Quester's Endgame

Diadem #9

by Jo Clayton

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. 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...

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

372 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Jo Clayton, whose parents named her after Jo in Little Women, was born and raised in Modesto, California. She and her three sisters shared a room and took turns telling each other bedtime stories. One of her sisters noted that Jo's stories were the best, and often contained science fiction and fantasy elements.

Clayton graduated from the University of California in 1963, Summa Cum Laude, and started teaching near Los Angeles.

In 1969, after a religious experience, she moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, joining the teaching order Sisters of Mount Carmel as a novice. She left three years later, before taking final orders.

During her time in New Orleans, Clayton sold sketches and paintings in Pioneer Square to supplement her income.

After being robbed several times, Clayton moved to Portland, Oregon in 1983. She remained there for the rest of her life.

Clayton was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1996. Jo continued to write during her year and a half in the hospital. She finished Drum Calls, the second book of the Drums of Chaos series, and was halfway through the third and final book when she lost her struggle with multiple myeloma in February, 1998.

Literary executor Katherine Kerr made arrangements with established author Kevin Andrew Murphy to finish the third book of the Drums of Chaos series. It is now completed.

Reviews

[Viridian5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Endgame is plagued by the tendency Clayton's later books often had of talking to about a hundred characters, but the author's unique voice is taking me back to the late '80s, when I read most of her work. This nostalgia is mixed with the squirming knowledge that Jo Clayton is gone now.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads really needs 1/2 Stars, as I enjoyed the series and rate it an overall 3.5. Nice mix of Fantasy and Sci-fi elements.

[Art · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book a bit tedious. The constant interjection of "witnesses" and other comments that really didn't speed on the plot, made me want to skip them. Of course, being addicted to words in a line, I didn't, but I have to admit I began skimming them towards the end. I'm not sure that I'll go back and read any of the earlier books in this series,if this is a representative sample.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good author. Writes well, and holds your interest. Keeps facts and sequences well balanced. Great series of books.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series I enjoyed all of them.....

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concluding volume of 9 book series.