The World Wreckers
by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Darkover: The Second Age (5), Darkover (Publication Order) (6), L'Âge de Regis Hastur (Tome 9), Darkover EDL (06), Darkover (Chronological Order) (18)
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A classic novel in the bestselling Darkover series. For three quarters of a century, Darkover has resisted the Terran Empire's efforts in colonization and industrialization. But the leader of Planetary Investments Unlimited (known as Worldwreckers, Inc.) has decided to take on this assignment herself . . . for long ago, she had called Darkover home.Tags
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Member Reviews
I'm a fan of Marion Zimmer Bradley, but my affection for her rests not on the Avalon books, which I didn't care for, but her Darkover series. Darkover is a "lost colony" of Earth that falls into a medieval society. Ruled by a psychic aristocracy it is later rediscovered by a star-spanning high-tech human federation after centuries, giving the series a feel of both science fiction and fantasy. The series as a whole features strong female characters, but it has enough swashbuckling adventure to draw the male of the species, and indeed this series was recommended to me by a guy (when we were in high school!)
Although some books are loosely connected, having characters in common, they were written to be read independently and were written show more out of sequence. Part of the difficulty of knowing what to read, and in what order to read comes from that. This is an early book in terms of Marion Zimmer Bradley's career, in my opinion before she had come into her own and honed her craft; I'd count this as one of her weakest books among those not involving collaborations. Yet chronologically in terms of the timeline of the series, this is the last book, at least if you count those we can be sure MZB wrote on her own, not part of any collaboration. It's definitely not the book where I'd start. (I'd recommend The Shattered Chain or Heritage of Hastur as better entry points.) There are also inconsistencies between this book and those that fall earlier in the chronology but written later. For someone who has become a fan of Darkover though, well, I couldn't resist seeking it out, but it doesn't represent the series at its best. show less
Although some books are loosely connected, having characters in common, they were written to be read independently and were written show more out of sequence. Part of the difficulty of knowing what to read, and in what order to read comes from that. This is an early book in terms of Marion Zimmer Bradley's career, in my opinion before she had come into her own and honed her craft; I'd count this as one of her weakest books among those not involving collaborations. Yet chronologically in terms of the timeline of the series, this is the last book, at least if you count those we can be sure MZB wrote on her own, not part of any collaboration. It's definitely not the book where I'd start. (I'd recommend The Shattered Chain or Heritage of Hastur as better entry points.) There are also inconsistencies between this book and those that fall earlier in the chronology but written later. For someone who has become a fan of Darkover though, well, I couldn't resist seeking it out, but it doesn't represent the series at its best. show less
I did not like this book. It wasn't terrible, though; it just repeatedly failed to catch my interest throughout, despite the fact that I kept thinking it would, and continued reading for some reason. I do weird things sometimes.
The World Wreckers is the sixth or so in a series known as the Darkover series, but all the reviews I read through said it was fairly standalone. I'm inclined to agree with them, because although I'm sure there were things I did not pick up on, I didn't really feel left behind on any of it--there were very few things that I scratched my head over and felt the need to consult Google on. More than anything I just couldn't be bothered to care about most of the political crap that was going on it the background. show more
Anyway for the synopsis, this book takes place on a planet quite on the edges of known space, known as Darkover presumably because it is so far away from its sun that it receives very little warmth and sunlight and most of its year is covered in snow. Obsessed as I am with survival stories and settings, this really appealed to me, and I was prepared to read about the unique struggles that would accompany living on such a planet. Unfortunately, there's not really much of that here, and in fact there are so many cultures there that live outside and/or are nomads/forest people/lo-tech societies etc. that I probably would have forgotten about the temperature if I hadn't been reminded. The beginning of the book starts off with the hiring of a company called World Wreckers, Inc., which specializes in ruining the economies of planets outside the Galactic Empire (or whatever it’s called in this book. I forget which name they use--the concept is the same), so that interested investors can swoop in and take over. This is an interesting idea, and could have been utilized much more than it was. There’s a lot of political intrigue that could have taken place as the inhabitants of the planet try to figure out what is going on. In fact, though, it only serves as a background. It seems that the author got bored with this plot and universe about a fourth of the way through and decided to make the rest of the story center around ideas about gender.
The bulk of the story centers around a hermaphroditic race which is very long-lived and changes its gender periodically throughout their lifetimes to facilitate breeding. Again, this could have been interesting, but for some reason it just wasn’t--it read like two boring romances in a pulp novel, and none of it was particularly interesting or insightful. In fact, due to its age I suppose, there is a bit of sexism here and there, which I don’t think the author was aware of.
At any rate, I don’t think I’ll remember this one much and I won’t be picking up any others in the series. show less
The World Wreckers is the sixth or so in a series known as the Darkover series, but all the reviews I read through said it was fairly standalone. I'm inclined to agree with them, because although I'm sure there were things I did not pick up on, I didn't really feel left behind on any of it--there were very few things that I scratched my head over and felt the need to consult Google on. More than anything I just couldn't be bothered to care about most of the political crap that was going on it the background. show more
Anyway for the synopsis, this book takes place on a planet quite on the edges of known space, known as Darkover presumably because it is so far away from its sun that it receives very little warmth and sunlight and most of its year is covered in snow. Obsessed as I am with survival stories and settings, this really appealed to me, and I was prepared to read about the unique struggles that would accompany living on such a planet. Unfortunately, there's not really much of that here, and in fact there are so many cultures there that live outside and/or are nomads/forest people/lo-tech societies etc. that I probably would have forgotten about the temperature if I hadn't been reminded. The beginning of the book starts off with the hiring of a company called World Wreckers, Inc., which specializes in ruining the economies of planets outside the Galactic Empire (or whatever it’s called in this book. I forget which name they use--the concept is the same), so that interested investors can swoop in and take over. This is an interesting idea, and could have been utilized much more than it was. There’s a lot of political intrigue that could have taken place as the inhabitants of the planet try to figure out what is going on. In fact, though, it only serves as a background. It seems that the author got bored with this plot and universe about a fourth of the way through and decided to make the rest of the story center around ideas about gender.
The bulk of the story centers around a hermaphroditic race which is very long-lived and changes its gender periodically throughout their lifetimes to facilitate breeding. Again, this could have been interesting, but for some reason it just wasn’t--it read like two boring romances in a pulp novel, and none of it was particularly interesting or insightful. In fact, due to its age I suppose, there is a bit of sexism here and there, which I don’t think the author was aware of.
At any rate, I don’t think I’ll remember this one much and I won’t be picking up any others in the series. show less
Darkover, an independent, feudal planet, is targeted by Planetary Investments Unlimited, a group hired to destroy the planet's economy and ecology so it can be forced into joining the Terran Empire. Regent Regis Hastur battles these forces, which are led by a mysterious figure with hidden ties to Darkover.
Andrea Closson is hired to wreck the planet, but it is revealed she is a native Darkovan, a child of the Yellow Forest, leading to a complex internal struggle.
Regis Hastur seeks to save Darkover by assembling a group of telepaths, Project Telepath, to identify the source of the destruction, aided by the native, non-human chieri race.
Andrea Closson is hired to wreck the planet, but it is revealed she is a native Darkovan, a child of the Yellow Forest, leading to a complex internal struggle.
Regis Hastur seeks to save Darkover by assembling a group of telepaths, Project Telepath, to identify the source of the destruction, aided by the native, non-human chieri race.
Darkover is in danger; intent on bringing the planet fully into the Empire unnamed interests employ Andrea Closson of World Wreckers Inc to bring the plant to the point of destruction. Unusually Ms Closson decides to lead this mission herself. With Darkover already in a time of turmoil with its age old structure of government gone, Regis Hastur now finds himself the frequent target of would be assassins. Fearing the permanent loss of his peoples’ telepathic powers Regis has sent out a universal call for all know telepaths in the hopes of regenerating these powers. But even if Regis becomes aware of the plot against his planet, will it be possible to undo all the damage Darkover has already suffered?
In The World Wreckers, in Darkover show more history it follows on shortly after Sharra’s Exile, we find the young Regis now leading his world with faithful Danilo at his side. This story is relatively short by comparison with its two chronological predecessors, and the real centre of focus is the first small group if telepaths who come to Darkover, a mixed bunch of Terrans and those, initially, of uncertain origins. Of these it is David, a Terran medic, and Keral, a youngster of the fabled ancient and long lived Chieri, the alien natives of Darkover.
Young David and Keral, young by his own standards, form a bond, although the indeterminate gender of Keral initially proves a problem; but their relationship leads to interesting developments. Their relationship, and that enjoyed by others in the group, is touching and heart-warming. I would have liked to have seen much more of Regis and Danilo in the story, and especially their relationship, but they do not feature too greatly in the story.
It is a good tale, the main emphasis is on the characters, the plot to destroy the planet playing a relatively minor role on the whole. It is a story of love, betrayal and ultimate redemption. show less
In The World Wreckers, in Darkover show more history it follows on shortly after Sharra’s Exile, we find the young Regis now leading his world with faithful Danilo at his side. This story is relatively short by comparison with its two chronological predecessors, and the real centre of focus is the first small group if telepaths who come to Darkover, a mixed bunch of Terrans and those, initially, of uncertain origins. Of these it is David, a Terran medic, and Keral, a youngster of the fabled ancient and long lived Chieri, the alien natives of Darkover.
Young David and Keral, young by his own standards, form a bond, although the indeterminate gender of Keral initially proves a problem; but their relationship leads to interesting developments. Their relationship, and that enjoyed by others in the group, is touching and heart-warming. I would have liked to have seen much more of Regis and Danilo in the story, and especially their relationship, but they do not feature too greatly in the story.
It is a good tale, the main emphasis is on the characters, the plot to destroy the planet playing a relatively minor role on the whole. It is a story of love, betrayal and ultimate redemption. show less
This was, in many ways, supposed to be the end of the Darkover series. It wrapped up multiple plot lines from earlier (published) books, and ended the Darkover from those books.
Spoiler Alert ***************************************************************
Darkover 'loses', and ultimately becomes a part of the Terran Empire, like every other human colony. But it makes that Empire change its policies and practices, something no other lost colony ever has. It's the best outcome Darkover could ever expect to get.
Spoiler Alert ***************************************************************
Darkover 'loses', and ultimately becomes a part of the Terran Empire, like every other human colony. But it makes that Empire change its policies and practices, something no other lost colony ever has. It's the best outcome Darkover could ever expect to get.
One of the first written and I liked it a lot. Many fabulous characters, great history lessons, tension and then great resolution and hope for future.
One of my all-time favorite sci-fi/fantasy series by one of my all-time favorite authors. I do however, most enjoy the volumes that occur chronologically prior to 'Rediscovery.' The earlier books are more fantasy, while the later books are more sci-fi. Highly recommended.
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Author Information
408+ Works 98,838 Members
Marion Zimmer Bradley is a science-fiction and fantasy writer, novelist, and editor. She was born in Albany, New York on June 3, 1930. Bradley attended the New York State College for Teachers from 1946 to 1948. She earned a B.A. from Hardin Simmons University in 1964. Bradley did graduate work at the University of California at Berkeley from 1965 show more to 1967. Bradley sold her first story to Fantastic Amazing Stories as part of an amateur fiction contest. She sold her first professional story to Vortex Science Fiction in 1952. Her novels include The Sword of Aldones and The Planet Savers. Both novels were set on Darkover, the setting for more than 20 subsequent Bradley novels. Bradley also wrote The Mists of Avalon, a reworking of the King Arthur legend with more emphasis on the female characters. She used the same approach with The Firebrand, which was based on The Iliad. In addition to writing more than 85 books, Bradley was the editor of an annual anthology for DAW Books, as well as the editor of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine. Bradley died in 1999. (Bowker Author Biography) Marion Zimmer Bradley was the bestselling author of "The Mists of Avalon", "Lady of Avalon", "The Forest House", & "The Firebrand", as well as the popular Darkover series of science fiction novels. She died in 1999. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Series
Darkover: The Second Age
12 works (5)
Darkover (Publication Order)
43 works (6)
L'Âge de Regis Hastur
8 works (Tome 9)
Darkover EDL
11 works (06)
Darkover (Chronological Order)
42 works (18)
Belongs to Publisher Series
Work Relationships
Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The World Wreckers
- Original title
- The World Wreckers
- Original publication date
- 1971
- People/Characters
- Regis Hastur; Danilo Syrtis; Desideria Storn
- Important places
- Darkover
- Dedication
- To four people who - each in his or her own way - kept my sense of wonder alive:
Anne McCaffrey
Juanita Colson
Ursula LeGuin and
Randall Garrett - First words
- WORLDWRECKERS, INC. They didn't call it that, of course.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)L'enfant de Keral commença à remuer, à gigoter et ruer dans ses bras froids, et c'est alors seulement qu'ils réalisèrent qu'Andréa Colson, chieri, enfant de la Forêt Jaune, destructrice et rédemptrice de mondes, était revenue chez elle pour mourir.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Not until Keral's child began to stir and fret and kick in her cold arms did any of the others realize that Andrea Closson, chieri, child of the Yellow Forest, worldwrecker and redeemer, had come home only to die. - Publisher's editor*
- Alpers, Hans Joachim
- Blurbers
- Searles Baird
- Original language*
- Englisch
- Disambiguation notice
- This is the single edition, rather than any of the combo books
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
Classifications
- Genres
- Fiction and Literature, Science Fiction
- DDC/MDS
- 813.54 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American fiction in English 1900-1999 1945-1999
- LCC
- PZ4 .B79968 .W — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction in English
- BISAC
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- ISBNs
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- 18