Rating: 
Summary: Getting worse, and worse...
Review: Book I: Cherijo finds out she's a clone, escapes from her father/creator, and has adventures in space. Great sci-fi. Rating: 5+
Book II: Cherijo travels through space trying to escape from bountry hunters. Excitement and suspense follow. Rating: 5
Book III: Cherijo is captured and lives as a slave among an ultra-frightening alien race. Personal conflict and social commentary. Rating: 4
So these were the good books of the Stardoc series. Unfortunately, S. L. Viehl has managed to reduce them into a silly soap opera where the most original characters are moody fiances, the issue at hand is breeding, the technology is so ridiculous, it's not even plausible (even for a sci-fi novel) and the plot is driven by the character's hallucinations.
Book IV was sort of readable, mostly due to the mutant characters presented in the novel. Otherwise, let's just say that space novels should take place in space.
Book V ends up a total disappointment. Cherijo finally finds out what Maggie really has to say to her, which Cherijo finds ridiculous (which is ironic, because the readers will find it even more so) and she says she disapproves of it and people who like control are bad, right? The novel offers no unifying plot, just a series of insignificant events as in a daytime soap opera. Sure, there are new planets and new species, but they are executed so poorly, they do not take away from the mediocre effort S. L. Viehl put into this book.
Overall, I recommend books 1-3 of the series, they're pretty good sci-fi fluff with strong characters and interesting plots. Book 4 and 5 are kind of lame and published only because the fans of books 1-3 will buy them.
Rating:
Summary: Getting worse, and worse...
Review: Book I: Cherijo finds out she's a clone, escapes from her father/creator, and has adventures in space. Great sci-fi. Rating: 5+
Book II: Cherijo travels through space trying to escape from bountry hunters. Excitement and suspense follow. Rating: 5
Book III: Cherijo is captured and lives as a slave among an ultra-frightening alien race. Personal conflict and social commentary. Rating: 4
So these were the good books of the Stardoc series. Unfortunately, S. L. Viehl has managed to reduce them into a silly soap opera where the most original characters are moody fiances, the issue at hand is breeding, the technology is so ridiculous, it's not even plausible (even for a sci-fi novel) and the plot is driven by the character's hallucinations.
Book IV was sort of readable, mostly due to the mutant characters presented in the novel. Otherwise, let's just say that space novels should take place in space.
Book V ends up a total disappointment. Cherijo finally finds out what Maggie really has to say to her, which Cherijo finds ridiculous (which is ironic, because the readers will find it even more so) and she says she disapproves of it and people who like control are bad, right? The novel offers no unifying plot, just a series of insignificant events as in a daytime soap opera. Sure, there are new planets and new species, but they are executed so poorly, they do not take away from the mediocre effort S. L. Viehl put into this book.
Overall, I recommend books 1-3 of the series, they're pretty good sci-fi fluff with strong characters and interesting plots. Book 4 and 5 are kind of lame and published only because the fans of books 1-3 will buy them.
Rating: 
Summary: Cherijo is back
Review: Cherijo is back to prove that you can't go home again. She and Duncan Reever have settled into a caring, but slightly uneasy relationship (trust is going to be a problem when your husband sold you as a slave to some old pals). Their daughter, Marel, makes the connection a bit stronger, as both love her unconditionally. Spring fever has overtaken the ship, as both Sqillip and Alunthri are thinking about parenthood, one with trepidation and one with longing. Dreen and his Navajo girlfriend are also expecting, with unexpected results. They have three planets to visit, Hawk's father's home world, Dreen's planet, and finally, Cherijo's "mother" Maggie's planet. All three will present danger, confusions, and the unexpected. Xonea, Cherijo's ClanBrother has some surprises for her, too. This book was much more rewarding than SHOCK BALL, with its convoluted plot and bizarre characters. The Stardoc books are really best when they are out in space, as this one is. Marel was the most delightful character!
Rating:
Summary: Cherijo is back
Review: Cherijo is back to prove that you can't go home again. She and Duncan Reever have settled into a caring, but slightly uneasy relationship (trust is going to be a problem when your husband sold you as a slave to some old pals). Their daughter, Marel, makes the connection a bit stronger, as both love her unconditionally. Spring fever has overtaken the ship, as both Sqillip and Alunthri are thinking about parenthood, one with trepidation and one with longing. Dreen and his Navajo girlfriend are also expecting, with unexpected results. They have three planets to visit, Hawk's father's home world, Dreen's planet, and finally, Cherijo's "mother" Maggie's planet. All three will present danger, confusions, and the unexpected. Xonea, Cherijo's ClanBrother has some surprises for her, too. This book was much more rewarding than SHOCK BALL, with its convoluted plot and bizarre characters. The Stardoc books are really best when they are out in space, as this one is. Marel was the most delightful character!
Rating:
Summary: The Doc is back, and as Cranky as ever!
Review: Dr. Cherijo Grey Veil, now Cherijo Torin, is a new mom, a healer on board the Jorenian ship Sunlace, and is married to a human telepath who was raised by various aliens (and has the biggest case of emotional repression seen in science fiction).
I really love this series, and am always anxious when the new book comes out. "Eternity Row" delivered what I'm getting used to out of Viehl: a series of emotionally frustrating events that leave you growling out loud at the situation, with deadly funny situations and bon-mots tossed throughout. And, of course, a big revelation at the end that leaves you hanging and thinking, "But... but... what next?"
Duncan Reever and Cherijo are their usual combustible selves. They have a few trillion arguments and disagreements throughout this book, and as usual I found myself ready to toss Duncan out an airlock. I have a hard time rationalizing why anyone - let alone Cherijo - would stay with this man, but I suspend my disbelief and keep reading like a good little book addict. The rest of the plot is always worth it, and this book was no exception. The other quibble was the use of "babytalk" when Cherijo's daughter was speaking. Sometimes I had to read them aloud with a nasally kid-voice in an attempt to translate what the child was saying into english. "Pree dars" is pretty stars, for example. Ouch.
With Marel (Cherijo's daughter) developing a sub-plot of interest, and the return of old favourites like Dreen and Alunthri, you'll be content with this episode in the Stardoc series. I sure was. Now I just need the next one...
'Nathan
Rating: 
Summary: It Has Its Moments, But Not Many
Review: Eternity Row is Viehl's fifth StarDoc novel, and there's no end in sight. The series has been entertaining, and Cherijo Torin's quest to discover-and perhaps alter-her destiny has taken some creative turns. Viehl's characters, medical scenes, and action sequences have always been strong. Her basic writing skills have shown slow but steady improvement. Unfortunately, her plotting remains weak in terms of both her series-long story arc and her finer touches within each book. For those who by now feel a vested interest in Cherijo's fate, Eternity Row is worth reading, but it's decidedly the least inspired effort in the series to date. There's little sense of focus throughout much of the book, as the plot takes far too long to develop. The story's climax and wrap-up are then overly rushed, with no really satisfying pay-off at the end. Too many plot elements are poorly rationalized, overly contrived, or simply irrelevant. Most disappointing of all, there's no delightful, demented, Viehl-crafted villain powering this piece. The bare-bones outline is simple enough. The Sunlace will head for the planet of Oenrall so Cherijo can investigate the mysterious plague afflicting Dhreen's people. From there, it's on to Jxinok, to finally learn why Maggie involved herself in Joe's experiments to create Cherijo. Since Hawk's father is from a planet in the same quadrant as the other two, Sunlace will stop there along the way. The story lines as they actually play out become a good deal muddier. Cherijo's ClanBrother Xonea still seems to have designs on her; they unfold in a couple of related plot elements that splutter along through the main story lines. The ongoing war between League and Hsktskt forces affects life aboard the Sunlace. Cherijo's pals Squilyp and Alunthri are both having personal problems. A belief-straining connection turns up between Hawk's people and Dhreen's, and possibly Alunthri's. The Bartermen reappear. In addition to high intelligence and rapid healing, daughter Marel shows signs of at least one ability not demonstrated by Cherijo. There are unexpected side effects to Joe's experimental surgery on Duncan's kidney. Cherijo and Duncan still haven't gotten their joint act together, for which Maggie lectures them sternly-something readers have wanted to do since Endurance. Like earlier StarDoc books, Eternity Row has its better moments, mostly limited in this case to minor details. The book probably contains information essential to the larger story arc, though it's difficult to see how most of it could possibly matter in the long run. The back cover blurb promises that Cherijo and Duncan "intend to find Cherijo's foster mother-and the truth behind the subliminal messages she left in Cherijo's brain." Duncan does eventually spring a surprise about the nature of the messages; however, when Cherijo at last gets to hear their purpose, she rejects it out of hand as a pack of lies. After waiting through most of the book for a substantial revelation like those in past stories, this feels like a pretty cheap trick.
Rating:
Summary: It Has Its Moments, But Not Many
Review: Eternity Row is Viehl's fifth StarDoc novel, and there's no end in sight. The series has been entertaining, and Cherijo Torin's quest to discover-and perhaps alter-her destiny has taken some creative turns. Viehl's characters, medical scenes, and action sequences have always been strong. Her basic writing skills have shown slow but steady improvement. Unfortunately, her plotting remains weak in terms of both her series-long story arc and her finer touches within each book. For those who by now feel a vested interest in Cherijo's fate, Eternity Row is worth reading, but it's decidedly the least inspired effort in the series to date. There's little sense of focus throughout much of the book, as the plot takes far too long to develop. The story's climax and wrap-up are then overly rushed, with no really satisfying pay-off at the end. Too many plot elements are poorly rationalized, overly contrived, or simply irrelevant. Most disappointing of all, there's no delightful, demented, Viehl-crafted villain powering this piece. The bare-bones outline is simple enough. The Sunlace will head for the planet of Oenrall so Cherijo can investigate the mysterious plague afflicting Dhreen's people. From there, it's on to Jxinok, to finally learn why Maggie involved herself in Joe's experiments to create Cherijo. Since Hawk's father is from a planet in the same quadrant as the other two, Sunlace will stop there along the way. The story lines as they actually play out become a good deal muddier. Cherijo's ClanBrother Xonea still seems to have designs on her; they unfold in a couple of related plot elements that splutter along through the main story lines. The ongoing war between League and Hsktskt forces affects life aboard the Sunlace. Cherijo's pals Squilyp and Alunthri are both having personal problems. A belief-straining connection turns up between Hawk's people and Dhreen's, and possibly Alunthri's. The Bartermen reappear. In addition to high intelligence and rapid healing, daughter Marel shows signs of at least one ability not demonstrated by Cherijo. There are unexpected side effects to Joe's experimental surgery on Duncan's kidney. Cherijo and Duncan still haven't gotten their joint act together, for which Maggie lectures them sternly-something readers have wanted to do since Endurance. Like earlier StarDoc books, Eternity Row has its better moments, mostly limited in this case to minor details. The book probably contains information essential to the larger story arc, though it's difficult to see how most of it could possibly matter in the long run. The back cover blurb promises that Cherijo and Duncan "intend to find Cherijo's foster mother-and the truth behind the subliminal messages she left in Cherijo's brain." Duncan does eventually spring a surprise about the nature of the messages; however, when Cherijo at last gets to hear their purpose, she rejects it out of hand as a pack of lies. After waiting through most of the book for a substantial revelation like those in past stories, this feels like a pretty cheap trick.
Rating:
Summary: Weakest in the Series.....
Review: Eternity Row stars the super-bio-engineered doctor Cherijo, her standoffish husband Duncan Reever, and now the latest addition, Cherijo's daughter Maril. This latest installment was by far the weakest in the series. As we found out in the last four novels, Cherijo was bio-engineered by her demented father/brother to be the perfect wife (erk). Fortunately, this book fortunately gives the demented father/brother character Joe Grey Veil a rest, and concentrates on Cherijo. Cherijo and Duncan have had a child (see Shockball) cliff hanger. The child, Maril is precocious, gifted, and as annoying as can be, talking in 'baby talk' throughout the book. She manages to be underfoot at every opportunity, taking Eternity Row into new levels of corniness. Duncan Reever, usually cool-headed, becomes a testosterone crazed fiend in this novel, slathering Cherijo with a 'romance novel' level of protectiveness and ordering her about in uncharacteristic fashion. As usual, Cherijo is impervious to harm, as she bludgeons the readers (and the rest of the galaxy) with her own version of doctoring and philosophy. (While I love these books, I think the author may have painted herself into a a corner with this character by making her all-perfect, all-powerful, and just plain TOO superhuman). As it is, there is nothing Cherijo cannot do. From discovering cures for an STD(last novel), to solving interplanetary incidents. Cherijo is not only smarter than everyone, she is tougher, stronger, and knows what's best for everyone too. Please. While I liked Eternity Row, I felt the novel ending was a tad contrived. I disliked the baby-talk which the author used as a speech device for Cherijo's child. Scratch that, I also disliked the child as a plot device. Whatever happened to Cherijo's protestations that she 'just wasn't maternal?' And who in their right mind would produce a child with a stalker like Joe Grey Veil loose? I also felt the cast of characters needs to be parred down some, and some minor plot threads should've been resolved, such as Ilona... Etc. Overall, this was a okay read, but with all the 'pairing up' that goes on in this novel, I began to feel like I was reading a Romance Novel, rather than Sci Fi. I recommend this for readers of the other books, but it definitely was the weakest in the series.
Rating:
Summary: it's ok
Review: I agree that books 1 and 2 were much more interesting. I admit that, before reading Shockball, I discovered Viehl had written some romance books and that tained my opinion of her writing. Hence, the intimate scenes in Shockball read like a romance and that annoyed me. I found several plot holes and contradictions but if you don't care about such things, the book is an ok read. The fate of the main character's "father" seemed somewhat anti-climatic but there was lots of other plot-finishing going on to make up for it a bit.
Rating:
Summary: More of the same
Review: I really enjoyed the first two Stardoc books, and the third book was OK. Unfortunately, the fourth book was a chore to finish. It's not just that it is more of the same medical emergency and melodrama as its predecessors. The new characters and new alien societies introduced in this book are not very interesting. When you get right down to it, it's the quality of the villain in a melodrama that makes it. The best Viehl comes up with for a villian in Eternity Row is a bad tempered fiancee. I'm afraid the series is loosing steam.
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