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h3dakota's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, Ten... how I miss you!! :D I was intrigued by the Krillitanes when we first met them, so I was extra happy to have another Krillitane story. With their ability to shape shift & change their own evolution to suit their needs, there could be an entire series just about them! LOL
booknerd_therapist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beth_books_123's review against another edition
3.0
A nice little read - 3.5*
I'm dipping into this series as I build up my excitement for the 60th anniversary in November. I've also just binge-watched David Tennant in Good Omens , Season 2. (Side note: you have to watch it!)
I am really enjoying solo David Tennant adventures because it really showcases his character AND the side characters from the adventure really shine.
I'm dipping into this series as I build up my excitement for the 60th anniversary in November. I've also just binge-watched David Tennant in Good Omens , Season 2. (Side note: you have to watch it!)
I am really enjoying solo David Tennant adventures because it really showcases his character AND the side characters from the adventure really shine.
measiwitch's review against another edition
3.0
This is a middle of the road Who book, taking place sometime after S4 and the end of the specials. A few slight references to "School Reunion" come into play. As with all of them, it's a quick read. Good characters and smooth plot. It's nothing extraordinary, but a fun read for a commute home.
starryworlds's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Although this is not the best Doctor Who novel that I've read, it was still fairly enjoyable but mainly towards the end.
I wanted to get this book before any of the others I've got on my list because it featured the krillitanes and since the episode in 2006, we haven't seen them predominantly in another episode of Doctor Who and I wanted to know more about them. Basically curiosity won over the blurb I read.
Towards the end of the book, I got to know more about the krillitanes and I liked the last 100 pages. But the rest of the book (at times), it felt like the plot was going nowhere and was dragging a bit.
However I liked the guest companion, Emily, and her back story.
Although this is not the best Doctor Who novel that I've read, it was still fairly enjoyable but mainly towards the end.
I wanted to get this book before any of the others I've got on my list because it featured the krillitanes and since the episode in 2006, we haven't seen them predominantly in another episode of Doctor Who and I wanted to know more about them. Basically curiosity won over the blurb I read.
Towards the end of the book, I got to know more about the krillitanes and I liked the last 100 pages. But the rest of the book (at times), it felt like the plot was going nowhere and was dragging a bit.
However I liked the guest companion, Emily, and her back story.
sabregirl's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The suspense throughout the story was fantastic and not know who was on who's side was interesting. And to finally see the end result of it all. I really didn't care for the 'love' interest between Emily and the Doctor. Even though I didn't see anything really until she suddenly kissed him before he left. It was good to see a girl who wasn't really interested in the Doctor until she kissed him, she seemed more puzzled by him than anything else. The personal jab that Ten had said about Six made me laugh. It's interesting to see another Doctors view on his previous self. It was nice to see the Krillitane's as a deeper being than what we saw them as in School Reunion. Though this was the beginning of their greater meaning so it was interesting to see that. Plus to see how they think was interesting, you don't usually see that in a Doctor who novel. A really interesting read.
horrorshowkatie's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
libkatem's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good, I thought. There were some strong characters, the plot was good and fast moving, and, oh, set in Medieval England. <3 I recommend it!
scampr's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The Krillitane are a species I'm surprised haven't returned very often since their first appearance in 2006 - not so much because they were massively stand-out villains - but because of their incredibly versatile alien concept. Beings that evolve on a rapid scale by literally taking on the best traits of those they defeat? That has so much potential.
The more immediately intriguing route to take the species would be to explore a drastically different version of them from the past or future, however, this book is part of a range of solo 10th Doctor adventures facing off against (mostly) iconic enemies. In keeping them recognisable and iconic for the purposes of the range, the writer instead takes a more subtle approach by focusing on Krillitane very closely linked to the ones we are familiar with. This works not just logistically but on a story level, given the 10th Doctor already has a connection to this specific part of Krillitane history.
All in all we get some very interesting links to the events of School Reunion, some smaller exploration of Krillitane evolution, and some big chunks of worldbuilding & lore for their species. This also provides us more development of the Krillitane as intelligent individuals/a society, which is something we previously only saw from Mr Finch (as the rest of them on TV were effectively just henchmen). I'm pointing all this out not because I'm a huge Krillitane fan or anything, but I do think this elevates them, and I can't deny how fun it is to see Doctor Who fully embracing and indulging its sci-fi ideas & lore.
Anyway, in regards to the actual story, it is pretty enjoyable! I like getting the 10th Doctor in more historical stories, and the time period feels an appropriate choice for the Krillitane too - not just to contrast the modern day of their first appearance, but to also lean into gothic horror, mythology and religion.
The first half of the story feels more grounded, atmospheric, and focused on the historical setting, but with a sense of rompiness to it. The latter half builds into the more elaborate ideas, sci-fi elements and becomes more action packed. It's a nice balance overall and well paced.
As is often the case with 10th Doctor adventures post S4, he is saddled with a one-time companion - she is perfectly adequate, but probably one of the weaker/less interesting elements of the book. I would say that overall, the characters and dialogue is rather strong though, with the Doctor on top form as usual!
The more immediately intriguing route to take the species would be to explore a drastically different version of them from the past or future, however, this book is part of a range of solo 10th Doctor adventures facing off against (mostly) iconic enemies. In keeping them recognisable and iconic for the purposes of the range, the writer instead takes a more subtle approach by focusing on Krillitane very closely linked to the ones we are familiar with. This works not just logistically but on a story level, given the 10th Doctor already has a connection to this specific part of Krillitane history.
All in all we get some very interesting links to the events of School Reunion, some smaller exploration of Krillitane evolution, and some big chunks of worldbuilding & lore for their species. This also provides us more development of the Krillitane as intelligent individuals/a society, which is something we previously only saw from Mr Finch (as the rest of them on TV were effectively just henchmen). I'm pointing all this out not because I'm a huge Krillitane fan or anything, but I do think this elevates them, and I can't deny how fun it is to see Doctor Who fully embracing and indulging its sci-fi ideas & lore.
Anyway, in regards to the actual story, it is pretty enjoyable! I like getting the 10th Doctor in more historical stories, and the time period feels an appropriate choice for the Krillitane too - not just to contrast the modern day of their first appearance, but to also lean into gothic horror, mythology and religion.
The first half of the story feels more grounded, atmospheric, and focused on the historical setting, but with a sense of rompiness to it. The latter half builds into the more elaborate ideas, sci-fi elements and becomes more action packed. It's a nice balance overall and well paced.
As is often the case with 10th Doctor adventures post S4, he is saddled with a one-time companion - she is perfectly adequate, but probably one of the weaker/less interesting elements of the book. I would say that overall, the characters and dialogue is rather strong though, with the Doctor on top form as usual!
mountie9's review against another edition
4.0
Totally adorable. I am a sucker for these Doctor Who stories. This one definitely made me yearn for Tennant as the Doctor again. The storyline was fast paced and the secondary characters were interesting - read it over a couple of hours. Just a lot of fun to be back with 10 and the author did a great job.