 It also means there is immense social pressure on members of the genetic bloodline to breed with other compatible members to increase the likelihood of the ability manifesting.The first six novels in the series were released from 2004 to 2010, and take place in 2002–2004 of an alternate present.The books were later re-released in 2014 as "A Merchant Princes Omnibus", a trilogy of three books with each book a combination of two of the original novels