At last, Terrans have landed on Darkover, in effect rediscovering the planet populated initially by one of Earth's Lost Ships. It was written in conjunction with Mercedes Lackey. The book focuses on the Terrans with some interactions with some young Hastur Comyn. The plot of a technological society meeting with a more primitive (by design) society is interesting. Darkover doesn't have the resources, especially metals, that the Terrans want, and they don't understand the psi powers that Darkoverans use. In some ways, this is a retelling of white men taking over from the native Americans or other stories of that type, imposing their values on the natives while destroying their society. Even though these are fellow humans (Darkover was populated initially by Northern Europeans, mainly from Scotland), the Terrans are skeptical of the worth of Darkover's people. It's a thought-provoking view.
The actual plot line that revolves around the three young Terrans and the two Hastur twins is much weaker and very slow to evolve. That storyline seems to end abruptly without many resolutions except to point out that the weapons the Terrans brought will create terrible problems for Darkover. ( )

The prequel to the Darkover series written after most of them were done. Marion Zimmer Bradley never was conventional and that is what makes her writing so rich. ( )

A bridge book, fills in a much needed connection in the series. Introduces one of my favourite characters - Leonie. Again, it leaves loose ends that I wish were tied up.. ( )

I think it would have been much better to have at least 1 generation and preferably 2 between the events in this story and some of the co-incidents are too much. ( )

Oddly, Amazon has this one as being published in Feb. 8, 2012, and co-written with Mercedes Lackey. Not sure if I read before or not or which version or if there are two versions. Will figure it out when I read sample I guess.