What do you think?
Rate this book
Stardoc #3
Endurance
After turning Colonel Shropana over to the brutal Hsktskt slave traders, Dr. Cherijo Torin, a genetically enhanced human, finds herself betrayed and a prisoner of the same slavers, where she must draw on all her skills and her training to save herself and her fellow slaves. Original.
407 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
23 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
S.L. Viehl
31 books225 followersAlso see Lynn Viehl, Gena Hale, Jessica Hall and Rebecca Kelly.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 25, 2011
Is it really too much to ask for a woman to be an adventurer, have a relationship with a man and not get knocked up? I know they exist!
March 19, 2011
3.5 stars. I read a review where the person said this book had to be endured which was apropos to the title of the book. I don't think the book was as bad as the reviewer thought but it was pretty close.
Cherijo is made a slave by the Hsktskt and is her usual big mouth self but x 10. Hmm, choice between being violently experimented on or say you like someone (even though the both of you know it's a lie). I'll pick the violent experiments please. She does this over and over again. Pride versus pain. For being such a superior specimen of humanity, she's very stupid. The ending was good but a little sappy. I'm planning on reading the rest of the series though because I was crazy about the first two books.
Cherijo is made a slave by the Hsktskt and is her usual big mouth self but x 10. Hmm, choice between being violently experimented on or say you like someone (even though the both of you know it's a lie). I'll pick the violent experiments please. She does this over and over again. Pride versus pain. For being such a superior specimen of humanity, she's very stupid. The ending was good but a little sappy. I'm planning on reading the rest of the series though because I was crazy about the first two books.
August 31, 2008
Another great book in the Stardoc series. First I have to say that I have really enjoyed this series so far. I love the characters and have enjoyed the storyline.
I do have a couple complaints about this particular book. My major complaint was that I found Cherijo's continuous 'escapes' and throwing herself right into danger again to be a bit much. The first few times okay, but then it just got to be a bit mundane --happening again and again.
I did guess who the traitor was fairly easily and I was certain of the twist with Reever long before it was revealed.
Those things being said I would still recommend this series of books to any sci-fi fans and intend to continue to read the series and in fact am looking forward to starting the next one soon!
I do have a couple complaints about this particular book. My major complaint was that I found Cherijo's continuous 'escapes' and throwing herself right into danger again to be a bit much. The first few times okay, but then it just got to be a bit mundane --happening again and again.
I did guess who the traitor was fairly easily and I was certain of the twist with Reever long before it was revealed.
Those things being said I would still recommend this series of books to any sci-fi fans and intend to continue to read the series and in fact am looking forward to starting the next one soon!
July 6, 2019
I was surprised that Cherijo spent nearly all of this book as a prisoner/slave. I really thought she'd get rescued pretty quick. And that she kept opening her mouth and sticking her foot into it. Plenty of action and great world-building, several escape attempts, more attempted rapes and some torture. And the way events wound up at the end? Yes a HFN but whaaat? I don't get the attraction to Reever at all.
I suppose the redeeming quality about Cherijo is that she does end up changing her mind about things and sometimes even apologizes for her actions. Most series end at this point (pregnant with the man of her dreams) but I still have 7 more books to read. Hard to imagine what will happen next.
I suppose the redeeming quality about Cherijo is that she does end up changing her mind about things and sometimes even apologizes for her actions. Most series end at this point (pregnant with the man of her dreams) but I still have 7 more books to read. Hard to imagine what will happen next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2012
Three stars for entertainment value. It was like that stupid movie you put on TV when you're bored and end up watching it anyway, and you have no idea why but you can't turn it off.
Cherijo is neat because I love me some good medical nonsense. However, the fact that she keeps getting married to random people in every book is really getting irritating. First we have Kao, then in the second book we have Reever (who I always thought was a creeper, and so I detested him from the start) and in this book we have and it makes me *headdesk*
I like the Jorenians, who of course were only in this book for like two seconds.
Will probably not be continuing the series, alas. Prefer Sector General for my medical scifi.
Cherijo is neat because I love me some good medical nonsense. However, the fact that she keeps getting married to random people in every book is really getting irritating. First we have Kao, then in the second book we have Reever (who I always thought was a creeper, and so I detested him from the start) and in this book we have and it makes me *headdesk*
I like the Jorenians, who of course were only in this book for like two seconds.
Will probably not be continuing the series, alas. Prefer Sector General for my medical scifi.
April 12, 2012
These books become tiresome quickly. This is the third book in the series and likely the last I will read. It's a shame really because these books could have been quite good. However the fatal flaw of these books is the characters. They behave in completely ridicules ways! The main character seems to be completely unable to control her emotions. This leads her and her friends (which are surprisingly easily made and unbelievably loyal right from the start) into unnecessary trouble. On top of that she always does the right thing ethically, in a way you would not expect a real human being to do in the kind of situation she manages to get herself in. Sometimes you just want a hero who is a bit of a bad boy/girl. If you find yourself agreeing with this than don't read this book.
February 28, 2013
S. L. Viehl has written an aptly named novel in Endurance. Even though this was nothing more than exercise material, my junk fiction, it was ridiculously tortuous. And it was torturous. The things that the lead character went through were unnecessarily tough on the reader. Viehl could have cut that book in half, probably even more.
As usual the main characters are two dimensional, the novel being nothing but action plot. And there are huge holes that are left unexplained. All the garbage that the main character endures is explained away in three pages at the end. Come on, give me a break!
I will start the next one in the series, but if it doesn't turn around, that will be it. Two stars, and that is generous.
As usual the main characters are two dimensional, the novel being nothing but action plot. And there are huge holes that are left unexplained. All the garbage that the main character endures is explained away in three pages at the end. Come on, give me a break!
I will start the next one in the series, but if it doesn't turn around, that will be it. Two stars, and that is generous.
November 2, 2016
The main character is not likeable and does not make sense. Here is someone who is not afraid to defend herself in earlier books who now is inclined to defend to her detriment and/or treat medically people who repeatedly tries to kill her. She is portrayed to be an extremely smart person, yet she continues to put herself in situations where she will be tortured even though she could avoid the torture.
September 14, 2013
I really wanted to like this series - a medical doctor in space, encountering all sorts of species, etc. sounded like it'd be engaging and fun. And the first one was. But the main character lacks depth and I can't stand Reever. The ongoing 'victim/martyr' portrayal grates on my nerves. I'll be looking for a different space series with a female lead -- this one doesn't do it for me.
August 15, 2025
Does the hypocratic oath apply to the lying cheating husbands? In Book 3, Cherie-jo doesnt let captivity cramp her style. She wants to save everyone, to treat slave or master alike. Husband? Well? One ordeal after another comes her way but this epic doesnt stop till we set off for the next. She proves herself as indomitable as before in a story populated by a wild assortment of patients that moves from one astonishing environment to another. Brilliant old school sci- fi.
May 6, 2021
I do like this series but I found this book incredibly predictable. It won’t stop me reading the rest and didn’t stop me enjoying this one, but I hope they are not all in the same vein. There is a lot of battles and backstabbing in this book to keep the romance being too much of an overpowering theme.
August 23, 2020
Endurance is the third book in the StarDoc series. In order to save the homeworld of her adopted people Cherijo was forced to make a terrible decision. She betrayed the League ships to the terrible Hsktskts, and they are all taken as slaves by the terrible race of lizard people, but in the process, she finds herself also betrayed by the man she cared for, Reever. A man who has even more secrets than she does. He is somehow human, but also one of the Hsktskt faction, and now she’s his slave.
Hated by her fellow slaves because of her betrayal, but useful because of her medical skills, she takes over the infirmary and does her best to help her fellow slaves, as well the Hsktskt when they need her. She adjusts to life as a slave, but never loses her stubborn nature no matter how many times they punish her.
And if she’s a slave to the Hsktskt at least Joseph Grey Veil can’t experiment on her. She even has some allies among the lizard people, but they seem to have an evil doctor just as bad as her father, and once he finds out about her super-fast healing and potential immortality she finds herself back in the position of being a lab rat.
This book has a ton of twists and turns and every time you think you know how things are going to turn out, you don’t. Through it all Cherijo remains true to herself, and the promises she made as a doctor. She will help even those who hate her, but she also doesn’t give in to her captors and if there’s a way to help free all the slaves she’ll be on board no matter how dangerous it is for her.
Her role as a doctor continues to take center stage with side plots involving romance and friendship and it’s all skillfully crafted to merge seamlessly.
Hated by her fellow slaves because of her betrayal, but useful because of her medical skills, she takes over the infirmary and does her best to help her fellow slaves, as well the Hsktskt when they need her. She adjusts to life as a slave, but never loses her stubborn nature no matter how many times they punish her.
And if she’s a slave to the Hsktskt at least Joseph Grey Veil can’t experiment on her. She even has some allies among the lizard people, but they seem to have an evil doctor just as bad as her father, and once he finds out about her super-fast healing and potential immortality she finds herself back in the position of being a lab rat.
This book has a ton of twists and turns and every time you think you know how things are going to turn out, you don’t. Through it all Cherijo remains true to herself, and the promises she made as a doctor. She will help even those who hate her, but she also doesn’t give in to her captors and if there’s a way to help free all the slaves she’ll be on board no matter how dangerous it is for her.
Her role as a doctor continues to take center stage with side plots involving romance and friendship and it’s all skillfully crafted to merge seamlessly.
January 16, 2015
I said it was 'okay' because the author can write correctly and most of the time with discipline. However, she overuses physical violence against the heroine, Cherijo, whose moral posturing and unintelligent defiance is usually the reason she is assaulted. Torture appears a default event throughout. Cherijo's skills as a doctor and surgeon are interesting, imaginative and she possesses a fanatic wish to fix her patients that does ring true. However Duncan Reever even in his redemptive revelation, is still one of the creepier 'heroes' I have yet met in print. I was much more taken with FurreVa, the female Hsktskt Overlord.
Elements of the plot felt contrived, especially when I hit the chapter of explanations and reconciliations at the end. There remained gaps, at least in my understanding, of causations. I would have found it fascinating if only the lumpy native life forms (pel) had remained hostile or indifferent rather than taking sides in the struggle. Why, by the way, are female/male relationships so similar to those of humankind? I would have appreciated a wider range of possibilities explored here, instead of our old usual dominance struggles with males having override power over everything.
I finished reading so that I could have a discussion with a friend about the novel, but I otherwise would probably have stopped about a quarter of the way through. I agree with said friend that a far more satisfying end would have been to keep the Hsktskt FurreVa alive and let her run away towards the edges of the universe with Cherijo to live happily ever after.
Elements of the plot felt contrived, especially when I hit the chapter of explanations and reconciliations at the end. There remained gaps, at least in my understanding, of causations. I would have found it fascinating if only the lumpy native life forms (pel) had remained hostile or indifferent rather than taking sides in the struggle. Why, by the way, are female/male relationships so similar to those of humankind? I would have appreciated a wider range of possibilities explored here, instead of our old usual dominance struggles with males having override power over everything.
I finished reading so that I could have a discussion with a friend about the novel, but I otherwise would probably have stopped about a quarter of the way through. I agree with said friend that a far more satisfying end would have been to keep the Hsktskt FurreVa alive and let her run away towards the edges of the universe with Cherijo to live happily ever after.
August 23, 2008
This was a overall an OK read for me, but I preferred book 1 out of all these so far and book 3 the least. The second half of the book was better than the first, but I don't understand why her friend Alunthri was added to the story. His being there seemed very forced in order to make Cherijo even angrier about her betrayal. I think her attitude of bullheaded defiance throughout the book, not really trusting or looking at things from other people's points of view was beginning to wear thin on me. Basically because she's brilliant she is always right (ha) - often naturally taking the role of a leader and hard to sway once her mind is made. It is even harder for others to get her to do what they say just to keep her alive. They are forced to great lengths to save her. I'd like to see how much her attitude changes in book 4. I hope she learns some lessons about trust instead of dragging out a tense situation. Meanwhile, one of the best parts of the book was when Cherijo goes deep into her subconscious, I think this is part of a much larger, very interesting story arc which I'd like to read more about.
More at my book blog (possible spoilers) http://janicu.livejournal.com/23799.html
More at my book blog (possible spoilers) http://janicu.livejournal.com/23799.html
May 25, 2015
One of the weaker books in the "Stardoc" series, 'Endurance' is where I got confounded and frustrated by Duncan, who is likely the most annoying telepath ever written. He's an emotional cripple, and somehow, he's the "hero" of this story - though he's repeatedly doing things to Cherijo (and allowing things to happen to Cherijo) that should leave her victimized and terrified. And, in a rather problematic move, this abusive jerk ends up in her heart. Uh-huh.
Looking past Duncan's activities (and it's hard for me to do so), there's some good story here, it's just too much to swallow that Cherijo falls for a guy who had her repeatedly assaulted, burned, and branded.
Looking past Duncan's activities (and it's hard for me to do so), there's some good story here, it's just too much to swallow that Cherijo falls for a guy who had her repeatedly assaulted, burned, and branded.
November 27, 2008
If I could give 1/2 stars, this would probably be a 3.5 book just because I am getting really tired of the plot revolving solely around just how much the author can torture the main character. I'm not a fan of books that torture main characters. Also, I've had to suspend disbelief way too many times for comfort.
July 4, 2011
i did hate everything our heroin Cherijo had to endure...oh wait i must had guess for the tittle...
it´s simply brilliant, loved the book. and the ending, i thought from time to time that it would leave me unsatisfied, but OMG it was beautifull.
it´s simply brilliant, loved the book. and the ending, i thought from time to time that it would leave me unsatisfied, but OMG it was beautifull.
May 16, 2019
Endurance (A Stardoc Novel)by S.L. Viehl
This is the third offering in the Stardoc Novels and would round out a nice trilogy for those who need to take a break in reading before venturing into the remaining seven. Personally I'd recommend the reader to read the forth book; because some of the major questions that have been lurking in the first three will finally be answered. But probably not all questions.
In the previous book Beyond Varallan our hero Cherijo is stuck between a rock and a hard place and decides the only way to get out of it is to use her connection to the Hsktskt-piratical slavers-to turn the table and pretty much send a whole fleet into slavery. This does not endear her to her own fellows and since she's discovered that almost everyone close to her has betrayed her she's at the furthest end of her rope, while trying to run the slaver's hospital and keep the slaves in good order so they can be sold out to slavery.
This is a novel that digs the furthest into that dark spot where I've defined her relationships as being Schizoid in nature. Despite the torture and near death experiences rife within the story there is still time for romance and Cherijo again finds herself torn between lovers and being pursued by more of those than she cares.
Once again the reader delves into the strange nature of the aliens within this series; but ever more strange is the man known as Reever who is the most perplexing of characters in the series. Yet more perplexing is that Cherijo has such a problem pulling herself away from this horrible person. Even though there might be some justification in Reever's attitude in this story there is a huge stretch of the reader's patience with Cherijo throughout the story. This all works out, somehow, but it becomes quite thin right up to the end.
Lots of surprises in this one and more back-story to take us to the forth novel
Great and Strange SFF for the Fans who like both the Star Wars and Star Trek fiction franchise that is out there. A bit of a stretch often for the purists in SF, but if you do give it a try, you need to read the first four almost as one book to get the full picture of things. Maybe even eventually understand how Cherijo can end up so messed up.
J.L. Dobias
This is the third offering in the Stardoc Novels and would round out a nice trilogy for those who need to take a break in reading before venturing into the remaining seven. Personally I'd recommend the reader to read the forth book; because some of the major questions that have been lurking in the first three will finally be answered. But probably not all questions.
In the previous book Beyond Varallan our hero Cherijo is stuck between a rock and a hard place and decides the only way to get out of it is to use her connection to the Hsktskt-piratical slavers-to turn the table and pretty much send a whole fleet into slavery. This does not endear her to her own fellows and since she's discovered that almost everyone close to her has betrayed her she's at the furthest end of her rope, while trying to run the slaver's hospital and keep the slaves in good order so they can be sold out to slavery.
This is a novel that digs the furthest into that dark spot where I've defined her relationships as being Schizoid in nature. Despite the torture and near death experiences rife within the story there is still time for romance and Cherijo again finds herself torn between lovers and being pursued by more of those than she cares.
Once again the reader delves into the strange nature of the aliens within this series; but ever more strange is the man known as Reever who is the most perplexing of characters in the series. Yet more perplexing is that Cherijo has such a problem pulling herself away from this horrible person. Even though there might be some justification in Reever's attitude in this story there is a huge stretch of the reader's patience with Cherijo throughout the story. This all works out, somehow, but it becomes quite thin right up to the end.
Lots of surprises in this one and more back-story to take us to the forth novel
Great and Strange SFF for the Fans who like both the Star Wars and Star Trek fiction franchise that is out there. A bit of a stretch often for the purists in SF, but if you do give it a try, you need to read the first four almost as one book to get the full picture of things. Maybe even eventually understand how Cherijo can end up so messed up.
J.L. Dobias
December 1, 2023
Three stars for entertainment value. It was like that stupid movie you put on TV when you're bored and end up watching it anyway, and you have no idea why but you can't turn it off.
Cherijo is neat because I love me some good medical nonsense. However, the fact that she keeps getting married to random people in every book is really getting irritating. First we have Kao, then in the second book we have Reever (who I always thought was a creeper, and so I detested him from the start) and in this book we have and it makes me *headdesk*
I like the Jorenians, who of course were only in this book for like two seconds.
Will probably not be continuing the series, alas. Prefer Sector General for my medical scifi.
Cherijo is neat because I love me some good medical nonsense. However, the fact that she keeps getting married to random people in every book is really getting irritating. First we have Kao, then in the second book we have Reever (who I always thought was a creeper, and so I detested him from the start) and in this book we have and it makes me *headdesk*
I like the Jorenians, who of course were only in this book for like two seconds.
Will probably not be continuing the series, alas. Prefer Sector General for my medical scifi.
July 22, 2019
TW: torture, lots of violence
[22 July 2019]
This series is frustrating. It's juvenile in some ways. All action, no analysis or philosophy. Mostly unbelievable. But it's addictive. Hard to put down. Probably not the kind of thing I'll read more than once, but it's fun. I know that sounds weird about a book full of torture, but of course, you know the main characters will all survive and prosper. And defeat the bad guys. Good mindless fare.
[22 July 2019]
This series is frustrating. It's juvenile in some ways. All action, no analysis or philosophy. Mostly unbelievable. But it's addictive. Hard to put down. Probably not the kind of thing I'll read more than once, but it's fun. I know that sounds weird about a book full of torture, but of course, you know the main characters will all survive and prosper. And defeat the bad guys. Good mindless fare.
December 27, 2021
I like this series for the worldbuilding, interesting aliens, and fantasy medicine, and I like the feisty heroine.
Unfortunately she spends most of this book being tortured, mostly at the hands of her true love, who remains emotionless, never explains anything, physically injures her while she screams, telepathically puppeteers her body, delivers her into various torturous situations, and threatens, "I'll get you pregnant" while doing much of the above. It's a rough read.
Unfortunately she spends most of this book being tortured, mostly at the hands of her true love, who remains emotionless, never explains anything, physically injures her while she screams, telepathically puppeteers her body, delivers her into various torturous situations, and threatens, "I'll get you pregnant" while doing much of the above. It's a rough read.
June 9, 2023
Another great Stardoc entry, but it was really rough! Because the setting is a slave outpost, there was a lot of violence and suffering, I had to take a break to read some lighter stuff in the middle! I love Cherijo and her determination to adhere to her oath, and also how convoluted the story was here. Even amongst an enemy and as a slave she still insisted on healing, regardless of who the patient was.
July 24, 2025
I love this series as it keeps me on my toes and I get to meet a whole slew of aliens to love and hate! In this book I hate what Doc has to go through with her husband and it was hard for me to pick up again.
September 20, 2018
Enjoyable, got emotional whiplash hating then loving then hating repeatedly.
February 26, 2019
No matter what Reever does, he is a despicable character. He is not interesting enough to warrant being kept around.
July 29, 2023
Alright, I've read three of these now and this is my stopping point because I was really hoping that the relationship would develop and it doesn't really, or it does offscreen w/ some shenanigans.
January 19, 2025
Scrapes a four. Very violent and the end was confusing but I still want to know what happens next.
October 11, 2010
Endurance was a good name. Both Cherijo and the reader go though a lot with this one. Slavery isn't supposed to be fun, right? But our Joey sure did everything possible to make it worse. Her stubbornness and delusions of grandeur (she can't abandon anyone to torture, as though somehow she could stop it) are annoying, but overall she's still an OK character (if she'd stop forgetting about her cat!). The story, while very dark, was still very readable. But the romance continues to be very poorly done, not at all convincing. Which is pretty odd since the author has a very successful paranormal romance series under one of her other pen names. She just doesn't devote the time to developing the romance, but the reader is expected to go along with the sentiment. Still, it's a solid adventure and I'm looking forward to the next book.
August 10, 2022
Trigger alert! There is a huge amount of torture in this book.
Although I like this series, I do not like this book and will probably skip it the next time I read the series. I found Cherijo, the main character, to be obnoxious. She continued to make really stupid decisions, never learning from her mistakes. She was completely unlikeable through most of the book. Duncan Reever, the other main character, wasn't much better. A tiny bit of communication and being reasonable on either of their parts would have solved many problems and been far more believable. I recognize the author was trying to maintain tension between them, but it was ridiculous.
On the positive side, the world building is good and the author does a fair job developing the characters, considering how many there are. There were no grammatical mistakes.
Although I like this series, I do not like this book and will probably skip it the next time I read the series. I found Cherijo, the main character, to be obnoxious. She continued to make really stupid decisions, never learning from her mistakes. She was completely unlikeable through most of the book. Duncan Reever, the other main character, wasn't much better. A tiny bit of communication and being reasonable on either of their parts would have solved many problems and been far more believable. I recognize the author was trying to maintain tension between them, but it was ridiculous.
On the positive side, the world building is good and the author does a fair job developing the characters, considering how many there are. There were no grammatical mistakes.
April 22, 2011
This book isn't bad, it's just nowhere near as good as the first two (which were sufficient, but not extraordinary). The plot was pretty decent ('it sucks to be a slave on a slave planet waiting to be sold, especially if one of the guys in charge has it in for you').
However, there's too much explicitly described sex and too much explicitly described cruelty - and none of it is necessary to the plot. It felt like the author added those portions because she wanted the chance to write some sordid scenes, not because they did anything for the book.
I would heartily recommend that anyone reading this series consider skipping this book and moving on to the next. I'll let you know if that one improves the trend...
However, there's too much explicitly described sex and too much explicitly described cruelty - and none of it is necessary to the plot. It felt like the author added those portions because she wanted the chance to write some sordid scenes, not because they did anything for the book.
I would heartily recommend that anyone reading this series consider skipping this book and moving on to the next. I'll let you know if that one improves the trend...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews