Arilinn

Darkover

By: Marion Zimmer Bradley, Deborah J. Ross

Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan

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 long-awaited new adventure in the beloved Darkover series. It’s perfect for both devoted fans and those new to the world of the Bloody Sun.

©2024 Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust (P)2024 Recorded Books

Return to Darkover

It’s been quite a while since I last listen to or read a book on Darkover. It took me a little while to get into the story, but as it progressed, I found I had returned again to the heart place. That is my time on the planet.

I read the original books on one ago and then listen to them when I first joined audible. That was several years ago, so it was a great pleasure to find myself again in this land, this planet that I love.

Not my favorite Darkover story.

The only reason I was able to finish was due to the narrators skill. There was not mention of snow at all times of the rye at, shadows deep purple due to the Bloody sun.