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Jack L. Chalker
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Lilith: A Snake in the Grass (The Four Lords of the Diamond, Vol. 1) Mass Market Paperback – September 12, 1981

by Jack L. Chalker (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 208 ratings

This is Book One of the Epic Tetralogy, The Four Lords of the Diamond.

Aliens are spying on Earth from one of the four worlds that make up the Warden Diamond. But it is impossible to send agents to any of the four worlds because of unique microscopic symbionts that make it impossible for visitors to leave the Diamond.

Seeking a unique solution, each of the four worlds making up the Diamond is sent a person whose mind has been stripped of everything and who is now controlled by an agent of the Confederacy.

Lilith is the first planet to be visited. Here, Cal Tremon, stripped of his own personality, must overcome incredible odds and survive not only the incredible perils of the foreign planet but his own controllers as well.

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  1. Book 1 of 4
    The Four Lord of the Diamond
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Del Rey
  4. Publication date
    September 12, 1981
  5. ISBN-10
    034529369X
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0345293695
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Del Rey
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 12, 1981
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 034529369X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0345293695
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5 ounces
  • Book 1 of 4 ‏ : ‎ The Four Lord of the Diamond
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 208 ratings

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Jack L. Chalker

Jack L. Chalker

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
208 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and engaging, with one mentioning how the author creates a believable world. They appreciate the concept, with one review noting how it gets readers thinking about our future.

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12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and enjoyable, with one customer noting how the author created a believable world.

"...This is the first of the series. As such, while it can be read as a stand-alone, it is much more enjoyable when all four books are read as a series..." Read more

"...It's a nicely written, fast-paced, easily read book but comes with only a small amount of Chalker's typical "physical transformation" motif...." Read more

"As space stories go, this one is an interesting set where a solar system with 4 inhabitable planets forms a prison...." Read more

"...Great plots, intrigue, plot twists, and trying to determine what is good and what is bad? Classic novel, that stands the test of time." Read more

5 customers mention "Concept"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the concept of the book, with one review highlighting its buried commentary on possible future civilization, and another noting how it gets readers thinking about our future.

"...which are not only entertaining, but also have a buried commentary on possible future civilization, penal systems, and the human condition in general..." Read more

"...Good concept on how to use mind transfer technology to another level...." Read more

"...this series of books years ago and I really liked the author's distopian future universe...." Read more

"Well written, gets you thinking about our future and how our system really works. Plus it's really a fun read...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • L J Melen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Four books with interesting viewpoints
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    There are four (4) books in the "Lords of the Diamond" series, all of which are not only entertaining, but also have a buried commentary on possible future civilization, penal systems, and the human condition in general. This is the first of the series. As such, while it can be read as a stand-alone, it is much more enjoyable when all four books are read as a series and in order.

    Though the series is now 20 years old, and not written in the style of modern science fiction, it is still enjoyable for all age brackets. For those of us who are 'older' fans, the style and content reflect the science fiction we grew up reading. As such, fans of 'cyber punk' and modern themes may not enjoy it, but it is still worthy of reading and as a reflection of how the genre has changed since the original days of "Astounding" and such magazines.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • illiandantic
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice, Easy Read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Jack L. Chalker's 1981 novel "Lilith: A Snake in the Grass" is the first of his "Four Lords of the Diamond" books. It's a nicely written, fast-paced, easily read book but comes with only a small amount of Chalker's typical "physical transformation" motif. The only fault I have with the book is that he's got some of his technical facts wrong in the description of the planets. Specifically, for Lilith, he says it has "an axial tilt of 84 degrees -- almost a world on its side, which meant little seasonal variation." That's exactly backwards. Plus, with that tilt, every place past 6 degrees from the equator (in either direction) would be beyond that world's polar circle and thus have at least on day per year where the sun doesn't set. The odd day/night cycle isn't reflected in the book. But, still, I rate the book at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5.

    The books in Jack L. Chalker's "Four Lords of the Diamond" series are:

    1. Lilith: A Snake in the Grass (The Four Lords of the Diamond Book 1)
    2. Cerberus: A Wolf in the Fold (The Four Lord of the Diamond Book 2)
    3. Charon: A Dragon at the Gate (The Four Lord of the Diamond Book 3)
    4. Medusa: A Tiger by the Tail (The Four Lord of the Diamond Book 4)
    4 people found this helpful
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  • J S. I
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating prison system
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2019
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    As space stories go, this one is an interesting set where a solar system with 4 inhabitable planets forms a prison. 4 Different types of prisons where the criminal elite of the galaxy are exiled to to both protect the system of the Confederation and keep them at bay in case they come up with any useful ideas. Lilith is a lush Eden like world where most of the people are pawns living in a world that is largely non technological. The Warden organisms that invade all newcomers resists disease as much as it does technologies alien to them and makes it impossible for any newcomers to ever leave the star system without experiencing an agonizing death. An agent is sent to each of the planets with a high priority mission.
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  • Hippy_Lettuce
    5.0 out of 5 stars Still good after all these years
    Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I read this series many years ago, and loved it. A star system of 4 planets, each world unique upon itself. One problem, once you land on any of the planets, you can never leave the star system. So, turn it into a unique penal colony.
    1 man's mind inserted into 4 unique bodies, all to search for info on an alien incident that seems to start from the Warden System.

    Each book in this series is set upon each of the four worlds in this system. Good concept on how to use mind transfer technology to another level. Great plots, intrigue, plot twists, and trying to determine what is good and what is bad?

    Classic novel, that stands the test of time.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • AJJ
    3.0 out of 5 stars Deep world, shallow plot
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2004
    The unique (and a little kludgey) Warden organisms invented by Chalker do create a world with a great deal of potential for the author and his characters. Alas, I felt this potential was frustratingly missed. Because of the complexity of the world's structure, too many paragraphs were spent to define, justify and close the loopholes in the Warden system. Although the characters were rather well drawn, there was little real interaction, tension, or resolution among them (with one notable exception). Now, in SciFi I can usually let that slide if the action makes up for it. Unfortunately, this was the most unsatisfying aspect of the book. 224 pages of good set-up end in 7 pages of climax, during which our buff, well-trained hero, sporting some brand new but untested powers... COMPLETELY SITS OUT THE BATTLE! He is left to watch the thinly described action from so far away he needs a telescope to see the people. Opps. I wonder if this book was the victim of some evil 250 page limit set by the publisher, or worse, by the author.
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  • Mike Andres
    4.0 out of 5 stars I really liked this series
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I read this series of books years ago and I really liked the author's distopian future universe. The books are good page-turners and have lots of fun science fiction and fantasy elements. The first book is the best in my opinion due to the introduction of all the concepts. Parts of the series can get a little repetitive, but are still entertaining. I recommend especially the first book and I think if you like it you'll like the others.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • JOHN A. KENNEDY
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
    Reviewed in Canada on April 2, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Awesome
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  • Azadur Rahman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this series when 1st read it
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this series when 1st read it. Still love it.
    Woudl have botu the book as I like the feel of books. Unfortunately, my kids will just ruin it. Not ot mention space issue. Wife threw out all my old books (nearing 1000) of SF books as the family grew. This is easier to carry and read n e where.
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  • Mr Knight
    5.0 out of 5 stars I just love Jack chalker books
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Nice story as always well worth a read arived quickley I think that the Well World series was also a great read.
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