Customer Reviews

Traitor's Sun (Series in Human Relations Training)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Marion Zimmer Bradley wrote stories set in her world of Darkover for something like 30 or 40 years; not surprisingly, the earliest novels were very different from the later ones. For one thing, they were written by someone with a great deal less experience as a writer (and as a person), and for another thing, they were written in a time that what was expected of Science Fiction was very different from what is expected now.

In the '60s, most science fiction was still envisioned as juvenile fiction, pulps written for young readers. So "The Planet Savers", "World Wreckers", "Star Of Danger", and "Winds of Darkover" were interesting, but mostly unrefined novels with a very strong flavor of the pulp sci-fi novel.

As time went on, Ms. Bradley evolved as a writer, and what was considered publishable in the science fiction genre also evolved, so the next few novels were somewhat different. "Heritage of Hasteur", Sharra's Exile", and "The Bloody Sun" were much better than her earliest novels, and at least "Heritage" and "Sharra" are still two of her best. But she continued to evolve, and the stories that interested her changed, so people who love her stories from one period don't always enjoy the stories from another period. That's one of the beauties of Darkover, however; it's big enough, and complex enough, that all kinds of stories can be written about it.

There are some constants, however: on the down side, Ms. Bradley always has been a trifle sloppy in her copyediting. In this book, that shows up not only in the usual periodic typos that slip through, but in the scene toward the end of the book, in which a character who'd been sent home with a serious injury before the funeral train reached its destination (Hermes) gives a eulogy at the funeral.

On the positive side, her characters have always been her strong suit, and this book is no exception. What's more, they actually change and grow, not just within a book, but from book to book as the same characters are seen at different stages of their lives.

Interestingly, for most of her career, it was obvious that a big part of what fascinated Ms. Bradley about Darkover was the opportunity it provided for comparing and contrasting a highly technological Federation with an archaic, almost medieval culture. Generally, she found an interesting balance between the two, with Darkovan culture being found lacking in its treatment of women and education, and Federation culture being found wanting in terms of respect for individuality and honor. By this book, it seemed that she'd solved the question of which she found preferable in her own mind; there was no longer anything to recommend the Federation at all, so that Darkover, for all that it still had its failings, won by default.

The only real flaw to this book, other than the nit-picking copyediting problems mentioned previously, is that it was left openended enough that she'd obviously intended to tell us more later.But having died, it seems unlikely that she'll ever show us the end to the storyline begun here. Unfortunate, but unavoidable. When you spend almost 40 years writing 21 Darkover novels, sooner or later, you won't get to write the next one.

I was a bit skeptical when I first purchased this book. In order for me to read science fiction, the storyline has to grab me. Well, this book definitely grabbed my attention. In the TRAITOR'S SUN, Regis Hastur has passed away, leaving Mikhail Hastur, his heir, as the new regent of Darkover. Mikhail must once again face opposition from some of the members of the domains and go against a new threat from the Terran Federation. We learn about other characters aswell, especially about Marguerida and Mikhail's oldest son, Domenic. Because I wanted to learn more about the Darkover series, I also purchased the two books before this one, EXILE'S SONG which took place fifteen years earlier and introduced us to an adult Marguerida Alton and Mikhail Hastur and THE SHADOW MATRIX in which Marguerida and Mikhail go back in time and Mikhail inherits a great power. These are also fantastic books. I cannot wait for the next addition to this amazing saga.

TRAITOR'S SUN is filled with sci-fi action and with enough of a romantic twist to keep you enthralled. I recommend this book and it's predecessors. You'll love it. Trust me!

This, a part of the author's long Darkover series, is one of her last since she died in 1999. To this reviewer's mind, it, like it's other recent predecessors, suffers from the author's return to her science fiction roots and her departure from the high fantasy at which she was near peerless (only Anne McCaffrey comes close). The fantasy elements dealing with the Darkovans and their large aristocratic families and the rich culture Bradley had so carefully wrought over the years are still superb and well worth the reading; the science fiction is competently written, if at times derivative. This novel also deals with the death of one of Bradley's most memorable characters, first met years ago in on e of the earliest novels. Indeed this work seems to dwell much on death; perhaps Mrs. Bradley was aware of her own imminent demise. An essential read for fans; not a good introduction to the author and her series --- try Heritage of Hastur or The Forbidden Tower instead.

I really liked this book when I read it from the library (hardcover edition), but not having the $35.00+tax it cost in hardcover, I waited for the paperback. However the paperback editions had the priests from the chapel edited out, and the funeral service at the Castle also. They removed that passage entirely and edited the actual burial scene to remove the priests. The ending read as though they had pasted in the burial from Forbidden Tower. These were 2 of my favourite passages and if I had known they were gone, I would have bought the hardcover.

Marion Zimmer Bradley has been getting better and better through the years, and this latest series (Exile's Song, The Shadow Matrix, and Traitor's Sun) is my favorite of all the Darkover material. I care about even more of the characters than I did in earlier books, and I find the action most satisfying. I bought these books in hardback, since I just couldn't wait till they came out in paperback, and I've read them 3 or 4 times already, each time with enormous satisfaction. I particularly like the beginning of this book; remembering it is almost enough to make me get the book out and begin it again. I earnestly hope MZB has not stopped writing these. I want to know what happens to Alanna, Domenic, Mik, Marguerida, and the young Traveller girl.

First let me say that I LOVE the Darkover novels, and own almost all of them. I plan on re-reading them many times over the years.
Over the past few months I have re-read all of the books that I own in their chronological order, and I have found that this novel is probably my least favorite of the group.
The plot seems to drag somewhat in this book, and leans a little too much toward the political aspects of the Darkover-Terran relationship for my taste. I prefer books like Sharra's Exile, The Forbidden Tower or Stormqueen which focus a little more on the telepathic aspects of the culture.
If you love the Darkover books and have read Exile's Song and The Shadow Matrix you will definitely want to read this one, but if you are just starting out, try one of the other Darkover books first.
All in all, a good book with some great moments, but not my favorite of the series.

I don't know who to blame this one on: MZB herself or her co-author. If the faults and flaws in this book are Herself's doing, then it's time she packed it in.

One of the primary rules for good writing is to show what your characters are doing, not to have them tell you what happened. This occurs over and over again, with more dry, unnecessary and flat-out BORING discussion of the political upheavals in the Federation than even a diehard Darkover fan should be asked to endure. And why is there not one male character in this story that I could respect? The women were almost as bad, alternately whining and threatening the men around them. I didn't give a damn about what happened to anyone in this story, and that was hard to take.

MZB has given me, personally, a few minutes of her time and a much-cherished letter, urging me to find what I needed from my life, not what anyone else thought I needed, and fight for it with everything I had. Even though the characters in "Traitor's Sun" talk a great deal about the necessity of such personal integrity, none of them show any signs of possessing it. I'll stick with the earlier books, in which those who occupied them did -- and faced the consequences without bemoaning the fate that had brought them there.

Taking place fifteen years after the end of "The Shadow Matrix", "Traitor's Sun" deals with the further adventures of Marguerida Alton, Mikhail Hastur and the others of the new generation on Darkover. As Regis Hastur grows closer to death, and the Terran Empire becomes increasingly imperialistic, the situation is becoming explosive, particularly since the "usual suspects" on Comyn Council are causing trouble. The story is interesting, with several new characters, especially Katherine and Hermes Aldaran. My one quibble is that Marguerida has retreated farther into the role of a proper Comyn lady, and both Gisela and Katherine seem to be a bit more interesting.

The ending is open-ended enough to allow for sequels, unfortunately, with the sad passing of the great Marion Zimmer Bradley, it seems unlikely that it will continue. She will definitely be missed.

MZB's last few Darkover books have been an enormous disappointment. I know she was very ill the last few years of her life, but instead of collaborating with her friends, she should done something useful like rewriting The Worldwreckers so it would make sense in context.

As it is, this book was clearly not written by MZB. I cannot for one minute believe that she would kill off one of her major characters so poorly as this. I would advise every Darkover lover to avoid this like plague and read it through interlibrary loan. What a shame that MZB's last credited book will be this messy, poorly written, poorly plotted piece of junk.

I have been devouring the Darkover books since I came upon them four years ago and enjoying them greatly. I was a third of the way through Traitor's Sun before I found out that Marion had died and was truly upset. I love the world she has crafted over the last thirty years and the thought of no more Darkover books is awful. Traitor's Sun is competent but seems kind of lifeless, more of a boy's adventure book than the usual more mature fare I expect from her. It's still a good book, but try some of the those invloving the Sharra matrix and remember just how exciting and intriguing the world of Darkover can be.