Posted at Shelf InflictedAfter the disappointing Rebel Ice, I was hesitant to continue with the Stardoc series. In Rebel Ice, Dr. Cherijo Torin crash landed on the icy planet of Akkabarr, where she lost her memories but retained her medical skills. When her husband finds her, she is now Jarn, with a completely different personality and no recognition of her husband and daughter.In Plague of Memory, the medical expertise of Dr. Cherijo Torin is needed to stop a plague that is causing large numbers of the Hsktskt (a brutal race of reptilian slavers) population to suffer mental delusions resulting in violence to self and others. With the help of her husband, Duncan Reever, who is able to communicate and share memories with her telepathically, and her surrogate mother, Maggie, who imprints Cherijo’s memories in Jarn’s mind, Cherijo has now become an integrated Cherijo/Jarn which is a vast improvement over Jarn in the previous book. All in all, Plague of Memory was a fast-paced, entertaining story. I enjoyed revisiting some old favorites, particularly Squilyp, the Senior Healer and his mate, Garphawayn, who was more developed in this installment. I also enjoyed the developing friendship between Cherijo/Jarn’s daughter, Marel, and the son of Tss-Var, the new Hsktskt leader. I was sad that the story’s minor gay characters, Qonja and Hawk, were “repudiated” from the Jorenian clan because of its strict pro-natalist policies. I hope they fare better in the next book.
I started this book with a little trepidation as I so disliked the events in the last book which resulted in the 'new' Cherijo. I have to admit that I was not happy about the fact the Cherijo seemed to no longer exist and we had Jarn in her place. Fortunately Viehl's writing makes up for any unhappiness I have about the twist and I found this book a good read. I even have to admit that by midway through the book I was beginning to like Jarn a little more. The events of the book were as usual a quick paced, interesting story line. I very much look forward to seeing where Viehl plans to take the characters in her next book.
What do You think about Plague Of Memory (2007)?
I used to sneak the Stardoc series from my mom's bookcase when I was a kid and read them in the bathroom. Fighting! Space! Aliens! Yes, I was super cool in middle school, how did you guess? Anyway. I'm no longer twelve but revisiting Cherijo's world was a kick. Some thoughts: In the beginning of Plague of Memory I wanted to dropkick the overly meek Jarn, but as my own memories of Cherijo's characterization came back I came to embrace Jarn's imperfections. As Jarn she's flawed, but as Cherijo she's nearly insufferably Mary Sueish. But! I don't read space opera for the realism of its heroines, I read it for the sexy sexy action and jargon and high-stakes battles, and here, the book delivers. Yes, there are moments where it totally fails the "But why wouldn't they just [____]?" test, and yes, the pacing can be a bit jumpy, but it's sufficiently gripping that I didn't care overmuch. There's no way I'm going to reread the whole series, but I'll probably seek out the first installment to revisit. For old times' sake.
—Kate Sylvan
