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Darkover Omnibus #1
Heritage and Exile
The Heritage of for a Hugo Award, and described as “Bradley’s best [Darkover] novel” by Lous, THE HERITAGE OF HASTUR is a brilliant epic of the pivotal events in the love-hate relationship between the Terran worlds and the semi-alien off-spring of the forgotten colonists who peopled Darkover. This is the complex and compelling tale of the early life of Regis Hastur, Darkover’s greatest monarch. But HERITAGE also spins the terrifying and heartbreaking story of those who sought to control the deadly Sharra Matrix and tells how Lew Alton met and lost his greatest love, Marjorie Scott. This is the unforgettable showdown between these Darkovan lords who would bargain away their world for the glories of Terran science and those who would preserve the special matrix powers that are at once the prize and burden of Darkover. Sharra’s most dangerous magical implement on all of Darkover was the infamous, legendary Sharra Matrix. Embodying the image of a chained woman wreathed in flames, it was the last remaining weapon of the Ages of Chaos—an era of uncontrolled laran warfare which had almost destroyed all life on Darkover. The Sharra Matrix had been exiled offworld to one of the far-flung planets of the Terran Empire, in the protective custody of one who had suffered gravely from its Comyn Lord Lew Alton. But when Lew was called back to Darkover to contend for his rights, he had no choice but to bring this dangerous matrix back with him, and once the Sharra Matrix was black, her flaming image spread far and wide, setting motion events which would change the lands, the seven Domains, and the entire future forever.
784 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1981
165 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
About the author
Marion Zimmer Bradley
804 books4,908 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 30 reviews
May 28, 2017
I had more than a few issues with this book, least of all that it became quite ponderous at times. Especially the second of the two books suffered from pacing issues. Events were described with great urgency and import, and then in terms of the plot or other characters, nothing would happen and no one would react even when moments before they had been frantic with how dire their situation was.
But now on to what really rankled.
This book was given to me by someone who extolled it's importance as a groundbreaking fantasy novel--one of the first mass-market fantasy novels to feature a gay protagonist. And here's why I have a problem with that claim: while it features many gay characters and characters that have sex with men, none of them are ever portrayed in a good light or are able to come to terms with their sexuality. Even the supposedly gay protagonist has sex with multiple women in order to produce heirs, though he refuses to marry them. One of the main characters, Regis Hastur, is romantically and becomes sexually involved with his friend Danillo, but even at the end of the second book, he treats Danillo as nothing more than a friend outside of the bedroom and makes constant comments about how he can never find love and how no woman has ever loved him the way he sees them love other men. Meanwhile, Danillo is utterly devoted to and is forced to put up with taunts and leers from Regis's disapproving grandfather--and Regis never intervenes. Their romance is closeted. And Regis gives no consideration to the hurt he causes Danillo by constantly looking for a woman to make his wife and bedding them for heirs.
Soeaking of Danillo, let's talk about the man who molests him: Dyan. Oh, that's right. One of the major characters in these books is an admitted child molester, a fact everyone else seems to know and just glosses over because he's "a good man" he just has certain proclivities. Proclivities that lead to one of his victims committing suicide rather than continue to be victimized. And after Danillo is banished for standing up to his molester, what's the apology he gets? He gets adopted by the man who molested him and is made to act as his heir and 2nd in command. Yeah, that's right. His reward is to be forced to spend his life living with and working in close proximity with the man who tried to rape him. The character of Dyan is essentially a rape-apologist. Except he never really apologizes for his actions or is held remotely accountable. Which starts to make sense if you know what the author, Bradley was married to a man whom she knew was, and approved of, having a relationship with a 14 year old boy (she admitted this all publicly when he was arrested after molesting another 12 year old boy. Only when he was arrested and his actions became public knowledge did she divorce him).
Then in the 2nd volume, you have the character of Lerrys, who is described as a dandy and a fop, a coward and a traitor who kidnaps his sister and lies to her and her husband in order to ensure they divorce after a harrowing still-birth. He eventually flees the planet and leaves them all to their fate when disaster seems imminent.
Yeah. Real positive representations of gay characters.
And I haven't even gotten started on women who are for the most part treated as heir-producing-wombs, with no rights or considerations, and if they're lucky, wives. The few women who have real power in this fictional world are forced to live as virgins because having sex is too dangerous and might interfere with their work. None of the women Regis impregnates seem to be particularly bothered by the fact they've been left holding a baby by a closeted gay man who refuses to marry them--it's ok though, he'll pay for the children's education and will recognize them as his bastards!
I could go on and write more about how Lew Alton's vaguely homophobic father may have himself had a closeted relationship with Dyan when he was younger, or innumerable other ways I found this novel's treatment of women and lgbt characters problematic and offensive, but as it is I already feel stabby. So instead I'll just sign off here with the assertion that I have no interest in reading any of Marion Zimmer Bradley's other works.
But now on to what really rankled.
This book was given to me by someone who extolled it's importance as a groundbreaking fantasy novel--one of the first mass-market fantasy novels to feature a gay protagonist. And here's why I have a problem with that claim: while it features many gay characters and characters that have sex with men, none of them are ever portrayed in a good light or are able to come to terms with their sexuality. Even the supposedly gay protagonist has sex with multiple women in order to produce heirs, though he refuses to marry them. One of the main characters, Regis Hastur, is romantically and becomes sexually involved with his friend Danillo, but even at the end of the second book, he treats Danillo as nothing more than a friend outside of the bedroom and makes constant comments about how he can never find love and how no woman has ever loved him the way he sees them love other men. Meanwhile, Danillo is utterly devoted to and is forced to put up with taunts and leers from Regis's disapproving grandfather--and Regis never intervenes. Their romance is closeted. And Regis gives no consideration to the hurt he causes Danillo by constantly looking for a woman to make his wife and bedding them for heirs.
Soeaking of Danillo, let's talk about the man who molests him: Dyan. Oh, that's right. One of the major characters in these books is an admitted child molester, a fact everyone else seems to know and just glosses over because he's "a good man" he just has certain proclivities. Proclivities that lead to one of his victims committing suicide rather than continue to be victimized. And after Danillo is banished for standing up to his molester, what's the apology he gets? He gets adopted by the man who molested him and is made to act as his heir and 2nd in command. Yeah, that's right. His reward is to be forced to spend his life living with and working in close proximity with the man who tried to rape him. The character of Dyan is essentially a rape-apologist. Except he never really apologizes for his actions or is held remotely accountable. Which starts to make sense if you know what the author, Bradley was married to a man whom she knew was, and approved of, having a relationship with a 14 year old boy (she admitted this all publicly when he was arrested after molesting another 12 year old boy. Only when he was arrested and his actions became public knowledge did she divorce him).
Then in the 2nd volume, you have the character of Lerrys, who is described as a dandy and a fop, a coward and a traitor who kidnaps his sister and lies to her and her husband in order to ensure they divorce after a harrowing still-birth. He eventually flees the planet and leaves them all to their fate when disaster seems imminent.
Yeah. Real positive representations of gay characters.
And I haven't even gotten started on women who are for the most part treated as heir-producing-wombs, with no rights or considerations, and if they're lucky, wives. The few women who have real power in this fictional world are forced to live as virgins because having sex is too dangerous and might interfere with their work. None of the women Regis impregnates seem to be particularly bothered by the fact they've been left holding a baby by a closeted gay man who refuses to marry them--it's ok though, he'll pay for the children's education and will recognize them as his bastards!
I could go on and write more about how Lew Alton's vaguely homophobic father may have himself had a closeted relationship with Dyan when he was younger, or innumerable other ways I found this novel's treatment of women and lgbt characters problematic and offensive, but as it is I already feel stabby. So instead I'll just sign off here with the assertion that I have no interest in reading any of Marion Zimmer Bradley's other works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 3, 2024Lee silver metal
September 18, 2008
Two novels under one cover. Heritage is a scattered and repetitious maundering over what it means to belong or to be an outsider, on political, personal and sexual levels, and how the concomittant anger born of rejection transmits across social strata via the intersection of the actions of the individual. This summary makes it sound deeper than the author actually manages to go. Oh, and if I ever read "There's a saying..." or any variation on it again, I think I'll stab myself in the eye. I'm only a few chapters into Sharra, but it's already much, much better.
April 9, 2017
The plot is interesting but the continuity errors drive me nuts, and the laid-back attitude toward rape doesn't incline me to cut her slack on anything.
July 6, 2015
THE HERITAGE OF HASTUR: Regis Hastur is the male Hastur heir, but he has no laran. He has unknowingly put up barriers of his own to block his laran. It will take a rare catalyst telepath to unlock his laran and break down those barriers. In addition to all of this, Regis his hiding more than just his laran from himself. He will be forced to face and acknowledge this in order to take his place as Hastur heir. Regis truly dreams of taking off in the powerful and impressive spacecrafts and traveling off world, across the galaxy.
Empire citizens are selling blasters in the market place of Caer Donn, (a renegade Domain exiled from Comyn generations ago). This black market selling is in direct violation of the Terrans agreement to Darkovan’s Compact. With political power struggles, no one takes responsibility to right the problem. Lew, (Kennard’s half-Terran son and the only one of his two sons recognized by Comyn), will travel to Castle Aldaran to confront Lord Kermiac about this violation.
This fantastic book tells the great growing up adventure of the young Regis Hastur. I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of his rule, and to find out how he will continue to interact with Lew and Danilo, considering his acceptance and barriers are broken and he is at peace with that.
SHARRA'S EXILE: The end of The Heritage of Hastur resulted in
With hopes that Terran medical science can help Lew regain his destroyed hand, Kennard tries to aid his son and Alton’s heir. Lew finds some small comfort and starts to live once again when he and Dio meet on the pleasure planet Vainwal. At first Dio is completely turned off by Lew and his over the top meanness towards everyone and everything. But as Lew slowly allows Dio past his barriers, Sharra’s hold on him diminishes when he confesses to her what happened to him in the Sharra matrix circle, the Lady Ridenow grows to love him.
Sharra’s influence on Lew goes deeper than what he previously imagined it ever could.
The Hasturs intend to inherit the Alton Domain, adding to the already immense Hastur power, because both Lew and Kennard are off world at the same time. The two have left the domain vacant for more six years. Will Lew return to Darkover to claim his right to rule the Alton domain, or will his brother Marius finally work his way into the Comyn with Dyan’s help? Will Regis support his grandfather, when he plans to put Gabriel Lanart-Hastur on the Alton domain throne? How will the manipulated and dull-witted Prince Derik’s big mouth bring an end to not only his reign as king, but bring an end to the Comyn’s rule also? Ultimately, will Lew continue to battle and defeat Sharra, or will he choose to give up and die because the pain Sharra inflicts on him is unbearable?
Empire citizens are selling blasters in the market place of Caer Donn, (a renegade Domain exiled from Comyn generations ago). This black market selling is in direct violation of the Terrans agreement to Darkovan’s Compact. With political power struggles, no one takes responsibility to right the problem. Lew, (Kennard’s half-Terran son and the only one of his two sons recognized by Comyn), will travel to Castle Aldaran to confront Lord Kermiac about this violation.
This fantastic book tells the great growing up adventure of the young Regis Hastur. I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of his rule, and to find out how he will continue to interact with Lew and Danilo, considering his acceptance and barriers are broken and he is at peace with that.
SHARRA'S EXILE: The end of The Heritage of Hastur resulted in
With hopes that Terran medical science can help Lew regain his destroyed hand, Kennard tries to aid his son and Alton’s heir. Lew finds some small comfort and starts to live once again when he and Dio meet on the pleasure planet Vainwal. At first Dio is completely turned off by Lew and his over the top meanness towards everyone and everything. But as Lew slowly allows Dio past his barriers, Sharra’s hold on him diminishes when he confesses to her what happened to him in the Sharra matrix circle, the Lady Ridenow grows to love him.
Sharra’s influence on Lew goes deeper than what he previously imagined it ever could.
The Hasturs intend to inherit the Alton Domain, adding to the already immense Hastur power, because both Lew and Kennard are off world at the same time. The two have left the domain vacant for more six years. Will Lew return to Darkover to claim his right to rule the Alton domain, or will his brother Marius finally work his way into the Comyn with Dyan’s help? Will Regis support his grandfather, when he plans to put Gabriel Lanart-Hastur on the Alton domain throne? How will the manipulated and dull-witted Prince Derik’s big mouth bring an end to not only his reign as king, but bring an end to the Comyn’s rule also? Ultimately, will Lew continue to battle and defeat Sharra, or will he choose to give up and die because the pain Sharra inflicts on him is unbearable?
July 6, 2015
THE HERITAGE OF HASTUR: Regis Hastur is the male Hastur heir, but he has no laran. He has unknowingly put up barriers of his own to block his laran. It will take a rare catalyst telepath to unlock his laran and break down those barriers. In addition to all of this, Regis his hiding more than just his laran from himself. He will be forced to face and acknowledge this in order to take his place as Hastur heir. Regis truly dreams of taking off in the powerful and impressive spacecrafts and traveling off world, across the galaxy.
Empire citizens are selling blasters in the market place of Caer Donn, (a renegade Domain exiled from Comyn generations ago). This black market selling is in direct violation of the Terrans agreement to Darkovan’s Compact. With political power struggles, no one takes responsibility to right the problem. Lew, (Kennard’s half-Terran son and the only one of his two sons recognized by Comyn), will travel to Castle Aldaran to confront Lord Kermiac about this violation.
This fantastic book tells the great growing up adventure of the young Regis Hastur. I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of his rule, and to find out how he will continue to interact with Lew and Danilo, considering his acceptance and barriers are broken and he is at peace with that.
SHARRA'S EXILE: The end of The Heritage of Hastur resulted in
With hopes that Terran medical science can help Lew regain his destroyed hand, Kennard tries to aid his son and Alton’s heir. Lew finds some small comfort and starts to live once again when he and Dio meet on the pleasure planet Vainwal. At first Dio is completely turned off by Lew and his over the top meanness towards everyone and everything. But as Lew slowly allows Dio past his barriers, Sharra’s hold on him diminishes when he confesses to her what happened to him in the Sharra matrix circle, the Lady Ridenow grows to love him.
Sharra’s influence on Lew goes deeper than what he previously imagined it ever could.
The Hasturs intend to inherit the Alton Domain, adding to the already immense Hastur power, because both Lew and Kennard are off world at the same time. The two have left the domain vacant for more six years. Will Lew return to Darkover to claim his right to rule the Alton domain, or will his brother Marius finally work his way into the Comyn with Dyan’s help? Will Regis support his grandfather, when he plans to put Gabriel Lanart-Hastur on the Alton domain throne? How will the manipulated and dull-witted Prince Derik’s big mouth bring an end to not only his reign as king, but bring an end to the Comyn’s rule also? Ultimately, will Lew continue to battle and defeat Sharra, or will he choose to give up and die because the pain Sharra inflicts on him is unbearable?
Empire citizens are selling blasters in the market place of Caer Donn, (a renegade Domain exiled from Comyn generations ago). This black market selling is in direct violation of the Terrans agreement to Darkovan’s Compact. With political power struggles, no one takes responsibility to right the problem. Lew, (Kennard’s half-Terran son and the only one of his two sons recognized by Comyn), will travel to Castle Aldaran to confront Lord Kermiac about this violation.
This fantastic book tells the great growing up adventure of the young Regis Hastur. I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of his rule, and to find out how he will continue to interact with Lew and Danilo, considering his acceptance and barriers are broken and he is at peace with that.
SHARRA'S EXILE: The end of The Heritage of Hastur resulted in
With hopes that Terran medical science can help Lew regain his destroyed hand, Kennard tries to aid his son and Alton’s heir. Lew finds some small comfort and starts to live once again when he and Dio meet on the pleasure planet Vainwal. At first Dio is completely turned off by Lew and his over the top meanness towards everyone and everything. But as Lew slowly allows Dio past his barriers, Sharra’s hold on him diminishes when he confesses to her what happened to him in the Sharra matrix circle, the Lady Ridenow grows to love him.
Sharra’s influence on Lew goes deeper than what he previously imagined it ever could.
The Hasturs intend to inherit the Alton Domain, adding to the already immense Hastur power, because both Lew and Kennard are off world at the same time. The two have left the domain vacant for more six years. Will Lew return to Darkover to claim his right to rule the Alton domain, or will his brother Marius finally work his way into the Comyn with Dyan’s help? Will Regis support his grandfather, when he plans to put Gabriel Lanart-Hastur on the Alton domain throne? How will the manipulated and dull-witted Prince Derik’s big mouth bring an end to not only his reign as king, but bring an end to the Comyn’s rule also? Ultimately, will Lew continue to battle and defeat Sharra, or will he choose to give up and die because the pain Sharra inflicts on him is unbearable?
August 20, 2020
Stopped reading after 100+ pages. This book comes in the middle of a long series of creations. I didn't have the patience to catch up and the characters didn't enthrall.
May 14, 2022
The Darkover world intrigues me. So much to learn about ourselves while reading about their culture.
May 24, 2022
Not quite a rewrite.
I like this version of events better than the first. It is smoother. The character's actions and storyline feel more real.
I like this version of events better than the first. It is smoother. The character's actions and storyline feel more real.
May 23, 2023
revisiting some favorites from when i was younger.
November 8, 2023
Not to my taste
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January 30, 2025Colonialism, ethical questions around weapons. Not for me right now
March 18, 2021
Set in an alien and cold world where the relationship between the Terrans and Darkover’s original colonists treads a delicate balance of co-existence, Heritage centres on those who seek to bring the planet out of its anachronistic existence and put it on an equal footing with the Terran words. While the people of Darkover reject the advances of Terran science they have developed their own special abilities, namely their mental powers of telepathy and their ability to control the matrix. At the core of the story are Lew Alton, caught between the aggressive young idealists looking to the future and his loyalty to the Comyn; and Regis, the very young potential Regent-heir of Hastur.
The story is a fine interweaving of the complex plot and the personal lives of the many characters. The Comyn people’s beliefs rooted in a society where loyalty and honour reign above all else means that even the darker characters have their standards. But among the many individuals both Lew and Regis are particularly appealing characters. Regis especially as he struggles with his own desires; in his early teens and with the longing to travel off world (something denied him) he is a reluctant heir, he is hampered too in having the potential for telepathic powers but seemingly unable to realise them; and he begins to recognises in himself a desire to reach out to other men or youths. Particularly heart-warming is the relationship which develops between Regis his fellow cadet Danilo, a youngster of high moral standards who becomes devoted to Regis.
The Heritage of Hastur is an intense, compelling and intricate epic, but what make it especially appealing is that at its root is the people, the individual and varied characters who populate the story.
Sharas Exile
Note: Swords of Aldones was conceived when the author was just fifteen years old, before Heritage and Exile. Having subsequently written Heritage Marion Zimmer Bradley then considered Swords less than satisfactory and eventually decided that while Swords was basically a good idea it was written when she had neither the skill nor the maturity to handle it; she decided not to rewrite it but to write an entirely new book based on events in the same time frame as Swords; that book is Sharra’s Exile.
Chronologically in Darkover’s history Sharra’s Exile follows on from Heritage and Exile after a gap of just a few years. Lew is living off world with his father seeking to save his damaged hand, he also has with him for the safety of Darkover the powerful Shara Matrix. On Darkover Regis is coming to terms with his role as his grandfather’s eventual successor. We also learn very soon that his relationship with Danilo has progressed beyond the latter being sworn paxman, and with great subtly on the author’s part we realise they are now also lovers. When Lew returns from exile to stand for his rights as Lord of his Domain, he inevitably brings with him the Shara Matrix, unleashing series of events that will threaten the very existence of Darkover.
Told as was Heritage and Exile, in alternate chapters in third person narrative and then narrated by Lew in the first person, Shara’s Exile is a complex and involving story, full of political intrigue, drama and love as the Comyn struggle for their own survival, an anachronism in the time of an interstellar empire; events which will ultimately demonstrate that love conquers all. It is on the whole a gripping read; it does at times get bogged down and suffer occasionally from repetition of certain points, but other than that the writing is first-rate, one feels absolutely confident the author’s hands.
The story is a fine interweaving of the complex plot and the personal lives of the many characters. The Comyn people’s beliefs rooted in a society where loyalty and honour reign above all else means that even the darker characters have their standards. But among the many individuals both Lew and Regis are particularly appealing characters. Regis especially as he struggles with his own desires; in his early teens and with the longing to travel off world (something denied him) he is a reluctant heir, he is hampered too in having the potential for telepathic powers but seemingly unable to realise them; and he begins to recognises in himself a desire to reach out to other men or youths. Particularly heart-warming is the relationship which develops between Regis his fellow cadet Danilo, a youngster of high moral standards who becomes devoted to Regis.
The Heritage of Hastur is an intense, compelling and intricate epic, but what make it especially appealing is that at its root is the people, the individual and varied characters who populate the story.
Sharas Exile
Note: Swords of Aldones was conceived when the author was just fifteen years old, before Heritage and Exile. Having subsequently written Heritage Marion Zimmer Bradley then considered Swords less than satisfactory and eventually decided that while Swords was basically a good idea it was written when she had neither the skill nor the maturity to handle it; she decided not to rewrite it but to write an entirely new book based on events in the same time frame as Swords; that book is Sharra’s Exile.
Chronologically in Darkover’s history Sharra’s Exile follows on from Heritage and Exile after a gap of just a few years. Lew is living off world with his father seeking to save his damaged hand, he also has with him for the safety of Darkover the powerful Shara Matrix. On Darkover Regis is coming to terms with his role as his grandfather’s eventual successor. We also learn very soon that his relationship with Danilo has progressed beyond the latter being sworn paxman, and with great subtly on the author’s part we realise they are now also lovers. When Lew returns from exile to stand for his rights as Lord of his Domain, he inevitably brings with him the Shara Matrix, unleashing series of events that will threaten the very existence of Darkover.
Told as was Heritage and Exile, in alternate chapters in third person narrative and then narrated by Lew in the first person, Shara’s Exile is a complex and involving story, full of political intrigue, drama and love as the Comyn struggle for their own survival, an anachronism in the time of an interstellar empire; events which will ultimately demonstrate that love conquers all. It is on the whole a gripping read; it does at times get bogged down and suffer occasionally from repetition of certain points, but other than that the writing is first-rate, one feels absolutely confident the author’s hands.
May 1, 2010
Marion Zimmer Bradley is best known for The Mists of Avalon, which spawned a number of sequels, mostly (if not entirely) by other hands. I don't care for them. Then comes The Fall of Atlantis, two enjoyable if fairly forgettable books posthumously marked as backdrop for the Avalon books. Inexplicably, if I go by Goodreads, her next most popular book is The Firebrand, about the Trojan War, which I found absolutely unreadable. Yet I do consider myself a fan of MZB's but that rests almost entirely on her Darkover books, of which she wrote 18 in her lifetime, although there were some further (some posthumous) collaborations. Darkover is a "lost colony" of Earth that devolved into a medieval society ruled by a psychically talented aristocracy and after centuries is rediscovered by a star-spanning high tech federation, giving the series a feel of both science fiction and fantasy. The series as a whole features strong female characters, but it has enough swashbuckling adventure to draw the male of the species, and indeed this series was recommended to me by a guy (when we were in high school!)
Although some books are loosely connected, having characters in common, they were written to be read independently. Children of Hastur contains two novels, Heritage of Hastur and the sequel Sharra's Exile. Heritage of Hastur makes a fine entry point into the series, and many consider it MZB's finest novel. Certainly Lew Alton, Regis Hastur and Danilo Syrtis are among her most compelling characters. The Darkover books were written out of sequence too, and I don't actually recommend you read them chronologically. The first chronologically, for instance, Darkover Landfall, is more fun if you read other in the series first, then this origins novel to see oh, so that's where that came from! Also, some books early chronologically were early in Bradley's career, when she was still learning her craft, and it shows. In fact, Sharra's Exile is a rewrite of a very early book published in 1962, The Sword of Aldones. She conceived that book in her teens, and as a mature writer felt the theme deserved a better treatment than what she was capable of back then. I've read both versions, and this is definitely the better book, even if I don't think it quite hits the high mark of Heritage of Hastur, but together they certainly make a great read.
Although some books are loosely connected, having characters in common, they were written to be read independently. Children of Hastur contains two novels, Heritage of Hastur and the sequel Sharra's Exile. Heritage of Hastur makes a fine entry point into the series, and many consider it MZB's finest novel. Certainly Lew Alton, Regis Hastur and Danilo Syrtis are among her most compelling characters. The Darkover books were written out of sequence too, and I don't actually recommend you read them chronologically. The first chronologically, for instance, Darkover Landfall, is more fun if you read other in the series first, then this origins novel to see oh, so that's where that came from! Also, some books early chronologically were early in Bradley's career, when she was still learning her craft, and it shows. In fact, Sharra's Exile is a rewrite of a very early book published in 1962, The Sword of Aldones. She conceived that book in her teens, and as a mature writer felt the theme deserved a better treatment than what she was capable of back then. I've read both versions, and this is definitely the better book, even if I don't think it quite hits the high mark of Heritage of Hastur, but together they certainly make a great read.
March 22, 2023
I see why Darkover has sooooo many fans.
The Goodreads summary does the job as to plot, for this "first in a series of omnibus volumes of Marion Zimmer Bradley's best-selling Darkover series, Heritage of Hastur, and Sharra's Exile." That these two are considered by some to be "the two most powerful and important novels in this groundbreaking saga" does my heart in that I picked these to read first.
Heritage, "Nominated for a Hugo Award, and described as "Bradley's best [Darkover] novel" by Locus ... "tells the complex and compelling tale of the early life of Regis Hastur, Darkover's greatest monarch. It also spins the terrifying and heartbreaking story of those who sought to control the deadly Sharra Matrix, and of how Lew Alton met and lost his greatest love, Marjorie Scott."
Sharra's Exile is the tale of the "The most dangerous magical implement on all of Darkover . . . the infamous, legendary Sharra Matrix. The Sharra Matrix had been exiled offworld in the protective custody of Comyn Lord Lew Alton. But when Lew was called back to Darkover to contest his rights, he had no choice but to bring this dangerous matrix back with him. Once the Sharra Matrix was back, her flaming image spread far and wide, setting in motion events which would change the lands, the seven Domains, and the future of Darkover forever. "
This is my second read of Heritage, the first of Sharra's Exile. Heritage I read first when I was first exploring how gay characters are presented in fantasy. Then, as now, I found the love story of Regis and Danilo and the conflicted and tortured life of Dyan Ardais compelling. The also tortured life of Lew Alton proved fascinating, but in a different way and for different reasons.
Darkover itself is a character, along with its semi-feudal culture in conflict with the technologically advanced Terran Empire, and Bradley did an excellent in creating this other, yet human world below the Bloody Sun.
For those curious about Darkover and why it still has so many fans, this is a good introduction and a good read, no matter what.
The Goodreads summary does the job as to plot, for this "first in a series of omnibus volumes of Marion Zimmer Bradley's best-selling Darkover series, Heritage of Hastur, and Sharra's Exile." That these two are considered by some to be "the two most powerful and important novels in this groundbreaking saga" does my heart in that I picked these to read first.
Heritage, "Nominated for a Hugo Award, and described as "Bradley's best [Darkover] novel" by Locus ... "tells the complex and compelling tale of the early life of Regis Hastur, Darkover's greatest monarch. It also spins the terrifying and heartbreaking story of those who sought to control the deadly Sharra Matrix, and of how Lew Alton met and lost his greatest love, Marjorie Scott."
Sharra's Exile is the tale of the "The most dangerous magical implement on all of Darkover . . . the infamous, legendary Sharra Matrix. The Sharra Matrix had been exiled offworld in the protective custody of Comyn Lord Lew Alton. But when Lew was called back to Darkover to contest his rights, he had no choice but to bring this dangerous matrix back with him. Once the Sharra Matrix was back, her flaming image spread far and wide, setting in motion events which would change the lands, the seven Domains, and the future of Darkover forever. "
This is my second read of Heritage, the first of Sharra's Exile. Heritage I read first when I was first exploring how gay characters are presented in fantasy. Then, as now, I found the love story of Regis and Danilo and the conflicted and tortured life of Dyan Ardais compelling. The also tortured life of Lew Alton proved fascinating, but in a different way and for different reasons.
Darkover itself is a character, along with its semi-feudal culture in conflict with the technologically advanced Terran Empire, and Bradley did an excellent in creating this other, yet human world below the Bloody Sun.
For those curious about Darkover and why it still has so many fans, this is a good introduction and a good read, no matter what.
July 30, 2013
The two books were excellent, fast reads. Heritage of Hastur was a revolutionary book, when it was first published. This was the first book that featured gay protagonists, treating them as human beings. It was a coming of age novel, as well as a coming out novel.
One of the most horrifing actions to occur, was when Dyan Ardais, one of the nobles of Darkover, mind raped Danilo Syertis. Dyan was a cadet master, and Danilo was a guardsman.
There were many themes to this book, aside from the homosexuality of Regis Hastur. Darkover was a lost colony of Earth, and the Terran Empire had only discovered Darkover recently. This was a conflict between technology and feudal customs of Darkover. The ruler of Darkover, Danvan Hastur wanted a slow change, but member of the Comyn Council(the equivalent of a Parltament, or Congress), wanted a quick changeover.
Lew Alton is sent to Aldaran, a territory outside of the Comyn Council, by his father, because Terran weapons are being traded to Darkovans. Danilo Syrtis is kidnapped by Aldarans. Regis Hastur searches for Danilo. Lew Alton meets and falls in love with Marjorie Scott.
The Aldarans form circle, forcing Lew and Marjorie, to raise Sharra. The city is burned, and Marjorie dies. Lew is horribly wounded and disfigured. Regis and Danilo escape.
Sharra's Exile is a direct sequel to Heritage Of Hastur. It also broadens the Darkover customs, as it shows Darkovans in the Terran Empire.
Regis Hastur becomes the ruler of Darkover, and gains the mystical powers of his heritage. Sharra is destroyed. Lew exiles himself from Darkover. Regis brings the Terrans and Darkover into closer ties.
One of the most horrifing actions to occur, was when Dyan Ardais, one of the nobles of Darkover, mind raped Danilo Syertis. Dyan was a cadet master, and Danilo was a guardsman.
There were many themes to this book, aside from the homosexuality of Regis Hastur. Darkover was a lost colony of Earth, and the Terran Empire had only discovered Darkover recently. This was a conflict between technology and feudal customs of Darkover. The ruler of Darkover, Danvan Hastur wanted a slow change, but member of the Comyn Council(the equivalent of a Parltament, or Congress), wanted a quick changeover.
Lew Alton is sent to Aldaran, a territory outside of the Comyn Council, by his father, because Terran weapons are being traded to Darkovans. Danilo Syrtis is kidnapped by Aldarans. Regis Hastur searches for Danilo. Lew Alton meets and falls in love with Marjorie Scott.
The Aldarans form circle, forcing Lew and Marjorie, to raise Sharra. The city is burned, and Marjorie dies. Lew is horribly wounded and disfigured. Regis and Danilo escape.
Sharra's Exile is a direct sequel to Heritage Of Hastur. It also broadens the Darkover customs, as it shows Darkovans in the Terran Empire.
Regis Hastur becomes the ruler of Darkover, and gains the mystical powers of his heritage. Sharra is destroyed. Lew exiles himself from Darkover. Regis brings the Terrans and Darkover into closer ties.
August 10, 2008
This is a omnibus and has 2 book.
I have read the first one.
I liked Regis more than i liked Lew. They are the main characters.I think they are alike in a dual way, and they end up having kind of dual destinies. Regis ends forced to live the "royal" heritage that Lew is kind of trying to get (he doesn't want to rule, but he wants to be accepted by the council). And Lew ends in exile, in Terra, and Regis dreams of knowing Terra and travels through the Terran Empire become children's dreams.
I have read the first one.
I liked Regis more than i liked Lew. They are the main characters.I think they are alike in a dual way, and they end up having kind of dual destinies. Regis ends forced to live the "royal" heritage that Lew is kind of trying to get (he doesn't want to rule, but he wants to be accepted by the council). And Lew ends in exile, in Terra, and Regis dreams of knowing Terra and travels through the Terran Empire become children's dreams.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 30, 2013Definitely the plottiest Darkover novel of those I've read. So many seem to be about one character's discovery of the world and their own talents in it (returning to Darkover and discovering heretofore unknown laran powers seems to be a popular theme) that it's fascinating to see the politics at work for one born into it. I always liked Regis as a character when I encountered him in later novels (I've ready them ridiculously out of order) and I enjoyed seeing how he began and the conflicts that shaped everything at that time.
June 25, 2015
What an amazing series, what an amazing set of novels. Marion Zimmer Bradley's works continue to impress me. Her Darkover novels will appeal to Sci-fi and fantasy lovers. Her books were ahead of their time with regards to issues in society, the second novel in this book (Sharra's Exile) would fit right in with the marriage equality topic in today's political spectrum---in a very positive way. Each book can stand alone, but also works well if you read them all. Highly suggest, if you haven't already, to check out this great series.
August 9, 2014
I find that my view of MZB has now been changed by the knowledge of her husband's past and her daughter's accusations. And really, I think her strength lies in her imaginings, not her writing. Truthfully, she isn't that great a writer. Too many instances of laziness in word choice, in reiteration of the same stuff we just read twenty or thirty pages ago. And yet. Darkover is something precious, and she gave it to us.
September 21, 2015
I read both these books before, but decades ago, possibly when they were first released. The Heritage of Hastur is the story of how the ancient Sharra matrix was discovered and misused centuries after it was first created. Sharra's Exile is about what happened to Lew Alton when he was exiled from Darkover with the Sharra matrix, how and why they returned together, and what happened after the return. Both stories are classics of science fiction and still good reads.
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October 20, 2011If you appreciate Anne McCaffrey’s unique blend of science fiction and fantasy, as well as her skill at building fantastic worlds, be sure to look at Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover novels. The novels are all connected, but can be read in any order and many critics agree that The Heritage of Hastur is one of her best.
October 21, 2013
I enjoyed both books for the compelling storytelling and well-rounded characters. But both were overloaded with repetition that bogged down the narrative. These are classics in the genre, but my first pass at reading them. I will go on to the next one, Exile's Song, and hope one of Bradley's editors got to it before it was published!
October 31, 2020
If you're going to read anything by Bradley, this is it. Her two best books have been placed together in one Omibus edition, and this is one of the classics of science fiction. Very highly recommended.
December 27, 2011
I thought this book was very good fantasy. I liked how the characters were multi-dimensional and fit with their world. I didn't always like the changes in narrative point of view. And I always like questions of love.=)
May 3, 2016
The Heritage of Hastur & Sharra's Exile (which was a re-work of The Sword of Aldones). Omnibus edition.
May 4, 2014
Uno dei miei libri preferiti di sempre (Regis ♥) e la rilettura in inglese non ha fatto altro che confermare l'opinione che ne avevo in precedenza
December 13, 2012
What luck! I found this edition at a used book store which only stayed open for about three months.
:)
Lovely bundle of psychics and myths and power. It's all unique and unforgettable fun.
:)
Lovely bundle of psychics and myths and power. It's all unique and unforgettable fun.
March 23, 2012
I've decided to revisit Darkover!
May 12, 2014
Review to follow
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