Jo Clayton

A lyrical spinner of space-fantasy quests, whose wandering heroines crossed galaxies in search of themselves.

Jo Clayton was a prolific American author of richly imagined science fantasy, best known for the Diadem Saga — the long-running adventures of Aleytys, a nomad woman bonded to an alien artifact of immense psychic power that makes her the target of a vengeful alien race as she crosses the galaxy. The series blends space opera with epic-quest fantasy in a vein readers of Andre Norton and C. J. Cherryh will recognize.

Clayton wrote with a vivid, often lyrical style and a gift for believable aliens and strong, resourceful heroines, across some thirty-five novels including the Skeen and Soul Drinker series. Expect colorful alien worlds, psychic powers, and quest-driven adventure with real momentum. For readers who like their space opera braided with sorcery and self-discovery — and a tough, compelling woman at the center — Clayton's interstellar sagas are a vivid and underappreciated pleasure.