Spider World Series by Colin Wilson

Mankind once ruled planet Earth, smugly ignoring the tiny creatures crawling underfoot. Then came the cosmic catastrophe which put man at the mercy of the giant spiders, icily intelligent conquerors armed with awesome mind powers. Now, the struggle for survival begins...     The Death Lord spiders rule the Earth, herding humans like cattle. A few tribes of free men and women dwell in the desert, hiding underground, living by their wits... moreMankind once ruled planet Earth, smugly ignoring the tiny creatures crawling underfoot. Then came the cosmic catastrophe which put man at the mercy of the giant spiders, icily intelligent conquerors armed with awesome mind powers. Now, the struggle for survival begins...     The Death Lord spiders rule the Earth, herding humans like cattle. A few tribes of free men and women dwell in the desert, hiding underground, living by their wits. Now, a young warrior named Niall begins an epic search for the secrets of the spiders - secrets which might give humanity a fighting chance against the overlords...Edition note: while this is the first volume of the Spider World series, it was also originally (and later) part of most editions of "The Tower". The 1988 edition of "The Tower" split the formerly unified book into three, respectively "The Desert", "The Tower" and "The Fortress", leading to considerable confusion. less

Mankind once ruled plant Earth, smugly ignoring the tiny creatures crawling underfoot. Then came the cosmic catastrophe which put man at the mercy of the giant spiders, icily intelligent conquerors armed with awesome mind powers. It's their planet now, except for...The Fortress.     Enslaved humanity cherishes the legend of the lost Fortress and its world-shattering weaponry. Seeking the mythic citadel is Niall, the first of a new breed of psionic warriors... moreMankind once ruled plant Earth, smugly ignoring the tiny creatures crawling underfoot. Then came the cosmic catastrophe which put man at the mercy of the giant spiders, icily intelligent conquerors armed with awesome mind powers. It's their planet now, except for...The Fortress.     Enslaved humanity cherishes the legend of the lost Fortress and its world-shattering weaponry. Seeking the mythic citadel is Niall, the first of a new breed of psionic warriors. Battling monsters and traitors, he leads a rebel band on a desperate quest deep in the Death Lord spider's domain. And as they hunt for the ultimate weapon...a spider army hunts them.Edition note: while this is the third volume of the 1988-1989 Spider World series, it was also originally (and later) part of most editions of "The Tower". The 1988 edition of "The Tower" split the formerly unified book into three, respectively "The Desert", "The Tower" and "The Fortress", leading to considerable confusion. less

Our world ruled by insects?Once the Earth was ruled by humans, and insects were very small, with even the largest no bigger than a man's fist. But now, in the 25th century, humans serve giant beetles and spiders as slaves and often as food.Slaves all, or servants - except for those who live in the desert, spending most of their time underground. For Niall and his family, life is hard, but together they eke out an existence until the day Niall does what was said to be impossible... moreOur world ruled by insects?Once the Earth was ruled by humans, and insects were very small, with even the largest no bigger than a man's fist. But now, in the 25th century, humans serve giant beetles and spiders as slaves and often as food.Slaves all, or servants - except for those who live in the desert, spending most of their time underground. For Niall and his family, life is hard, but together they eke out an existence until the day Niall does what was said to be impossible.He kills a spider.This powerful act brings Niall to the attention and seat of the Spider Lord. But as he finds himself deep within the hostile city of the spiders, Niall also meets allies: Odina, a spider servany born and bred, and Bill, no mere man but an honorary beetle.Niall's special gift makes him useful to the spiders, who want access to their city's greatest mystery: an impenetrable white tower. But Niall alone can enter, and what he finds inside are the very facts of our planet's history and humanity's last chance for freedom and a future.Armed with the secrets of the white tower, the humans mount an epic struggle for power against the vast and brutal forces of the tyrannical Spider Lord. less

In the twenty-fifth century, spiders are lords of the earth. Humans live as their slaves (or food) or as servants to the spiders' allies, the beetles. Challenging the spiders' deadly rule are a young man named Niall and his allies. In the first volume, Spider World: The Tower, Niall forced the seemingly invincible Spider Lord to an uneasy standoff.In this volume, Niall leads an expedition to the mysterious and deadly Delta, the purported source of the Spider Lord's powers... moreIn the twenty-fifth century, spiders are lords of the earth. Humans live as their slaves (or food) or as servants to the spiders' allies, the beetles. Challenging the spiders' deadly rule are a young man named Niall and his allies. In the first volume, Spider World: The Tower, Niall forced the seemingly invincible Spider Lord to an uneasy standoff.In this volume, Niall leads an expedition to the mysterious and deadly Delta, the purported source of the Spider Lord's powers. To read their destination the insurgents must brave stormy seas, transverse treacherous beaches, and escape the jaws of flesh-eating trees and other dangers of a sinister jungle. less

Niall, now ruler of the spider city, is horrified by a brutal murder that threatens the delicate relationship between the spiders and humans who share the city. Niall uses his psychic ability to track down the killers, but is thwarted in his effort to solve the crime as each conspirator mysteriously dies.The most obvious clues lead to a being Niall has only seen in a dream: The Magician... moreNiall, now ruler of the spider city, is horrified by a brutal murder that threatens the delicate relationship between the spiders and humans who share the city. Niall uses his psychic ability to track down the killers, but is thwarted in his effort to solve the crime as each conspirator mysteriously dies.The most obvious clues lead to a being Niall has only seen in a dream: The Magician.In his quest to find the Magician, Niall makes shocking discoveries about both his own people and the rapidly evolving spiders, whose desire for peace forced them to conquer and forge an empire with the labor of human slaves. less

In a bold effort to save his brother's life, Niall leaves the spider city and travels underground into Shadowland-the lair of the powerful Magician-who Niall must battle in a near superhuman contest of strength. Colin Wilson is the author of more than eighty books that include novels, psychology, and the paranormal.This edition replaces a previously announced but never released hardcover (ISBN 1-57174-281-6).