SciFi: partly set on a prison planet, one scene set in amphitheatre

[Sebastian]

I read this about 15 years ago.

I recall part of it set on a kind of prison planet where prisoners are just dumped and abandoned. The protagonist /possibly/ was an investigator rather than prisoner.

If you know any books that feature prison planets, please list them.

The next bits may be from different books that I'm confusing, so don't base your suggestions on only fulfilling all these memories.

I recall a scene on a different planet set in an amphitheatre, possibly gladiatorial.

I recall a possible later part of the book where the protagonist interacts with a giant floating computer or space ship or space station.


Thanks for any assistance!

[Andy]

Jack Chalker wrote a series of novels like this back in the 1980s - The Four Lords of the Diamond "The Four Lords of the Diamond" was the name of the series

[Sebastian]

Andy wrote: "Jack Chalker wrote a series of novels like this back in the 1980s - The Four Lords of the Diamond "The Four Lords of the Diamond" was the name of the series"

Thanks very much Andy. The title/series doesn't seem familiar but the plot/synopsis of Lilith: A Snake in the Grass fits a bit. I'll give it a read and see what comes of it.

[Andy]

Sebastian wrote: "Thanks very much Andy. The title/series doesn't seem familiar but the plot/synopsis of Lilith: A Snake in the Grass fits a bit. I'll give it a read and see what comes of it. "

Hope you find your book (even if it's not the Chalker)

[stormhawk]

There is a novella that is part of Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga that is set on a prison planet, short of a massive prisoner of war camp. The Borders of Infinity is the name of the novella as well as a collection including it and two other Vorkosigan adventures.

[Sebastian]

Thanks stormhawk. Unfortunately, reading the plot synopsis makes it clear I've never read any of these books.

[Cassandra]

Could it be one of the Stainless Steel Rat series?

[Tricia]

The Gladiators and Ral's Woman are both alien and have men fighting. Also Stealing Mercury...