Brother to Demons, Brother to Gods — Jack Williamson

One of the best things science fiction can offer is a fresh analysis of what it means to be human. This book delivers on that analysis -- in spades. Ordinarily, a review shouldn't provide a synopsis, but since one is not provided by Amazon.com, I'll provide a brief one. The setting is Earth, one thousand years in the future. The world is populated by humans ("premen"), genetically perfected humans ("trumen"), genetically modified soldiers ("mumen") and gods, who are part human, part celestial matter. Many centuries prior, premen had created these other beings, who have now nearly displaced the premen. By order of Earth's god, they are to be relocated to a distant and inhospitable world. Two premen children, a boy and a girl, struggle against their deportation and discover that they may have the key to fighting against the gods, if only they have enough time. This book is more than just action and kaleidoscopic settings. It's about what it means to be human, what rewards and suffering struggle brings, and about friendship, loyalty and hope. Think of it as safe's equivalent to The Shawshank Redemption.