The most recent Darkover novel and culmination of the
Clingfire trilogy, A Flame in Hali is everything one learns
to expect
from Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah Ross, and more. The book mainly follows
Eduin Deslucido through his ever evolving journey of
revenge, as implanted in
him by his
father Rumail from Rumail’s his death bed. The reader experiences
the agony that is inner conflict with Eduin as he tries to drown the inner
voice demanding revenge with alcohol. One night, just as the alcohol and harsh
winter were to bring him eternal peace and put him out of his misery, he is
taken in by another ex-laranzu. Saravio, a mentally instable ex-laranzu nurses
Eduin to health and soon becomes his partner in crime. Eduin takes advantage of
both his hospitality and mind, and soon molds Saravio into a tool for his
father’s revenge. Together they make their way into a ruling household’s staff
and begin stirring conflict against the Hastur nation and their Compact.
On the “side of good” we find Varzil and Dyannis, brother
and sister laranzus, attempting to rebuild the laran gifted community. They
spend their time trying to put a stop to laran created weapons through the
implementation of the Compact created by Varzil and his good friend Carolin
Hastur. Carolin Hastur uses his post as King to help further the Compact and
bring peace to all of Darkover. He sends Varzil to all lands as ambassador for
both the Hastur nation as well as the Compact. The Compact simply states that
the towers and all the laranzus within them, will not use their laran gifts to
hurt those who cannot reciprocate in the same manner.
After taking many twists and turns the story culminates in
an ever effective love conquers all. Eduin’s scheming puts the one
person in
all of Darkover that he cares for at risk, namely Dyannis. Defying
everything
his father implanted within him, Eduin goes across time and space to
help save
Dyannis and Hali Tower. Sadly, he fails, but he aids her
in her dying actions of bringing the pain and suffering of such an
attack to
the minds of all laran gifted people in Darkover. The psychic shock
signals the end of an age of laran weapons and hopefully a more
peaceful laran world.
Although many beloved characters do not make it to the end
of the story, it is still a marvelous ending. The book is gripping and like all
other Darkover novels, once you pick it up - it will be difficult to put down.
There is the perfect amount of character development, action, love and mystery
to keep you anxious to turn the page. This book is a marvelous read and a
definite recommendation.