The Jewels of Aptor

The Jewels of Aptor is a book by Samuel R. Delany, first published in 1962. A landmark debut in science fantasy, the novel blends sword-and-sorcery adventure with speculative depth, set in a distant future where civilisation has collapsed into myth after a long-forgotten technological catastrophe. The island world of Aptor is ruled by a matriarchal priesthood, and its fragile order depends on three powerful jewels whose balance keeps the land alive.

The story follows Geo, a young man marked as an outcast, who is sent on a perilous quest beyond the known world. Along the way, he is joined by a small and uneasy band of companions: the fierce warrior woman Argo, the cunning and sharp-tongued Ratlit, and the enigmatic fighter known only as Snake. Each carries secrets and conflicting loyalties, and their journey across ruined landscapes and hostile territories slowly reveals the deeper forces shaping Aptor’s fate.

The Jewels of Aptor stands as the first published novel of Samuel R. Delany, who would go on to become one of the most influential voices in speculative fiction. Rich in symbolism and atmosphere, this early work offers readers a thoughtful and adventurous entry point into classic science fantasy, appealing to fans of philosophical world-building, epic quests, and post-apocalyptic imagination.