The Shadow Matrix (Darkover)

Margaret Alton is the child of the powerfully psychically gifted Lew Alton, who has been the Senator for Darkover for several years. After a traumatic early childhood, little Margaret lived with her father and stepmother in exile, struggling to overcome her own oppressive Gift without expert Darkovan help, as well as trying to endure what she cannot help sensing of her father, battling his own demons. This book takes up the story of Margaret, who in Exile's Song returned to the planet of her birth as an ethnomusicologist, accompanied by her beloved professor Ivor Davidson, to collect folk song from the rural places still largely untouched by the Empire. As this book begins, we find Margaret undergoing the compulsory training in a tower, while Mikhail investigates a suspicious situation in the Elhalyn household, which appears to be haunted, and dominated by a strange woman of unknown origins. Mikhail's handling of the troubled Elhalyn children is touchingly presented, as is his relationship to his sister Liriel. After much political maneuvering (an annoying but necessary part of these Hastur-era stories) there is the expected midwinter crisis, this one larger than most. As a bonus, we meet again characters we know well: Jeff Kerwin, Javanne Hastur, Lew Alton, Diotima Ridenow, Mrs Davidson (Ivor's wife), Rafaella the Renunciate, Michael Lanart-Hastur, Danilo Syrtis, and Uncle Rafe, and others. And, as always, the children are delightfully portrayed. Finally, there is travel through time to visit with Varzil the Good, towards the close of the ages of chaos, to learn what happened to the legendary ring in which he preserved the soul of his beloved, Felicia Hastur. Margaret Alton is a very sympathetic character, especially to those who might relate to music. Her own development is only part of a larger set of events that culminate in the story related in Traitor's Sun. This book is indeed the middle section of a trilogy within the Darkover saga consisting of Exile's Song, Shadow Matrix, and Traitor's Sun, all worth reading. Archimedes

The Shadow Matrix ... the title relates to a shadow matrix that is emblazed on Marguerida Alton's hand. It is something she got from visiting the overworld. Her sweetheart, Mikhail goes with her on a journey that is unreal ... they go back to the past. But oh it is real! They could change the future (their own time) by changing something where they are now. Asharra is trying to find something ... the one who overshadowed her when she was a child and if Asharra finds Marguerida then Marguerida will die if she can't escape in time. Meanwhile some of the Towers are in big trouble as is the rest of the planet and if Marguerida and Mikhail don't do anything it will destroy everything they know and wipe away everything they've created together ...

Dear readers and fans of Mrs. Bradley, I'm writing from far Italy only to let you know that my heart beat 1000 times faster when I saw that in the bookshop there was a new book of this wonderful writer "the shadow Matrix". You may pardon my opinion, but to really appreciate this work I'd suggest to first read the entire "saga" chronologically, beginning with (you will excuse me if the titles are not perfectly correct, but I'm used to the Italian ones) "The heritage of Hastur", followed by "Sharra's Exile", "Return on Darkover", "The exile's song", and then "Shadow matrix", in order to understand the "historical" facts and the characters better. The thrilling adventures of beautiful and intelligent Marguerida and of intrepid and handsome Mikhail really captured my mind...the more I read the more I wanted to read about their story. When I arrived at the end of "The Shadow Matrix" I was so sad (perhaps I'd better say hungry), because I didn't know if there was a follow-up (let's call it like this)...you can perhaps imagine my joy when I discovered that in fact there is one, "The traitor's sun". But unfortunately is has not been translated in my language yet, and I'd be really thankful if somebody could help me. To those who write that Mrs. Bradley's masterpieces are honeyd or like "Barbara Cartland's" romances (I once read one and I found it really empty), well, I respect their opinion, but let me add that no other author (and I really read a lot) made me fly on the wings of fantasy and made me enter in this world of romance, magic, love, chivalry as if I was a character myself... I just wanted to let you know this little thought of a passionate and faithful reader from far Italy. (hope you'll excuse my English mistakes) If there is someone who would enjoy sharing my feelings and thoughts through e-mail, I'll be glade to chat a little..... ciao ciao

Marion Zimmer Bradley has done it again!! In this novel she has continued the story of Margaret Alton and Mikhail Lanart-Hastur in such a way that one does not wish to put the book down once they start it. Margaret is a strong, mindful character along the lines of Rohana Ardias (The Shattered Chain). And Mikhail is the perfect replacement of the elder Regis Hastur. Their fight for their love and life is the corner stone of this entry in the Darkover series. I do suggest that you read the previous entry in order to get a better understanding of the story line. But each novel stands on it's own merit. Marion Zimmer Bradley's ability to bring old favorites and new ones into the story is surpassed by no one. In this one you get reaquanted with such characters as Varzil the Good and Ashara Alton, as well as the always infuriating and funny Lady Javanne. Regis Hastur and Lewis Alton lend their strong characters to this novel as well. Though the focus is on the younger generation, as in life, the old is replaced by the new. Well done Ms. Bradley!!! I look forward to the next installment of this series.

The Rebirth of Darkover, which started in EXILE`S SONG (1996), continues in this exciting and wonderful sequel. Margaret Alton and her lover Mikhail Lanart-Hastur not only have to fight for their love, but they also have to defeat a dangerous enemy from the past: Ashara Alton, Margaret's nemesis. Be sure to expect a wonderful story with lots of swashbuckling and romance. This book is really hard to put down. I recommend it to everybody, who has read (and liked) one of the previous Darkover novels), but be sure to read EXILE`S SONG first.