Realms of Darkover

Darkover Anthology #16

by Deborah J. Ross

Marion Zimmer Bradley’s beloved world of Darkover encompasses many realms, from glacier-shrouded mountains to arid wastelands, from ancient kingdoms to space-faring empires. Now this all-new anthology welcomes old friends and new fans to explore these landscapes of time and place, history and imagination. Darkover’s psychic gifts known as laran bestow the ability to reach across the stars, meld with another’s mind, and experience past and possible futures. These talents are not limited to Darkover’s human inhabitants, for the planet is also home to nonhuman races, many with powerful mental abilities of their own. In these stories, a swordsman on the track of an assassin forges a telepathic bond with a great owl…a shapeshifter from Earth discovers kinship with a Darkovan catman…a boy from the desert Dry Towns displays a deadly form of weather-control…rescuers make their way across blizzard-cloaked mountains, afoot or on skis…and an intrepid young woman challenges the male establishment in her dream of becoming a judge.

Robin Wayne Bailey + Jane M. H. Bigelow + Barb Caffrey + Margaret L. Carter & Leslie Roy Carter + Rosemary Edghill & Rebecca Fox+ Leslie Fish + Shariann Lewitt + Deborah Millitello + Ty Nolan + Diana L. Paxson + Marella Sands + Michael Spence

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2016

About the author

Deborah J. Ross writes and edits fantasy and science fiction. Her novels include Jaydium, Northlight, Lambda Finalist first-contact Collaborators, and The Seven-Petaled Shield epic fantasy trilogy. Besides continuing the "Darkover" series created by Marion Zimmer Bradley, she's edited the Darkover anthology series and the award-nominated Lace and Blade series. Her short fiction has appeared in Asimov's, F & SF, Realms of Fantasy, and many others, earning multiple Honorable Mention in Year's Best SF. When she's not writing, she knits for charity, plays classical piano, and goes hiking in the redwoods.

Reviews

[Morgan Dhu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another year, another Darkover anthology. This year's edition arrived at a most opportune moment, when I was sick with a truly vicious cold and much in need of comfort reading.

Realms of Darkover is exactly what one should, by now, expect - a collection of short stories set in the familiar world created by Marion Zimmer Bradley, with all sorts of variations on the themes of first contact and the coming of the Terrans, how to cope with laran, the workings of renunciates and Guild Houses, a scattering of chieris and perhaps some of the other non-human races found on Darkover, and a few stories that break out into other areas.

I enjoyed all of the tales in this volume, particularly Diana L. Paxson's "Housebound," and Barb Caffrey's "Fiona, Court Clerk in Training," both of which feature protagonists seen in earlier collections.

Light fun reading.

[Sctechsorceress · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 16th anthology of Darkover stories, and I'm afraid that the series is showing it's age. I can't say there was anything I disliked, but there was not a single story in the book that really grabbed me. I'll probably still buy and read #17, whenever it comes out.

[Laurie Baum · Rating 5 out of 5]

40 years and counting, I want to die on Darkover!

I have loved Darkoveter since I was in my early twenties and stumbled upon "The Shattered Chain". I am now in my sixties, and still love to live on Darkover, even if it is only in my mind!

[Jimyanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of fan-fiction is not bad, but nothing to write home about. If you've read and enjoyed others in the series, you'll probably enjoy this one. It seemed a bit better proofread than some have been, but still far from flawless.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great group of stories with some that fit perfectly into the timeline. A couple very engrossing stories. Interesting characters.

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anthology of Darkover was a good read for me. My favorite was "Purity". I'm looking forward to the other anthologies. Thank you Deborah J. Ross for keeping Darkover alive!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover is cheesy. I loved all the stories included.

[Pat Gibson]

Another collection of short stories from the Darkover universe. Worth reading if you enjoy this very different vision of reality. Keep them coming!