Zelerod's Doom

Rating:
Summary: Doom or Unity -- Pick One
Review: After a mysterious mutation divided the human race into Simes and Gens, the two kinds have lived in a deadly embrace of fear and hatred. To live, each Sime must kill a Gen every month, stripping this human being of vital life energy. Gens, being human, object and band together to keep the Simes from killing, while the Simes work together to capture and enslave Gens. Neither see the other as real people.

But there is another way, by which specially talented Simes can safely take life energy from willing Gens and give it to other Simes. Yet these channels are reviled by the bulk of Sime society as perverts, and are not even known by the free Gens.

However, a crisis is coming. Civilized Simes are outrunning their ability to raise Gens in captivity for the kill. A leading mathematician has demonstrated that it is impossible for civilization to continue to be based upon monthly kills -- and died trying to live on channel's transfer, convinced that he had to back his theory with his life. Some killer Simes are following his example and turning to the channels, but not quickly enough. It's decision time for all humanity -- embrace channel's transfer, or become extinct.

This novel has been out of print and almost impossible to find for far too long. But it's finally being reprinted as part of the Unity Trilogy by Meisha Merlin. If you missed out on the original printing, or your copy is crumbling like mine is, don't miss out on the chance to get this omnibus reissue, along with Ambrov Keon and House of Zeor.