9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A keeper, and among the best of Marion Zimmer Bradley, August 14, 2002
This review is from: The Forbidden Tower (Darkover) (Mass Market Paperback)
I am not a fan of science fiction works where male-dominated societies are replaced by female-dominated ones. I do like much of the Darkover saga, notably those that show conflicts between cultures native to Darkover (as well as conflicts between Darkovan and Terran culture). As I cut down my library, I consider which of the Darkover novels I should keep with me. I have never swayed from my opinion that THE FORBIDDEN TOWER is probably the one to keep, above all others.
A confession - this was the very first Darkover novel that I read, and it took me a while to realize that it was part of a series. I think the attractions of the book have been described well by others, as well as the plot. I will not say much more for fear of spoilers. The only thing I will add regarding the plot is that the resolution of the two couples's problems is achieved via something that can be used successfully just once (as far as Darkover fans are concerned). Unfortunately, MZB tried to use the same solution for another and much weaker novel THE WORLD WRECKERS (which many fans also consider to be non-canonic in the sense that its events violate the history told in other books, earlier and later).
I will instead explain why this book is so outstanding among many good books (including those dedicated to the Free Amazons, and the story of Lewis Lanart-Alton in THE HERITAGE OF HASTUR). THE FORBIDDEN TOWER takes place relatively late in Darkovan history (which spans several centuries). The events in this book occur some years after the planet has been discovered, or rather rediscovered, by Terrans. [For that story, read the co-authored REDISCOVERY]. There is a prequel to this book, THE SPELL SWORD, but it is not really necessary to read it. There is a sequel to this book, called THE BLOODY SUN which some would view as essential reading and others not. I believe that this title can stand alone, one of the few Darkovan titles that can do so.
The protagonists of this book are Damon Ridenow (whose ancestors were dry-town bandits), and his new wife and her sister. Both women hail from the powerful Lanart-Alton (or rather Alton) clan. Each clan - the Ridenow, the Altons, and others - have specific powers, although not all members of the clan exhibit those powers. [Forgive me for errors in terminology, because it has been a while since I read the whole series]. The difference in inheritance of powers becomes a minor issue between the sisters, in that one became a Keeper (a position of great honor and power, but enforced celibacy) and the other - married. There is no resentment between the sisters, but the fact that siblings do not inherit the same level of power becomes an issue in other books.
There is both internal conflict (generated by the beliefs and expectations, as well as life experiences of the protagonists) as well as external conflicts (the decisions and actions of others). Part of the appeal of this book is the internal conflict. No body is perfect here, and each person has a reasonable point of view. The sole Terran, Andrew Carr, husband to Callista Lanart-Alton (the former Keeper), must work his way not only through a complicated relationship with the other three, but also his own feelings about marriage. [Marriage in Darkover is not quite like marriage between Terrans]. Part of the attraction in this book is seeing Andrew adjust to and gradually accept this very different notion of marriage, not to mention his relationships with his wife's sister and her husband.
I should mention here that if you have a very conventional mind about marriage, you will be shocked by some of the goings-on. But I assume that as a reader of this review (who is interested in science fiction), you are prepared to accept that other worlds have different rules.
I loved the ending of course. It was not just that the good guys won, but how they won. Somehow their particular solution to the problem made sense brilliantly. And very few people got hurt, compared to THE HERITAGE OF HASTUR.
I won't say what happens to these couples (and to others) down the road, because that is a story fully told in later books, particularly THE BLOODY SUN. However, since I know the ending to this particular story, that does not make me love or hate it more. It just adds a special poignancy to this particular book.
I think of THE FORBIDDEN TOWER both as a romance and as a creative work of SFF. Even after reading through other works, this book remains the most accessible as well as the most memorable.
Grade - A+, 4.9
[No breakdown in grade given]
Recommended - Very Highly for lovers of SFF (or soft SF). Might appeal to readers of Catherine Asaro or Mercedes Lackey.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful psy conflicts and political struggles.., November 5, 2000
This review is from: The Forbidden Tower (Darkover) (Mass Market Paperback)
The Forbidden Tower tells the tale of the initial bonding of the foursome who broke new ground by defying the planet's laws and the will of the Comyn--the powerful race of psi-gifted people who are run the planet.
The deepening relationships between members of the foursome, contrasted with the growing conflicts between them and those who oppose the 'Forbidden Tower' they've built in the overworld, lead to a rich and gripping story.
The subplot of Callista's struggle to break the rigid taboos imposed upon her as a 'Keeper' so that she can be a true wife to Andrew and follow her own desires, is dramatic and fascinating.
This is a novel with many complex themes interwoven into a rich, fascinating story. I enjoyed each element of the many plots, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Four people fighting against a matrix circle..., July 15, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: The Forbidden Tower (Darkover) (Mass Market Paperback)
A great book, one of the best from Darkover novel! This story started in another book - The spell sword, when a strange allience has been performed: Andrew Carr (a terran), Callista (a Keeper from Arilin Tower), Damon Ridenow (a man haunted by his fears) and Ellemir (the Callistas twin sister, who grow up believing that has no laran power). This four people realized that they performed one matrix circle, forbidden by the rules from Arilin Tower,working as one and starting a battle to rise and maintain theirs Tower. They also fight against prejudice, old laws and rules, showing the world that terrans and darkovans might not be so different after all. The consequences of their acts would change the future. If you like this book and get curious, you should read "The blody sun "
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