Book Review: Navohar

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Navohar     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Hilari Bell
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction   Space Opera
Roc, Jun 2000, $6.99, 336 pp.

The Vrell were an alien slave trading race who attacked the earth in full force, but were repelled by scientists who developed a virus that killed the invaders. The victory came with a huge price tag as one out of every two hundred children born die young from GED, a genetic disease that every newborn carries. There remains one hope left for the planet’s future, which is to locate an earth colony established before the Vrell aggression occurred.

Scientist Irene Olson, her nephew Mark under a death sentence from GED, and a host of her peers, are on a three year expedition trying to track the lost colonies. They have found many colonies, but in each case, alien plagues have killed everyone. Their hopes soar when they reach NAVOHAR where colonists live, having survived a deadly plague. Irene prays that their blood and DNA will bring the cure to the dying children of earth, but first she must uncover the secrets that the inhabitants are hiding from her.

NAVOHAR is a fast-paced, exciting space opera novel that employs a wicked mystery to add to the brilliantly executed story line. The characters feel genuine and strike a sympathetic chord with the audience. The alien landscape makes the plot feel realistic as talented newcomer Hilari Bell shows she is a born storyteller by painting a vivid visual picture. This is one writer whose star appears ready to illuminate the genre with excitement.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner