Book Review: StarDoc

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

StarDoc     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
S. L. Viehl
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction   Medical
Series: StarDoc # 1
Roc, Jan 2000, $6.99, 400 pp.

Dr. Cherijo Grey Veil is stunned when she realizes that her renowned father Dr. Joseph Veil has violated his professional ethics and the law. Joseph conducted cloning experiments using human tissue, even as he successfully made it illegal for an alien to live on Terra. Fearing her father will kill her; Cherijo hires a spaceship owner to take her to Kevarzanga Two, a colonial planet with over two hundred species living there. She accepts a job at the free clinic where most patients are not Homo sapiens.

However, the head of the clinic and a trauma specialist makes it very clear to Cherijo that she is not welcome at the frontier hospital. In spite of their chilly rejection, Cherijo makes the best of her situation. Her dedication and hard work wins over most of the staff. When she risks her life to try to save her adopted planet from a strange new plague, she wins the loyalty of everyone.

STARDOC is a fascinating reading experience that will provide much pleasure to science fiction fans. The descriptions of the various sentient species are so delightfully believable that readers will feel S.L. Viehl has had first hand encounters. The lead character is a wonderful heroine and the story line, though a bit stretched, remain entertaining. Life on the colony planet is highlighted in graphic detail so that the audience will want more tales set in this backwater locale.

Harriet Klausner

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