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pchoo's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
arwenundomiel03's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This was an interesting listen - written when Peter Capaldi was the doctor still, there was one story for each regeneration - one with each doctor (12 stories in total). I definitely preferred the later stories to the earlier ones (from the 8th doctor on - although I did enjoy the 7th doctor’s too, but that was mostly because it was Ace reading Ace’s story, I think), as they were generally more what I am used to in terms of Doctor who and more gripping.
Some of the stories were quite dark considering it was written for kids, but definitely worth a listen, as they were very enticing and interesting stories. (My favourite has to be the 11th Doctor one - partially because it’s the 11th Doctor, but partly because it had the weeping angels in it!!!)
I can recommend, but I’m not sure I’d read the book as a while again.
Some of the stories were quite dark considering it was written for kids, but definitely worth a listen, as they were very enticing and interesting stories. (My favourite has to be the 11th Doctor one - partially because it’s the 11th Doctor, but partly because it had the weeping angels in it!!!)
I can recommend, but I’m not sure I’d read the book as a while again.
krisbethea's review
5.0
Delightfully fun!!!
And definitely creepy.
*grin*
I recommend this to all Whovians for some light entertainment.
Who can say no to more Who????
And definitely creepy.
*grin*
I recommend this to all Whovians for some light entertainment.
Who can say no to more Who????
scampr's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
In finishing my previous read at the start of October, I figured now was the perfect opportunity to finally read this horror themed anthology - and it did prove to be an enjoyable collection of stories to get me into the Halloween mood!
Last year I read another Doctor Who anthology in the form of The Target Storybook (which I really loved) so I expected this book would be to my liking too.
Despite comprising 350 pages, the large font size and border space of Tales of Terror means it's actually a much quicker read than your average Doctor Who novel. Across the book are twelve short stories, one for each of the Doctor's incarnations 1-12. They average just under 30 pages each and are accompanied by a rather nice black and white illustration somewhere in the chapter that highlights a key moment/characters in that story.
The majority of this book's adventures feature a returning monster or villain, and the ones they chose to include are all suitably scary or creepy to fit the Halloween vibe - and leaning on the iconography of established villains was a smart move given how brief these stories had to be. I do think this anthology was geared to accommodate a younger demographic, as there isn't a whole lot of complexity or character exploration; but that's okay! The intention is clearly to deliver a collection of spooky stories set in the Doctor Who universe, something easy to read for quick, light-hearted scares.
I can't go into great detail given how many there are, but on the whole these are a satisfying bunch of stories - my personal favourites being chapters 4, 6 and 11!
The six authors that contributed clearly understand and appreciate the respective Doctors and companions they're writing for, giving us solid characterisation and dialogue to engage with. The sense of atmosphere is constantly great and the enemies we encounter are well utilised to craft a satisfying tale (it doesn't just feel like a kid smashing action figures together at random). The aforementioned illustrations round things off nicely with cool, scratchy black linework scenes that are moody and intricate.
As is the case with anthologies, there's a good bit of variety between the different characters, settings and dilemmas that feature. With the swift pacing and simplistic horror focus it makes for a more relaxed read, which is nice every now and again to break up the more distinguished and dense novels. There may be nothing ground-breaking, but it's good fun and well executed if you're in the mood for Who-horror!
Last year I read another Doctor Who anthology in the form of The Target Storybook (which I really loved) so I expected this book would be to my liking too.
Despite comprising 350 pages, the large font size and border space of Tales of Terror means it's actually a much quicker read than your average Doctor Who novel. Across the book are twelve short stories, one for each of the Doctor's incarnations 1-12. They average just under 30 pages each and are accompanied by a rather nice black and white illustration somewhere in the chapter that highlights a key moment/characters in that story.
The majority of this book's adventures feature a returning monster or villain, and the ones they chose to include are all suitably scary or creepy to fit the Halloween vibe - and leaning on the iconography of established villains was a smart move given how brief these stories had to be. I do think this anthology was geared to accommodate a younger demographic, as there isn't a whole lot of complexity or character exploration; but that's okay! The intention is clearly to deliver a collection of spooky stories set in the Doctor Who universe, something easy to read for quick, light-hearted scares.
I can't go into great detail given how many there are, but on the whole these are a satisfying bunch of stories - my personal favourites being chapters 4, 6 and 11!
The six authors that contributed clearly understand and appreciate the respective Doctors and companions they're writing for, giving us solid characterisation and dialogue to engage with. The sense of atmosphere is constantly great and the enemies we encounter are well utilised to craft a satisfying tale (it doesn't just feel like a kid smashing action figures together at random). The aforementioned illustrations round things off nicely with cool, scratchy black linework scenes that are moody and intricate.
As is the case with anthologies, there's a good bit of variety between the different characters, settings and dilemmas that feature. With the swift pacing and simplistic horror focus it makes for a more relaxed read, which is nice every now and again to break up the more distinguished and dense novels. There may be nothing ground-breaking, but it's good fun and well executed if you're in the mood for Who-horror!
anniereads221's review
3.0
My favourite was trick and treat, the stand out story of the lot the rest were okay. But i also liked baby sleepy face for Twelve
ramsfan1963's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Tales of Terror? Not really, just mildly creepy stories. 12 tales for the first 12 Doctors. The two best stories involved the 10th Doctor and the Family of Blood, and the 11th Doctor with the Weeping Angel's. The others were totally forgettable.
emilywrayburn's review
2.5
I was really disappointed with this after reading The Wintertime Paradox collection last year. I didn't get any feelings of nostalgia or really feel like I was with any specific Doctor (the exception to this being the Eleventh Doctor - the author nailed 11's voice in that one). I was also expecting to be a bit more scared given the title and that this was a Halloween release.
You win some, you lose some, I guess.
You win some, you lose some, I guess.
hyacinth_girl's review
3.0
I enjoyed it because it was Doctor Who and some of the stories were interesting but I felt that the build up was too slow and the problem was resolved too quickly. Overall this was a fun read.
rena65478's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
fullfledgedegg's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror