Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

The Shadow Matrix

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
8
/
10
2
Votes
Alchetron
8
2 Ratings
100
90
82
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
Rate This

Rate This

Country
  
United States

Series
  
Darkover

Media type
  
Print (hardcover)

Originally published
  
September 1997

Publisher
  
DAW Books


Language
  
English

Publication date
  
Sep 1997

Pages
  
512pp

Preceded by
  
Exile's Song

Cover artist
  
Romas Kukalis

The Shadow Matrix t3gstaticcomimagesqtbnANd9GcTRkd4WNtKN7mwS3K

Authors
  
Marion Zimmer Bradley, Adrienne Martine-Barnes

Genres
  
Novel, Science Fiction, Speculative fiction

Similar
  
Works by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Darkover books, Science Fiction books

Blakk syndikate produced by the shadow matrix


The Shadow Matrix is a science fiction novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Adrienne Martine-Barnes in the Darkover series. It was first published by in hardcover by DAW Books in 1996. Since the book involves time travel, it falls in both the Darkover time periods that the author called "Against the Terrans: The Second Age (after the Comyn)" and in the Ages of Chaos.

Contents

In terms of Darkover's timeline, the book starts place about a year after Exile's Song, and is a continuation of that story.

Part One

Mikhail Lanart-Hastur is sent to the isolated Elhalyn estate to check on Priscilla Elhayln and her children. He discovers that Priscilla is deranged, under the influence of a “hedge-witch,” Emelda, and finds that the children are severely neglected. With the assistance of his tower-trained sister, Liriel, he is able to free the children from Emelda, though Priscilla dies in the process. Throughout his journey, he is accompanied by a crow.

Marguerida Alton undertakes the study of matrix science at Arilinn Tower, though she does not get along well with the keeper or her fellow students. They are uneasy about her “shadow matrix,” the outlines of a matrix that glow in her right hand (see Exile's Song for a more complete explanation).

Part Two

Mikhail and his sister, Liriel, arrive at Comyn Castle with the five Elhalyn children. He describes to his uncle, Regis, his experiences at Elhalyn, explaining that none of the three boys are suitable to serve in the traditional role of Elhalyn king.

At the annual Midwinter Ball, a thunderous voice cries, “To Hali, now!” which Mikhail and Marguerida understand is a command for them. They ride to the ruins of Hali Tower, and upon entering, find themselves in the distant past.

Part Three

The only resident of Hali Tower is its keeper, Amalie El Haliene, who tells them that the legendary laranzu, Varzil the Good, is living, but in hiding. Mikhail and Marguerida realize that he has sent for them, and determine to find him, despite the dangers.

At small lake cottage, they encounter the elderly Varzil the Good. Varzil says that he must pass his matrix ring to Mikhail, which requires the couple be united in marriage, so they can join their powers together. It becomes clear that Varzil intends to send the ring back to their present time, to protect it from capture by the powerful leronis, Ashara Alton (see Exile's Song for a more complete explanation).

Having managed the ring-swap, Varzil vanishes, stranding Mikhail and Marguerida in the Ages of Chaos. After a month or more, they return to Hali Tower, and traverse time into their own present. They are rescued by Lew Alton, and returned to Thendara.

While no one is happy about the marriage, because it concentrates too much power in a single couple, they eventually accept it as faît accompli. Regis Hastur’s son, Dani, resolves this problem by saying that he will serve as the traditional Elhalyn King by marrying Miralys Elhalyn, while suggesting that Mikhail serve as the power behind the throne, just as Hasturs have done for generations. His unexpected solution is accepted.

Characters

  • Mikhail Lanart-Hastur, Regent of the Elhayln Domain
  • Marguerida Alton (aka Margaret; aka Marja), daughter of Lew Alton
  • Regis Hastur, the Regent of Darkover
  • The Elhalyn children: Vincent, Emun, Alain, Valenta and Miralys
  • Varzil Ridenow (aka Varzil the Good), a powerful laranzu from the Ages of Chaos
  • Publication History

  • Sep 1997, DAW Books (DAW Collectors #1055), ISBN 0-88677-743-7, 512pp, hard cover
  • Sep 1997, DAW Books / SFBC, #17845, 483pp, hard cover
  • Jan 1999, DAW Books (DAW Collectors #1065), ISBN 0-88677-812-3, 556pp, paperback
  • References

    The Shadow Matrix Wikipedia