The Shattered Chain — Marion Zimmer Bradley

The major theme of THE SHATTEREDCHAIN concerns the role of women. While only women can command the power of the matrix and the secret sciences which keep Darkover from Terran hands, in most respects they are still chattel -- indeed in some barbaric parts even kept enchained. Yet there are the bands of pledged women known as the Free Amazons, equal to men and outside the laws that keep the rest of their sex subservient. It is the Free Amazons who provide the key to the Terran-Darkover dilemma.