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 | This was a terrific book. |
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| What: | The Deviant Strain (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | C G Harwood, Dunedin, NZ, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Monday 7 February 2011 |
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| Rating: |   9 |
On tv a few years ago there was a documentary about a naval base in Russia that has all these old leaky ship and submarines. The people looked old and sick and all the ships and sub were rusty and poisoning everything around them. I had the visions of this documentary in my head all the way threw this book.
Justin Richards has captured the felling of freezing cold and horrible place to live very very well. I actually felt dirty and cold as I read this.
The Doctor and Rose are written very well. but I was very impressed at how he wrote Cpt Jack, the main thing to remember in this book is that Cpt Jack can die as Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways hasn't happened yet, and that made his situations more exciting considering he was probably under the most threat in this book ( and the scene in the sub with the two Russian commandos was brilliant.).
The blue blobs with tentacles were very well done and would love to see something similar in TV Dr Who. But the thing that got me about this book was the body count, this was a blood bath.
This book almost had an Aleans feel about it with the marines keeping the Blobby monsters back, and getting killed one by one. while trying to protect the civilians.
I love Richards writing and he didn't let me down. The only nit-pick I have was that it seemed to end very quickly. But this is defiantly the best 9th Dr novel I have read so far.
| What: | The Brilliant Book 2011 (Miscellaneous annuals) |
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| By: | Earle DL Foster, Invercargill, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Friday 4 February 2011 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
This book certainly pays homage to the recently seen fifth BBC season, and the Eleventh Doctor's subsequent introduction into the time space fray.
But it also explores partially mentioned (but never properly elaborated) aspects of the series, a prime example being past encounters by a certain portly British Prime Minister with former incarnations of the Doctor leading up to the climactic "Victory of the Daleks". One can even learn how to perform the "Drunken Giraffe" celebration dance at their best friend's upcoming wedding nuptials!
There is even a nice artistic connection to the Target novelisation series, with key components of each episode in Matt Smith's official first season lavishly illustrated in a potential cover, from "The Eleventh Hour" to the season finale, namely "The Pandorica Opens" and "The Big Bang".
I've just read this locally purchased and brand new publication, and would personally recommend to all and sundry nostalgia hunters. While there is admittedly nothing new that hasn't been already seen on television already, don't be nonetheless fooled into therefore believing that you won't necessarily find anything new either.
| What: | Father Time (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | MyGeekLife, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA |
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| Date: | Wednesday 2 February 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The Earth arc has so far surpassed all of my expectations. It seems to have given the writers an incredible sense of liberty when it comes to the Doctor's evolving characterization. This book in particular did everything it had to do and more. It is also a bit of a love story to all things classic Doctor Who. There are robots, murderous aliens, the audacious hijacking of the Space Shuttle, exciting fight sequences, even a political rebellion or two, but through it all the book never descends into pastiche, and never loses its heart.
In The Turing Test, by far one of my favorite books ever, Doctor Who or otherwise, the Doctor is just coming to terms with the certainty that he isn't human, that he's trapped on a planet that isn't his, and that knowledge, that certainty, has left him desperate and isolated. Alone, melancholy, and a very dangerous man. Endgame, while forgettable, shows the Doctor as beset by ennui, as depressed and soul weary as we'd ever seen him. But if this arc is to end, and Father Time to end it, it would take some incredibly believable character growth and some real, understandable, human reasons to bring the Doctor out of it. Father Time admirably takes on this challenge and succeeds brilliantly.
In many ways, it's the first novel since before Shadows of Avalon where the Doctor seems to have some of the dreadful weight of recent events off his shoulders. And everything that's happened to him isn't brushed away or forgotten. It's dealt with. At the start of the book, he is still absolutely lonely, melancholy, prone to tears. It is only when he gains a daughter, the likable, mysterious, Miranda, that he begins the process of healing.
In raising a daughter, the Doctor finally finds something to fight for once again, finally finds a reason to care for something greater than himself. And that changes him, or should I say, reminds him of who he was. Somebody who had never been afraid to care, as he has been throughout the Earth arc. The fact that raising a child is what brings him back and reminds him of what is truly important is not only believable, it is remarkable in a very human way. Definitely read this book!
| What: | A Christmas Carol (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Earle DL Foster, Invercargill, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Monday 31 January 2011 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
A touching little festive romp with plenty of Dickensian alludement, intermingled with just enough stereotypical Moffat weirdness, combining to produce a semi-happy ending for all involved. A promising start for the Eleventh Doctor Christmas special concept, strikingly different from the usual "alien invasion" theme beforehand.
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| The adventures of Womulus and Wemus |
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| What: | The Twin Dilemma (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 30 January 2011 |
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| Rating: | 2 |
'The Twin Dilemma' is a naff Doctor Who story if there ever was one. The costumes and design is bad all round (look out for Hugo Lang's Quality Street wrapper jumper, and the Bacofoil computer console). Also I think the decision to make Colin Baker overtly hostile towards Peri was a mistake - it might have been OK in just Part 1 but the fact it continues through Parts 2-4 is questionable.
The twins Romulus and Remus are too wussy and ineffectual, and their line delivery is boring and stunted. However Maurice Denham and Edwin Richfield's Azmael and Mestor are at least well acted, even if the latter looks like a mouldy sleeping bag!
Overall - rubbish!
A shame they stopped Baker in his tracks one season on, because I really think he's now settled. This story is a really excellent one, and the script is a good mix. Well done, Saward. For those doubters, give it another go! :)
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| Lovecraft eat your heart out |
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Lurkers is a great story inspired by lovecraft and gothic horror. Strange islands, lurkers from another world, symbols, voices and lots of mad crazy people.
Ace has a great story and with a strong performance.
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| Flying fish or flying sharks |
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Relative dimensions calms the series down with a soft, fun story for christmas.
Nothing outstanding but enjoyable, the only issue is after watching the terrible flying shark on the TV xmas special, hearing a flying pet fish on the xmas audio, lost it for me.
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| Everything comes to a head |
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In this second installment, the Ice Warriors are pushed into the back ground. The subplot explodes bringing everything together nicely.
As before the monk is great, tackling the Doctors views; judging, twisting his impact on the web of time and turning his companions.
Where does it go from here.
I've always moaned about ice warrior voices on audio. However this time it works.
Demos is a classic who story and again a powerful twist carrying along the sub plot.
Another interesting twist is everyone challenging the doctor's views and beliefs. As a listener you get pulled in asking what would I do - "leg it and save myself"
The Book of Kells is a good fun story and I'm pleased to say the doctor's new companion starts to come out of her shell with some great one liners.
The introduction of an old foe and a great twist brings series 4 to a new level.
| What: | The Ark (Target novelisations) |
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| By: | C G Harwood, Dunedin, NZ, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Saturday 22 January 2011 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
My least favorite companion out of ALL Dr Who - be it TV, Audio, Classic and New series is Dodo. I made the mistake of watching this then reading it, and every-time I read one of her lines I could see that smug little chipmunk face and rolled my eyes (I actually tried to wipe her out of this story and put in Zoe or Susan :)).
Apart from that I loved this book more than I thort I would. It is a very good adaption of the TV story and the writer takes his time to expand on it. I would sagest thoe you read it first then watch the episode.
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| I really wanted to like this book. |
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| What: | Nuclear Time (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | C G Harwood, Dunedin, NZ, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Saturday 22 January 2011 |
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| Rating: | 4 |
My summary really says what I have to say about this book. When we have a new writer in the world of Dr Who I want to give them a chance, but this book is just confusing! When the Doctor starts doing everything backwards I just lost interest in it. I found myself having to read parts then re read them. And to be perfectly honest I finished reading this about a week ago and have already forgotten how it ended - never a good sign with me.
I think Oli Smith tried to do something a little diffrent and it failed to deliver for me. Will put it down to first book jitters for him so will not ignore anymore books he writes (hopefully he will get another go) but all I can say to Mr Smith is 'STRIKE ONE!"
| What: | The Glamour Chase (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | C G Harwood, Dunedin, NZ, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Saturday 22 January 2011 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
This was a good book, and all the main characters are written very well, especially Rory. The plot rolled along at a good pace. The only problem I had with it was the main aleans were made of wool? It just seamed a strange thing for a life form to be made out of.
This is an excellent book. The living Dark and the gathering black. A world of bleak secrets. The fifth Doctor is a good choice for this story. Events simply knot around his innocent neck tighter and tighter.
The author has clearly thought through the claustrophobia of darkness. He understands the ambiance. The fear and the philosophy of shadow. The setting is bleak and enhances the everything in a hushed expectation, as if the stillness itself is potentially ready to eat the characters. And the threat eventually turns out to be unusual and effective.
I specifically watch for novels whose authors try to recreate a genuinely suspenseful, threatening atmosphere in words. Not many such books exist. Fewer still succeed. It is an rare talent, and I treasure such books when they occasionally do rise out of the rest.
This will give you nightmares. One or two, at least. Blundering about in shadow with something that wants the eat you has a way of gripping the mind. The Doctor barely has enough light to see what is around him - in every way. Even the TARDIS isn't safe. Everything is seen from a slightly fearful angle. The familiar becomes threatening and hostile. I wish there were more novels in the range like this.
What a story. It was exactly what I needed. A treasure.
First off when I read what this was about I pictured the doctor giving a group of hunters a merry chase and outwitting them all the way but he's actually not in the book that much. It's mostly about a bunch of side characters.(although the doctors biggest fan is interesting) Also the author seems to think Donna is attracted to the Doctor which is way out of character. The narration is terrible. Simon Messingham oviously has no idea what the Doctor or Donna are supposed to sound like, But Donna has a few good moments with the main bad guy and the Doctor's biggest fan is adorable so I'm cutting it a little slack.
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| Cyberman DVD boxset? Excellent... |
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The fact that these two Cybermen stories have been released together is a blessing - the metal men from Telos (or Mondas, depending on your outlook) haven't appeared on shiny discs since March of 2009. Then we had the disappointingly average 'Attack of the Cybermen', but here we have two more substantial stories.
'Revenge of the Cybermen' is a clever piece, reusing sets from 'The Ark in Space' but setting the story thousands of years earlier. The story is well thought-out and every character is nicely portrayed, Jeremy "Virgil from Thunderbirds" Wilkin is especially menacing as Kellman. The main gripe with this story is the realisation of the Vogans, and the studio parts of Voga - "silly old men" sums up the costumes nicely!
'Silver Nemesis' is set in present-day England, and tells of the search for the legendary Nemesis statue by 4 different parties: Herr de Flores and his neo-Nazis, medieval sorceress Lady Peinforte, the Doctor and Ace and of course the Cybermen. These several threads of story are a double-edged sword: though they keep the story zipping along with pace, they unfortunately can make the story seem confusing. One other gripe I have is with Lady Peinforte - she is incredibly annoyingly portrayed and she seems to be so up herself: maybe the author intended this but it is something I don't believe works!
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| the brill david tennant stories |
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| What: | Collected Stories (BBC new series audiobooks) |
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| By: | Jas , reading ,england |
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| Date: | Sunday 16 January 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
i think that all the people that put their time into making this are not appriciated enough
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| Some serious light rain before the storm |
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| What: | Planet of the Dead (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 January 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
All the Planet of the Dead is is fun. There is no real terrible universe at stake theme going through this at all. Just a little story about creatures who have destroyed a whole planet. So this was very much a welcome relief from the rather too heavy stories that come more thick and fast in this modern TV series these days.
Michelle Ryan is absolutely brilliant as the companion to the Doctor here. Yet again another oppurtunity missed sorely. She would have just been so perfect as a companion in the long run. (Sorry Karen, but I just cant get into your character at all that much)
And David Tennant is as assured and excellent as ever. This is definitely one of his stronger stories, because the melodrama is kept to a healthy minimum. BBC wales should have the sense to get rid of that boring River Song character and bring back Michelle! That would make this sadly disillusioned fan start to get back into the TV series once more. Since David has gone it hasnt been the same at all. (The scripts are the main problem, Not Matt Smith!)
| What: | Brave New Town (Eighth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 January 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The only thing I hate about tales like these is the fact that they are so stupidly short. One feels the characters never really get to shine as well as they do in double disc tales. But that little moan aside, there is nothing to dispute the fact that Brave New Town is a very solid and very strong story.
Wow, so not only do we have the winning team of the eighth Doctor and Lucie, played to perfection by Paul and Sheridan. But then we have the long overdue return of the Autons! Wow, man, And its good to get to see a different side to the monsters of the part. They are intelligent and more human than alien within this tale. And once again it is the moronic human race who are the ones to blame for the trouble. And that is never too hard to believe.
Johnathan's script is just sparkling all the way through, and the characters here that impress the most are those of the autons. I didnt expect them to be back like this, and its good to see theyre not all moronic and just intent of feeding all the time.
For again the chemistry between Paul and Sheridan really drives things forwards too. The sound score too is very strong and is for once well concieved to fit the area all the action is supposed to be taking place in. This is another BFP gem, and I want to see so many please like this! Strong, to the point, and gripping. BBC wales could learn a lot about decent scripting from these writers in Big Finish Productions!
