmen ... and capture by ruthless Dry Towns slavers. To save her sister and their fellow captives, Leora must call forth a previously unknown Gift and summon the gods themselves to her cause. Arilinn is the new, long-awaited read more