After this work was completed, Ross wanted to work on one more story to add to the Darkover library. She had many new ideas coming from Bradley’s last book on modern Darkover, called Traitor’s Sun. Ross’s material became so detailed she had enough material for two books, making a new trilogy about the modern era on this planet. The Alton Gift is the second in the modern Darkover trilogy.

I had read some of the Darkover books years ago, and it was a pleasant surprise to revisit this planet, whose ruling class possessed a mental power, called laran, that took various forms. In The Alton Gift, readers follow the growing maturity of Domenic Alton-Hastur, the heir to the Regent of Darkover. Not only do readers see court intrigue unfold, but also a complex romantic triangle blossom between Domenic, the self-centered Alanna, his courtly equal, and the independent under-Keeper Illona. Coupled with this is a plague, assassination attempts, growing unrest among the townspeople, and a Terran Federation officer who has been in hiding on the planet.

Like Bradley, Ross is able to skillfully weave all of these intricate threads into a great story. The characters are believable, the descriptions of the planet and the complexities of the hierarchy of classes are well drawn, and the intrigue is at a par with Bradley.

The Alton Gift is high galactic adventure at its best. It immerses the story within a well-defined society with specific standards, behaviors, and traditions. And, of course, the wealth of history that Bradley and Ross have brought to this world.

Ross should be commended for extending the story of Darkover in this new volume. It is highly recommended.