Customer Reviews

Diadem from the Stars

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4 star:		(2)
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"Diadem from the Stars" kicks off Clayton's mammoth nine-book (with a follow-up trilogy which picks up where the original series, or what's left of it, leaves off) Diadem series. This book, which (to be quite honest) is mainly exposition, introduces us to the herione of the saga, Aleytys, who was orphaned by her spacefaring mother on a barbarian world. The book concerns her discovering her past and her powers, and her escape from the tribe who fears and resents her. In the course of her travels to find a way offworld to her home planet, she comes across the diadem, an alien artefact which, when she dons it, implants itself permamently into her skull and endows her with mysterious and fearful powers. The story unfolds in a manner similar to Tanith Lee's classic "The Birthgrave", but not as moody and bombastic. I quite enjoyed Clayton's writing style, and look forward to reading more of her work.

This book, which starts the Diadem series, develops really slowly (think classic novel as opposed to an action packed sci-fi film). There are also several scenes at the start that seem to come from nowhere (some do make sense later in the book). However, Jo Clayton did do a good job of getting the reader involved with the character (it doesn't hurt that she's a really sexy fem with lots of power). Clayton also did a nice blend of futuristic space themes with primitive ideas of elemental magic (this becomes even more apparent in the later parts of the series). Finally, the Diadem is just really cool (I'd like to have one of my own someday).

A strong heroine with a unique voice. While not in the same league as C.J Cherryh or Lois Bujold, this series is well worth reading. This book is thoroughly enjoyable, as are most of Jo Clayton's works. Take the time to read these books, you will be happy you did.

First things first - I'm not a big fan of the genre. Not sure how this book compares to others, but I found it really tedious. Long passages of very detailed descriptions made it move very slowly. Don't get me wrong - nothing wrong with details, but here, describing color, shapes and textures of made-up landscapes, plants and animals did not add any value. And they are everywhere. The author seems not to be able to pass any opportunity. The first hundred pages could easily be done in 10 or 15. If you like to know what color tunics everybody is wearing, what is the shape of every leaf on the planet, and how is everyone feeling at the moment - go ahead, knock yourself out. I'm off to another planet.

There was too much sex. Having said that, there were passages that took too long. In addition, with the Diadem she becomes too powerfull. All in all it was a burden to finish.