Diadem Series by Jo Clayton

Far out among the stars the masterminds of the spider people had placed their mightiest mysteries in the scientific device called the diadem. And when that coronet was stolen, they were prepared to pursue it throughout eternity.The thief crashed among the nomads of Jaydugar, a semi-barbarian world... and the diadem found its way into the hands - and onto the skull - of the girl Aleytys... moreFar out among the stars the masterminds of the spider people had placed their mightiest mysteries in the scientific device called the diadem. And when that coronet was stolen, they were prepared to pursue it throughout eternity.The thief crashed among the nomads of Jaydugar, a semi-barbarian world... and the diadem found its way into the hands - and onto the skull - of the girl Aleytys.She was herself a strange one - daughter of a sky wanderer, outcast among the people who had raised her out of fear and awe. And the diadem was to prove both her bane and her treasure. For she could not remove it once it had sunk its electronic web into her brain and her nervous system - and she did not know how to control the powers that were contained within it.Yet every moment she wore it, she would be a target for the vengeance of the spider race and the avarice of a thousand worlds. less

The diadem that crowned the head of Aleytys was in contact with her central nervous system - and invisible to outsiders. But even that star-born fugitive herself did not know what the diadem's powers were or what it could do to or for her. What she did know was that it made her the target of the diadem's unrelenting and non-human owners who had tracked it across space and were still on her trail... moreThe diadem that crowned the head of Aleytys was in contact with her central nervous system - and invisible to outsiders. But even that star-born fugitive herself did not know what the diadem's powers were or what it could do to or for her. What she did know was that it made her the target of the diadem's unrelenting and non-human owners who had tracked it across space and were still on her trail. She herself had started in search of her own people - but before she could make progress she would have to conquer both the unyielding mind-slave band she wore and the menace it held for all in contact with her. less

Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found hereSold into slavery to an insectoid race, Aleytys had been chosen as proxy-mother to the old Queen's successor. In short, like an Earth wasp's prey, she would be birth bearer and food for that which was to come.Had Aleytys been any other human, this would have been the end. But she was the wearer of the Diadem, that creation of galactic science that linked her nervous system to powers of strange potency... moreAlternate cover for this ISBN can be found hereSold into slavery to an insectoid race, Aleytys had been chosen as proxy-mother to the old Queen's successor. In short, like an Earth wasp's prey, she would be birth bearer and food for that which was to come.Had Aleytys been any other human, this would have been the end. But she was the wearer of the Diadem, that creation of galactic science that linked her nervous system to powers of strange potency. And for Aleytys and the Queen the fateful conflict was about to begin! less

Aleytys, wanderer of the skies, seeker of the home planet of her mother's super-race, wearer-slave of the mind-enhancing diadem, is down on Maeve, forest planet of tree-dwellers and semi-humans. Her aim to continue her quest, to shake her pursuers.It's an action-packed adventure filled with conflict and conspiracy, guerrilla warfare between the tree-folk and the technology of the Company, and a face-to-face confrontation with the implacable spider-beings from whom the diadem was stolen.. moreAleytys, wanderer of the skies, seeker of the home planet of her mother's super-race, wearer-slave of the mind-enhancing diadem, is down on Maeve, forest planet of tree-dwellers and semi-humans. Her aim to continue her quest, to shake her pursuers.It's an action-packed adventure filled with conflict and conspiracy, guerrilla warfare between the tree-folk and the technology of the Company, and a face-to-face confrontation with the implacable spider-beings from whom the diadem was stolen...Cover art by Richard Hescox less

This vibrant heroine and the powers of the Diadem. For on the world to which it conveyed her, she must confront not only the hordes of half-humans who are devastating the planet but meet head-on the mental force of a madman of her own ancestral race. It is an encounter on several levels - human, inhuman, and superhuman - and she must triumph on all or lose everything.

The Nowhere Hunt was a quest every Hunter refused. Only Aleytys, wearer-slave of the mysterious and powerful Diadem would dare try to slip unseen past starship battalions and land on a world encased in a cosmic shield which rendered all electronic equipment functionless. Avoiding poisonous flora, hostile natives, vicious predators and murderous ransomers, her job was to rescue and transport a massive, semi-intelligent insect queen off planet and save the queen's besieged race from extinction... moreThe Nowhere Hunt was a quest every Hunter refused. Only Aleytys, wearer-slave of the mysterious and powerful Diadem would dare try to slip unseen past starship battalions and land on a world encased in a cosmic shield which rendered all electronic equipment functionless. Avoiding poisonous flora, hostile natives, vicious predators and murderous ransomers, her job was to rescue and transport a massive, semi-intelligent insect queen off planet and save the queen's besieged race from extinction....A seemingly impossible task, but one Aleytys could not refuse, for she had been offered in payment something she desperatley needed to continue her own personal quest..."Aleytys is an independant woman, strongwilled and competent, the total heroine" - Analog less

A ghost was haunting Cazarit. A kidnapper who snatched the wealthy clientelle who vacationed there as if the intensive security didn't exist. Local security was getting desperate--after hundreds of hours and days trying to locate and identify their "ghost" they were no closer to an answer than when they began. They needed the help of a Hunter. And there was only one who would meet their demands... moreA ghost was haunting Cazarit. A kidnapper who snatched the wealthy clientelle who vacationed there as if the intensive security didn't exist. Local security was getting desperate--after hundreds of hours and days trying to locate and identify their "ghost" they were no closer to an answer than when they began. They needed the help of a Hunter. And there was only one who would meet their demands. Aleytys, wearer/symbiote of the mysterious and powerful Diadem, had a reputation which preceded her across the galaxy. But little did they know that Aleytys already had a good idea who their ghost was, and didn't want to catch him. Aleytys works for an extraordinary group known as "Hunter, Inc." Demands for Alytys' special talents have grown as her own understanding of her powers and limitations has evolved. Living up to the reputation which precedes her across the galaxy provides Aleytys with moments of self discovery. It gives her the strength to win battles with tough adversaries, and succeed in hopeless situations. less

Aleytys had searched for her mother across the worlds of the inhabited galaxy. Her mother was of a super-race; her homeworld's location a secret. But Aleytys had become an expert star hunter, alert to clues and wary of danger--and she knew that on Ibex her ancestral trail must reach its end. But Ibex was an unmapped world banned to outsiders--save for one encircled city... moreAleytys had searched for her mother across the worlds of the inhabited galaxy. Her mother was of a super-race; her homeworld's location a secret. But Aleytys had become an expert star hunter, alert to clues and wary of danger--and she knew that on Ibex her ancestral trail must reach its end. But Ibex was an unmapped world banned to outsiders--save for one encircled city. To venture beyond that enclave meant death, for the many alien native tribes were united only in their lust to slay all other-worlders. All the Snares of Ibex awaited Aleytys beyond the wall--but dare she must if her life was to have any future meaning. less

Across the years and through endless star systems, Aleytys had searched for her mother Shareem and for her long-denied heritage - the chance to claim her rightful place as a member of the nearly immortal super-race, the Vrya. Now, at last, Aleytys was about to rendezvous with Shareem for a journey to the secret homeworld of her people.But even at Aleytys' moment of triumph, she faced her deadliest challenge... moreAcross the years and through endless star systems, Aleytys had searched for her mother Shareem and for her long-denied heritage - the chance to claim her rightful place as a member of the nearly immortal super-race, the Vrya. Now, at last, Aleytys was about to rendezvous with Shareem for a journey to the secret homeworld of her people.But even at Aleytys' moment of triumph, she faced her deadliest challenge. For on Vrithian waited Kell, blood enemy, mastermind of treachery, who held an entire planet hostage in fear, and who would not rest until he'd destroyed Aleytys and any who dared ally with her... less

Equipped with the deadliest of weapons, The Warmaster, a huge orbiting battleship, was the Imperator's key to control. Through its very presence he held an entire planet in thrall. For who would risk the destruction of an entire world to bring him down? First in an exciting new series.