Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diadem from the Stars | 1977 | Jo Clayton | Buy |
| 2 | Lamarchos | 1978 | Jo Clayton | Buy |
| 3 | Irsud | 1978 | Jo Clayton | Buy |
| 4 | Maeve | 1979 | Jo Clayton | Buy |
| 5 | Star Hunters | 1980 | Jo Clayton | Buy |
| 6 | The Nowhere Hunt | 1981 | Jo Clayton | Buy |
| 7 | Ghosthunt | 1983 | Jo Clayton | Buy |
| 8 | The Snares of Ibex | 1984 | Jo Clayton | Buy |
| 9 | Quester’s Endgame | 1986 | Jo Clayton | Buy |
| 10 | Shadow of the Warmaster | 1988 | Jo Clayton | Buy |
The Diadem series by Jo Clayton follows Aleytys, a half-alien outcast with red hair and telepathic abilities inherited from her alien mother. Raised among primitive barbarians on the planet Jaydugar, she is forced to flee when her people try to burn her as a witch. During her escape she encounters the Diadem, a stolen alien artifact that bonds permanently to her mind, both augmenting her powers and making her a target.
Across ten novels published between 1977 and 1988, Aleytys works mercenary jobs, searches for her lost son, and stays ahead of those who want the Diadem for themselves. The series blends space opera with planetary adventure and was Clayton’s longest-running work. It continued with two sequel sub-series following Shadith, a character introduced in the original books.