Scan barcode
geekwayne's review
2.0
'Doctor Who: The Bog Warrior' is part of the Time Trips series and finds the Tenth Doctor on the planet Cashel. It's a novella length story with princesses and Bog people. While I have loved a lot of other Doctor Who fiction, this one left me a little flat.
Princess Ash is invited to a masked ball where Prince Zircon is to choose a bride. The union is important in order to stop a war among two different groups of people. When Ash is forced to flee the ball, she leaves behind a shoe which the Tenth Doctor retrieves. It's at this point in the story when you realize that this story is a court intrigue story with the Cinderella story at the heart.
It's not that weaving fairy tales into Doctor Who can't work. I think the problem is there weren't many characters I cared about. Sure, the Bog People have a plight and it would seem tragic, but I just found myself reading it to finish it. I have a hard time recommending this to any but the die hard collect everything Doctor Who fan.
I was given a review copy of this ebook by Random House UK, Ebury Publishing, and Netgalley in exchage for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.
Princess Ash is invited to a masked ball where Prince Zircon is to choose a bride. The union is important in order to stop a war among two different groups of people. When Ash is forced to flee the ball, she leaves behind a shoe which the Tenth Doctor retrieves. It's at this point in the story when you realize that this story is a court intrigue story with the Cinderella story at the heart.
It's not that weaving fairy tales into Doctor Who can't work. I think the problem is there weren't many characters I cared about. Sure, the Bog People have a plight and it would seem tragic, but I just found myself reading it to finish it. I have a hard time recommending this to any but the die hard collect everything Doctor Who fan.
I was given a review copy of this ebook by Random House UK, Ebury Publishing, and Netgalley in exchage for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.
eyreguide's review
3.0
I was surprised that this short story turned out to be a loose take on Cinderella, it works out great though because it imaginatively intertwined the fairy tale with science fiction and the world of the Doctor - I enjoyed seeing how the author integrated the two. That element of fairy tale - magic - was immediately and correctly dismissed by the Doctor but unfortunately there was no explanation given for the science behind reanimating dead people and for the ending with Princess Ash. It all seems very like magic, and I'm surprised that the Doctor didn't discover what was the mechanism behind it. This was the reason why I lowered the rating for this story - because I really enjoyed it, but I was left feeling very confused at the end.
In addition to fairy tales, this story also incorporates a version of zombies which I thought was pretty interesting. It's horrific and well described, so I think that grounded this story in a good old-fashioned Who adventure, as the Doctor tries to understand and help the people in this world. The other main characters were brief and mostly fulfilled predictable and stereotypical roles, but it worked to keep the plot going and I felt interested enough in the characters to hope they succeeded.
The 10th Doctor is captured well in this - in all his charming and slightly eccentric ways - and there are even a couple really funny moments in this story (although it is all too brief). This is a very enjoyable read, that I would probably recommend even more strongly if only there were more of an explanation about how certain things happened in the plot.
(I received this book from the publisher or author for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review.)
In addition to fairy tales, this story also incorporates a version of zombies which I thought was pretty interesting. It's horrific and well described, so I think that grounded this story in a good old-fashioned Who adventure, as the Doctor tries to understand and help the people in this world. The other main characters were brief and mostly fulfilled predictable and stereotypical roles, but it worked to keep the plot going and I felt interested enough in the characters to hope they succeeded.
The 10th Doctor is captured well in this - in all his charming and slightly eccentric ways - and there are even a couple really funny moments in this story (although it is all too brief). This is a very enjoyable read, that I would probably recommend even more strongly if only there were more of an explanation about how certain things happened in the plot.
(I received this book from the publisher or author for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review.)
dantastic's review
2.0
When the Doctor witnesses a masked ball on a far off planet, he finds himself in the middle of a dispute between two factions. Who are the Bog Warriors? And can The Doctor get Prince Zircon and Princess Ash together? Of course he can! He's The Doctor...
I got this from Netgalley.
The Time Trips series has been a mixed bag. I enjoyed the hell out of some of them but others didn't hold my interest. This one is firmly in the "meh" category.
On the surface, this is a retelling of Cinderella on an alien world with The Doctor involved. Unfortunately, he's only on the periphery for most of the story. As I've said in the past, when I read a Doctor Who novel or short story, I'd like the Doctor to be front and center, flying around in the TARDIS and reversing the polarity of the neutron flow like only he can. He was pretty much a background character in this.
However, when the Doctor was on stage, he was perfectly rendered, saving this book from one star territory. The Bog Warriors were also interesting. The rest of the story, not so much.
I'm not familiar with Cecelia Ahern's work but maybe people who are would get more mileage out of this one. Two stars and it had to work for them.
I got this from Netgalley.
The Time Trips series has been a mixed bag. I enjoyed the hell out of some of them but others didn't hold my interest. This one is firmly in the "meh" category.
On the surface, this is a retelling of Cinderella on an alien world with The Doctor involved. Unfortunately, he's only on the periphery for most of the story. As I've said in the past, when I read a Doctor Who novel or short story, I'd like the Doctor to be front and center, flying around in the TARDIS and reversing the polarity of the neutron flow like only he can. He was pretty much a background character in this.
However, when the Doctor was on stage, he was perfectly rendered, saving this book from one star territory. The Bog Warriors were also interesting. The rest of the story, not so much.
I'm not familiar with Cecelia Ahern's work but maybe people who are would get more mileage out of this one. Two stars and it had to work for them.
yllohann's review
2.0
(I recieved an ARC of this from NetGalley) I like the author Cecelia Ahern and I love Doctor Who but somehow, like peanuts and gum, they just don't fit together. The story was a good one but the telling was flat.
mpr2000's review
2.0
Are you a Doctor fan?
This book will take you to the Cashel planet where there is a romantic trouble, and the tenth Doctor will have to help the two lovers!
Will the Doctor be able to help these lovebirds before is too late?
This is a short Dr Who adventure, with a little bit of chemistry, love and resurrected men. Ready?
This book will take you to the Cashel planet where there is a romantic trouble, and the tenth Doctor will have to help the two lovers!
Will the Doctor be able to help these lovebirds before is too late?
This is a short Dr Who adventure, with a little bit of chemistry, love and resurrected men. Ready?
felinity's review
4.0
The Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) stumbles into a new twist on an old tale while traveling on his own. It's cleverly done, and even a minor plot hole didn't change my enjoyment!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
beckylej's review
5.0
In "The Bog Warrior" Doctor Ten lands smack dab in the center of a Cinderella story. The ball held in the honor of Prince Zircon is meant to ensure peace between his kingdom and the Bog People: at the end of the event, the prince will select a bride from the realm. But Prince Zircon has no desire to marry one of the Bog People, because Prince Zircon is already in love. Unfortunately his direct resistance will mean certain war between the kingdoms.
This was a fun installment indeed! Never have I ever imagined coming across a Cinderella Doctor Who mashup - but here it is and it worked so charmingly!
This was a fun installment indeed! Never have I ever imagined coming across a Cinderella Doctor Who mashup - but here it is and it worked so charmingly!
maryjanewatson's review
1.0
Not worth it
A terrible story with nothing interesting to recommend it. The people are flat and boring and the Doctor seems out of character.
A terrible story with nothing interesting to recommend it. The people are flat and boring and the Doctor seems out of character.
rmtroyer93's review
4.0
I've had this 40 paged short story sitting on kindle for years and decided to finally binge read it. And I've always wanted to read something by Cecelia Ahern (I've been meaning to read Love Rosie for ages).
I love Doctor Who and this mini-episode like story was a great way to get back into the light sci fi world.
My favorite part of this short story, besides the Doctor in a dress (lol!!!) was the Cinderella retelling vibes I got from it. :) This short and sweet tale makes me want to finally finish watching Doctor Who and read more from this world.
I would have enjoyed it a bit more if Rose or Clara had made an appearance.
I recommend checking this out if you enjoy Doctor Who and also the Cinderella retelling aspect.
I love Doctor Who and this mini-episode like story was a great way to get back into the light sci fi world.
My favorite part of this short story, besides the Doctor in a dress (lol!!!) was the Cinderella retelling vibes I got from it. :) This short and sweet tale makes me want to finally finish watching Doctor Who and read more from this world.
I would have enjoyed it a bit more if Rose or Clara had made an appearance.
I recommend checking this out if you enjoy Doctor Who and also the Cinderella retelling aspect.