Rating: 
Summary: The series starts w/a BANG!
Review: ... & goes from there. These 3 books contain the heart & souls of the Sime/Gen conflict. This review is without spoilers ... who'd want to spoil such a fascinating universe?After an unnamed catastrophe, humanity alters into 2 types. Gens look like ordinary humans, but produce a field of selyn, life-giving energy that Simes do not prouce and must take from Gens by force, killing them in the process. Simes also look human except for the 6 tentacles protruding from their arms; they are stronger, healthier, and - luckily - not as common as Gens. But there is no telling one from another until puberty, and the process itself is chancy, thus making the teen years an agonizing time of uncertainty: will they die in the process of changeover, or mature ... and into less-destructive Gens or powerful Simes? In -House of Zeor-, Gen Hugh Vallory learns about the Channels - an important Sime mutation - as he struggles w/his fear of the tentacled Simes. Hugh, searching for his abducted love Aisha, is taken in by a leader of the Channels, Sectuib Klyd Farris of the infamous Householding of Zeor. "Infamous" because Klyd's people can take selyn, life energy, from Gens without killing them as Simes usually do. The House of Zeor hopes to disjunct all Simes from killing Gens by taking selyn from the Channels ... and to most Simes, that's a change signaling not a benign mutation, but a flaw that needs be eradicated! In -Ambrov Keon- Sime Risa Teague is shipwrecked by the Mizipi River and rescued by Sergei ambrov Keon -- a Gen Companion who serves Channels by protecting them and donating selyn to them. Sergei immediately recognizes that Risa is potentially a Channel. But Risa was raised by regular Simes, and kills Gens to get her life-necessiating selyn. Can Sergei train her into being a true Channel ... and in time to save his own life? In -Zelerod's Doom-, the true need for the Channels becomes frighteningly apparent. A prediction comes true when, in a distant & inaccessible village, the number of ordinary Simes exactly matches that of the Gens on hand. All the Gens are killed and then, needing selyn to survive, Sime turns upon Sime and all die in the resultant struggle. Can the Houses of Zeor and Keon redeem their dreams ... or are all Simes as doomed as Gens in a future without Channels?
Rating:
Summary: The series starts w/a BANG!
Review: ... & goes from there. These 3 books contain the heart & souls of the Sime/Gen conflict. This review is without spoilers ... who'd want to spoil such a fascinating universe? After an unnamed catastrophe, humanity alters into 2 types. Gens look like ordinary humans, but produce a field of selyn, life-giving energy that Simes do not prouce and must take from Gens by force, killing them in the process. Simes also look human except for the 6 tentacles protruding from their arms; they are stronger, healthier, and - luckily - not as common as Gens. But there is no telling one from another until puberty, and the process itself is chancy, thus making the teen years an agonizing time of uncertainty: will they die in the process of changeover, or mature ... and into less-destructive Gens or powerful Simes? In -House of Zeor-, Gen Hugh Vallory learns about the Channels - an important Sime mutation - as he struggles w/his fear of the tentacled Simes. Hugh, searching for his abducted love Aisha, is taken in by a leader of the Channels, Sectuib Klyd Farris of the infamous Householding of Zeor. "Infamous" because Klyd's people can take selyn, life energy, from Gens without killing them as Simes usually do. The House of Zeor hopes to disjunct all Simes from killing Gens by taking selyn from the Channels ... and to most Simes, that's a change signaling not a benign mutation, but a flaw that needs be eradicated! In -Ambrov Keon- Sime Risa Teague is shipwrecked by the Mizipi River and rescued by Sergei ambrov Keon -- a Gen Companion who serves Channels by protecting them and donating selyn to them. Sergei immediately recognizes that Risa is potentially a Channel. But Risa was raised by regular Simes, and kills Gens to get her life-necessiating selyn. Can Sergei train her into being a true Channel ... and in time to save his own life? In -Zelerod's Doom-, the true need for the Channels becomes frighteningly apparent. A prediction comes true when, in a distant & inaccessible village, the number of ordinary Simes exactly matches that of the Gens on hand. All the Gens are killed and then, needing selyn to survive, Sime turns upon Sime and all die in the resultant struggle. Can the Houses of Zeor and Keon redeem their dreams ... or are all Simes as doomed as Gens in a future without Channels?
Rating:
Summary: When fear is a capital offense
Review: As true, classic science fiction, the Sime~Gen Universe examines a "What if this goes on" question relating to the current human condition: Fear (of pain, of loss) permeates our lives. What if humanity mutated in such a way that our very physiology made fear a death sentence--for individuals, whole societies, and even the race itself? When what was required for survival was not just *control* of fear, but deep *lack* of fear--complete trust between people. This is the situation faced by the characters in the three novels making up the Unity Trilogy. These novels are simple, involving *stories*, with adventure, romance, and deeply moving relationships. If you like "buddy stories", if in your life you find yourself reaching for unusually, unexpectedly deep friendships regardless of age or gender, if you somehow feel a tremendous need to give, if you see a pattern of relationships and energies in the world that others fail to see ... this book will speak to you. I've read all the Sime~Gen novels, am tremendously pleased to see them coming back into print, beginning with the Unity Trilogy, and am looking forward to reading the new stories now being written.
Rating:
Summary: When fear is a capital offense
Review: As true, classic science fiction, the Sime~Gen Universe examines a "What if this goes on" question relating to the current human condition: Fear (of pain, of loss) permeates our lives. What if humanity mutated in such a way that our very physiology made fear a death sentence--for individuals, whole societies, and even the race itself? When what was required for survival was not just *control* of fear, but deep *lack* of fear--complete trust between people. This is the situation faced by the characters in the three novels making up the Unity Trilogy. These novels are simple, involving *stories*, with adventure, romance, and deeply moving relationships. If you like "buddy stories", if in your life you find yourself reaching for unusually, unexpectedly deep friendships regardless of age or gender, if you somehow feel a tremendous need to give, if you see a pattern of relationships and energies in the world that others fail to see ... this book will speak to you. I've read all the Sime~Gen novels, am tremendously pleased to see them coming back into print, beginning with the Unity Trilogy, and am looking forward to reading the new stories now being written.
Rating:
Summary: # sf classics that are great today
Review: Background. Humanity evolved into two species following the cataclysm. On the surface the only obvious physical difference is the arms of the Sime. However, in reality, the Simes were much bigger, faster, and deadlier than the Gens. The Sime need selyn to survive while the Gens contain that energy source within their bodies. Over time the Sime began drugging and herding the Gen into pens so that they could suck dry selyn from its source leaving the Gen dead. "House of Zeor". Gen intelligence operative Hugh Valleroy is considerably distraught over his beloved Aisha being apparently abducted by the Sime. He plans to risk his life to bring her home, but to do so he must meet with Klyd, a Sime. Klyd is a new type of Sime. He serves as a channel between the species, killing no one but providing nutrients for his race. Both are little regarded amongst their respective people. Hugh is considered a Sime lover because he speaks the language, which he learned from his Sime expatriate mother. Klyd and his House of Zeor are considered lunatics because the Gens are a source of food and death is a by-product of that feeding frenzy. Neither trusts the other. Yet if they fail to cooperate, they not only will falter on their quest to save Aisha, but they will also destroy any hope of peaceful coexistence as dreamed of by both men. "Ambrov Keon". Simes Morgan Tigue and his daughter Risa were sailing home on the Mizipi River when the storm suddenly hit killing the father. Risa barely survives, but to do so drains much of her internal supply of life energy selyn. She must find herself a Gen so that she can replenish her source of life-energy. Risa meets Gen Sergi ambrov Keon, who has the uncanny ability to provide selyn yet control the Sime so as to give enough for the feeder to live yet not die in the process. Sergi offers shelter and selyn to Risa. Having just failed to keep alive a channel, he hopes she is the one that along with him will prove they can live in harmony. Sergi believes she has that ability, but can he persuade her to stop the killing. "Zelerod's Doom". The end times have arrived for both species of the human race. To survive the life giving Gens and the feeder Simes must find a way to cooperate with channels being the obvious avenue. Failure to do so means the end of the Gens, which mathematically implies the termination of the Simes. Most Gens never heard of channels while most Simes think these renegades are depraved lunatics. Humanity is on the brink of extinction unless the two species stop the animosity and prejudice to reunite the human race into one people. Together in harmony all live, but divided in discord all die. The Sime-Gen novels are some of the best post apocalypse books written and to see this reprinting in one volume will bring plenty of pleasure to genre fans. The tales focus on the Gen-Sime relationship, but the key to these three books is that the two species seem real regardless of whether Jacqueline Lichtenberg or Jean Lorrah or both wrote the tale. Readers will be caught up in the action, but will appreciate the depth to the prime cast members such as Hugh and Risa. Whether the player is a Sime or a Gen they seem genuine and stay true to their people. Fans of vampire tales in a different setting than Transylvania or London will clearly want to read the great Unity Trilogy novels rolled together in one superb collection. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: # sf classics that are great today
Review: Background. Humanity evolved into two species following the cataclysm. On the surface the only obvious physical difference is the arms of the Sime. However, in reality, the Simes were much bigger, faster, and deadlier than the Gens. The Sime need selyn to survive while the Gens contain that energy source within their bodies. Over time the Sime began drugging and herding the Gen into pens so that they could suck dry selyn from its source leaving the Gen dead. "House of Zeor". Gen intelligence operative Hugh Valleroy is considerably distraught over his beloved Aisha being apparently abducted by the Sime. He plans to risk his life to bring her home, but to do so he must meet with Klyd, a Sime. Klyd is a new type of Sime. He serves as a channel between the species, killing no one but providing nutrients for his race. Both are little regarded amongst their respective people. Hugh is considered a Sime lover because he speaks the language, which he learned from his Sime expatriate mother. Klyd and his House of Zeor are considered lunatics because the Gens are a source of food and death is a by-product of that feeding frenzy. Neither trusts the other. Yet if they fail to cooperate, they not only will falter on their quest to save Aisha, but they will also destroy any hope of peaceful coexistence as dreamed of by both men. "Ambrov Keon". Simes Morgan Tigue and his daughter Risa were sailing home on the Mizipi River when the storm suddenly hit killing the father. Risa barely survives, but to do so drains much of her internal supply of life energy selyn. She must find herself a Gen so that she can replenish her source of life-energy. Risa meets Gen Sergi ambrov Keon, who has the uncanny ability to provide selyn yet control the Sime so as to give enough for the feeder to live yet not die in the process. Sergi offers shelter and selyn to Risa. Having just failed to keep alive a channel, he hopes she is the one that along with him will prove they can live in harmony. Sergi believes she has that ability, but can he persuade her to stop the killing. "Zelerod's Doom". The end times have arrived for both species of the human race. To survive the life giving Gens and the feeder Simes must find a way to cooperate with channels being the obvious avenue. Failure to do so means the end of the Gens, which mathematically implies the termination of the Simes. Most Gens never heard of channels while most Simes think these renegades are depraved lunatics. Humanity is on the brink of extinction unless the two species stop the animosity and prejudice to reunite the human race into one people. Together in harmony all live, but divided in discord all die. The Sime-Gen novels are some of the best post apocalypse books written and to see this reprinting in one volume will bring plenty of pleasure to genre fans. The tales focus on the Gen-Sime relationship, but the key to these three books is that the two species seem real regardless of whether Jacqueline Lichtenberg or Jean Lorrah or both wrote the tale. Readers will be caught up in the action, but will appreciate the depth to the prime cast members such as Hugh and Risa. Whether the player is a Sime or a Gen they seem genuine and stay true to their people. Fans of vampire tales in a different setting than Transylvania or London will clearly want to read the great Unity Trilogy novels rolled together in one superb collection. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Aspects and variations
Review: How many ways can you read the same book? A light-hearted romp through a fantasy world, a cautionary tale with a moral, a vampire-like sensuality story? Which would you like to read? These books can be read over, and over, and you see a different aspect of the same story.
Rating:
Summary: Alisa from alisaandmike.com
Review: I just finished House of Zeor from Sime~Gen and loved it! I look forward to finishing the other two stories. I have actually spent my entire night reading - it's now 5:36am and I have had no sleep. Shame on Jacqueline Lichtenberg for writing such a captivating story! What a brilliant feat to create the Sime~Gen world. It is hard to believe this is her first novel published in 1974. It is not dated at all. I look forward to loosing more sleep.
Rating:
Summary: Alisa from alisaandmike.com
Review: I just finished House of Zeor from Sime~Gen and loved it! I look forward to finishing the other two stories. I have actually spent my entire night reading - it's now 5:36am and I have had no sleep. Shame on Jacqueline Lichtenberg for writing such a captivating story! What a brilliant feat to create the Sime~Gen world. It is hard to believe this is her first novel published in 1974. It is not dated at all. I look forward to loosing more sleep.
Rating:
Summary: These books changed my life
Review: In a time when I was wondering if there was any good in the world, if there was any good in mankind, if anyone could even _imagine_ any good in mankind, I picked up one of these books. I read _Ambrov Keon_ in one night, went back for _House of Zeor_ and then for _Zelerod's Doom_ as fast as I could find them. They deal with a hard, inhumane world where mankind has split into two groups. One group generates energy the other needs to survive. But if the Generator is frightened, he dies, leaving the taker addicted to Killing. For someone like me, raised in a compulsive/addictive society -- workaholic, perfectionistic, deadline-driven -- the books are the perfect mirror into what is wrong. They also hold up a second mirror -- how to heal the problem. Compassion. Love. Caring for others. If I'd just been reading for story, I'm sure story is all I would have seen. The serendipity is that the timing was perfect: I was ready for the message beneath the story, and so it came through. And since then, I've been working on applying it in my own affairs. My life has settled, steadied, evened out. I've finished a post-graduate program and launched a writing career. I've established a 16-year-and-counting relationship. I've made several long-term friends. (It's been a LONG time since I first read these books -- and the changes in my life they've made hade been bearing a LOT of fruit already!) I reread them several times a year, in fact. If you want a rip-roaring trio of stories without any deep philosophizing, try the Unity trilogy. Don't worry about the messages. They won't intrude. If you want something more, try the Unity trilogy. You'll find it here!
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