vaderbird's review
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
taisie22's review
4.0
I read the original books in the Darkover series as they came out. Now I'm rereading them in chronological order with the addition of the ones co-authored with Deborah Ross and enjoying them greatly. Zandru's Forge is the story of Carolin Hastur and Varzil the Good, one I've long wished I knew more about. I remember bits from the earlier readings, but it's nice to get a fuller picture in the Clingfire Trilogy.
I do love the lore and worldbuilding in Darkover, and this book adds a lot to it. I got to see the first female acting as a Keeper here, something unique at this time though it becomes the norm in later times. The conflict of the Towers in becoming involved in the wars of kings as well as the terrible finality of laran weapons is well-written and believable in our own nuclear age.
So, now I'm on to Hawkmistress, a re-read that is somewhat concurrent with this book before I finish the Clingfire trilogy. I'm really enjoying my foray back into this fabulous world.
I do love the lore and worldbuilding in Darkover, and this book adds a lot to it. I got to see the first female acting as a Keeper here, something unique at this time though it becomes the norm in later times. The conflict of the Towers in becoming involved in the wars of kings as well as the terrible finality of laran weapons is well-written and believable in our own nuclear age.
So, now I'm on to Hawkmistress, a re-read that is somewhat concurrent with this book before I finish the Clingfire trilogy. I'm really enjoying my foray back into this fabulous world.
evamaria's review
4.0
It took me a long time to finish this (because I kept getting distracted by other things), but in the end I really enjoyed it. It re-treads some familiar ground from Hawkmistress but gives us the bigger picture, as well as showing us how the famous Varzil the Good came by his reputation in Darkover books set later.
bookcrazylady45's review
3.0
Not a re-read . Much detail, packed with excitement. Characters involving and you care about them. Some tidbits of info that I would have liked followed-up. A good read. Engrossing but not enough to keep me up past my bedtime.
jkh107's review
4.0
Varzil the good comes upon the scene! And the sneaky son of previous-villain is out to undermine all that is good and right and Hastur...I am looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy.
Romilly from Hawkmistress makes a cameo appearance here...which is funny because although it's ages since I read that, the intro puts it in the Ages of Chaos and here we are toward the end of the 100 Kingdoms era.
Romilly from Hawkmistress makes a cameo appearance here...which is funny because although it's ages since I read that, the intro puts it in the Ages of Chaos and here we are toward the end of the 100 Kingdoms era.
More...