Jo Clayton Books In Order

Publication Order of Diadem Books

Publication Order of Diadem: Shadith's Quest Books

Publication Order of Diadem: Shadowsong Books

Publication Order of Drinker of Souls Books

Publication Order of Drinker of Souls: Wild Magic Books

Publication Order of Drums of Chaos Books

Publication Order of Duel of Sorcery Books

Publication Order of Duel of Sorcery: Dancer Books

Publication Order of Skeen Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Isaac Asimov's Anthology Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Jo Clayton

An American writer of fantasy and science-fiction, the author Jo Clayton was well known for her imaginative and intelligent fiction. Really pushing the boundaries of what the genres could actually do, she took her work to bold, interesting and fresh new heights. In time, this would go on to establish her as a writer with something different and interesting to say, as she would deliver it in an informative and down-to-earth manner. Reaching many readers from around the world, she would create a number of series, making sure they came back for more time and time again.

During her lifetime, she managed to reshape the genre she was working within, essentially allowing it to come alive for her on the page. Producing a quantity of short-stories too, she would create a variety of fiction, truly showcasing her versatility as an author. Knowing her genre well, she would say something quite different with it, allowing her own unique idiosyncrasies and perspective to shine through. Setting herself apart from the other writers within her field, she allowed her work to really become its own separate thing.

Characters were also something that she became well known for, as she crafted fully fleshed out and three-dimensional personalities. Relating to readers on a personal level, she’d ground her work with a sense of universality, despite their settings often being far-off lands. Keeping her audience glued to the page, she’d hold them there on the edge of their seat, as they explored her rich, inventive, and imaginative worlds. Creating a legacy that’s still felt to this day, more and more continue to discover her work, as she’ll carry on inspiring for years to come.

Early and Personal Life

Born in 1939 on the 15th of February, Patricia Jo Clayton was born and raised in Modesto, California, in the United States. Growing up with farm-steading parents, she was raised alongside her two sisters, as she was raised with a strong passion for storytelling. Attending the University of Southern California, she would graduate summa cum laude in 1963, as she would go on to work as a teacher for thirteen years.

Starting out in Bell, California, she would later have a religious conversion in 1969 and move to New Orleans meeting the Sisters of Mount Carmel. Before taking her vows as a nun, she would move Portland, Oregon, to work as an artist, all the while writing regularly as well. Passing away in 1998 on the 13th of February, she would leave behind a huge body of work that many continue to read.

Writing Career

In 1977 Jo Clayton would begin her writing career with the novel ‘Diadem from the Stars,’ and this would also begin the ‘Diadem’ series. A science-fiction saga, this would pave the way for many more similar books to follow in the intervening years to come. Other series would include ‘Duel of Sorcery,’ ‘Soul Drinker,’ ‘Skeen,’ ‘Shadith’s Quest,’ ‘Wild Magic,’ and ‘Dancer’ to name just a few. There would also be stand-alone works along with anthologies and short-stories, many of which would also be heavily genre based.

Skeen’s Search

Originally coming out through the ‘DAW’ publishing imprint, this came out in 1987 on the 1st of December to much acclaim. The third and final book in the ‘Skeen’ trilogy of novels, it would carry on from where the previous two novels left off, finishing the space-opera series. Developing the world and the characters that came before, it’s best that the series is read in order so as to get the most from it.

Travelling across the galaxy, Skeen hunts across the stars in this epic conclusion to the space-opera series of novels. With deadly space battles threatening them all, Skeen must deal with all manner of obstacles in their search of the stars. All of this then leads to a hectic action-packed race towards a single star that’s on the brink of becoming a super-nova. Will they get there in time before it’s too late, can they truly save the day, and what will finally become of Skeen’s search?

Another great book from Jo Clayton, it really showcases her skills as an author, allowing her to fully explore her imagination on the page. Taking the reader on an exciting journey, it’s an easy book to escape into, and not one that’s simple to put down either. The pace of the story is also well managed, really picking up the narrative and running with it for the full duration of the novel.

A Gathering of Stones

First coming out through the ‘DAW’ publishing outlet, this would initially arrive on the 4th of April back in 1989. Finishing off another trilogy of books, it would this time conclude the ‘Drinker of Souls’ series, this time being the ‘Drinker of Souls’ series. A fantasy series of novels, it would be set in a far-off location, and it’s best that the previous books are read in order so as to enjoy them all fully. It’s a fantasy saga that fully establishes a whole world with its own internal set of principles and magic to help guide it.

After magic has called to him, the Drinker of Souls is attempting to break from its grasp as the Chained God being drained of his energy. In order to gain his freedom he must retrieve six talismans which will give him power, and Brann will help him manage this breaking through the stronghold. If Brann doesn’t manage this in time the entire world will be doomed, meaning he must get all the talismans before it’s too late. Will he be able to manage it in time though, is Brann truly up to the task, and what will become when he sets about a gathering of stones?

Really understanding the fantasy genre, Clayton knows precisely what’s needed from the story and the characters within it. It’s both rich and imaginative, crafting a vivid portrait that’s brought into full color for the reader, creating an expansive world to explore. Finishing the series in a satisfactory manner as well, it really delivers on every level, tying up all the loose ends from before.