Online at. The early novels Falcons of Narabedla and The Door Through Space are listed by some sources as part of the Darkover series (as noted below), but although they presage some themes and images with the main sequence, these do not take place on Darkover, and are in other ways inconsistent with the series. Chronological order. By the time she was in college this had turned into an "hugely sprawling novel" called "The King and the Sword. The books are very motivating and inspiring. Bradley, on demand from publishers and fans, later created a backstory, amounting to an entire history of Darkover. Science Fiction Studies, Vol. The first novel in the series is known as “The Planet Savers” while the second book is entitled “The Sword of Aldones” that was published in 1962 just about four years after her first publication. [2] About the former, she does not say, but here is the number seven again. Edmond Hamilton had been called "The ol' world wrecker" because he destroyed planets, galaxies and even universes in his books. The Hundred Kingdoms may be read as commentary on the use of weapons of mass destruction in Earth's own endless conflicts. [citation needed], Eventually Darkover is rediscovered by the Terran Empire, which establishes a spaceport, first at Caer Donn, and later at Thendara, the only large city on Darkover. Commenting on the significance of the Darkover series, science fiction author Baird Searles said that the books were "destined to be The Foundation of the 1970s".[1]. The colonists had as many children with as many partners as possible, and through mutations, the inhabitants developed psychic and psionic abilities. All of the other short stories published either in the anthologies or in fanzines she considered unofficial. The Compact, promulgated by the recurring historical character Varzil the Good, bans all weapons that can be used without bringing the user into equal danger, effectively banning laran weapons, but allowing swords and knives. It is not the version published by Ace Books in "1961 [sic, 1962] or thereabouts." For the publication order, see link: Darkover - Publication Order It is nearly impossible to obtain a coherent history of Darkover. Bradley claims that the scene, which "shocked some people and pleased others," was the first time the issue of homosexuality (not to mention sex-changing) had been dealt with directly in science fiction, and says, "I managed to become something like science fiction’s token homosexual!" The Keeper’s Price is an anthology that spans across Darkover history, starting with the original landfall, to the Ages of Chaso, Pact of the Comyn and the Terrans. Hastur Lord and Thunderlord along with the Clingfire and Children of Kings series were co-authored by Deborah J. Ross.