The Forbidden Tower

by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Book Overview

Tradition and a sacred caste system ruled life on the planet Darkover, but two men and two women dared to defy the ancient law. Together they formed a powerful alliance, but was it strong enough to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0886773733
• ISBN13: 9780886773731
• Release Date: September 1977
• Publisher: Daw Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

over 25 years, omg

I'm happy to see this novel still available. I read it 25 years ago, it was a symbol of my teenage rebellion. The culture of the early Darkover novels was absorbing and great in that it made you suspend belief, so much so, the culture came alive. This novel in the series brings a Human from Earth into the culture, giving you the whole fish out-of-water fish-eye view. The character Andrew suffers culture shock due to the fact the two married couples (the wives are sisters), basically; share some intimate quarters. They are also rebels together, going against the ruling parties of Darkover. Depending where you are in the Chronology of Darkover, sometimes only women can be matrix tower keepers, other time periods, only the men are permitted. There is some interesting use of Psychic powers that some of the Darkover people have developed, it makes the resistance to Science more easily understandable, especially by the High-born, who rule this medieval like society. This novel is my favorite in the Darkover series. If you liked this novel, "Stormqueen' is another great Darkover novel. The novels before the 'Terrans' arrived were more fantastic fantasy.

Four people fighting against a matrix circle...

A great book, one of the best from Darkover novel! This story started in another book - The spell sword, when a strange allience has been performed: Andrew Carr (a terran), Callista (a Keeper from Arilin Tower), Damon Ridenow (a man haunted by his fears) and Ellemir (the Callistas twin sister, who grow up believing that has no laran power). This four people realized that they performed one matrix circle, forbidden by the rules from Arilin Tower,working as one and starting a battle to rise and maintain theirs Tower. They also fight against prejudice, old laws and rules, showing the world that terrans and darkovans might not be so different after all. The consequences of their acts would change the future. If you like this book and get curious, you should read "The blody sun "

Taboos Broken - both Terran and Darkovan

The four main characters in this novel all have an equal part in the story -- and each one is forced, again and again, to question the basic assumptions he or she holds not only about what is morally right or wrong, but also about what it is humanly possible for one person, or a small group of people, to accomplish. Just four people were able to raise a challenge to the entire system of the Comyn Towers.The contacts between the Terran and Darkovan culture help this breakdown of traditional ways of thinking, and the Terran character Andrew finds his own assumptions and prejudices challenged as well. Bradley does an excellent job here of showing that what is considered obscene and immoral in one culture is a part of everyday life in another, and of the very real problem of "culture shock" interfering with even the relationship of husband and wife.It probably helps to read The Spell Sword first, but I didn't, and I think that this was a somewhat better book than its prequel.

Gotta read it!!!

A Terran named Andrew Carr marries Callista. A woman thats destiny is a Keeper. Callista follows her heart and decides to marry Andrew instead! Damon marries his loved one, Ellemir. But Callista's channels are messed up since Keepers are supposed to be a virgin. So for the sake of Callista, Damon goes on a dangerous TimeSearch, risking his own life! Andrew feels betrayed because he knows that he can't really do anything and Damon is the one helping Callista. But the real questionis; Will Callista die before anyone can help her or will she live on and be happy with Andrew??? You should find out and read this book!!! To me this was one of Marion Zimmer Bradley's best books ever!!!