The Planet Masters — Allen L. Wold

Larson McCade, enhanced troubleshooter and wandering grandson of a nameless refugee, has come to the decadent planet of Seltique, culturally isolated from the rest of the galaxy after its bid for political mastery two thousand years ago. He claims to be researching a pro-galaxy group known as The Core, which was exterminated in an historic revolution, and makes several powerful friends along the way--including an attractive young lady named Valyn Dixon. But McCade is actually looking for The Book of Aradka, an alien artifact that could make him a wealthy man for the rest of his life. THE PLANET MASTERS describes a highly structured society which parodies our own thirst for status: promotion on Seltique is achieved by cultural contributions--and ritual murder. Social classes are rigidly immobile; members of one class freely abuse members of the classes below them. Larson McCade is willing to risk his life for power, but on a planet like Seltique, he just might find more than he bargains for... Allen L. Wold is the bestselling author of nine science fiction novels: THE PLANET MASTERS, STAR GOD, THE EYE IN THE STONE, JEWELS OF THE DRAGON, CROWN OF THE SERPENT, LAIR OF THE CYCLOPS, and three novels in the V series.