The desire of self and society to transform and restore itself has always been the staple of romantic comedy, as have been the lost twin, the quick reversal of romantic objects, and the signatory marriage ending, complete with lutes and song. In this most recent novel in the Darkover series, Bradley continues to emphasize the mythic and archetypal roots of fantasy.

Reminiscent of Shakespearean romantic fantasy, The Heirs of Hammerfell uses many traditional devices — parallel journeys from country to city, the encounter of civilization with nature and artifice with artlessness, the quick reversal and reconciliation between brothers and lovers, and the last minute conversion, as in the case of the warlike Lord Storn, who renounces the feud and allows the marriage/reconiliation to take place. Topics are also familiar from Sir Thomas More's Utopia (1516). Darkover is in transition from its feudal beginnings into...