[DebraU]

Thanks. I appreciate the suggestions. It always seems to be a matter of so many books, so little time in my opinion. :)

[Ealdric]

If you want to tackle Darkover, I would start with The Bloody Sun (1974? re-write) or Stormqueen. I think these are the best intros to the world.

You might also enjoy Mercedes Lackey, especially her Valdemar books. Start with Arrows of the Queen. I think these are best read in copyright order, more or less. I have a list if you want it, and of course there are numerous web sites.

[DebraU]

I actually did pick one up. It's First Contact, which contains Darkover Landfall and Two to Conquer. Hmm..... Guess I'll see how it goes. But that "tackling" thing is a little off putting. :rolleyes:

[Ealdric]

The biggest problem I have with Darkover is MZB's lack of consistency from book to book. In book A, group 1 is speaking language X, with 2 speaking Z. In book B it's the other way around. Geography is likewise jumbled.
She freely admitted to this, saying that she didn't like keeping notes and had a poor memory. Said it gave the readers something to look for in the next book: her next goof. :)

Despite all that, I enjoy the books, and have read them over and over. Re-read Stormqueen just a few weeks ago.
Most of the books are fairly short. No epic novels here. I think that's one reason they are coming out in volumes like the one you got.

There are quite a few novels, and a collection of anthologies written by fans but edited by her.