What do you think?
Rate this book
Skeen #3
Skeen's Search
Skeen races against time to find the remnants of the Ykx, the last survivors of a once powerful race, and reunite with their long-lost kindred before a super-nova can destroy the Gateway between worlds
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1987
10 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Jo Clayton
71 books66 followersJo 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 30, 2018
A fitting end to the Skeen trilogy, though it did feel rather rushed at the end. I admit to quite enjoying these books, and am somewhat sad that there won't ever be any more. Ms. Clayton clearly left hooks for future volumes, too. Having enjoyed this series, I rather think I'm going to have to read her Diadem series.
April 20, 2022
This wraps up the third in the Skeen trilogy. Not sure what I can say without spoiling, but all ends in a satisfactory manner. In order to 'fill out' this last book a sub-plot is devised that was, to my mind, maybe a bit forced, but perhaps can be regarded as a means to bring the Ykx closer to being like other beings, capable of being flawed, especially when stressed. Great series, I very much enjoyed it -- Skeen is a great character. Impressed too that it was written in the '80's and wonder how I missed it!
May 24, 2017
It was a nice finish to the trilogy. The loose ends were tied up, and there was lots of action.
As usual, the writing style was a nice bonus. I often found myself grinning at those little digressions. But, once again, there was a lot of worldbuilding without much time to digest it, so the impression of confusion remains.
If you're a fan of speculative science fiction, you'll definitely like it.
As usual, the writing style was a nice bonus. I often found myself grinning at those little digressions. But, once again, there was a lot of worldbuilding without much time to digest it, so the impression of confusion remains.
If you're a fan of speculative science fiction, you'll definitely like it.
January 31, 2021
The series wraps up nicely, with most of Skeen's eclectic group's adventures taking place in space, with some downtime on an interesting pre-spaceflight planet. Clayton does a good job interlacing different levels of tech and various aliens into more primitive worlds. More people should look up her books to read. They are always well written, with sophisticated world building, strong characters and satisfying plots.
October 20, 2022
Realistic and ugly.
Skeen has made it there and back again. Found out she shouldn't be paranoid all the time. Carries out some heroic deeds? Has a sort of happy ending?
Skeen has made it there and back again. Found out she shouldn't be paranoid all the time. Carries out some heroic deeds? Has a sort of happy ending?
September 30, 2021
So it finally became the space opera that I originally wanted. And it was good! A huge chunk of this one had Skeen and crew as secondary characters in the background, which was interesting. It ended the overarching story arch well enough but it also left me wanting more, which is sad because there won't be more. But it was a lot of fun. It occurred to me as I was finishing it up that the density of the novels with the rich world and all the subquests and side tales left me feeling like I'd been reading four or five books for a few months rather than a trilogy in a few weeks.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews