The Shattered Chain

by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Book Overview

While only women can command the power of the matrix and the secret sciences which keep Darkover from Terran hands, in most respects they are still chattels. But the Free Amazons are considered equal... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0886773083
• ISBN13: 9780886773083
• Release Date: January 1976
• Publisher: Daw Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Introducing Free Amazons from Darkover

This book tells us about a society guided by women who do not accept the social rules in Darkover. This is the story about Jaelle and how she leave the dry town (where womwn are property of theirs husband and use chains around her arms)and became a renunciant. It's also the story of Magdalen Lorne and how, pretending been a renunciant she has became one in fact - Margali 'n Ysabeth. This two women cross each other life and after that theirs lives would be different forever. This book introduce us to these two caracthers that would re-appeared in Thendara House and City of Sorcery.

Advise about the chronological order of the Darkover Series

"The Renunciates" series is a must read if you love MZB and the World of Darkover. The female reader will be especially inspired! (as usual) However, a word of advise...If you like to discover a new world in chronological order, as I do, then I suggest you jump ahead and read "Rediscovery", "The Spell Sword" and "The Forbidden Tower," at least, before you dive into the thought-prevoking, and thrilling side story of "The Renunciates" trilogy. This series is not just for the Sci-Fi/fantasy reader. It is probably the most "real" look at humanity, our gender struggles, and our mental potential that I've read in any genre. A truly intelligent rendering of the human landscape!

WARNING: this book could change your outlook on life!

This was the first Darkover book I read, and I instantly fell in love -- with the story, with Darkover and especially with Magda Lorne. I think it's a good starting point, though male newcomers to Darkover might prefer _The Spell Sword_ or _The Forbidden Tower_. This is a book that improves upon re-reading. There are so many layers to what is happening that I'd even say that you haven't *really* read this book until you've read it at least twice. Darkover is a bit like Roger Zelazny's Amber series in that respect, at least for me.Although their world is different from ours, I could identify closely with Rohana's slow loss of her class-based prejudices, with Magda's feeling of being torn between two worlds, and with Jaelle's fear of sacrificing her beliefs for the sake of love. It's the little things that make this book truly great -- the minor incidents between characters that portray far better than any lecture or even work of realistic fiction could the misunderstandings that exist between men and women, or even between "traditional" women and their "modern woman" counterparts.In a word: WOW.

Terran and Darkovan women's literal and spritual journey

Along with the other volumes in the trilogy, this is one of MZB's best efforts in the Darkover series. Has all the elements that have hooked thousands on the Darkover books: laran, loyalty and comradeship among women, sexism, etc. However, MZB is the only author I've read whose concept outstrips her ablity/desire to put it into writing. Hence, all her fans who have "filled in the gaps" by wrting for her anthologies. These efforts are not at all satisfying. Don't start with the trilogy, or it will only be downhill from there if you go on to read about Darkover. You'll be addicted but never satisfied! All the Darkover books would be vastly improved by the addition of maps, glossaries, and family trees.