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| What: | The Unfolding Text (Miscellaneous factual books) |
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| By: | Sebastian Perry, Chattanooga, United States |
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| Date: | Friday 3 August 2012 |
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| Rating: |   7 |
...While this book indeed delves into the creation of Doctor Who, it serves more as an introduction into British science fiction television production, technique and marketing strategies.
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 | A brilliant return from Geoffery Beevers |
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| What: | Trail of the White Worm (Fourth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 30 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
I have immensely enjoyed these Tom Baker adventures. They have really been great, all the stories very different in style but all true to the feel of the Tom Baker era of the show. And with Louise Jameson in on the brilliant work, then its little wonder this first series of Fourth Doctor stories works so well.
(Looking forward to listening to the next series, though it is very saddening to hear of the passing of Mary Tamm, such a brilliant actress and always one of my favourite companions on the TV show, even if it were for just a single season. She was fantastic and brought a charm to the role of Romana that I feel overall Lalla Ward failed to keep up)
Tom Baker leads a very assured cast in what is basically a four part story. And like the other stories before it Tom baker's doctor comes to life, despite Tom's obvious age. He is still that great great unpredictable whimiscal Doctor, and these stories have been a trove of gems of dialogue for his Doctor. The Fourth Doctor is captured so very indeed.
Maybe the only sore point with this story is Leela. I feel that with all her instincts she should have known she was being led to someone bad in the Master, and yet appears not to know very much at all which is at odds with many stories before. But aside from this minor quibble, this story plods along extremely well indeed. Michael Cochrane in particular impresses as yet another psychotic Colonel, a role he seems always fated to act brilliantly.
The white worm too is well realised, and I cant wait to get the last story and find out what happens for all involved as the Doctor and Leela look to see what happens when the infamous brilliant Kraals turn up for the grand finale!
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| Not perfect, but enjoyable |
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| What: | The Juggernauts (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 30 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Big Finish here do what the old series used to do rather often, display whats in the story on the cover and so destroy any wonderings as to who Professor Vasso really is, so all sense of mystery that could have been presented in dissappointingly gone.
Terry Molloy though steals the show, as does also a far better version of Melanie Bush, who came over as the in tune with the theme tune screamer whilst on screen for her far too short tenure. (Whats more, Im so very glad to see at last that after some years Bonnie's going to be back to do a new audio story at last!) Terry gives his usual excellent performance as Davros, and is really sick in this one.
The voice of the Mechanoids are so very well realised, and sound just like they did back in the Chase all those years ago on the old series of the series. And they square off well against the daleks who are the usual stupid tin boxes they always were on TV.
Yet the story is not quite as brilliant as it could have been. Some of the supporting cast are quite good, and some really match up to Colin, Bonnie and Terry. But the last scene where Mel leaves that music box on the dalek ship is a very touching moment. But still sometimes this tale does seem to drag, but it is still far better than anything on the new series at the moment.
Although the human flesh used in the mechanoids adds the ghoulish feel of Colin's first season on TV to this audio. And I love the twist of Mel's back up plan and her anger at Davros's callous behaviour. Really makes you see how Good Bonnie Langford is!
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| Loved This Story Troughton returns |
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| What: | Fear of the Daleks (The Companion Chronicles audiobooks) |
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| By: | Andrew Shaw, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 24 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I just started listening to these stories a couple of weeks ago as I thought i wouldnt like them, but I was very pleased I took the time to listen, This story is great for me because I loved watching The 2nd Doctor episodes and I know theres not a lot, but she brought him back and you could imagine all of them there getting up to there antics and then theres The Daleks, it is a great story in my mind, and the confusion she faces as remembering them and wondering how she could do so as she says she didnt meet them obviously a side effect of The Timelords sending her and Jamie back at the end of the 2nd Doctor's run, my favourite in these stories so far, Great Story and Great Characters Wendy Padbury tells this well (The Doctor, Zoe & Jamie) Remembered....
| What: | The Blue Tooth (The Companion Chronicles audiobooks) |
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| By: | Andrew Shaw, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 24 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
I just have gotten into the Companion Chronicles because before I thought I only want stories with the Doctor in but these ar actually good and through their stories you can imagine the Doctor doing what there saying, But I love the Cybermen (Classic Style) any 60's-80's, and I knew straight away about the Cybermats but i was expecting a Mutated Cyberman with blue Fangs when it started, but finding out what is really happening is great I really enjoyed this, and Thought there was going to be a Cyber Invasion and at some point I thought the Cyberman in the chair was The Cyber controller, but great twist I will be starting to buy more of these.
| What: | The Dalek Painting Book (Miscellaneous activity books) |
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| By: | russell britain, solihull, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 18 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I had this book when I was a child. To my recollection the artwork was to a very high standard. The book featured some cardboard stencils of Daleks as well as pages to colour. My sttrongest memeory was of pictures of the Daleks on hover platforms. I recall there being a storyline to thepictures about a Dalek attack on a research base I think on a planet other than Earth.
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| Sowing the seeds for the future |
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| What: | The Butcher of Brisbane (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I was nervous at first knowing this story's links to Tom Bakers past and perhaps best loved story. But this quickly becomes a powerfull and well constructed story. Tegan & Nissa are given real room to develop in an atmospheric plot, which builds and builds.
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| Stupidly named aliens but good story |
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| What: | The Jupiter Conjunction (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Starting off in classic who style: wrongly accused, mystery and twists which all adds up to a strong open. The second half isn't as strong but is held up by some strong acting and development of the cast.
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| Tiger tiger burning bright |
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| What: | The Emerald Tiger (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Emerald tiger carries you quickly into imperial India, the crew of the tardis all delivering strong performance. The strange hidden world is strong but Tarzan lets it down.
| What: | Wirrn Isle (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
There is a lot of buzz around Nerva station at the moment, perhaps hoping to capture the historic success of Tom Baker in the 70s. Well this does it in style: atmosphere, strong cast, playing on human nature all comes together in an excellent story. Flip continues to be a great new addition with Colin.
| What: | The Fourth Wall (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
We all love reality TV don't we, this gives a great look at the future in a tongue in cheek way. The doctors new companion continues to stand out as a strong partner. Colin Baker as every is excellent.
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| A clone by any other name |
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| What: | The Curse of Davros (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
A new companion, old enemies always a good mix. This is a fast paced and at times gritty story, the new companion is strong and has some good lines. The twist is great, but I won't give it away as makes the story.
| What: | Army of Death (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Lots of running around between two cities who are trying to wipe each other out isn't oringal but is great fun. This is classic who, but with the undead is cool.
| What: | The Witch from the Well (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
A clever plot mixing time travel with gothic horror into a delisious story. The screech of the witch sends a shiver down your spin and nothing is what it seems.
| What: | The Silver Turk (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
I'm not sure how many more ways we can find for cybermen to be found in bits and pieces trying to come back. Starting well, this feels like two stories in one, the first half good, the second no so, but as ever the strong cast keep it going.
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| Suspense and mystery, to start with |
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| What: | House of Blue Fire (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
A strong start which is full atmosphere and suspense giving us a compelling open. However as with many others the end is a little too easy, but still the strong cast make this a solid enjoyable episode.
| What: | The Doomsday Quatrain (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Using a tried and tested idea of a false world this is a solid story, the crocodile baddies however let it down a little, there just too simple. Otherwise an enjoyable story.
| What: | The Silent Stars Go By (BBC prestige novels) |
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| By: | Steve D, Bristol, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 11 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
I loved this book. To have a truly exceptional monster from the classic series with all the up to date cast was great. The story was well written with a certain va va voom. The writer clearly knows his Doctor who as the dialogue of the Doctor was fantastic and you can really see him saying these phrases on the box. Great start, middle and end with alot of twist in the tale. A true Who book without a doubt and will not disappoint.
| What: | Paradox Lost (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Steve D, Bristol, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 11 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 4 |
I am new to reading the Doctor who adventures and this is my second book. The book itself starts in the normal fashion of any adventure and can be easily imagined as a TV series episode. To me around half way through the book it seemed the author decided to over explain and describe things such as the creature's description is mentioned around 3 times which i found very frustrating and was used "just to fill pages". This happens all through the book constant descriptions of things that do not need to described and are irrelevant to the story. The story its self reminded me of the eccelston adventure "Fathers day" which i thought was kind of cheap seeing that we have seen these monsters (or similar) on our tv sets in 2005. In all a good read if your not a big fan of Doctor who and just fancy an adventure. On the other hand stay well clear if your a who addict as this will fall short of your expectations by miles.
| What: | Byzantium! (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Chris Arnold, Bundaberg, Australia |
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| Date: | Tuesday 3 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 3 |
I finished this novel a couple of days ago, thinking that a little distance would bring on a positive vibe about the elements of the story. Unfortunately I can't say this happened. I found the story a little pointless. The TARDIS crew just seemed to wander about and view little vignettes of history without affecting the plot at all. Then they just sort of wandered out of the story altogether. Although there were many supporting characters, a potentially confusing situation, most were well signposted and had individual identities. Some of the brutality in the novel was also handled well and the chapters are short which I always think is a good idea.
The biggest flaw in the book was the dialogue sprouted by the TARDIS crew. Much of their speech was nothing like the actors' portrayals on screen and I could not imagine the characters saying what Topping has written for them. In particular Ian's slang throughout the novel was a particular sore point, and each time it happened I found myself taken out of the story completely. A shame, as I think if this were fixed there would be more to enjoy overall.
The novel also clashes somewhat with the events of the short story Romans Cutaway from the More Short Trips anthology. Topping tries to suggest that the events in the short story are part of some strange dream, a clever idea, but if I had to choose which of the two versions of events were a dream I would choose Topping's version of Byzantium! With the poor dialogue and the meandering nature of the story this could easily be concocted by an unconscious Ian or Barbara. It would explain why Ian is being chased around by all the women of Byzantium!
