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The Four Lords of the Diamond #4
Медуза: Мръвка за тигъра
Решителната битка между Конфедерацията и враждебно настроените към нея пришълци пламва на Медуза — скования от ледове свят в Диаманта на Уордън. Извънземната опасност и коварството на местния Владетел се оказват непосилни за последното превъплъщение на безименния суперагент. Няма друг изход… лично той излиза на арената!
272 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 1983
17 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Jack L. Chalker
132 books354 followersBesides being a science fiction author, Jack Laurence Chalker was a Baltimore City Schools history teacher in Maryland for a time, a member of the Washington Science Fiction Association, and was involved in the founding of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. Some of his books said that he was born in Norfolk, Virginia although he later claimed that was a mistake.
He attended all but one of the World Science Fiction Conventions from 1965 until 2004. He published an amateur SF journal, Mirage, from 1960 to 1971 (a Hugo nominee in 1963 for Best Fanzine).
Chalker was married in 1978 and had two sons.
His stated hobbies included esoteric audio, travel, and working on science-fiction convention committees. He had a great interest in ferryboats, and, at his wife's suggestion, their marriage was performed on the Roaring Bull Ferry.
Chalker's awards included the Daedalus Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the West Coast Review of Books (1984), Skylark Award (1985), Hamilton-Brackett Memorial Award (1979), as well as others of varying prestige. He was a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award twice and for the Hugo Award twice. He was posthumously awarded the Phoenix Award by the Southern Fandom Confederation on April 9, 2005.
On September 18, 2003, during Hurricane Isabel, Chalker passed out and was rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack. He was later released, but was severely weakened. On December 6, 2004, he was again rushed to hospital with breathing problems and disorientation, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and a collapsed lung. Chalker was hospitalized in critical condition, then upgraded to stable on December 9, though he didn't regain consciousness until December 15. After several more weeks in deteriorating condition and in a persistent vegetative state, with several transfers to different hospitals, he died on February 11, 2005 of kidney failure and sepsis in Bon Secours of Baltimore, Maryland.
Chalker is perhaps best known for his Well World series of novels, the first of which is Midnight at the Well of Souls (Well World, #1).
He attended all but one of the World Science Fiction Conventions from 1965 until 2004. He published an amateur SF journal, Mirage, from 1960 to 1971 (a Hugo nominee in 1963 for Best Fanzine).
Chalker was married in 1978 and had two sons.
His stated hobbies included esoteric audio, travel, and working on science-fiction convention committees. He had a great interest in ferryboats, and, at his wife's suggestion, their marriage was performed on the Roaring Bull Ferry.
Chalker's awards included the Daedalus Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the West Coast Review of Books (1984), Skylark Award (1985), Hamilton-Brackett Memorial Award (1979), as well as others of varying prestige. He was a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award twice and for the Hugo Award twice. He was posthumously awarded the Phoenix Award by the Southern Fandom Confederation on April 9, 2005.
On September 18, 2003, during Hurricane Isabel, Chalker passed out and was rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack. He was later released, but was severely weakened. On December 6, 2004, he was again rushed to hospital with breathing problems and disorientation, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and a collapsed lung. Chalker was hospitalized in critical condition, then upgraded to stable on December 9, though he didn't regain consciousness until December 15. After several more weeks in deteriorating condition and in a persistent vegetative state, with several transfers to different hospitals, he died on February 11, 2005 of kidney failure and sepsis in Bon Secours of Baltimore, Maryland.
Chalker is perhaps best known for his Well World series of novels, the first of which is Midnight at the Well of Souls (Well World, #1).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 20, 2022
The last of the four Diamond Lord books brings us finally to an epic denouement and wraps the series up nicely. Medusa has a rather odd structure, with the first 200 pages chronicling the last mind-copied agent on Medusa and the last 100 being an epilogue that ties everything together-- e.g., we finally learn the mysterious alien's intents and so forth.
Medusa is the coldest of the Diamond Worlds and the Wardens there (the odd microorganisms that infect all life forms) serve to make humans there immune to the cold. Medusa is run as a strict totalitarian regime by a deposed dictator from the Confederacy, and I mean strict. There is constant surveillance via cameras and microphones in all the inhabited areas with a large secret police that deals harshly with any and all dissent. So first we follow the agent's trials and tribulations to make sense of this world so he can ultimately achieve his objective-- the assassination of the leader. Lets just say this does not go very well...
The long epilogue is fun, albeit rather infodumpy, where we finally learn about the aliens and their objectives. What is most fun are the snide/snarky reflections on the human condition and government in general. Are super agent over the previous three volumes has become increasingly questioning the Confederacy in general, seeing it less as a utopia and more like a giant prison, albeit a luxurious one. Perhaps the thing I liked most about this series is how Chalker always kept the reader guessing and moving the story in ways I did not think it would go. I can see how some would object to the representation of women, especially all of the agent's lovers (in his various guises); strangely, this is in marked contrast to other women in the series, some of which are powerful figures and role models. Again, as usual, this could use a better editing job, and the only real character development was with the prime agent. Nonetheless, the 'big ideas' and novelty of plot and story pulled me along. 4 solid stars!!
Medusa is the coldest of the Diamond Worlds and the Wardens there (the odd microorganisms that infect all life forms) serve to make humans there immune to the cold. Medusa is run as a strict totalitarian regime by a deposed dictator from the Confederacy, and I mean strict. There is constant surveillance via cameras and microphones in all the inhabited areas with a large secret police that deals harshly with any and all dissent. So first we follow the agent's trials and tribulations to make sense of this world so he can ultimately achieve his objective-- the assassination of the leader. Lets just say this does not go very well...
The long epilogue is fun, albeit rather infodumpy, where we finally learn about the aliens and their objectives. What is most fun are the snide/snarky reflections on the human condition and government in general. Are super agent over the previous three volumes has become increasingly questioning the Confederacy in general, seeing it less as a utopia and more like a giant prison, albeit a luxurious one. Perhaps the thing I liked most about this series is how Chalker always kept the reader guessing and moving the story in ways I did not think it would go. I can see how some would object to the representation of women, especially all of the agent's lovers (in his various guises); strangely, this is in marked contrast to other women in the series, some of which are powerful figures and role models. Again, as usual, this could use a better editing job, and the only real character development was with the prime agent. Nonetheless, the 'big ideas' and novelty of plot and story pulled me along. 4 solid stars!!
May 24, 2018
Медуза е шибано място, отвсякъде. Най-отдалечена от слънцето на "Диамантът на Уордън", планетата е много студена. Извън малките "диви" племена, които обитават най-тегавите райони, властта на Владетеля Тейлънт Ипсир е практически безгранична. Той е затегнал и без това тоталитарния обществен строй дотолкова, че всичко се следи с камери и микрофони. Не всичко е лошо, обаче - микробите тук помагат на тялото да е много устойчиво на всякакви условия. То се променя според нуждите за оцеляване (промяната може да включва дори функциониращи плавници, криле и т.н.).
Четвъртата инкарнация на безименния суперагент на Конфдедерацията е младо момче, което едновременно успява и се проваля в мисията си. Но без много подробности за сюжета.
Като цяло, последната книга от четирилогия се развива като останалите - агентът отива на планетата и се опитва да катурне властта. Нещата се развиват добре, до един момент... след тринадесет глави, идва време на последната част - неслучайно наречена "Епилог". Точно в нея всъщност е развръзката на цялата поредица. Оригиналният агент най-накрая се среща лице в лице с "потайният извънземен враг". В малко над седемдесет страници е събрано доста, като в общият случай всичко е логично, но изненадващо, макар и да имам някои забележчици:
1. Владетелят на Медуза е описван като "абсолютното зло", но за читателят е просто един луд мегаломан.
2. Подобен проблем е и с извънземните, за които е написано: "Върховно зло е, когато една разумна раса обмисля дали да извърши геноцид срещу друга разумна раса не защото се плаши от нея, а просто защото я смята за досадна пречка". Макар и в началото на финалната права, това разсъждение е всъщност доста далеч от реалността за тях, и повече може да се отнесе към човешката раса в тази вселена, която (както се разбира), вече е извършила няколко подобни геноцида. Може и Чокър да е тъсел товно това "лашкане" у читателя във възприятията му за хората и не-хората в четирилогията, но дори и да е така, изпълнението не е гениално.
Като цяло и в заключение, "Четиримата владетели на Диаманта" е едно доста интересно дистопично произведение, което макар и публикувано между 81-а и 83-а, е остаряло добре. Малко е излишно да е разделено на цели четири отделни произведения, най-добре би било това да са един или два романа, съдържащи в себе си приключения на повече от една планета. 1983-а са издадени заедно в омнибус, което вероятно е най-подходящият вариант, поне според мен. Четири книги с много повторяемост са изморителни, особено първите две, които са едно ниво по-надолу от вторите две. Интересен е и този граничен стил, който има в себе си и фентъзи, и фантастика - много приятно за феновете и на двата жанра!
И за последно - специални комплименти към издателство "Аргус", които са публикували поредицата с кориците на оригиналното издание. Макар и не перфектни, все пак са рисувани специално за нея! Крайна оценка - 4,5 звезди (кн. 1 и 2 - 4, 3 и 4 - 5).
Четвъртата инкарнация на безименния суперагент на Конфдедерацията е младо момче, което едновременно успява и се проваля в мисията си. Но без много подробности за сюжета.
Като цяло, последната книга от четирилогия се развива като останалите - агентът отива на планетата и се опитва да катурне властта. Нещата се развиват добре, до един момент... след тринадесет глави, идва време на последната част - неслучайно наречена "Епилог". Точно в нея всъщност е развръзката на цялата поредица. Оригиналният агент най-накрая се среща лице в лице с "потайният извънземен враг". В малко над седемдесет страници е събрано доста, като в общият случай всичко е логично, но изненадващо, макар и да имам някои забележчици:
1. Владетелят на Медуза е описван като "абсолютното зло", но за читателят е просто един луд мегаломан.
2. Подобен проблем е и с извънземните, за които е написано: "Върховно зло е, когато една разумна раса обмисля дали да извърши геноцид срещу друга разумна раса не защото се плаши от нея, а просто защото я смята за досадна пречка". Макар и в началото на финалната права, това разсъждение е всъщност доста далеч от реалността за тях, и повече може да се отнесе към човешката раса в тази вселена, която (както се разбира), вече е извършила няколко подобни геноцида. Може и Чокър да е тъсел товно това "лашкане" у читателя във възприятията му за хората и не-хората в четирилогията, но дори и да е така, изпълнението не е гениално.
Като цяло и в заключение, "Четиримата владетели на Диаманта" е едно доста интересно дистопично произведение, което макар и публикувано между 81-а и 83-а, е остаряло добре. Малко е излишно да е разделено на цели четири отделни произведения, най-добре би било това да са един или два романа, съдържащи в себе си приключения на повече от една планета. 1983-а са издадени заедно в омнибус, което вероятно е най-подходящият вариант, поне според мен. Четири книги с много повторяемост са изморителни, особено първите две, които са едно ниво по-надолу от вторите две. Интересен е и този граничен стил, който има в себе си и фентъзи, и фантастика - много приятно за феновете и на двата жанра!
И за последно - специални комплименти към издателство "Аргус", които са публикували поредицата с кориците на оригиналното издание. Макар и не перфектни, все пак са рисувани специално за нея! Крайна оценка - 4,5 звезди (кн. 1 и 2 - 4, 3 и 4 - 5).
January 7, 2018
This is the fourth and final book of the series. The ‘world’ story in line with the previous books in the shortest one, but about 30% of the book is the Epilogue, which ties the series together making the fourth volume the longest.
While it is true that some stuff is, as another reviewer put it “an extended male adolescent wish fulfillment”, but still there are a lot of interesting thoughts and twists. Why far from the best SF of the 1980s, it is still a slid and enjoyable read, especially if you don’t come to it with modern political correctness attitudes.
While it is true that some stuff is, as another reviewer put it “an extended male adolescent wish fulfillment”, but still there are a lot of interesting thoughts and twists. Why far from the best SF of the 1980s, it is still a slid and enjoyable read, especially if you don’t come to it with modern political correctness attitudes.
January 26, 2017
I've been revisiting the science fiction of my youth, trying to see how my tastes and attitudes have evolved since then. Jack L. Chalker is near the top of the list.
I remember loving this series as a early teen, although I didn't really remember why. Certainly there is enough action and some interesting ideas.
However, it is clear that either my tastes have changed or this series didn't age well. While they are competently written with a few twists that I didn't remember, this series in particular, reads like an extended male adolescent wish fulfillment.
Some of Chalker's more interesting thoughts on bodily transformation (a theme which runs through at least all of three Chalker I've read) is subsumed by what now reads as teen sexual fantasy. Although it's not quite as prevalent in this series as it is in some of his other works, the pubescent male objectification of women is in full force.
Despite my complaints, this series, and Chalker's other work are worth the time to read. They are an unique example of 1980s mainstream science fiction. They are also written to a level where younger readers (teens) we'll find the concepts and prose challenging but not overwhelming. Competently written with enough action and intrigue to keep the reader engaged, but lacking the qualities that better science fiction writers were producing even in its time.
The Jack L. Chalker re-read continues with Spirits of Flux and Anchor, book 1 of The Soul Rider series also be Jack Chalker.
I remember loving this series as a early teen, although I didn't really remember why. Certainly there is enough action and some interesting ideas.
However, it is clear that either my tastes have changed or this series didn't age well. While they are competently written with a few twists that I didn't remember, this series in particular, reads like an extended male adolescent wish fulfillment.
Some of Chalker's more interesting thoughts on bodily transformation (a theme which runs through at least all of three Chalker I've read) is subsumed by what now reads as teen sexual fantasy. Although it's not quite as prevalent in this series as it is in some of his other works, the pubescent male objectification of women is in full force.
Despite my complaints, this series, and Chalker's other work are worth the time to read. They are an unique example of 1980s mainstream science fiction. They are also written to a level where younger readers (teens) we'll find the concepts and prose challenging but not overwhelming. Competently written with enough action and intrigue to keep the reader engaged, but lacking the qualities that better science fiction writers were producing even in its time.
The Jack L. Chalker re-read continues with Spirits of Flux and Anchor, book 1 of The Soul Rider series also be Jack Chalker.
August 30, 2014
Jack L. Chalker's "Medusa: A Tiger by the Tail" is the fourth (and final) book in his "Four Lords of the Diamond" series. With the exception of a slight twist in the story, the main body of the book follows the same pattern as the previous three books. So, if you liked those books (which I assume you would since you're reading this), you should like this book. I'd like to point out, though, that the meat of the series is done in the Epilogue. This is where the whole thing gets tied up. So, definitely read it. I rate both this book and the series as a whole at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5.
The books in Jack L. Chalker's "Four Lords of the Diamond" series are:
1. Lilith: A Snake in the Grass (The Four Lords of the Diamond Book 1)
2. Cerberus: A Wolf in the Fold (The Four Lord of the Diamond Book 2)
3. Charon: A Dragon at the Gate (The Four Lord of the Diamond Book 3)
4. Medusa: A Tiger by the Tail (The Four Lord of the Diamond Book 4)
The books in Jack L. Chalker's "Four Lords of the Diamond" series are:
1. Lilith: A Snake in the Grass (The Four Lords of the Diamond Book 1)
2. Cerberus: A Wolf in the Fold (The Four Lord of the Diamond Book 2)
3. Charon: A Dragon at the Gate (The Four Lord of the Diamond Book 3)
4. Medusa: A Tiger by the Tail (The Four Lord of the Diamond Book 4)
September 10, 2014
This 4th book is the least of the series. The earlier books had interesting stories with interesting and well executed morality dilemmas (about humanity, govt, hypocrisy etc). Each also adding a chunk of the 'meta-story' (killing the 4 Lords and\or learning about the aliens and their plans). This 4th book had a much shorter and less defined main story. The progression of the character from doubting believer to reluctant rebel felt forced, as do the relationships the main character makes (the things that made earlier books so good). Likewise dilemma parts also feel forced\rushed and are about as subtle and nuanced as a slap to the face. The last 40% of the book is written as a huge, 1 chapter, epilogue. The epilogue being the completion of the meta-story The conclusion has some interesting twists, some ends tied off to conveniently and overall was at best slightly above average.
I'd give the whole series a 4 out of 5
I'd give the whole series a 4 out of 5
February 27, 2018
What started as a bit of a weak series picked up in books 2 and 3, and I was hooked. Book 4 continues in this vein, with yet another world with very different parameters, both physical and social. Yet I was very disappointed by the ending. To call it a great letdown is an understatement. I just don't feel like Chalker had any idea how to bring his story to a close. I have some ideas I will leave unsaid (no spoiler here), but I will come out and say that a 5th volume that ties everything up would have been a great idea. I almost never recommend more in a series (I'm looking at you, master-of-inflation Robert Jordan), but this is the rare example. But, if you made it this far in the series, you might as well finish it. And, 3/4 of the book is as good a read as #2 and #3, so not too bad.
September 23, 2023
The fourth and final book of The Four Lords of the Diamond, Medusa is set on the coldest and most advanced planet of the Diamond, Medusa, which is a totalitarian world similar to Orwell's 1984 where monitors are present everywhere in the cities. The most interesting part of the book however is the long epilogue, with the controller as the protagonist, in which the nature and designs of the aliens are revealed. I was right in two of my three guesses, but totally wrong in the third.
December 30, 2024
These books are totally bat shit crazy.
An agent of The Authority is cloned four times and each clone sent to a different
world in the Diamond System.
The worlds in the Diamond system are ruled over by their Lords with absolute authority.
Each more fucked up than the last.
Each world has it's own weird shit going on.
It's been forty years since I read this so I do not really recall many of the details.
But it was indeed crazy.
Read this in omnibus form. That is a LOT of crazy in one book.
Me aged twelve loved it.
Not sure what that really says........
An agent of The Authority is cloned four times and each clone sent to a different
world in the Diamond System.
The worlds in the Diamond system are ruled over by their Lords with absolute authority.
Each more fucked up than the last.
Each world has it's own weird shit going on.
It's been forty years since I read this so I do not really recall many of the details.
But it was indeed crazy.
Read this in omnibus form. That is a LOT of crazy in one book.
Me aged twelve loved it.
Not sure what that really says........
April 11, 2023
I read this thinking it was the first not the last part of the series and found the structure obviously odd. But it still stood on its own and I found I appreciated what Chalker seemed to add to the genre.
January 7, 2025
Excellent conclusion to the series. A nice example of classic sci-fi where not every tech is explained in detail. The reader is forced to use their imagination. Here the emphasis is the reaction of humans to changes in science and technology. The ending was powerful and very satisfying.
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October 23, 2025All book first edition (2 or 3rd printing). All light edgewear, Cerberus has light crease on cover. Medusa has book store stamp. All have light tan. All binding is very good. FAST SHIPPING DAILY!! Quality packing. Free tracking. Money back guarantee.
January 22, 2021
Great ending to the series.
Mine was an audiobook masterfully narrated by Kirby Heyborne.
Highly recommened.
Mine was an audiobook masterfully narrated by Kirby Heyborne.
Highly recommened.
February 25, 2022
A very nice and unexpected wrap up to another great Chalker series.
July 7, 2024
Good ending to the series! I wonder what happens now?
March 1, 2025
The Confederacy's grand scheme seemed to be working. They had substituted the mind of their best operator for the minds of four criminals - every one a top assassin - and sent one to each of the four Warden worlds to eliminate the resident Lord there. The agents on Lilith, Cerberus, and Charon had already reported in - success! Now only Taran Bul's mission on Medusa remained.
On this frozen ice world, Bul quickly joined an on-going conspiracy determined to overthrow the hated dictator Lord Talant Ypsir - the rebel's mission suited his perfectly. But a combination of alien menace and Ypsir's secret power proved too much for Bul. At last, the operator over all - the Agent With No Name - had to prove his ability...with everything stacked against him!
In this volume of his most gripping series, Jack Chalker brings to a grand conclusion the epic confrontation between the mighty confederacy and the small but powerful worlds of the Warden Diamond.
On this frozen ice world, Bul quickly joined an on-going conspiracy determined to overthrow the hated dictator Lord Talant Ypsir - the rebel's mission suited his perfectly. But a combination of alien menace and Ypsir's secret power proved too much for Bul. At last, the operator over all - the Agent With No Name - had to prove his ability...with everything stacked against him!
In this volume of his most gripping series, Jack Chalker brings to a grand conclusion the epic confrontation between the mighty confederacy and the small but powerful worlds of the Warden Diamond.
October 15, 2021
[Update 10/2021... old story: whisperings of "reader's block", four good books in progress, headed off the problem with an old standby Lilith. And once started...had to finish. Took my time with this one this time. Noticed a few things I'd not caught before or decided weren't worth noticing...typo on page 24 of the Del Rey paperback, "adherent's" shouldn't have had an apostrophe; multiple instances of repeating phrases in sentences making this seem less polished.Regardless, I have many years of reading left and will no doubt run into another block. Leaving it at four stars for the moment.]
[Update 1/30/2016...Yes, I did reread it again. One more time and this will have to get bumped to five stars. One of best series Chalker wrote, and one of my favorite series ever.]
Nice wrap of a classic series. One I know I'll re-read again.
[Update 1/30/2016...Yes, I did reread it again. One more time and this will have to get bumped to five stars. One of best series Chalker wrote, and one of my favorite series ever.]
Nice wrap of a classic series. One I know I'll re-read again.
August 8, 2014
Chalker is one of my favorite authors. The only reason I marked this where I did was because of what happened, however the conclusion did not leave me hanging. The development of his character for each world was awesome however by this book I skimmed over the beginning till it drifted from the others. I do not believe that he needed to dedicate all that he did to the beginnings mainly because of the repetition.
Other wise I enjoyed the entire series and looking forward to the other on my to read list.
Other wise I enjoyed the entire series and looking forward to the other on my to read list.
November 10, 2007
Forth book of 4. We finally find out the mystery behind the operations and the last 3 books all while waiting for the omen. The series is definitely worth reading and the solution of the mystery surprising as much as it can be.
January 29, 2012
Finally finished and Book 4 was, sadly, underwhelming. Up until now, the series has been a lot of fun and interesting. This final installment got bogged down in infodumps and became a real slog to get through.
May 1, 2020
This is perhaps the strongest of the series. It's a fun book, though there's some seriously problematic portrayals of women at various points. Overall, while I enjoyed the series, it wasn't as good as I remembered it being.
February 27, 2013
I enjoyed The Four Lords of the Diamond books. I thought it was a different approach to "clone" the main character and have a book for each of the clones, each taking place on a different world with a different set of "unique" rules.
July 10, 2016
The life forms on Medusa bring us several surprises that change our view of the whole Diamond. This last of the Four Lords of the Diamond series seems as if it will be a disappointing loss, but ends with two satisfying twists.
January 23, 2016
Excellent SiFi series. Humans colonize 4 worlds around a new star and discover they can't ever leave due to microbes that can only live there that have invaded their bodies. Then the fun begins on each world the microbes alter the humans in different ways. Very recommended
September 20, 2016
Read in order! See first book's review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 5, 2014
Love the series.
I remember it having a great ending.
Time to read it again & see if it is as good as I remember.
I remember it having a great ending.
Time to read it again & see if it is as good as I remember.
December 9, 2010
I finally finished the series; more to get it over than because it was really enjoyable. The last book was disturbing, though it was well written.
March 28, 2011
It would have been better to publish the four books in one volume - but I guess they had to make money.
December 15, 2012
Disappointing end to a four book series with a long infodump near the end and not enough on the characters when the three duplicates and the original are brought together.
November 6, 2014
1987 grade B
2009 grade B
Series book W4
2009 grade B
Series book W4
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