icrobiologist Irene Olsen is losing hope of ever finding the cure for a lethal virus that attacks one of every 200 adolescents. She is part of a scientific team searching all known planetary outposts for colonists whose genes don't carry the disease. Irene's determination to discover a remedy is fueled by the knowledge that her father developed the virus, which is now a part of the genetic code for humans on Earth.
The virus, developed to infect and destroy alien invaders, has unexpectedly turned on its human creators. Irene's 17-year-old nephew, Mark, who is slowly dying, volunteers to be the expedition's test carrier. When the crew lands on Navohar, they fear this colony will be dead--like the colonies already visited on 19 other planets. According to settlement logs, colonists on every world became causalities of alien bacteria.
It first appears that the Navohar settlers have met the same fate. A deserted town contains records indicating the population is slowly dying. But a contingent of healthy-looking colonists shows up, riding six-legged behemoth camel creatures, to welcome the crew to Navohar. The settlers seem friendly but avoid questions and refuse to give blood samples. The camels won't stay away from Mark, whose condition is rapidly deteriorating. The settlers promise more information later--but when morning comes, Mark, the colonists and the camels are missing.
Shades of Jules Verne
Newcomer Hilari Bell is an author with a bright imagination, an appreciation for adventure and a romantic heart. In other words, she's a great storyteller. Navohar's plot moves along at a good clip, but not so fast as to prevent readers from enjoying the scenery. That's good, because there are many natural wonders to observe on Navohar. As Irene searches the planet for her kidnapped nephew, she offers enthusiastic descriptions of the plants, animals and even weather. Sometimes it's almost like reading National Geographic. Faint memories of Jules Verne may drift across the reader's mind.
Botany, biology and geology are not this book's only strengths, however. Bell has created a heroine who could stand in for Indiana Jones: determined, dedicated and a bit pigheaded. Fiercely loyal to her beliefs and to those she loves, Irene approaches almost every situation with wide-eyed wonder and a conviction that good will prevail. Bell's characterization of the settlers is particularly strong. Their adaptation to the demands of a primitive planet offers insight into humanity's flexibility and creativity.
The story introduces a number of alien life forms, but the real attention-getters are the monster six-legged camels. Just as in a movie where the supporting cast overshadows the star, the humans have a hard time competing with these shaggy beasts. Most of the action takes place in a harsh desert environment, and the coexistence of camels and humans provides an opportunity to explore the concepts of trust, priorities, companionship and intelligence. This book may not appeal to hard science fiction fans, but those who enjoy mysteries and have a soft spot for a sentimental tale won't want to put it down.
