City of Sorcery
Cover of the first edition
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| Author | Marion Zimmer Bradley |
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| Cover artist | James Gurney |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Darkover |
| Genre | Science fantasy |
| Publisher | DAW Books |
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Publication date
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1984 |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 423 pp |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 11271091 |
| Preceded by | Thendara House |
City of Sorcery is a science fantasy novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Darkover series and is a sequel to Thendara House. It was originally published by DAW Books (No. 600) in October 1984.
In terms of the Darkover timeline, City of Sorcery falls in the era identified by the author as Recontact (Against the Terrans: The First Age).
City of Sorcery begins five years after the end of Thendara House. The Renunciates and a select group of Terran women who have agreed to abide by Renunciate laws have formed The Bridge Society, to facilitate understanding between the two groups.
Magda Lorne learns from her supervisor, Cholayna Ares, that a Terran operative, Alexis Anders, has survived a plane crash in the Hellers a week earlier. Five days later, she appeared at the spaceport with amnesia. Cholayna believes Anders’ memory has been tampered with and wants Magda to use her laran abilities to help recover her memories. After a bit of telepathic probing, Anders abruptly appears to have recovered, though she remembers nothing of her past week’s ordeal.
Later, in retelling the story to Camilla at the Guildhouse, Magda recalls her three previous experiences with mystical visions of the Dark Sisterhood, and crows, which seem to be their avatars. Camilla tells Magda that the Sisterhood is a secret society; that she and Jaelle were both invited to join, but refused. With Jaelle’s assistance, Magda makes contact with the Forbidden Tower, but they are unable to explain Anders’ experiences.
Rafaella undertakes a travel commission from Alexis Anders, but leaves a note behind for Jaelle. Magda tells Cholayna that Alexis has taken the expedition under false pretenses. Cholayna, Magda, Vanella, Jaelle, and Camilla set out to follow Alexis. The expedition takes them high into the Hellers, through treacherous terrain. Magda goes into the Overworld to ask the advice of the Forbidden Tower, but is confronted by an ancient crone who repeatedly warns her to turn back. Magda refuses.
The Terran women suffer frostbite and altitude sickness, but continue despite their troubles. After about a week, they continue on their way, crossing the Kadarin River, and arrive at the city of Nevarsin. An arrogant leronis, who calls herself Acquilara, greets them with a great deal of self-importance and bluster. The women are suspicious of her and decide to leave the city. Cholayna’s altitude sickness gets worse, as do the travel conditions.
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