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 | If only seasons 22/23 were this good! |
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| What: | Killing Ground (Missing Adventures novels) |
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| By: | PJ Johnson, Hoddesdon, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 16 November 2004 |
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| Rating: |  10 |
'Killing Ground' is a thoroughly gripping, moving, thrilling and at times disturbing book, instantly recognisable as Doctor Who but at the same time dealing with far more adult issues than the television series and indeed most Doctor Who books have ever done.
The story revolves around the Earth colony Agora (new companion Grant’s homeworld), which for the past fifteen years has been ruled by the Overseers, a violent, fascist police force commanded by the sadistic Madrox. The Overseers monitor the population of Agora whilst preparing five hundred prime specimens for conversion, to be delivered every three years to their masters - the Cybermen. In order to defend Agora from the invaders, a rebel group lead by the ambitious but arrogant Henneker create 'bronze knights' - human volunteers converted into cyborgs much like the Cybermen, exept supposedly with their minds left fully intact. Henneker is convinced his creations will defeat the Cybermen and free Agora, but will his 'solution' prove more dangerous than the invaders themselves?
Steve Lyons’ use of Cyber conversion as a key element in his story is an obvious nod to the 1968 TV story 'The Tomb of the Cybermen', considered by many fans to be an all-time classic story. The central theme of 'Killing Ground' questions how the human brain survives the conversion process, and to what extent the person's memories, beliefs and ideals remain intact. This idea is superbly handled and at times very thought-provoking, particularly when Lyons draws parallels between the actions of the tyrannical Cybermen and Agora's 'saviours' the Bronze Knights.
One of Killing Ground's strongest points is its wonderful characterisation - every character, from the excellently portrayed sixth Doctor to the most inconsequential guard, is handled with such care and attention to detail that a separate book could easily be written about each and every one of them. The sixth Doctor in particular is compelling, and I found myself wishing that Colin Baker's Doctor had been so well written for during his unfortunate two years on the show. The relationship between the Doctor and his new assistant Grant is also developed very well, as is Grant’s character and tragic background.
One example of Lyons’ extraordinary attention to detail that is particularly worthy of mention is his obvious reference to the 1975 TV story ‘Revenge of the Cybermen’, in which the Cyberleader is at one point seen strutting around with his hands on his hips – typically human behaviour. This has always been considered by eagled-eyed fans and critics as being an unfortunate lapse by the story’s director, but not only does Lyons describe his Cyberleader behaving in exactly the same manner, he also has the Doctor draw attention to it, mocking his enemy in an incredibly rewarding moment for die-hard fans.
Few books (and even fewer Doctor Who books) can match Killing Ground for its dark, gripping and thought-provoking plot, thrilling action sequences, heart-wrenching moments, truly likeable and sympathetic heroes, despicable villains and tragic antiheroes. This book has so much to offer both dedicated Doctor Who fans and newcomers alike, it really is a must-read – I intend to purchase another copy very soon as my existing copy is falling apart from being read cover to cover more times than I can remember!
Peter Davidson's stories seem to get better and better. This is a very good story with a foe who would be the envy of the Toy Maker.
More please
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| Patrick Troughton look alike |
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This could have been filmed in blakc and white with Patrick and Jamie. Hex's intro is convincing and what you would expect from a good Doctor Who TV yarn.
The intro of the badies was I must say a suprise and handled very well. I would have given a 10 but the defeat of the enemy was a little to quick.
Overall "excellent"
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| Go to the top of the class |
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| What: | The Day of the Daleks (BBC classic series videos) |
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| By: | Mark Wallace, England |
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| Date: | Sunday 14 November 2004 |
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| Rating: |  8 |
What can be said of Day of the Daleks that hasn't been said already. With a cracking script
and some good location work this story zips along at a fair pace,it loses it somewhat in the middle of the story arc but manages to redeem itself once the action begins. The only downside
to this story are the Daleks,who seem to be
irrelevant to this story;in fact you could slot
in any of the Doctors foes. Otherwise it's a good story that could have been better with a bit
more thought and inventivness.
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| Patrick Troughton in America Doctor Who |
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| What: | Patrick Troughton in America (Miscellaneous video interviews / documentaries) |
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| By: | OstiaAntica, South East England |
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| Date: | Saturday 30 October 2004 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
This is a must have for any fan of the 2nd Doctor played by Patrick Troughton. This DVD gives the viewer a different perspective on this actor and how he loved Doctor Who and his contribution to the series. In the USA he was better able to show his fondness for the series and promote this however in England there was a need to avoid been always linked to the series. He talks about been a character actor and the need to be able to switch between characters. I can't describe it properly - listen to his reasons in his own words. If you too have enjoyed the 2nd Doctors era and his work both in and out of the Doctor Who series then you must get this DVD. I really was pleasently surprised by this DVD. Get it now!
| What: | Decalog 2: Lost Property (Decalog short story collections) |
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| By: | Mrs Stott, Cedric House |
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| Date: | Wednesday 27 October 2004 |
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| Rating: | 1 |
Utter Crap the stories were all samey same
| What: | Warmonger (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | wow, london |
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| Date: | Wednesday 13 October 2004 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I loved this book ! it runs smoothly and both grips and entertains . Terrence dicks has probably wrote the book of his life here . I like the way the sontarans , cybermen , draconians and ogrons work together to fight for a cause , something the real series would never have done . The shock inclusion of SOMEONE is great and only adds to the excitement .
| What: | Matrix (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | wow, london |
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| Date: | Wednesday 13 October 2004 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Robert perry and mike tucker have written a fantastic book , I won't spoil it for you but I will simply tell you it is a must read for every fan of exciting and dark scary doctor who stories.The writng is descrptive , gripping and explosive . It features a great villan ( a must for doctor who ). It has the 7th doctor and ace down perfectly . Its marvellosly macabre feeling ensures that you will not be able to put this book down . Is it getting chilly in here .
| What: | Timewyrm: Revelation (New Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Liz, Cambridge, England. |
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| Date: | Tuesday 12 October 2004 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
I read this novel several years ago and still vividly remember the plot. Some of the scenes (a quiet English village on the moon; the literal dance with death and Christmas in a psychic church) are just unforgettable. Weird, surreal, haunting ... I highly recommend it!
This has to be my favortie big finish release. A great ghost story told with a doctor who twist. Great performances from the cast had me hooked from beginning to end.
This is the first Big Finish full length Bernice novel that I have read, and it far exceeded my expectations. The somewhat brief page count of this book ensures that the pace is unrelenting, with action and plot developments coming thick and fast. The plot can best be described as a cross between Jurassic Park and The Matrix - the robot ecosystem is well thought and presented in a way that actually makes it seem quite probable! As an ecologist, there is little I can find in here that contradicts established theories on evolution and ecosystem dynamics. Although the twist about the origins of the robots is signposted from the first chapter, it is what the hunters intend to do with them that provides the surprises. The issues that are raised here are actually very topical: the release of technology into the environment is something that many are concerned with today with the cultivation of GM crops. Although GM crops may differ significantly from the robots here, the devastation that they can potentially cause is not too dissimilar. (OK, I'm rambling here!)
The only disappointing aspect for me was that this novel has only the barest continuity with 'Life During Wartime': does it really make sense that after being separated from Peter for months, Bernice would just go on holiday straight away claiming to need a break from her son?!
Oh, and bonus points for the Posh Spice reference, had me laughing!
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| It was your fault, no it was your fault! |
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Overall, I enjoyed this book. There was some good interplay (ok arguing!) between the characters and the tension and mystery of the the situation came across very well.
The only slightly dissapointing thing was that I thought the reason for the cause of all the trouble was a bit lame.
It was a most pleasurable time seeing Zoe again. I first watched her has a child and seeing her in the interview bought back fond memories of sitting in front of the TV with my friends in germany watching Doctor Who on the bbc network. It was will done and I highly recommend this interview to anyone.
Reminiscent of The Chase with the Doctor travelling to different planets with one goal in mind. To me, it seemed as if this was written just to visit different settings. I felt that this was loosely done and the story was driven at a very slow pace.
The only thing it seemed to hold things together was unexpectedly Trix. We got a bit of insight finally into her past and I look forward to finally finding out what she is all about.
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| Nothing at the end of the Lane |
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Having seen this book highly recommended in a number of places, I came
to it with high hopes despite finding the 2 subsequent Justin Richards'
books - The Burning and Sometime Never - truly dire. I'd assumed - where only hope was appropriate - that
having two typists on the job might mean both a dilution of any
respective shortcomings and perhaps an enhancement of each's strengths.
I have been really astonished therefore to find this co-written book
near enough indistinguishable from the turgid, awkward, semi-literate
droolings which Richards essayed after it.
Though read out of sequence, for the third JR / 8DA in a row I find a
Richards book substantially occupied by a slow chase - here by a corpse,
in The Burning by a fiery corpse, in Sometime Never by a skeleton. As
in Sometime Never and as is repeated in this book, the chase occurs
"at the pace of chilled treacle".
It may be that The Banquo Legacy has other intentions that to fill its
pages with type, but what these are escapes me; of entertainment there
is precious little; of characterisation little mor;, event? - almost
none at all. This is a baffling, dismal book which perhaps attempts -
through a pair of 1st person narrators, neither of which is a 'regular' -
to make unfamiliar characters yield a fresh perspective. It doesn't
really succeed. The 2 men - a police inspector and one of his
suspects - are really no more throughly differentiated than the pages of
paper they appear on. Different? Literally, yes. But distinct? Not
in the least. For example, both describe the hair and eye colour, the cloth and
cut of other characters' clothes. To have one of these young /
middle-aged, Victorian men do this would have been stretching it but might
suggest a certain aesthetic sense. This sensitivity therefore might have
been developed as a means of distinction. But because both demonstrate the same sensibility and style of observation, the purpose is loudly obscure.
There is an effective sequence of subsequent chapters where the two men give their accounts of one another during the Inspector's interview of his suspect. The policeman interpets the manner and behaviour he observes as aloof where the man he is questioning is actually terrified and - equally - interpets his inquisitor as having the upper hand. Neither before or after these passages is anything substantial or more than utilitarianly purposeful made of the alternating accounts and perspective. But credit where it's due.
This, again, is a vastly over-rated book - sluggish, repetitive and far from self-explanatory (why does the super-human corpse revive and why is it superhuman?).
Approach with caution.
| What: | The Infinity Race (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Piers, Lancashire, UK |
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| Date: | Thursday 30 September 2004 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
After the heavy going of some of the recent novels, I was glad this was going to be more of a lightweight story. This novel is easy to read, but my main problem with it was it's narrative style. The majority of the story is portrayed from the viewpoints of the various characters, and this style just gets tedious. At some points you will be wondering 'which character am I now?'. This is a shame because underneath the annoying writing is quite a good story. The Warlocks and their planet Demigest are great creations, as are the natives of Selonart. Another let-down is that various plot points that are raised are never really resolved: why is there a sea-monster in the ocean; who really built the city and for what purpose? These things are alluded to but never given a satisfactory conclusion.
There is also an annoying glitch with the continuity of this range: in the last novel Anji had discovered that the TARDIS was her true home, but here she is wanting to return to Earth again. No apparent reason is given for this change of heart. Although it was nice to encounter the apes again, we are still none the wiser as to why Sabbath uses them. And where was the Angel-Maker? I hope she crops up again soon.
This book is OK in its own right, but adds little to the on-going arc.
| What: | The Green Death (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Stephen Robinson, UK |
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| Date: | Monday 27 September 2004 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
Good story but the least DVD extras for a long time. Also the Picture quaility wasn't as high as normal, maybe due to putting a 6 parter + extras onto a single DVD, but as I said the quaility of the drama cuts through.
| What: | Heritage (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Stephen Carlin, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire |
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| Date: | Sunday 26 September 2004 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
The Doctor and Ace arrived on the dusty planet of Heritage. There's not much to the main town - a few dwellings and lots and lots of dust. Nothing that would attract anyone - although once, years before it had been a world or promise.
Those drawn by that promise are stranded on the planet, caught up in another promise.
The Doctor and Ace have come to Heritage to visit some friends. Except that their friends have gone. Or that's the story they are told. The Doctor seems ready to accept this, but more because he has become sick of getting involved in things. If there has been trouble he doesn't want to sort it out. Or rather he doesn't want to know if something happened as he may be drawn into sorting out the problem.
This is an amazing book - without giving away too much it made me care about a character I had not liked previously. It drew me in, intrigued as to what would happen next. Part of me wondered about the nature of the foe but also appreciated the all too human nature of the story.
This is a far superior form of storytelling that I am used to from the Doctor Who book range. None of the puerile pseudo-student stuff that is often perpetrated. No good ideas gone to waste.
If you like a good, human story then I recommend this book.If you like Auton spoons, snotty nosed children, zombies etc then go elsewhere.
I look forward to Dale Smith's next contribution.
| What: | The Algebra of Ice (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Stephen Carlin, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire |
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| Date: | Sunday 26 September 2004 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
The Doctor and Ace visit different time zones - and find minor alterations. History changes but in a big way - minor changes. At the core of these changes is a young man working on a mathematical problem. The Doctor also discovers that UNIT are invtesigating unusual crop shapes - patterns which seem to be overlaid with ice.
As the book progresses it seems that the Doctor may be dealing with a race that exists in a universe of pure mathematics, a universe that seeks to exist forever, to defy entropy by connecting to our universe and using its energy.
Its an interesting notion, but sadly a wasted book. I really found little beyond the core idea to make this a good book. I found the characters uninteresting, the story structure quite poor- in short a waste of a good idea. Even UNIT and the Brigadier are little more than token parts of the story.
A reasonable book, worth a read for the core concept but by no means a really good read. Read it for completion's sake but not if you want a really good cracking story.
| What: | Time Zero (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Piers, Lancashire, UK |
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| Date: | Friday 24 September 2004 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
This is another strong addition to the Eighth Doctor range. At the start the Doctor and his companions go their separate ways, only to discover that they are to be drawn into intriguing circumstances that will ultimately reunite them. So many plot strands are set up in the earlier chapters, and it is these that made this book a page-turner, trying to discover how these are all related. Unfortunately the coming together of all these elements are the weakest part of this novel, with an excessive use of technobabble and hypothetical physics being used to explain the plot. I for one had to re-read a couple of sections just to try to make sense of what was going on (I think I got there!). Another gripe is the way Sabbath is introduced into the story, which is just a retread of 'Anachrophobia'... Does he have a fancy dress trunk on the Jonah? And could Justin Richards be a fan of The X-Files - the way Sabbath departs at the end is highly reminiscent of the movie!
The book does end on a high, with the coda nicely setting up the next stage in the on-going arc. Where do things go from here?!
