The Ring

From the front flap of the Doubleday first edition: "As you enter these pages, you will encounter tht most priceless of all science fiction creations: an entire, vividly detailed, breathtakingly original world. And within this world is a towering adventure spanning galaxies and centuries, straddling the human present and the cosmic future. Inspired by one of the greatest legends of our time, The Ring is the spellbinding tale of a ring of great power, the battle for its ownership, and the tragedies it brings to those who hold it until it is returned to its rightful place. Centuries ago, men died for the chance to possess the Ring, to be master of its powers. But the Sisterhood, which protected it, grew weary of the fighting. At last they fled to an alien planet to keep in the Ring in peace. Now, in the paradise city of Parliament, the genetically designed, psychic Rulers possess the power of the Ring, which the Sisterhood still guards. On Earth, the Rulers have reigned as gods for generations. In the Arctic North Lands, Giants twice the height of human men are secretly perfecting the science of terraforming, in exchange for a share of the Ring's might. In the Valley which joins the two lands, thousands of Workers have long served as slaves to Rulers and Giants alike. Though the three races have reached an uneasy truce, war will come again. And this time the Workers will be prepared. Cain of Eastmarch, a telepath who once nearly joined the Rulers, leads the Workers. But to truly claim victory, Cain must first steal the Ring from the Sisterhood... and suffer their curse."