There are 4,125 reviews so far. To add a review of your own, click on the item in question, then click the Vote link.
This pulls off, the real McCoy, playing on the darker side of life and the doctor. Delivered through a strong story, supported and enhanced with a great use of sound.
The master makes a welcome return, with his usual errors of excessive self believe.
The story grips and excellent sounds send your mind racing, I wonder how it would have looked on TV.
| What: | The Crystal Bucephalus (Missing Adventures novels) |
|
| By: | Tegan Jovanka, UK |
|
| Date: | Tuesday 6 January 2004 |
|
| Rating: |   1 |
Dull and Boring
After a very slow beginning, like half of the book, I was surprised at the turns the book took. I am glad that they finally tied in the Doctor's past and things that he's been supressing this long. It was also a relief to see other "time Lords" finally re-emerge. Now, let's please finally see the end of Sabbath. Story arc over, time to move on.
This book begins badly. It has some of the worst old-guy-writing-young-characters’-dialogue I think I've ever encountered. And the teachers at Sam's school explaining youth drug culture to the reader (who, it seems, would have to have been living in the Eye of Orion for any of it to feel authentic) is the lowest of low point - worth reading, in fact, if you want a good old belly laugh.
However, once the action leaves earth, things do actually pick up. This is basically a portmanteau, with the Eighth Doctor wandering through his own past, meeting previous incarnations, and having adventures along the way. This structure is both a strength and a weakness. A strength, because it’s nice to see this interaction, and to get reacquainted with the past Doctors. A weakness, because this could have been a very strong opening story arc, devoting a single novel to each tale. Most glaringly, the action involving the Sixth Doctor is longer than any of the others and, given a full book, could have shaped up to be a pretty good political thriller, exposing the dark underbelly of the Gallifreyan ruling class. At the other end of the scale, though, is the tale involving the Seventh Doctor, which comes across almost as an afterthought – though it is, perhaps, the biggest missed opportunity here. It would have been nice to see a novel devoted to the Seventh Doctor’s final adventure (though we do, at least, learn how the Master got those death-defying-worm-powers he displayed in the TV movie).
Over all, this book is simply a starter. It whets the appetite for what is to follow, without managing to satisfy in its own right. You only need this book if, like me, you plan to read all the Eighth Doctor novels in sequence.
 |  |  |
 | Richard Franklin, underestimated by far |
|
| | |
Richard Franklin's role as Captain Moke Yates was only the tip of the iceberg; he is an all-round talented actor and generous human being who inspired many young would-be actors. As Captain Mike Yates, good as he was in the role, we only saw one side to what is a multi-dimensional and talented actor
... if it wasn't so witless. A bafflingly crude piece of humourless, teenage jizz. Shows an almost autistic lack of comprehension of human behaviour. Way beyond awful, this is an insult to the intelligence. Crud.
| What: | The Eye of the Tyger (Telos novellas) |
|
| By: | Phil Ince, Highbury, London |
|
| Date: | Saturday 27 December 2003 |
|
| Rating: | 9 |
I found this (short) book delightful. Told in the 1st person by Fyne, an English official from 1920s India, who travels with a very simply-written but both convincing and endearingly-characterised 8th Doctor. McAuley occassionally writes an over-stretched sentence but in the main the prose is lovely. A very straightforwardly told tale with smidgeons of 'hard' science which both supplements and underpins the story. A sweet little gem that you can read in an evening and wish was twice as long. Might be almost double the price and a third the length of a BBC novel but affords quite as much pleasure as any of the BBCs very best efforts. Highly recommended.
| What: | Lungbarrow (New Adventures novels) |
|
| By: | Enki, Arcadia, Wisconsin, United States |
|
| Date: | Friday 26 December 2003 |
|
| Rating: | 10 |
The best Doctor Who novel yet!
| | |
| Good Twists but a little silly at times |
|
| | |
| What: | Omega (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
|
| By: | Clive Wright, Jersey |
|
| Date: | Saturday 20 December 2003 |
|
| Rating: | 7 |
From the start I thought whats all this about and then the twist hit me, excellent.
However some sections seemed to have little or no point, simply silly and did get in the way at times.
| What: | Flip-Flop (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
|
| By: | Clive Wright, Jersey |
|
| Date: | Saturday 20 December 2003 |
|
| Rating: | 5 |
I was amazed at the idea behind this one, listen to either CD first it won't matter. But once you have listened to one the other one comes across as dull.
The other point is I can't believe that any race would be so weak as to let slugs "walk" all over them.
Sorry good idea, with another strong mel but simply a little dull.
| What: | The Sandman (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
|
| By: | Clive Wright, Jersey |
|
| Date: | Saturday 20 December 2003 |
|
| Rating: | 8 |
Yes yet again the 6th Doctor has been there before, a common thing about this doctor, somethings a little overdone.
However this is a very good story nice to think that the Doctor has to sort out some of his mistakes and dosen't get everything right.
| What: | ...ish (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
|
| By: | Clive Wright, Jersey |
|
| Date: | Saturday 20 December 2003 |
|
| Rating: | 7 |
This one plays to colin bakers strengths, ie the delivery and use of my mother tongue - english. The plot is a little close to whispers of terror but I think comes across well.
Colin Baker is the strongest Audio Doctor who although some of my favourite stories are from other doctors.
| What: | Spare Parts (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
|
| By: | Clive Wright, Jersey |
|
| Date: | Saturday 20 December 2003 |
|
| Rating: | 10 |
Is everything the doctors fault. This story adds a lot of welcome detail about our old friends and the voice of the cybermen very good.
The feeling to doom hangs throughout the story and although you keeping thinking you know whats going to happen next it twist and turns.
Another winner.
A very fast story, in parts good the aliens are a surprise and very well handled but the ending weak and a little dismissive for me.
The biggest weakness for the 8th doctor and charley is that they seem to laugh everything off no matter how bad, or just know the answer to everything so whats the challange why bother?
| What: | Bloodtide (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
|
| By: | Clive Wright, Jersey |
|
| Date: | Saturday 20 December 2003 |
|
| Rating: | 7 |
Bloodtide as a story on its own is enjoyable with a good old enemy thrown in. My worry is that yet again the Doctor is there when man makes a massive break through, is there nothing or no-one or no event he hasn't met or guided - is man so stupid?
Also again man is only around because of some monster.
As long as you don't think about it too hard, its a good story.
I'm surprised it took this long for the cybermen to pop up, but here they are in a typical story line.
Charley a girl from the 1930s seems to deal very well with space, cyberman and just about everything. I would have liked to have her at least come to terms with the future and time travel rather than act as if she was an old hand after just 2 stories.
The plot is typical of many cybermen stories, good atmosphere throughout, not a challanging storyline but still a ripping yarn.
| | |
| A warm welcome to number 8 |
|
| | |
Paul McGann although well received in the movie, was sadly never taken up for a new TV Series. This story what have made a good first TV episode.
The story is good with Charley making a cheaky new partner in time. My only real concern is how easy it is to defeat the once most powerful aliens in the universe, still welcome to the 8th Doctor.
Come on the Daleks. Normally when jumping around time and space you can get a little confused but this story keeps you listening.
The Daleks are the Daleks just what you want. The stories twists, turns and surprises are realistic and presented with an air of mystery and suspense. Very Good.
| | |
| Mel knocks your socks off |
|
| | |
Like Ace, Mel was one of those charaters I was worried about listening too, my ear drumbs might not handle it. However also like Ace on CD Bonnie Langford delivers a strong performance and a better Mel shines through.
The sence of mystery and darkness in the shadow of pompeii is excellent. Sylvester shows the dark side he started to deliver towards the end of his run of TV.
An excellent story with the surprise of a good Mel.
This one just falls flat on its face and you start looking out of the window, thinking what else should I being doing now.
It starts well enough, things going bump in the night and a couple of mad people but just leaves me cold.
