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Heritage and Exile

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This two-in-one volume combines the already classic "Darkover" novels THE HERITAGE OF HASTUR (1975) and its direct sequel SHARRA'S EXILE (1981). If you have yet to discover the magic of Marion Zimmer Bradley's legendary creation, this a perfect volume to get introduced to the world of the bloody sun and its inhabitants. Read about the unwilling Comyn heir Regis Hastur, his forbidden love to his paxman Danilo Syrtis. Read about the dangerous Sharra matrix, a conspiration to overthrow the Comyn Council and numerous other wonders of the world of the red sun. Do not miss it.

The Heritage of Hastur:

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.

This novels togheter are maybe the best of all Darkover novels. After reading more than 10 of the Bradley`s saga, I must say this are the one`s I`ve enjoyed the most. First they`re about the destiny of the planet itself, and history of the Comyn as we know, but not only that, the whole story is told by the eyes of Regis Hastur and Lew Alton, maybe two of the best characters trough the Darkover saga, and their personal struggles are a big plus to the story. Unfortunaly you have to endure some of the lesser novels to really grasp and enjoy this one, altough it`s said that you can read Darkover novels all but separated, the truth is when you have more background story from previous novels, all the better. DON`T MISS THIS ONES!

"Heritage and Exile" is an omnibus edition of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Heritage of Hastur/Sharra's Exile Darkover novels. It shows a natural link between the two stories. Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover world is a fascinating blend of science fiction and fantasy. The Sharra matrix (an image of an enchained woman,used for forging weapons&fire) wreaks havoc upon the world of Darkover.

In "Heritage of Hastur",Regis Hastur,the Comyn heir,finds himself enamored of the Cristoforo (Christian) Danilo Syrtis. Regis rescues Danilo from an abusive situation, learning that Danilo is a catalyst telepath. They realize their forbidden love. Regis makes Danilo his paxman,and they adopt sons. "Heritage of Hastur" was recognized as revolutionary in the world of mainstream fantasy/sci-fi with its gay leading character,despite the fact Regis has visions of a shadowy woman beside him who will one day be his companion. It's as if Bradley were depicting homosexuality as a developmental stage,as a rite of passage for his eventual marriage.

In "Sharra's Exile",Lew Alton finds himself bearing the Sharra matrix. He loses the woman he loves; the story ends with him a broken man. Lew Alton has psychic gifts--but they are also burdens.

"Heritage and Exile" is a fascinating,heady blend of science fiction and fantasy.

Ever notice how publishers stop editing popular prolific authors? For shame, treating mzb this way. To be fair, I read this trilogy twice before I noticed how many pages I skimmed, because Marguerida is fascinating, Lew is so happily and deeply resurrected, and Mikail the best of all possible princes. Backstory and plot are sublime, and Marguerida's sensory rediscovery of Darkover is some of the best sensual writing since the Shattered Chain books, and far beyond Darkover, for that matter. I recommend these, but don't hesitate to skip the characters' reveries. You will hear it all again.

This book includes two complete Darkover novels, The Heritage of Hastur and Sharra's Exile. I found them a complete story when taken together, and was glad I had not purchased them separately.

Regis Hastur, an orphaned boy just reaching manhood, is the grandson and heir of the Comyn dynasty's regent. While another young man stands in line for the throne itself, the real power and responsibility will one day be his. Lew Alton is the son of Darkover lord Kennard Alton and a part-Terran wife whose offspring the Comyn do not wish to recognize as legitimate heirs. Young Lew has been recognized formally, but still faces great hostility; while his younger brother, Marius, continues to be an Alton bastard as far as Darkover's ruling class is concerned. Lew has been granted the status of heir only because he has proved that he possesses the Alton Gift. On Darkover, unlike on other human-settled worlds, such psychic gifts are part of the nobility's heritage. Each family has its own particular gift, and most Darkover children experience an awakening of laran - telepathic ability - at some point during adolescence.

Regis believes he has no laran, and he longs to leave Darkover and explore the larger universe. He discovers otherwise during the first book, and he also discovers that he loves another young man, Danilo. His determination to save Danilo from undeserved disgrace puts Regis in physical danger and brings his grandfather's disapproval.

Lew Alton, who narrates alternating chapters in both books, sets off to represent his father in a remote mountain domain without thinking about that domain being his dead mother's Darkover home. Initially delighted at connecting with the relatives he never knew before, and fast falling in love with a part-Terran young woman being fostered by those relatives, he soon finds himself enmeshed in a plot to drive the Terrans away from Darkover. That plot involves the feared and fabled Sharra Matrix, a weapon left over from the Ages of Chaos in which Darkover nearly destroyed itself.

Bradley's gift for writing complex characters is on display throughout both novels, and so are her formidable world building skills. Although I had read just one Darkover book before these two, I had no trouble understanding its multilayered universe or its characters' motivations. Amazing work, as well as groundbreaking for its time.

I was happy to see this and other older stories by MZB in this form since when I first found her books, sadly, most were out of print. Thank you doing this so that others can read and enjoy her superb works!

One thing I hate is to leave a book unfinished. Therefore I tried again and again to go on reading to give a full review.

I failed.

There is nothing exactly wrong in Ms Zimmer Bradley's writing: she is a professional, a real competent one, she makes not one of the mistakes a less distinguished author is liable to.
Her world is potentially very interesting and her characters fully rounded.

Nevertheless I never got involved in the story, I never could relate with the characters, I only got bored and cannot really say why.