Shockball [Paperback]

There was a lot of potential in Cherijo dealing with her father. And it is mostly wasted. I can't tell you how disappointing it is to discover that she's not so unique. And soon after getting into the lab, she escapes, and spends a good chunk of time underground. Jules Verne did a great science fiction book about being underground. He was able to pull it off. Most writers since then have realized it's pretty hard to make that interesting.

And, Wow, Ick! I *don't* want to hear about vivid descriptions of rapes and child molestation. I read novels for enjoyment, and enlightenment. Not to be disgusted.

There's a fifth book out there in the series, which reveals the final details about Cherijo's life, beyond what her father did. I'm not going to bother to buy it. At this point, I've been too disappointed, and too bored, by the last two novels. The investment I made in the character in the first two novels doesn't carry me over into any further interest in her.

Again, I was a bit disappointed with Shockball, but only because the first two books were so very good. Shockball continues the adventures of Cherijo Grey Veil Torin, a genetically engineered human who is being pursued by her creator/father throughout the galaxy. After escaping the Hsktskt in Endurance, Cherijo finds herself surrendering to her father in order to keep the peace once again, but this time her husband Duncan is with her. After enduring many brutal hours of testing, she is miraculously rescued by an odd little man who takes her though miles of underground tunnels to his tribe that lives beneath the ground in caverns.

Cherijo discovers she is not so much rescued as she is kidnapped by these strange people, half Indian and half alien.
Again, I found this book to be a step down from the first two in the series, there are not many aliens, as Cherijo spends most of her time underground with the half breeds; and not much titillating space travel either.

Dhreen re-enters her life, finding her in the tunnels and once again helping her out, though this time she trusts him much less. She also discovers that experiments A through I were not destroyed as Joseph Grey Veil had told her, and also discovers that the reason Joe has pursued her so heavily throughout the galaxy is that he intended her to be his mate all along.

Cherijo patches up patients, stops another outbreak, and develops her relationship with her husband Duncan who is forced to participate in the Shockball contests and discovers he actually enjoys the physical competition. But the story seemed almost blasé, missing the mystery of the aliens and the excitement Cherijo stretching her capabilities to the fullest.

I have really enjoyed this series, but I am left hoping that the fifth book brings back the old Cherijo and the old mystery and excitement that made this such a special and unique reading journey.

How many times is Cherijo going to be confronted, threatened, or kidnapped before she will finally fight back with more than witty remarks? I know she's a Doctor, I know she vowed to do no harm... I KNOW. So stop rubbing my nose in it and write a story that's different to what came before!

Okay, rant over :)

In this one, Cherijo is captured along with her hubby, Reever, and given to her father/creator for his use in his genetic experiments. She's there for a short time before someone "saves" her through an underground tunnel (what another one? Yes, another one) This is annoying, because we later learn that Daddy lost another of his test subjects the same way quite a few years ago. What, a super genius like Chejiro's daddy didn't think to investigate how this subject escaped? Apparently not, because the tunnels are still open straight to his super secret underground lab! The ending is awkward, especially when daddy sacrifices himself to save Cherijo. How believable is that when all along Viehl has been painting as a monster with no regard for anyone or anything?

Mark E. Cooper
Warrior Within (ISBN:0954512200)