The Clinic

Tristaine #1

by Cate Culpepper

Brenna has achieved the most prestigious assignment a City medic could hope for -- working with the renowned scientist Caster in The Clinic's top-secret Military Research Unit. That her new duties include monitoring the health of tortured political prisoners shouldn't faze Brenna -- such humanistic concerns have long been dismissed by an oppressive City Government. But Brenna finds herself deeply conflicted by her first patient, Jesstin, a wild and rebellious warrior reputed to be descended from ancient Amazons. As Caster's interrogations grow increasingly more brutal, Brenna fears for Jess's survival and struggles with her own deepening bond with her patient. Through Jess, she learns of another way of life in the Amazon village of Tristaine, where freedom and passion are prized more highly than political power. Before long, Brenna's heart leads her into a fight for her life.

Genres: Fantasy, Lesbian, LGBT, Science Fiction, Queer, Romance, Lesbian Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2001

About the author

Cate Culpepper grew up in southern New Mexico, where she served as the state lesbian, before moving to the Pacific Northwest twenty-five years ago. She has won one Lambda Literary Society Award, three Golden Crown Literary Society Awards, one Lesbian Fiction Readers' Choice Award, and an Alice B. Toklas Award for her body of work.

Reviews

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yea this is about as uber X/G as it gets. Right, so Jess is locked up in a 'City' prison and soon gets transferred to a medical treatment (torture) facility for rehabilitation (experimentation). She's our tall warrior with dark hair and blue eyes :) Then we have Brenna. She's a caregiver/nurse and our blonde with green eyes. You see where this is going right. Yea, like I said, deliciously uber.

For now at least in this very dystopian and really odd mix of old and new first book, it seems the 'City' and the tribal (Amazon) Tristaine can't seem to get along. And there's some flexing of, and I'm quoting here, "macha Amazon butchness..."

The Amazon sisterhood is touching really the further in on this and it's a really well rounded book. If it were a first timer I'd be clamoring for book 2, but the late Cate has given us 4 in this series so I'm going to just go ahead and dive into it cause the ending of this one was like, wait, what? It's ending? Double checking progress bar... Ugh... Fiiiiiiine... lol

RIP Cate. And thanks.

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled a lot with this one. Not only is it a highly confronting in storyline - because it deals with the imprisonment and torture of a woman by government entities who are cruelly abusing and testing this 'Amazon' Woman. (For reasons still unknown!) But the romance itself, between the captured woman and her medical overseer, was very uncomfortable!

I just did not understand the bizarre and sudden "bursts of arousal" the tortured and captive Jesstin would have for her medic, Brenna. Brenna in return was a complicated soul, dealing with alcoholism, and knowing in her gut these government sanctioned tortures were inhumane, but conflicted. But we never got more beyond those basics.

Supposedly Brenna is finding herself drawn to Jesstin. But I could never really believe it. It felt far too forced and the constant mentions of nipples erecting to touches and arousals flaring, even after severe physical harm, in medical and healing context - was not believable let alone understandable for me to swallow as realistic or healthy in any way.

It also did that thing I cannot stand, where lovers have sex soon after massive physical trauma, while on the run... It just made me groan and be like "Really?".... I felt my own interest waning more and more... I couldn't care. There was no substance other than the threats of violence here. Which still confuse me!!

It's a shame, because I do really like the premise, but the execution overall left a heck of a LOT to be desired. I wanted more information about this world, in it's entirety. Not a lot of detail here was ever given. I wanted our supposed lovers to actually get to know eachother beyond bullshit superficialities and healing horniness. Actually talk and discuss things, to get to know one another - enabling us to get to know each character as well.

So many missed details and unfilled plots left me desperately wanting so much more. I can't imagine I will bother with the rest of the series.

[Nicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been on a binge of acquiring lesbian fantasy lately, and this came enthusiastically recommended. It's okay -- I finished it, and there were some powerful scenes. But I didn't feel like I knew enough of the whys and wherefores of the world to get involved in it. The characters could've been interesting -- Bren with her moral dilemmas, her alcoholism, mostly. But I didn't really feel it: for a medic like she's supposed to be, I'd need a lot more background to believe she'd do what she does here in the first place. If I'd had that, she would've felt more three dimensional and compelling.

Not sure if I'll read the other books. I do wonder if they get better, but I wouldn't pick them up if I wasn't actively looking to read more lesbian lit.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh dystopia read for me. Maybe the rest of the series improves the world building, but I am not rushing out to read the sequels.

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok story, but it still has remnants of its XWP fan-fic roots, to my ear anyway. I think the original uber FF is still available somewhere online. That's not a bad thing, but it could be elevated beyond that with a slightly different writing style. It feels like the author hasn't had time yet to find their own voice when this was written. So this would appeal to XWP fans (just as well I am one). It was relatively fast paced with plenty of action, but it assumed the reader knew quite a bit about Amazons before starting to read (the hang over from the fan-fic). The intimate scenes were not quite as cliched as I thought they were going to be, however the seemingly indestructible word 'bud' raised its ugly head. I would read more in this series because it was quick and a bit of fun.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. The cover to this book is what caught my eye. It’s just…*chef’s kiss*. Early 2000s cheese and I love it. Also, if I hadn’t already known going in that this is Uber Xena I still would’ve figured that out all on my own. It just has that vibe to it and I ain’t mad at it.

Anyway, this was a solid read. It has an interesting premise and I liked the main characters Brenna and Jesstin. They both had a lot of layers to them and I like their chemistry though the romance does move really quickly. I will say that this is getting three stars because the world building is befuddling and I couldn’t really get a grasp on how this world and society worked. I see the next three books have much better ratings so I assume that this get fleshed out the further the series goes on. I will definitely be continuing on because this has a lot of potential.

[liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The dystopian-doctors-as-torturers idea was halfway interesting but ultimately wasn't very believable. Has the same flaws as every lesbian fantasy novel, the protagonists are married by the end after having known each other for a week.

[Vervada · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting premise, which captured my attention from the moment I read the book's description. I liked the characters and the plot, but it did feel like this was more of an introduction to the actual story, which is why I didn't give the book 5 stars. But I have a feeling that the sequels will be even better and I am excited to read them.

[Salma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it was fine, taken for what it was and nothing more. Clumsy for sure, but I did appreciate the clear yearning for lesbian sisterhood and this utopian vision of a free life.

[Subira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new obsession.

[Clo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is good : a dystopian background which leads to strong and free-spirited characters.

However the action is predictable and the love story a good old cliché. I, personally, am not a fan of of torture / cruel scenes, and half of the book was about that. The story really begins when characters are able to act and not just endure.

I would recommend it even if it was a bit plain.

[MJSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read Culpepper's standalone novels (Fireside, River Walker and Question of Ghost) and enjoyed them all, so I thought I'd give the Tristaine series a go. The Clinic is a good jumping off point, although I'm not fond of war type settings (which is what the Clinic setting feels like) and the POW type testing done on Jess took up a bit too much of the book for me. The story really picks up once she and Brenna leave the clinic and we meet up with the Tristaine women. I loved all of the Tristaine characters, the connection between Brenna and Jess seemed fairly organic under the circumstances, but I found both 'love scenes' to be lacking any real emotional connection. Also Brenna's visions are touched on, but this doesn't really go anywhere. I'm sure this will be fleshed out in the other books but I still found the ending a bit abrupt.

The Clinic as a standalone wouldn't be my favourite Culpepper story but it's still a good solid start to a series and I look forward to reading the others.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this trip down memory lane with the Tristaine series. It’s still just as great as I remember it being the first time I read they books years ago. I love and miss all adventure, community, and love between the sisters with in its pages. Jesstin, Brenna, and the other Amazons will forever hold a special place in my heart. Cate Culpepper is truly missed.


In book one Jesstin has been captured after her best friend Dyan and young Lauren were gunned down by the military. Jesstin is brought to the clinic to be experimented on by the wicked Caster. Brenna is Casters assistant. Jess intrigues Bren and Caster demands Bren to do immoral things to Jess that tear Bren up inside. Jess and Bren end up falling in love and when the time comes for Jess, and the two young Amazons Camryn and Kyla who tried to rescue Jess before, to escape back to Tristaine Bren decides to go with them. It’s a hard trek through the mountain side with injured sisters. Caster isn’t about to just let them go. I love the adventure and love story with in.

[D. Omars · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. The action was interesting, with fights in an arena like in ancient times. The suspense was good, expecting problem anytime. The drama was very little to me, only in a family moment. The romance was good with some 'scenes' near the end of the book. The only problem that I had with this book, is that it was short. The shortes story that I have ever read. Also, is one of those books where a big society is trying to take over a small one. The story was good, but it was short and expected. I hope there's some improvement in the sequels.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it 3.5 if I could. If it was longer and had resolution within this book, I probably would have gone 4. I did enjoy it a lot though. I don't know, Maybe I'll bump it to 4. No, gonna keep it at 3. There just wasn't enough meat, I think, to rate a 4. Now that you've gone along on that trip with me, I did write a full review at my site. http://reviews.c-spot.net/archives/4251

I think it's a good solid 3.5ish.

[Emalee · Rating 2 out of 5]

My friend let me borrow this book, also along the veins of lesbian sci-fi which I have a soft spot in my heart for. I am afraid it was disappointing. The truth was that it was not a very creative story in plot or details. It also was not very hot. Looking for more!

[Jayne · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise is not bad but the story felt very sloppy.

I really hate it when there's a fight scene and the underdog gets the upperhand, but for no reason at all doesn't kill the protagonist. If you are going to write the scenes, do it properly.

[Natsu · Rating 4 out of 5]

a wee bit under 4 stars, maybe 3.5ish.... I just feel like I was put smack into the middle of the story when I started. Some parts of it doesn't feel organised. I don't know... Maybe I'll continue the series some other time.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of The Very Best Novels I Have Read!
Psychological Thriller With A Twist. One of my all time top ten Favorites!

[Ulla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading it yesterday and have decided to buy the other books in the series too!

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this book when I read it. It ending without a true resolution but continued quite nicely into the next three books.

[Ezra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars