In the sixth book of the popular Sime~Gen Series, an explosive election campaign sets off a dangerous crisis in the strange world of the Simes and Gens. Laneff Farris grew up believing that she had not inherited any of the special talents or strengths of the Farris family mutation. But a storm of politics sweeps her into an underworld where the line between Science and Magic blurs. Which of two men should she follow? Or should she forge a completely new direction, and take the rest of humanity with her?
Jacqueline Lichtenberg is creator of the Sime~Gen Universe, primary author of Star Trek Lives!, founder of the Star Trek Welcommittee, creator of the term Intimate Adventure, winner of the Galaxy Award for Spirituality in Science Fiction and one of the first Romantic Times Awards for Best Science Fiction Novel. Her work is now in e-book form, audio-dramatization and on XM Satellite Radio. She has been sf/f reviewer for The Monthly Aspectarian since 1993.
Reprints and new titles coming from Wildside Press, 2011.
Find currently available titles and free chapters at http://www.jacquelinelichtenberg.com With Professor Jean Lorrah, she teaches sf/f writing online via Tarot and Astrology.
I didn't much care for the metaphysical/woowoo aspects of Mahogany Trinrose, so I was disappointed when this book seemed to be going in the same direction . . . but at the very end, it completely turned that around. And answered the question that had been lurking at the bottom of this book from page one -- if renSimes can take selyn directly from Gens, who needs channels anyway? -- absolutely beautifully.
In the far future a mutation develops and humankind is split into Simes and Gens. Simes "change over" at adolescence into vampire-like creatures that must suction off energy from Gens every month. Ordinarily, this causes the death of the Gen. But then "Channels" are discovered who could safely take energy from Gens and give that energy to Simes. But there are still problems keeping Sime and Gen apart even centuries later. Enter Laneff Farris, whose research may be crucial in the reunification of Sime and Gen. Both Lichtenberg and Lorrah who write books in this series are both good storytellers and create characters to care about. And since each book was written to be read independently, this one can stand alone.