The Shattered Chain

The Shattered Chain is a novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Darkover series. The Shattered Chain is the first Darkovan novel to explore the world of the Renunciates - the Free Amazons or comhii letzi. The Renunciates are women living in a deeply patriarchal and feudal culture who have renounced both the protection and control of men, cutting their hair and living apart, vowing never to marry di catenas with a man. The Shattered Chain is divided into three parts, the first titled 'Rohana Ardais: Comynara', the second 'Magda Lorne: Terran Agent' and the third, 'Jaelle n'ha Melora: Free Amazon', and each follows one female character's experiences with the Free Amazons of Darkover.

“While only women can command the power of the matrix and he secret sciences which keep Darkover from Terran hands, in most respects they are still chattels. Yet there are bands of pledged women known as the Free Amazons, equal to men and outside the laws that keep the rest of their sex subservient. And in THE SHATTERED CHAIN, it is these Free Amazons who will prove the key to the Terran-Darkovan Dilemma.” -Taken from the back cover of The Shattered Chain, written by Marion Zimmer Bradley and published by Daw Books Inc.