Book Review: The Fall of Neskaya

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Fall of Neskaya     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Marion Zimmer Bradley , Deborah J. Ross
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Series: Darkover: Clingfire Trilogy # 1
Daw, Jul 2001, $24.95, 448 pp.

The Terran colony of Darkover sunk into a feudal state because of a lack of communication between the planet and earth. It is a world where several kingdoms vie for prominence and war is a way of life. The most destructive weapons are created from laran, a form of psychic energy, which can be used at great distances to harm an enemy.

One of the greatest tyrants of the time is Damian Deslucido, who is absorbing small kingdoms in his goal to rule the world. However, his success in absorbing Acorta may prove to be the seeds of his own destruction because the despot planned for his son to marry Acorta’s Queen Taniel Hastur-Acorta, but she escapes. On the road she meets Coryn, a near master Laranzu, who helps her regain her health and spirit. They quickly learn the meaning of love, but fate separates them to fight Damian on different fronts with littler hope of victory or getting back together.

Fans of Darkover will know that this novel occurs during the Hundred Kingdom era before the compact by Varzil the Good was instituted. The beloved Marian Zimmer Bradley and her cohort Deborah J. Ross make it clear how they feel about a civilized society containing weapons of mass destruction. THE FALL OF NEKAYA is the opening installment of a new trilogy that lives up to the greatness label of the entire series. The interesting and complex characters will either receive reader empathy or the audience’s antipathy depending on who they are. This exciting novel will light up the fantasy universe.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner