This book was painfully thought-provoking. The situation that is the basis of the entire structure of the story is potentially real ... and so is the typical scientific response. The results of this scientific response ... a "cure" for AIDS ... is where the story begins to take off. While based in the fictional world of a near future setting, the responses from the characters are very realistic and recognizable. Yet, this is not just a simple drama; good, solid sci-fi writing abounds. A good read, but not just for entertainment value. Some of the characters will really make you grind your teeth. The ending of the story is reasonable and realistic, fiting what we know about the characters as they progress through the story line.

Truly a wonderful story, with plenty to make the reader think. Busby has crafted a story based so closely on the real world, that all the events feel as though they could happen. He is a fabulous storyteller, and I highly recommend that anyone who likes his work read it.

This book has 2 basic themes--what could happen if scientists aren't careful in engineering cures for disease, and the reaction of average people to a next possible step in human evolution. The book starts out with a near-future society that is ravaged by AIDS, and scientists engineer a cure. Part of the cure, however, renders women sterile to a second pregnancy by a man of the same blood type as the first (eliminating the chances of another child with the same man). To find a cure for *this* problem, scientists create an altered human, the Mark II. Unknown to them until these new children reach puberty, the children are cyclical hermaphrodites, going from male to female and back again every other month. Society's response is typical and intolerant. I won't give away the ending, but it's a fast-paced, solid science fiction novel with a terrific message that isn't preachy!

Originally published as two volumes--Rissa Kerguelen, and The Long View
--this first paperback edition combines both works.Ê

The paperback version hit the racks in 1977 right after Star Wars hit the
theaters. While Star Wars kept audiences spellbound, Rissa Kerguelen
captured this reader's imagination far more profoundly. La Femme Nikita
meets Han Solo! No ordinary science fiction novel, Rissa Kerguelen is an
epic tale of feminine charm, guile, and revenge unleashed, on a galactic
scale.Ê

In response to global financial crisis, North America adopts an election
based corporate-run government. When United Energy and Transport is elected,
its Presiding Committee seizes total control, canceling further elections.
To secure its financial interests on foreign soil, UET quickly overruns
those governments. The brutal Committee Police maintains global order
through fear and assassination. Using stolen alien technology UET begins
exploring deep space. On Earth, it implements a totalitarian welfare system
to control the growing number of poor, and political dissidents.

After the Committee Police murder her journalist parents, a five-year old
Rissa Kerguelen becomes a ward of the state, to live out her life in total
welfare. When--as a teenager--Rissa escapes, she becomes a poster child of
the underground, and is hunted relentlessly by the chagrined Committee
Police. Under the guardianship of the Hulzein Establishment--a matriarchal
autocracy of great wealth and power outside the reach of UET--she learns
sophisticated armed and unarmed combat techniques, control of air and land
vehicles, political and financial manipulation, psychology, mastery of
several languages, the art of disguise, sexual prowess, self-discipline and
other invaluable skills.

Her training complete, and her parents' deaths vindicated, Rissa begins her
incredible journey across space and time with the Committee Police one step
behind. Through a series of chance events, she finds herself allied with
Bran Tregare, secretly a Hulzein by blood, and captain of the only armed
ship to escape. Together, they implement an armed fleet, and embark on a
mission to free Earth from UET control. But unknown perils await them on
every front: space faring aliens, UET, and the Hulzein Establishment
itself!Ê

Beyond the adventure and suspense, Busby weaves an impressively complex
tapestry of elaborate characters and events over space and time on an
unimaginable scale. By embracing the theory of relativity--a subject most
science fiction writers eschew--Busby not only flatters the intelligent,
science-minded reader, he achieves a more dynamic and believable story; one
that remains as thrilling today as when it was published.

This book follows the struggles of a young girl growing upunder a corrupt Plutocracy where the Corporations rule -non-stockholders are reduced to prison laborers and any objection is met with violent suppression. Busby's characters and setting are well-written and evocative and he makes them believable. The reader is uplifted by the display of determination and strength of character and given an enduring perspective through which to view the issues of crime, decadence and worldly power.

Rissa Kerguelen takes you into a disturbing look at the future. Rissa is basically a slave to her boss. He humiliates Rissa by having his way with her when ever he chooses. She cannot object because of her social standing. Her life is dull and almost unbearable untill she wins the "lottery". This lottery is similiar to ours except it is given to a lower class citizen, in an attempt to keep morale up. So Rissa wins the "Lottery" and buys her way off of the planet earth. The book really begins at this point. She eventually is trained in the art of combat,seduction, and weaponry. The story is rich in it's character developement and plot. It is a story about revenge, battle, and sex, in futuristic, bizzare setting. A must read.

FM Busby created Rissa... at times, I let myself believe that he created her specifically for me. She has been my role model for many years: strong, confident, yet compassionate. Breaking free of her past tramas and stretching out on wings powered by her own determination, Rissa is everything I want to be when I grow up. At 36, I STILL go back and read this series when I need to renew my sense of worth and confidence. Thank you, Mr. Busby!

FM Busby created Rissa... at times, I let myself believe that he created her specifically for me. She has been my role model for many years: strong, confident, yet compassionate. Breaking free of her past tramas and stretching out on wings powered by her own determination, Rissa is everything I want to be when I grow up. At 36, I STILL go back and read this series when I need to renew my sense of worth and confidence. Thank you, Mr. Busby!

This book, while having some similarity to Enders Game (Orson Scott Card), is an introduction to a series that has very few pleasant characters. Everyone is in it for their own gain, but at least Rissa and Bran are fighting on the 'good' side. In this book and Young Rissa, you learn why they are the hard bitten people rebelling against the federation. Well fleshed out characters and strong storyline make this a compelling read.

This is one of the best prequels to a space odyssey that I have read. F.M. Busby's characters are vividly drawn, and you leave the book wanting more from these characters. It was easy to get drawn into their lives, to root for the good guys and hate the bad guys. I'm glad that I have the first one, and I am determined to get all the rest. If you love a good sci-fi romp with great characters involved in vivid imagery, I suggest you do what ever you can to get your hands on these books.

Busby writes a tale about the graduale corruption of an innocent to a "monster" from someone just wanting to survive to a force of change in his own universe. He create characters that you can believe, you hate them or love them you can believe that they are real people who have been forced to become who and what they are. The slaughterhouse is an example of horror of a corrupt system that has only one goal to instill obdience at all cost, Busby does an incredable job at makeing you see it and beleive it in your minds eye. Good job and I am looking for the other two in the series good luck in finding them to those others that are searching

This book is like many firsts. It could have been thicker with details but the plot is solid and the books to follow are fantastic. The plot is solid SF fare with a political twist. Basically "what would happen if corporations really DID take over most of the world" is the backdrop for a seriously good read - even the 5th time around.

FM Busby created Rissa... at times, I let myself believe that he created her specifically for me. She has been my role model for many years: strong, confident, yet compassionate. Breaking free of her past tramas and stretching out on wings powered by her own determination, Rissa is everything I want to be when I grow up. At 36, I STILL go back and read this series when I need to renew my sense of worth and confidence. Thank you, Mr. Busby!

This, the first book in the Rissa Kerguelen series, is a brilliant story that was years ahead of its time. The prologue takes place right about now, in which total government control, alien coverups, and cloning add up to a bleak future for one Rissa Kerguelen. Her parents slain, separated from her brother, the five year old girl is put into a "Total Welfare Center", which is little more than slave barracks. Neglected, abused, and raped, the lonely girl grows up to win her way out of the Center via a lottery. Once out, she decides to go into hiding and get training to survive the Government which has almost total control over the planet earth. Making a valuble friend in Erika Hulzein, the heir to the survival training center, she leaves earth for a better future...and finds more adventure. Rissa is an inspirational feminist; smart, strong, quick, and able to fight for her self and beliefs. I found her to be a classic heroine, on par with Scarlett O'Hara. All in all a wonderful read, and make sure to check out the next 2 books in the series.

Book two: Together Rissa and Tregare, will build an armada to free Earth, but first they must conquer the Hidden Worlds. I found it a little slow to begin with. I did't find it as good as the first book in the series. But it is better then alot of other books I've read.

While this book can be read independently of the series, I have found it better to read it in its proper order. First comes "Young Rissa" where the foundation of the story line is laid out and character personalities are developed; important characters are introduced as well. In "Rissa and Tregare" Rissa matures as does her relationship with Bran Tregare. Lots of action and more foundations are laid for the final book in the trilogy called "The Long View". The books uses physics ... but not to an overpowering degree. The storyline is grounded in reality and is good sci-fi.

I was first introduced to F. M. Busby in college years ago and it turned into a long love affair. "Rissa and Tregare" was the first book I purchased. It is a book you would be hard pressed to put down. Clear your calender before staring this book and have lots of coffee handy!

An invigorating look at human/alien first contacts, from the perspective of a human abductee. The Demu are exoskeletal aliens with the religious belief that they are the only true beings with souls, and a crusade the mold all other species to look and act as they do. Mr. Busby's exploration of how and why the Demu became what they are is in-depth and appealing, and raises many simularities with terrestrial humans and predudices of all kinds. Mostly, though, just a darn good action and, oddly enough, love story.

Okay, here we go. By now, if you have been reading the series, you know that Rissa Kergeulen is married to Bran Tregare, also known as Tregare the Pirate. You know that Rissa and Bran are planning to lead a fleet to liberate Earth from the foul clutches of UET. And you know that the first stop is UET's fortress world, Stronghold.

So what now? READ THE BOOK!

It may not be the best story ever written, but the dialogue is usually good, it doesn't get overly technical, and the main characters at least are likeable and ones you care about.

The only gripe I really have with these books is Rissa's language - it is very stilted, not at all free-flowing. But hey, that's the way Busby wanted to have her sound.

So - go out and get the book!