Afterburn

by S.L. Viehl

Book Overview

After driving a mutual enemy across the border territories, the Allied League of Worlds gathers for a peace summit on K-2, the homeworld of the underwater dwelling 'Zangians. With the Bio Rescue team assigned to protect the delegates, Sub-Lieutenant Burn mu Znora's attention is placed on Liana, the daughter of one of the ambassadors, who possesses information vital to the fate of four worlds.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451461177
• ISBN13: 9780451461179
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Roc
• Length: 408 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Well-written, interesting and thoughtful

Having not read any other StarDoc novels, I can't say how this novel stacks up in the series. However, having said that, I would say this is an excellent novel - well-written, interesting and thoughtful. Ms. Viehl blends the fantastic elements of space with the down-to-earth aspects of reality. She has created alien characters that are essentially human, and as a reader, you begin to feel for these people - no matter how strange their physical characteristics may be to your own experiences. Additionally, each character is written in the best possible way to draw emotion from the reader. The villians are particularly loathsome; the heroes wonderfully heroic, yet with a touch of humanity. Her powers of description make you feel like you could close your eyes and see the worlds she's describing. Bravo, Ms. Viehl. Now, I need to go out and buy all the rest of her novels.

Another winner

Ok, I've got to say this right from the start: I loved this book, I love this series, and I think Ms. Viehl is a fantastic writer. Ever since I picked up the first book I read from this author, Blade Dancer (Excellent!!), I've been hooked. I am always so disappointed when I finish each novel as it means there's no more to read and I have to wait for the next installment. Ms. Viehl has such a rich imagination and a fertile writing style. If you're a fan of the sci-fi, space stories, this is a wonderful series to add to your collection. Give it a try and I think you'd be hard pressed to be disappointed. Please keep them coming Ms. Viehl!

Afterburn Ties alot of Things Together

I really liked that this book tied some ends together from the StarDoc series. It also finishes out "Biorescue" by continuing that story line. I had alot of trouble putting it down.

Sequel to Bio Rescue has more fuel than you think

Anyone familiar with S.L. Viehl's works will be happy to be returning to the planet K-2, and reacquainting themselves with the 'Zangians, the aquatic natives of K-2. While 'StarDoc' introduced us to K-2, 'Bio Rescue' was Viehl's first book to focus on the 'Zangians. 'Afterburn' is much more than a continuation of 'Bio Rescue', it's a stand alone story that brings back old friends and introduces us to some new ones. Byorn mu Znora, 'Burn' to his friends, is the best gunner in the Bio Rescue fleet, training to become a pilot. Burn is young, big, and often reckless, a perfect candidate to guard the Ylydii Ambassador and her daughter, Liana. The Ylydii are also aquatics, arriving at K-2 along for a Peace Summit with the 'Zangians, the Skartesh, and the people of Ninra. As Peace Summits go, this one has more than its share of problems, each race with their own ideas of what type of deal to strike. While the main plot revolves around the Summit, there are many intriguing subplots woven into the storyline, which Viehl will expertly tie together in the end. Returning are old friends Jadaira, Burn's cousin, and her mate Onkar, Administrator Ana Hansen and Dr. William Mayer, Major Shon Valtas from the Skartesh incident, Jadaira's 'Zangian father Dairatha and his human mate Dr. Teresa Selmar. I found myself particularly drawn to new character Emily Kim from Earth, who forms an unlikely alliance with Omorr pathologist Dr. Hkyrim. S.L. Viehl's ability to breathe life into this alien world and its alien life forms are what separates her work from the rest of the bunch and elevates it far above any genre restrictions. She is able to tell a humanitarian story using characters who are fully fleshed out and genuine, and paints the world of K-2 with such vivid colors that I wish I could purchase a one-way ticket there. I highly recommend this book, along with all of Viehl's other works. Enjoy!

Sequel to Bio Rescue

Jadaira "Dair" now looks different from her species. She is melded with DNA of 'Zangian and Terran. Her pilot mate, Onkar, still considers her to be his entire world though. Dair was one of the main characters in the previous book, "Bio Rescue". She has large secondary parts in this novel, but the multiple layered plot has several other main characters this time. Sublieutenant Byorn "Burn" mu Znora may be Jadaira's cousin, but she is his superior in rank and cuts him no slack. He wants to pilot Rescue Three of the 'Zangian SEALS, but his wishes must wait. Their planet, Kevarzangia Two "K-2", is hosting a Peace Summit between the races of Ninrana, Ylydii, and Skartesh. K-2 is home to multiple races of water breathers, as well as, air breathers. A few aquatics have been altered so they can breath air for several hours before needing to submerge back into water. The Peace Summit is causing Administrator Ana Hansen to guzzle down coffee as if it was water. By luck, her brand new assistant, Emily Kim, is a miracle and helps keep Ana sane and the work flowing smoothly. Emily's best friend is a male Omorr (insect-like race) named Hkyrim. Terran's have a bad reputation (due to the Terrans who spit on people they did not like). Therefore, Emily is shunned by most of the life forms living on K-2. A Terran and Omorr being friends has never happened before. Hkyrim works with the medical examiner, in the morgue. Unknown to Ana, this friendship makes Emily even more valuable to her department, as well as, to K-2. Some recent bodies from Ambassador Carada's ship seem to have died from poison. Hkyrim wishes to study the ship for traces, but the ME refused to approve it. Emily, as the Administer Assistant CAN give the warrant. Good thing too. The "virus" is special and attacks only certain types of beings. Not only is the Peace Summit in jeopardy, but all aquatic life on K-2. Meanwhile, the Mogshrikes in the water (they make our sharks look like kittens) are acting oddly. So is a hive of Barax on the land. All Hades is about to break loose. <P(...)