One of the earliest books written in the series that comes 16th in chronology. It is a bit flatter than later novels and neglects some information that would integrate it better. Missing some details I would have liked, even though I know it was written too soon for them...like the name of Valdir's father, Aldaran's name and parentage. surname of Cliendori. Picky, picky, picky. ( )

Two completely separate novels bundled together as one. - They are printed in reverse direction so each starts at one cover and both finish in the middle of the book. ACE made a whole series of these doubles, this is the first I've had a chance to come across. It sort of works, given the typically short nature of 70s sf.

The Anything Tree.

Enjoyable enough SF/Fantasy nothing really special - there are telepathic plants which is neat, although they aren't explained at all. The lead heroine does well for a 70s independent woman, but she still falls over all gushy at the sight of a healthy male. She's really an undercover operative chasing rumours of this vegetative wonder, but finds herself trapped on it being pursued by some criminals intent on making money.

The Winds Of Darkover:
I've been meaning to read this widely regarded series for some time, but never got around to it, jumping in at book 5 isn't the best place to begin, but it sort of makes sense.

Darkover appears to be a planet inhabited by many sentient and semi-sentient races. Terrans being the major technological force in the galaxy use it as a stopover. Terrans are however barely telepathic at all, and hence don't' really appreciate the abilities of the other races. One young engineer has his career ruined when he catches a stray telepathic that distracts him during a critical spaceship landing maneuver. He is sent out in tot he wilderness to teach the locals some of the technology they do desire. But he finds himself increasingly succumbing to these thoughts, and gets involved int he local politics of who inherits which castle. There is a bit of commentary on how the darkover society responds to technology, which probably needs more backstory to explain than is given in this volume.

Very little links the two plots other than they both involve telepathy and have some notions of science and technology are taking mankind down the 'wrong' roads. There is of course no evidence given to support these positions other that that major characters appear to take them. Fun reads though if not exactly breathtaking. ( )