Zelerod's Doom

Sime/Gen #8

by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Jean Lorrah, J. Lorrah

Householdings of Simes and Gens, the two branches of humanity, attempt to stop the final war that would end with the destruction of both races

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Futuristic

Mass Market Paperback

First published August 5, 1986

About the author

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.

Co-blogs at: http://www.aliendjinnromances.blogspo...

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.

Reviews

[Rhode PVD · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning is glorious. It takes up about 15 years after Ambrov Keon left off, and it's marvelous to see how your favorite characters are doing. The story outline is solid as well, it's one of those books you really want to read as a keystone to the series - a turning point in an entire world's history. But... Well lets just say its hard going. Some characters are incredibly annoying, important events flash by too quickly, while others drown in long winded expositions that are technical in nature and would not be interesting to anyone who isn't a Sime themselves (or the author.).

[Patricia Grigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prime example of life

This book takes you through the ups and downs of life even as it is so often in the world of Earth. If only we could reach such a point world wide.

[Serene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Hugh & Klyd, so I was pleased to get another story featuring them. However, the story is a multiple POV between Hugh and Risa, and well, I would've preferred one or the other. The relationship between Hugh & Klyd was rather strained in this one. I would've hoped after 15 years the boys would have reached some common ground, but they are having some problems and this is affecting their ability to transfer.

There was a lot of time spent discussing politics which of course is important, but at times the story read like a plot outline. Gone was the intimacy and closeness of the House of Zeor. Instead we get lots of infodumping, and two sets of characters.

I was hoping for a bit more detail into how Klyd & Hugh had been doing since the House book. I mean Klyd and Ayisha and a baby? And what's up with the transfer and Hugh collapsing while ill? How does Hugh find the time to run Keon, while he's Klyd's top companion and how could they work so long together and still have such issues? How could such a strong empath like Klyd not believe Hugh is having issues with his selyn and such, when he should surely be able to zlinn his feelings? How can Klyd not know how to manage Klyd and vice/versa, given how closely both work together and the intimacy of Companion/Channel bond?

Seeing the story from only Hugh's persepctive sometimes, we miss out on the inticacies of how Klyd thinks, what he's really up to, and how the incongruous things he does have purpose, even though people around him are irked by his mannerisms. This is partially touched upon, however, I would've loved more insight into Klyd's views.

Sadly, we may never know, since this is the last book with these characters, and from what I read they die tragically in the future.

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 "Sime" territories where Gens are kept like cattle, and "Gen" territories where a developing Sime would be shot on sight. Zelerod is a Sime who has predicted that the demographics mean that eventually if Simes continue their lifestyle there won't be enough Gens to keep them alive and civilization on both sides will collapse. Channels Klyd Farris from House of Zeor and Risa Tigue of Ambrov Keon team up to avert that collapse. Not my favorite of the Sime/Gen books--that would probably be Ambrov Keon--but definitely a good read in a series that's a favorite of mine. Both Lichtenberg and Lorrah who write books in this series and wrote this book together 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.

[rivka · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars