A grand return to a classic series of fantasy fiction. Deborah Ross proves, here, that she has the chops to stand alongside fictional giants in the field. Her prose, in-depth world exploration, and fun takes on characters really helps to weave a story that, while very much representative of what has gone before, still feels unique.

I spent quite a bit of fun time reading this, and enjoying the thoughtful, well-written, and very interesting story here.

Deborah J Ross does a fantastic job of continuing the Darkover series in the way Marion Zimmer Bradley intended; 'The Laran Gambit' delivers for fans exactly what they could want in a return to Darkover.

It did feel a little disjointed, in my opinion, but it has been years since I read a Darkover novel so it may just be me on that count; while there were many questions left unanswered, I minded that less. As the first in a planned 3-book series, I have no doubt that these will be answered in time.

As always, thanks so much to NetGalley and to the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust for the eARC!

Thank you NetGalley for an early review copy of this book.
This book for me is one of two stories. The first, is the good vs. evil tale where our heroes need to thwart the bad guys. The second is a tale of new found powers and development of that power while trying to find help for one of the characters. Ultimately, those two stories didn't blend well enough for me and the book felt disjointed.

There were also fundamental questions that remained unanswered:
1. How did Bryn get Laran? It seems concentrated on Darkover. Could others outside of Darkover also have Laran?
2. Why did nobody on StarOps seem to care that one of the people they were sent to get, Felicity, chose not to come?

Well, I have mixed feelings about this novel. I eagerly looked forward to it and was delighted when I discovered I could obtain a NetGalley account where my request to read it was approved. I read the book over the course of perhaps a week, trying to savor the experience. In the past 18 months I've re-read almost all the Darkover novels and all but 1 or 2 of the anthologies; so was delighted to get a 'new' one to enjoy.
Although the first part which took place on 'Terra' was interesting, particularly the 'mind control' aspects which kind of reflect trends in our current socioeconomic world; it was a bit disappointing that so much of the book actually happened in what used to be the 'Terran Federation' (now the 'Star Alliance' mentioned in prior novels). I do understand why it was needed, but I wanted more 'Darkover time'.
However, once the main characters got to Darkover it was much more satisfying to read. Yes, a lot of the themes were repeats of themes in prior novels, but isn't that the charm of Darkover itself? A pseudo-feudal society highly resistant to change and so-called 'modernization'. The exploration of novel use or application of laran was intriguing.
Overall it was an entertaining read, but I wasn't that pleased with the ending. I'm hopeful that ensuing books completing the series will be more satisfying overall.
Kudos to the author for continuing her works in MZB's magnificent world of Darkover- and for editing more anthologies. I hope they keep coming!

It’s been quite a while since I’ve had a new Darkover novel to sink my teeth into. I’ve spent many many days in my past reading and re-reading all of my Darkover books, again and again! I hadn’t realized how much I missed Darkover until I started reading The Laran Gambit.

It did take a bit to get to Darkover which had me scratching my head as I wondered what in the heck I was reading. And then, there it was…. My beloved world of Darkover!

It was so comfortable delving back into the world of Renunciates, laran, Leronis’s, Hasturs, Altons…. All of it.

Bryn’s Senator father has been kidnapped by an evil government and had some kind of mind control implanted into his head. Bryn takes him to Darkover to see if the only known telepaths in the galaxy can help him.

I’m thrilled that this book is the start of a new 3 book series. I can’t WAIT to read book 2!!

*Thanks so much to NetGalley and to the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust for the eGalley!*

Thank you for letting me review this title.

I have enjoyed reading these Deborah Ross Darkover novels in the past and whilst this story has the elements of a classic Bradley story the writing does not feel as crisp as previous novels. I found the plot concept quite interesting and read the book to the end but I find it slightly lacking. Ashame her previous stories have been very good this one is at best ok.

This is a return to the world of Cottman IV (aka Darkover) … the series that hooked me on reading (under a different author). As such, I took a particular pleasure in the “Easter Eggs” or references to canon found throughout the book that played well with my nostalgia. More than a generation has passed since Darkover had any connection to the Off World Terrans when Bryn lands on Darkover seeking refuge from a despotic ruler and help for her mentally compromised father. Personally it took longer to get there than I would have liked, but that is mostly because of how fascinated I am with he world of Darkover itself.

The story doesn’t really add much that is new, but it was well written and easy to read. The one element of a powerful and corrupt Terran leader as the “Big Bad” made for a decent plot hook, but was otherwise not all that unique … so the book was fairly average unless you are a fan … which I am. It is also a quick read that can stand alone to introduce you to the series, so I still would recommend it.

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#TheLaranGambit #Darkover #NetGalley.

Bryn's father has been kidnapped and implanted with a mind-control device to change his political views and support. He can no longer express or even think about his own opinions--but what's worse is that the rebellion no longer trusts him, and the chances for peaceful talks dwindle rapidly, daily.

The device is being used to control individuals and small crowds, which could mean dozens of worlds under virtual slavery by a ruthless politician.

Their only hope is a more primitive planet where telepaths are supposed to genuinely exist in fair numbers. Bryn must somehow get her father there (although at times he doesn't recognize her, or becomes combative and confused), while being hunted by the StarGuard and a man called "Black."

For a non-violent child trauma therapist who prefers a quiet life, things are very un-quiet and getting more violent. Is this even something Bryn can do? This hopeful trip will change Bryn in ways she never imagined, and the world of Darkover will know her new name; Bruna.

I enjoyed this book, although it was a bit slow in the last 1/3.

4/5 Stars

Caution: Violence, political rebellion, attempted rape, mind-control, rescue of a prisoner. Mild swearing.


Thanks to the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust and NetGalley for the temporary digital preview; any review is voluntary and entirely my own opinion.

#TheLaranGambitDarkover #NetGalley
#MarionZimmerBradley #MarionZimmerBradley Auth
#DeborahJRoss #DeborahJRossAuth
#Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust
#ScienceFictionTelepathyMindControl
#ScienceFictionPoliticalAbuseofPower
#ScienceFictionPoliticalRebellion
#ScienceFictionAdventure
#ScienceFictionAdventures
#ParanormalUrbanFantasy

I read almost all Darkover stories but it's been a while I read one and stopped after what i discovered about MZB.
This new one by Deborah Ross was a surprise and i was curious to read it.
It's a slow burning story, it starts slowly and it tooks some time before reaching Darkover from Terra. Once on Darkover it a fast paced and gripping story.
I think it could be the first in a new series and I would be glad to meet again these characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I read the first couple of Darkover books years ago as Ace Doubles. The series wore on, the books got longer, and moved more squarely to fantasy, so my interest waned. I thought I would pick this up. There is clearly history that would help a reader, perhaps by reading the books written by Deborah Ross since Bradley passed. Despite not being in the flow of this “world” I found the story sufficiently accessible, perhaps because it relies on familiar SF tropes and a reasonably simple plot. Readable but for the established fan. 3 of 5 stars for me.

I was interested to give this one a try even though earlier Debra J. Ross Darkover books have been lacking some of the magic. Mostly, I wanted to give modern Darkcover (post-recontact) another try. The Sharra books are just too tragic and The World Wreckers was unsatisfying (plus it is from over 50 years ago).

This did not disappoint. It does take a while to get started. The first quarter of the book, especially on Terra, just doesn't have a lot of momentum. "Running away" isn't really a plot I can get my teeth into. I prefer a bit of agency in my characters. But then we meet Dr. Felicity Sage, then we head to Darkover, and things get into a groove.

Yes, there are some infodumps, especially about the mind control tech, and no, people don't really talk like that, but that was much less distracting after the plot gets into gear.

Overall, a satisfying return to modern Darkover. Will there be a sequel? It seems to me that Bryn had some pretty sketchy reasons for breaking a big taboo. (view spoiler) Hmm.

This might even be a good first book for readers new to Darkover. I've always suggested The Spell Sword for that, because the reader learns about Darkover as Andrew Carr does, but I'd have to recheck how a book from almost 50 years ago has aged. This story uses a similar technique, and works with richer knowledge of Darkover (the Renunciates and the Hastur gift were revealed after The Spell Sword).

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5094665432

Darkover returns

Deborah J Ross has written a Darkover tale that has no trouble fitting seamlessly into the arc of novels created by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
Terran child psychologist, Bryn Haslund is fleeing the star alliance with her Senator father Ernst and her teacher and mentor Felicity Sage. Her father has had a mind control device inserted into his brain and Bryn’s research has found allusions to a lost planet world out on the galactic arm that mentions psychic abilities and telepathy.
Bryn herself has strange precognitions about danger, enough to evade capture by the Alliance dictator’s heavy, Black.
The fight for freedom continues and Bryn has a dangerous part to play. She meets Desiserio a matrix technician whose help is essential.
It was warming to once again tread the literary ground of Darkover, bathe in the light of the four ? moons and have Darkover come to life. Very enjoyable and prompted me to go to my paperback collection and revisit some of my favorites.

A Victory ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

Many thanks to the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust and Deborah J. Ross for the advanced copy of The Laran Gambit via NetGalley, in return for my honest and unbiased review. Quick note: I don’t recap plots in my reviews, as it’s easy enough to read the book’s synopsis and blurbs, I purely focus on my feelings & opinions of how the books makes me feel.

I read Marion Zimmer Bradley’s (MZB) books in my teens and early twenties and collected the Darkover novels from second-hand book shops over many years. Once I became aware of the controversy surrounding MZB the books were packed away as I genuinely wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with them.

I’d put it out of my mind until I saw this book appear on NetGalley, and the nostalgia and genuine longing to read about Darkover was instant and I did an actual squeal when the approval came through. And the book itself did not disappoint.

The writing is updated and different enough to MZB’s for me to feel for comfortable reading it. The first portion of the book actually takes place off Darkover entirely (on Terra, the equivalent of Earth). The underlying political nuances and topics are ones that are relevant to modern life now – something which would have been relevant to readers when the originals were being released.

I inhaled the book and spent every spare minute I had reading it. I’m very much looking forward to the promised two sequels.

Moods: adventurous, challenging, tense
Pace: medium
Character development: medium
Plot or character driven: 50/50
Diversity: medium
Spice: 0/5
Trigger warnings: Death, Guns/weapons, Physical or mental abuse, Sexual assault
Rating: 5/5

It has been ac long time since I visited Darkover. When I saw a new novel featuring this unusual and interesting planet I started reading immediately. While the story was a little slow it was still. Enjoyable. The first half was backstory setting the reason to go to Darkover. Then the main action started. When the main characters arrived. Nice to visit. For fans of the series as much is left out

his is Deborah J Ross writing in MZB’s universe. (I would not have been able to read this if it had been written by MZB – have not been able to read her books since certain things came to light a while ago.) Anyway, I loved the Darkover series since I was a teen and this was a great entry. Ross has clearly been influenced by recent events and explores that in terms of trauma processing and mind control vs laran (the Darkover psychic sense). This was a great space opera with some hard hitting moments. I know it’s supposed to be part of a projected new Darkover trilogy and I’d happily read the next two books.

Another captivating Darkovana story, with characters that makes us cheer for them (or against them) from start to finish, a writing that captures our attention with each paragraph and moments of making us arrest our breath. I confess that I suffered from losses, celebrated the victories, was annoyed by the characters who did not understand the urgency of situations and twisted against the relentless villains ... that is, a book that makes us dive into the story and their messages and emotions.
I only have two caveats to make about this book. I really wanted to see more Elhalyns characters and know the end of characters from the last book I liked a lot. But that doesn't get in the way of the story at all, it's actually just a desire for this self-declared Elhalyn fan.

The Laran Gambit is science fiction from a master voice. Sure to please fans of this author and genre, and a welcome quality work.