originally posted by Frank T Davis
Cheryl,
I have read the following novels authored by Carol Berg:
"Transformation", published Aug 2000
"Revelation", published Aug 2001
"Restoration", published Aug 2002, and
"Son of Avonar", published Feb 2004. This last novel is book one of the "The Bridge of D'Arnath". When was "Guardians of the Keep" published? For some reason I am unable to find it on Amazon.
Thanks,
Frank
originally posted by Sandtiger
Guardians of the Keep just came out - Sept. 2004.
The other book that isn't on your list is "Song of the Beast" It was her standalone book. I think it came out in 2003.
Personally, I liked her Rai Kirah trilogy the best - and still consider Revelation my favourite of all her books.
Sandtiger
originally posted by Cheryl
I just got Guardians this last week. Like Sandtiger says it was just released. Glad you read Carol, Frank. She and Janny are my favorites at the moment. Song of the Beast is a great one too. You need to find that in your store or on amazon.
originally posted by B2
Hello all, I must admit that I haven't read any of Carol Berg's stuff, but i have recently picked up Michael Stackpole's fanatsy novels: "Dark Glory War"(prequel for series), "Fortress Draconis" "When Dragons Rage" and finally the one book I had to wait for 9 months to come into paperback, "The Grand Crusade". These books are just FANTASTIC!! Certainly worth waiting for. Flavorful characters and excellent story lines. Check it out if you want, but I loved them.
B2
originally posted by Trys
I've read the first of Carol Berg's trilogy and have the others on the TPRP (to be read pile). I liked it a great deal. Thanks to Cheryl for recommending them to me.
Trys
originally posted by Bruce
Just finished Heretic by Bernard Cornwell which was excellent it is historical fiction set in the hundred years war. On Carol Berg I just bought Guardians yesterday, have only read Son of avanor which I enjoyed. While at the bookstore yesterday I noticed that Greg Keyes and Terry brooks are signing there on Monday. So I will go back to Borders on Monday to get my Keyes books signed, I don't much care about the Brooks portion of the signing.
originally posted by Neil
"Heretic", by Bernard Cornwell, is the 3rd in the trilogy. I liked it too. I can recommend this trilogy. I think it's Bernard Cornwell who did the sharp novels(?)
originally posted by Cheryl
You're welcome Trys. I figured you'd enjoy Carol's books all of them are great. Even the heroine is good in Guardians and everyone knows I'm not big on heroines and more of hero fan. I do love the heroine in Son Of Avonar though. Bruce you must read Transformation by Carol also. Get all those in that trilogy for sure. It's the Rai-kirah trilogy and her best so far, but all are equally great like Janny's books are. I couldn't get into Michael Stackpole. I feel bad about that. He'll be at the con and I do want to meet him and get an autograph, but I've bought three of his books and never can get interested. Not sure why that is. I struggle with him though. He doesn't have that special thing I like the way Janny and Carol have. He just doesn't seem to have that with his characters, but I will try him again and figure out what's wrong. His stories sound good just don't know why I can't read more then 50 pages of his books. just strange with some authors.
originally posted by Cheryl
I thought I'd mention to Sandtiger and others here that I am totally baffled why my bookstores aren't getting in the latest Darkover series written by Deborah J. Ross and Marion Zimmer Bradley. I almost let the hardback go by me again. I remember Sandtiger wondered how I missed that hardback, that's how. My store's just aren't getting them in, but I've ordered A Flame In Hali it looks great. Just thought I'd let people know that's out the third in the Clingfire Trilogy I almost let another go by me. Without the newsletters on line and the ones I use to get in the stores I have nothing to let me know what's coming out anymore. It's like going back to the dark ages. I have that book on order now and thanks to DAW's newsletter and I'd not know about that. grin Do you have the third one yet Jana? Just wondering.
originally posted by Sandtiger
I knew it was out, but I won't buy it in hardcover. I enjoy the books, but they aren't on my "I can't wait a single second longer than I have to" list.
Funny, now that I think about it, my hardcover "Must Buy" list is relatively short at the moment. There are only four books coming out in the next twelve months that I desperately want to buy. (At least that I can name off the top of my head)
Janny's Traitor's Knot
C.J. Cherryh's Destroyer
Julie's Species Imperative: Migration
Jacqueline Lichtenberg and Jean Lorrah's To Kiss or To Kill
And yet, all of those I am eagerly anticipating!
Sandtiger
originally posted by Cheryl
I want three of those books. Traitor's Knot will be christmas present and Destroyer will be out right after. Still need to get Julie's Specie's book sometime. I know these are in hardcover and I do sometimes wait for paperback depends on how much I think I'll enjoy the books.
originally posted by Trys
Cheryl,
I think you would like Sime~Gen novels. Meisha Merlin has published 3 of these in one book: {The Unity Trilogy} - 20$ for Trade and $40 for hardcover.
Trys
originally posted by Cheryl
Who's the author or is that the author's name. I think I would like Meisha Merlin's books too. I'll look them up thanks.
originally posted by Sandtiger
Cheryl,
That's the Jacqueline Lichtenberg and Jean Lorrah that I mention above.
There were 8 books originally released in the 70s and 80s…
House of Zeor
Ambrov Keon
Zelerod's Doom
First Channel
Channel's Destiny
Unto Zeor, Forever
Mahogany Trinrose
RenSime
They are currently being rereleased by Meisha Merlin - The Unity Trilogy combines the first three original novels.
In between the rereleases, they are releasing new Sime~Gen novels, of which "To Kiss or to Kill" is the first - due out sometime soon, hopefully in the next year.
Here's the Meisha Merlin link:
http://www.meishamerlin.com/Sime~GenTheUnityTrilogy.html
Sandtiger
originally posted by Cheryl
Thanks for that info. I will look into those books I hope they are fantasy. I mostly just read fantasy stuff. thanks again Sandtiger I look forward to meeting you in Oct.
originally posted by Trys
Cheryl,
The Sime~Gen novels read like fantasy but definitely have sci-fi underpinnings. The concept is that at some time in the future the human race splits into two disparate but interdependent sub-species, the Sime and the Gen. At the point that the books start North America consists of Gen Territory and Sime Territories. Simes need Gens to survive. They 'feed' on them and in the process kill them with tentacles that grow out of their forearms.
To make the situation more interesting, when children are born they look sime, but when they begin to mature, they may 'break-out', meaning that they are actually Sime and the tentacles develop and break free. When this happens in Gen Territory they are killed unless they manage to escape to Sime Territory. When a child is determined to be Gen (Sime's can sense a Gen) they are sold into the system to become food.
It is actually much more complicated than that as you learn as the stories progress. But that gives you a sense of things. Lorrah and Lichtenberg also create both likeable male and female protagonists of both species.
Sandtiger, feel free to elaborate if I've distorted anything. 
Trys
originally posted by Cheryl
Thanks for that info on the books. Sounds pretty intriguing if Sandtiger and you like them so much then I know they are good. I'll look next time I'm in bookstore or on amazon.com. Christmas is coming so I can get a few more books that time of year.
originally posted by Sandtiger
That's pretty right on, Trys
My only change…
"To make the situation more interesting, when children are born they look **sime** (Actually, they look Gen - Cheryl - that basically means they look like you and I do.), but when they begin to mature, they may 'break-out', meaning that they are actually Sime and the tentacles develop and break free."
As for being Fantasy…well, yes and no. The read like Fantasy, even if they are meant to be Science Fiction.
You'll find the first five on my list above, definately read like Fantasy - the others a little less so, but not much.
The thing I like about them is that they aren't just snapshots of a time and place like so many books are. Instead, they detail a cultural evolution that spans thousands of years, and they do it WELL. And none of it is immediately visible, It's only something you come to realise after you have read all the books.
Sandtiger
originally posted by Trys
Santiger,
Thanks for the correction. Sometimes the fingers just take over… maybe it's time for new ones. Er… or maybe I just got new ones. Who can tell. <g>
Cheryl,
The original books are all out of print though one of them has Don Maitz cover. If you can't find it in your bookstore, remember they can order it for you.
Trys
originally posted by Cheryl
Thanks that sounds very intriguing. I wonder how I missed this series. Was it overseas and not in the US but Trys read it so that's not it. I mainly read fantasy but I do like good sci fi that reads like fantasy. I'll go to their site then and see about them thanks for the link Sandtiger. I'd love to see the cover by Don Maitz.