townesvanfaulkner

Writing Style-5.8
Originality-6.3
Plot-5.2
Merit(whatever that means)-5.4
Overall-5.3

This is from Marion Zimmer Bradley’s famous sci-fi series entitled Darkover. I’m not an expert on the genre, but I’d bet it’s about the best feminist sci-fi/fantasy series you’re likely to come across. I mean in the form of an overdone series, not compared to single novels like The Handmaid’s Tale or Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness or Marion Zimmer Bradley’s own Mists of Avalon.

In fact this book, especially in the beginning when you are still getting used to the world of Darkover, is really kind of comically feminist. Darkover is a very oppressive world, especially certain parts of it. And there is one country that women actually have to walk around constantly with their hands in shackles. There is a free roaming band of women who are called Free Amazons (seriously) and they reject the laws of man. They are on a mission to free a young girl who’s been taken captive by a prince of the very oppressive country.

The plot’s nothing special here. The first two sections in the novel are people on a journey to rescue someone held captive. Not to hard to dream this plot device up—and then to have the guts to use it twice. Wow.

But still it’s a very entertaining read. Bradley is a perfectly capable writer. The characters are enjoyable. The action is brisk and actually really exciting. I will certainly pick up the next Darkover book in the series at some point when I’m in the mood for this sort of thing. Amy’s read a different Darkover novel, called Darkover Landfall I believe, and she thoroughly enjoyed and plans to read more as well. So, if you are like us and every now and then are in the mood for a perfect blend of sci-fi and fantasy with a feminist slant then this is a good world to visit. Of course, this sort of thing isn’t for everybody, so…