Snows of Darkover - Marion Zimmer Bradley, Diana L. Paxson, Chel Avery, Linda Anfuso, Mercedes Lackey, Deborah Wheeler, Lee Martindale, Tim White, Joan Marie Verba, Elisabeth Waters, Glenn R. Sixbury, Nina Boal, Patricia Shaw Mathews, Cynthia McQuillin, Lynne Armstrong-Jones, Patricia Duff Some of the later stories in this collection are weak and have the characteristics of a fanzine and fan fiction from which this collection is based. However, for a fan or a reader of the Darkover series, this collection is worth picking up for a few reasons. The first is Deborah Wheeler’s story “Cradle of Lies” which in some ways foreshadows her excellent work in the Clingfire trilogy. Additionally, a few of the stories like “The Awakening”, “The Chieri’s Godchild” and “The Yearbride” look at the end of society and sacrifice. There are two funny stories, including one written by Mercedes Lackey. Perhaps the best story is “The Midwinter’s Gift” by Jane Edgeworth which is a twist on a famous story by O.Henry. Two of the short stories – “Fire in the Hellars” and “A Matter of Perception” – show promise but are somewhat lacking. In one case it is the use of dialect that throws the reader.