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 | Traditional Story Nicely Told |
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| What: | Dominion (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Isaac Wilcott, Ridgecrest, California |
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| Date: | Sunday 30 March 2003 |
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| Rating: |   8 |
"Dominion" is the first book by Nick Walters that I've read, and based on the cover blurb I seriously wasn't expecting anything special, or even very good. But I was surprised when, after reading a few dozen pages, I discovered I had a real winner in my hands.
First of all, he chose a very nice setting: rural Sweden. Such an unusual location would normally be mere window dressing, a name in which to set a routine action story. But Walters makes the best of it by populating it with genuine Swedish characters.
The novel is divided into thirds. The first deals mainly with a series of strange disappearances, and we are introduced to a small but interesting group of characters: Kerstin, a young girl, Bjorn, an old bereaved farmer, and Nordenstam, the rationalist detective inspector. Far from being just names whose sole function is to advance the plot, the author devotes much care and attention to establishing and exploring each one. By doing this it makes the story that much more effective, as the reader feels their emotions and understands their motives. This is especially notable when tragedy strikes -- rather than slaughtering faceless thousands, in messy technicolor splendor, as so many other "Who" authors do in order to evoke a cheap knee-jerk emotional response, the death of a single person here is deeply and sincerely felt, and better brings home the horrors of the situation than any massive body count ever could. (Things do get rather desperate towards the end, and there is a great deal of dying, but thankfully the author doesn't linger on it or punch the reader in the stomach with a page-after-page torrent of carefully and lovingly described mutilation and destruction, as in the abominable "Damaged Goods" or Mick Lewis' sickening novels.)
The second part of the book veers away from Sweden to another realm, and the third part is an exciting adventure, as the Doctor and his companions strive to prevent a disaster. We even get a bit of UNIT action, through the eyes of Major Wolstencroft, who resents what he perceives as the Doctor's interference, remembering previous UNIT entanglements with aliens and the typically disastrous results. We are even shown exactly *what* UNIT does with all the leftover alien bits, along with their spaceships and warp drives...
Another thing that is impressive about this book is how much effort and attention Walters put into producing it. Far too many other "Who" books read like the author was doing six other things while writing it, and never even bothered to re-read anything he'd written so far. Walters' attention to detail, and eye for internal consistency, make "Dominion" an excellent human-interest story as well as an intriguing adventure. So overall, well worth reading.
| What: | Meglos (BBC classic series videos) |
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| By: | stu, New Jersey, USA |
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| Date: | Wednesday 26 March 2003 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Fun to watch as romana outshines the doctor as usual.
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| WORST PIECE OF DOCTOR WHO FICTION EVER |
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| What: | War of the Daleks (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Donovan Boxall, Sydney, Australia |
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| Date: | Sunday 23 March 2003 |
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| Rating: | 1 |
Inconsistent, badly-paced, poorly written junk that contradicts everything Doctor Who and the Daleks stands for. Peel attempts to practically re-write over thirty years of Dalek history but ends up creating nothing but a bucket load of plot holes and wooden characters. The Doctor is weak, the Daleks dull, Davros predictable and the Thals completely out of place. In the end, just like the TV Movie; bland, boring, annoying and anything but genuine Doctor Who.
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| great depiction of the 6th doctor |
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| What: | Business Unusual (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Evan Hecht, New York |
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| Date: | Tuesday 18 March 2003 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
If you are a fan of the 6th Doctor, you ought to enjoy russell's novel. It remains true to the flavor of the series. Whereas some Dr. Who past adventures from BBC books venture outside the idiom of sci-fi adventure narrative style established by the series and attempt a more
| What: | The Seeds of Death (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Szlar, London |
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| Date: | Saturday 15 March 2003 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
I really like this story.This is partly nostalgia
because I remember it a bit from my childhood but I also think that it's a good story if perhaps a little drawn out like most other six parters.This is a base under siege story but it is under siege from within so that the occupants have to try and avoid the Ice Warriors whilst trying to defeat them.This makes for some quite genuinely hairy moments.Of course, it also has the wondeful Patrick Troughton with his camp/serious portrayal of the Doctor.By the way,doesn't the Grand Martian sound a bit like Victor Meldrew
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| Enjoyable Story, Good Characterization |
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Although Bulis may not be the most creative author of "Doctor Who" books, his strengths in other areas far outweigh this one weakness, consistently and prolifically producing reliable and enjoyable novels. "Imperial Moon" is another example of Bulis at his best.
The story, though largely unoriginal, has a number of things to commend it. Details that other authors would gloss over, Bulis convincingly describes in full without being long-winded. He makes the most of the simple situation he's created, and doesn't rely on a pyrotechnic style and clever tricks to dupe his readers into believing he's created a fully developed plot. There is also a surprise revelation at the end of the book -- there are just enough hints for attentive readers to become suspicious, rather than making the clues too obvious or overemphasized. The most interesting part of the story involves the paradoxes created by foreknowledge of events and the dangers it creates -- the Doctor has the diary of one of the members of the expedition, describing events that have not yet happened. Bulis capitalizes on this situation to the utmost, as Turlough struggles (and sometimes fails) to resist the temptation of learning of his own future and faces the consequences of such an action. He also does a good job of tying up all the loose ends, and at the end he connects what seemed like minor plot elements together, which most authors would have used as mere throw-away ideas.
But, as always with Bulis, the best aspect of the book is the characterization.
Most "Who" novels either distort or ignore the characters, something which quickly becomes tiring despite the otherwise interesting plot and ideas. The Doctor, Turlough and even Kamelion (!) are faithful to their television versions while giving them the extra depth made possible in the written medium. Turlough especially benefits from this opportunity for depth by being presented with situations, making the ready privy to his reasoning and thinking, and finally seeing how he plays them out. The Doctor is well portrayed as having a serious side as well as boyish enthusiasm, which reminds me of Peter Davison's performance, particularly in "Kinda." Kamelion, a fascinating character too often relegated to the broom cupboard for most of his time during the TV series due to budgetary and technical constraints, is given a modest amount of wordage to shine on his own, and makes the most of his unique abilities. The cast is rounded off with a group of well-conceived and well-presented Victorians who consistently think and act like Victorians. And, even better, in the narrative Bulis neither condemns nor praises their points of view, nor does he have his non-Victorian characters do so. It is the true mark of a good author to present historical information without immediately having to trash them, or sing their praises, to agree with the reading audience's own beliefs. Doing so not only insults other views and other cultures, it insults the reader's intelligence, and thankfully Bulis has steered well clear of this all-too-common error.
So overall, this is an enjoyable traditional-style story with excellent characters, written by a truly skilled writer, and I recommend it above many other "Who" books that lack characterization and depth. It even has a really neat cover!
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| Curtain: McCoy's Last Ride |
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| What: | Lungbarrow (New Adventures novels) |
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| By: | EDL Foster, Invercargill, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Tuesday 11 March 2003 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Having seen the television adaptation of Mervyn Peake's gothic epic "Gormenghast", I certainly could recognise the comparisons imbedded within Marc Platt's swan song novel for the Seventh Doctor. I only wish that the BBC could have produced this story for the big screen, a movie in its own right.
A great achievement for both writer and series, as it clearly succeeds in several fronts. It provides a grand finale for McCoy, it introduces the synopsis for the upcoming regeneration (and the introduction of McGann), and it brings in plot elements and attributes in line with the Eighth Doctor era.
Best of all, the book attempts to answer the questions which have permeated through the reign of this particular incarnation, while also portraying a psychological redemption of the Doctor (he comes to terms with his actions, especially the given role of "chess player" upon other races and individuals).
So long, Sylvester. God speed and Adieu.
At least you still maintained the mystery around one important remaining sociological factor:
WHO IS THE DOCTOR?
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| Another triumph for Big Finish! |
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| What: | Jubilee (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | William Cox, Winfield, W. Virginia, USA |
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| Date: | Tuesday 4 March 2003 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
"Jubilee" is a double home-run for Big Finish. It offers both another excellent Robert Shearman script and another wonderful performance on the part of Colin Baker, portraying the Doctor as he should have been allowed to do on television. The story offers many complex twists and turns, and the payoff is well worth it. The cliffhanger of part two in particular was brilliant. Everything about this CD is first class, and Robert Shearman will probably go down in history as the best "Doctor Who" writer since the late Robert Holmes. Money well spent!
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| A 1st rate story for a 1st rate Doctor |
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Moody, dark and atmospheric, "The Chimes of Midnight" is an excellent piece of drama. Robert Shearman's script easily outshines his earlier, but still impressive, work "The Holy Terror". Paul McGann and India Fisher have wonderful chemistry together, and this story proves it again and again. We feel the Doctor's love and compassion for his companion and her faith and trust in him.
This story also has some of the most effective cliffhangers of the entire series (tv or otherwise), and works on many levels, so multiple listenings are required. Truly first rate.
| What: | Dust Breeding (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | William cox, Winfield, W, Virginia, USA |
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| Date: | Tuesday 4 March 2003 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Mike Tucker's BBC novels manage to capture the feel of the McCoy era TV show, and he pulls off the same trick with his first Big Finish audio. The story is a traditional 7th Doctor tale that one could easily imagine being on television. The Krill might have been tough to pull off, however.
An interesting twist is bringing back the disfigured Master last seen in "Keeper of Traken", and this Master is a hundred times more menacing than Anthony Ainley's melodramatic turn in the role. I'm looking forward to Big Finish's "Master" story later this year - it should prove to be an interesting rematch.
| What: | The Domino Effect (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Gail Carey, Britain |
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| Date: | Thursday 27 February 2003 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
I think that this must be the most depressing and down-beat Dr. Who book that I have read in a long time...that doesn't mean that it's a bad book though. I'm quite enjoying this Dr. Who does "Sliders" story-arc and this book provides a well rounded alternate earth for the reader and the TARDIS crew to explore.
Usually it's the Doctor who gets beaten to a bloodied pulp in the EDA's, but in The Domino Effect the author has cut him some slack and it's Fitz who takes a beating this time.
My one problem with this book was the ending which, like Time Zero before it, tried to sum up and explain what had been going on in a great rush. Do you remember those American cop shows of the 1970's where, at the end, someone would say: "But there's just one thing I don't understand..." and the cop would have to explain the entire plot to the dummy. Well, if this book was a 70's cop show, the cop would be trying to explain things over the end credits with the theme tune drowning him out.
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| An excellent story, often overlooked |
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Okay, so I have a soft spot for this story, but despite some rotten production values - and mostly they're not down to design or bad acting, but bad direction or not having the time to do retakes - this story keeps you interested all the way through. It shows the Doctor's still at odds with the establishment at this point, and it shows clearly how much he wants to escape his exile. The main UNIT crowd all get a reasonable shake and the Master comes off reasonably, although as part of a season that used him in every story, you could be forgiven for thinking that there is too much of him in it. An ambitious story that maybe doesn't succeed everywhere, but as entertainment it's still a cracker IMHO.
| What: | The Domino Effect (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | John Ellison, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
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| Date: | Tuesday 18 February 2003 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
In keeping with most of my other favorite titles in the series, this one builds itself solidly on a character driven plot line. Also, Fitz, Anji and the Doctor are never set aside to follow 30 pages worth of exposition about some secondary character. I get the idea Bishop actually wanted to write a story about the Doctor and his companions--and he does just that.
The story is perhaps a little contrived near the end (although I followed Bishop's ideas) and this is all that prevents it from being a 10 in my opinion.
I was particularly pleased by the fact that each of the three characters at some point remembers events that have occurred over the course of the series (its been a long time since Fitz thought of his mother). Continuity is not everything in telling a good Who story but it is appreciated on occasion! Plus I enjoyed Dee. I am convinced I know her from somewhere...
Not the greatest story ever told, but definitely among the best.
| What: | Jubilee (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Brett Gabbatt, Halifax, Canada |
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| Date: | Monday 10 February 2003 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Quite a unique storyline with some wonderfully uncharacteristic Dalek scenes.
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| Better than most seem to think |
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Refreshing, new, and a fantastic alternative story for the Doctor Who universe.
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| generic title (there, happy now?) |
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| What: | Seasons of Fear (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Paul DeLong, Edison, New Jersey, USA |
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| Date: | Sunday 2 February 2003 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Great story - a nice romp through time and a time-related mystery. Excellent music (the music had some serious atmosphere...). Though I wasn't happy about the hand-waving dismissal of the paradox at the end.
This felt a LOT like "Anachrophobia". I had to go back and check to see if it was the same author. It also felt a little bit like "Ghost Light".
All-in-all, I enjoyed the story, but it got overly sentimental and self-serving. Bordering on preachy. The stories seem to be focusing way too much on Charley and her past. To me, she's just a watered-down and less threatening version of Ace.
And what's with the "my poppet" thing. I was gettin really sick of hearing that expression. Enough already. If someone called me a puppet, I'd want to smack them. No, my limbs are not tethered to strings from an indeterminate location above me, so stop caling me that. In "Mrs. Doubtfire", Robin Williams' character used the word "moppet" all the time too. Is it an English thing?
I enjoyed this immensely. The "real" aliens were very comical. The cliffhangers were good. The noir was a nice added touch. My only complaint is that some of the characters were a bit stereotypical and hammy, but that only added to the humour of it all. A nice Who-style comedy.
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| great music, a little high on melodrama |
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The music stood out most of all in this story. It absoloutely set a very mournful bittersweet mood. I'd listen to this again just for the music.
The big revelation came as no surprise. And I got a little sick of the melodrama towards the end.
But Magrs' reference to "The Scarlet Empress" was priceless. I'm guessing some other utterances in that scene were also self-referential, but I haven't read some of his other stuff, so I can't be sure.
Though, for technical reasons, I can't see why people would be trapped in Venice. If it's the far future, then I'm sure people have more transportation options than just boats. But Paul Magrs is odd like that. Scarlet Empress was an odd mix of antiquity and futurism, so all bets are off with him.
| What: | Divided Loyalties (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Holly Carver, England |
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| Date: | Sunday 2 February 2003 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
OK, just to get things straight, it's true I'm no die-hard Dr Who fan, true I haven't seen every ep there is or bought any collectable items off e-bay for £1000 or anything but I am a MAJOR fifth doctor obsessive, I guess being 15 and a girl when I first saw Peter Davison acting as him probably had something to do with it.
Anyway, having been collecting for the past 3 odd years anything Peter/Dr Who related, including all the eps and BBC books, I'd like to think I have quite a good grasp on the character and his companions and to be perfectly honest I really don't see why so many people have such a major problem with this book. It captures Peter's whole innocent-and-tourtured-by-any-type-of-immoral-action act and his whole dependence on his friends is very clear (everyone has seen Castrovalva right?). Plus I thought the idea of the Toymaker trying to turn the Doc's companions against him was quite a good one, considering the fifth Doctor is the one who was likely to be hurt most by such an action. The back story was also interesting and it was fun seeing a time when the Doctor and the Master were friends.
What is the huge problem everyone has with this story? it can't just be Adric (who I also happen to like by the way, but that's a different story altogether). This book has a lot going for it and the Toymaker, who is as I gather one of the more highly regarded villains (and certainly is by me, which makes me constantly devistated that the original William Hartnall ep is unavailable!), is handled brilliantly. Conceptions of Gary Russell seem to be constantly based on this one novel, and while that is a slightly unfair way to judge an author I am inclinded to feel that if that is the ways things must be then, far from viewing him negatively because of it, Gary should be praised for his achievements and I for one (and it really does seem the only one!) look forward quite eagerly to any knew project I know Gary to be involved in.
Give this book a break guys, true it has quite a bit of continuity in but if you're a Dr Who fan why should it bother you? we understand it all and that's the important thing right? To be fair, I wouldn't think of recomending this book to anyone who wasn't a long term fan, but I do think this book has been grossly overcriticised and hope this review (small as it is) will be able to somehow stand out in it's defense.
