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John Peel's Doctor Who novels are always well worded and satisfying. They also have something not many newer Doctor Who writers are able to achieve: charm. This book is fun, this book is clever, and the Daleks actually do what they're supposed to do - they're nasty, they're ruthless, and they're realized as the great Doctor Who villains they are. Superb!
I think John Peel gets a bad rap because he writes traditional Doctor Who stories, even some in the Target range. This book should be judged by its own merits, which are many, not by repute. If you enjoy a good, old-fashioned romp with old friends, old enemies and a solid storyline, read this book.
| What: | The Infinity Doctors (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Merlin, England |
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| Date: | Monday 19 September 2005 |
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| Rating: |   8 |
After reading this book I thought it was well written. But I was a bit puzzled of what incarnation of the Doctor this was. My first suggestion was that this was a younger version of the first Doctor. But after reading a site listing the Doctor's life I discovered that the Doctor had a previous 13 lives and that this novel takes place in that time. I may be completely wrong though. And this book may take place in an alternate timeline. What do you think.
| What: | Beltempest (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Sarah Fiden, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA |
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| Date: | Monday 19 September 2005 |
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| Rating: | 1 |
I kept reading in homes that this book would get better. I was sorely disappointed.
It started off strong, but the author's writing style made it extremely difficult to follow. I'm still not entirely sure what *happened.*
It wouldn't have been so bad if the author didn't spend so much time going off on these crazy metaphorical philosophical rants.
| What: | Blue Box (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Rachel, Sydney, Australia |
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| Date: | Friday 16 September 2005 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Kate Orman just gets better and better. This offering gives at different twist - seeing through the eyes of someone who doesn't know about the TARDIS, Timelords, that the Doctor is an alien. It isn't easy to remember that any given character, even the companions do NOT know the Doctor's full history. This is the sort of book I can imagine Companions such as Ian & Barbara, Victoria and others picking up, reading, and thinking "Naaah... can't be Him...."
Finally got around to reading the second of the new Doctor books and all I have to say is that it was OK. The book seemed to drag in some parts and the ending just sort of happened, nothing too exciting in the resolution to the problem. I do have to say that the new books do capture the chemistry of the Doctor and Rose from the screen that brings some redemption to the weak story line.
Dalek history rewritten aside this was a good book. Sam's character development seems to be hitting a glitch - her jealous streak when the Doctor even talks to another woman will soon get irritating if its not developed. The end of Davros - I doubt it. Left it wide open for a come back. The humour starting to be injected in these novels is good, especially in this case the references to Star Trek's bridge. One of the best so far in the 8th Doctore series
| What: | Genocide (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Jonny Jupiter, Hertfordshire, UK |
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| Date: | Saturday 10 September 2005 |
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| Rating: | 4 |
Absolute rubbish. Bland villans bland story bland ending. I was really looking forward to the inclusion of Jo Grant but in the end was left feeling we didnt really know what happened to her. There should have been far more interaction with the Doctor. Unless you are reading the 8th Doc's books in order steer well clear of this one
A great story. Very Bakeresque. The Rising Damp joke was good. Worth reading.
Now this is a bit more like it. Some funny moments and the start of the proper development of the characters. Post buffy its probably difficult for the writers to come up with ideas that are not cliche ridden but it was good fun. I found myself warming to this Doctor even though he has only had one screen outing.The Sam overprotectiveness is probably an arc that will be developed in future books but we all know it wont go anywhere. Grace's kiss in the movie was about as far as the Doc has ever got. Better things will no doubt be ahead but this was a very good start
| What: | Walking to Babylon (Bernice Summerfield audios) |
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| By: | Phil Ince, Cheri Cola's sternum |
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| Date: | Thursday 8 September 2005 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
What else is there to be said?
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 | Not really resolving anything |
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| What: | The Ancestor Cell (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Merlin, England |
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| Date: | Tuesday 6 September 2005 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
An ok book id say altogether, but i wish theyd sorted out the false regenration thing in interference. And the destruction of Gallifrey doesnt connect with the new Tv series in any way.
Acording to the ninth Doctor there was suppose to be another time war with the daleks. In the gallifrey chronicles the Doctor had the power to restore Gallifrey so it kinda ties in but i think this novel should have been written with a diffrent plot.
| What: | Fear Itself (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Joe Ford, Eastbourne |
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| Date: | Tuesday 6 September 2005 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
After a run of unmemorable books at the begining of the year BBC books have found their stride again and no-where is this more apparent than with Fear Itself, the first book to be written by a newbie in yonks. And it shows! This is wonderfully atmospheric, tense and frightening and probes the fantastic EDA combination of the Eighth Docor, Fitz and Anji is some very surprising ways. The novels is well constructed and hits the reader with a great number of twists that manage to SHOCK as they should. Add to this mix an engaging prose style, some briliantly done characters and a superb cover from Black Sheep and you have a sophisticated chiller that should please even the most avid EDA hater. I loved it.
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| A book you will never forget. |
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| What: | Only Human (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Joe Ford, Eastbourne |
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| Date: | Tuesday 6 September 2005 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Gareth Roberts is back and wittier than ever! He alwasy was a confident writer but here his work shines with total exhuberence! He nails the three regulars perfectly and makes some fantastic observations on todays society, he manages to include romance, scares, brilliant ideas and some surprisingly risque moments ALL within the spanking new NDA formula. Fantastic!
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| One of the greatest Doctor Who stories |
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| What: | The Horns of Nimon (BBC classic series videos) |
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| By: | Glyn, Isle of Wight |
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| Date: | Thursday 1 September 2005 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This story rocks!!!
I know why some people think it's one of the worst. The Bloodknock SFX, the Nimon heads, the overacting... but it all comes together to create a fantastic story. And it's got the lovely Janet Ellis in too!
| What: | Terror Firma (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Herb Romansa, Iraqi Free State - God Bless America |
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| Date: | Tuesday 30 August 2005 |
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| Rating: | 2 |
Why would you go to the trouble of ending a story arc planned to take several years because new fans brought to the audios by the Eccleston series on the telly might find it alienating and then make your first release in this new, cleansed 8th Doctor series such a piece of fanwank? Why would you do that?
I think the fact that the third Doctor regenerated at the end of the book is stupid because he is suppose to regenrate at the end of planet of the spiders.
I have never been able to warm to Justin Richard's writing, and the only Andy Lane novel I've found engaging was his collaboration with the wonderful Jim Mortimore on "Lucifer Rising", so I was prepared for "The Banquo Legacy" to leave me cold. I was surprised and delighted (sorry, was channelling JN-T there) to find that the opening few chapters of this book are rather marvellous. There is atmosphere, pace, and intrigue. And then...it suddenly all falls apart. It becomes dull, pedestrian, and fails to hold interest once the first death has taken place, withering into a hideously padded Agatha Christie-esque plodder for the central chunk of the book, only to recover slightly towards the end. The characters are lifeless during this section, and as The Doctor and Fitz are very much in the background, it does become very difficult indeed to sustain any kind of interest in what is going on (or not going on, to be more accurate). Endless meandering conversations that do nothing to move things forward, and a plot that fails to ignite mean that The Banquo Legacy sees a huge falling off in quality once you're past the first 50 or so pages. Approach with caution.
| What: | Blue Box (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Matt Bennett, Cardiff |
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| Date: | Thursday 25 August 2005 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I've been trying to put my finger on what it is that makes Kate Orman's novels so bloody good. The writing is crisp, the characterisation is always of a high standard, and the ideas are large and well developed. These things can be found in other DW authors works though. What separates Kate Orman is that her books have a real clarity to them, they're beautifully structured. Blue Box is a success on many levels; it's depiction of the Sixth Doctor and Peri, it's choice of location, it's supporting characters, and it's strong plot. I really don't think Kate Orman is capable of producing a novel that is anything less than engaging.
An absolute joy to read, from start to finish. All the regulars are wonderful here, as are all the supporting characters. Witty, summery, and charming, The Also People is one of the very best NAs.
This first offering from Kate Orman is a truly superior piece of work. The dialogue, plot, and prose are all spot on, and guide one easily though a story that could have been off-puttingly complicated in lesser hands. It's often been said that Orman's Doctor Who novels are built around the emotional response of the main characters to their situation, rather than merely detailing plot, and this is certainly true here. The Doctor in particular is put through the wringer. This is an astonishing book, and I can't priase it enough.
