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fullfledgedegg's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
kryten4k's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Remarkably self-assured debut novel from Gary Russell. Hard to believe it is fifteen years old. If there is one fault, it is that as a whodunit, it's fairly obvious. Then again, so were the original Peladon stories. Maybe it's an homage...
nwhyte's review
3.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1837337.html
Peladon is one of a surprisingly small number of planets to figure in more than one televised Who story, and though Big Finish have visited it twice I think this is the only spinoff novel set there. Gary Russell starts with the story of how the planet lifted itself from barbarism, and the stranded human astronaut who married the king; we then get folded into a fairly complex tale of an ancient off-world relic with Ice Warriors, Alpha Centauri, Peladonian factions and the rodent-like Pakhar aliens, with lots for Benny and the Seventh Doctor to do (but rather less for Ace who gets politely shuffled off-scene at a fairly early stage). It's also rather gory with many characters meeting untimely ends. Generally good stuff though I felt the climax was not quite under control (but I did like the political twist at the end).
Peladon is one of a surprisingly small number of planets to figure in more than one televised Who story, and though Big Finish have visited it twice I think this is the only spinoff novel set there. Gary Russell starts with the story of how the planet lifted itself from barbarism, and the stranded human astronaut who married the king; we then get folded into a fairly complex tale of an ancient off-world relic with Ice Warriors, Alpha Centauri, Peladonian factions and the rodent-like Pakhar aliens, with lots for Benny and the Seventh Doctor to do (but rather less for Ace who gets politely shuffled off-scene at a fairly early stage). It's also rather gory with many characters meeting untimely ends. Generally good stuff though I felt the climax was not quite under control (but I did like the political twist at the end).
nukirisame's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
hammard's review
1.0
This was among the first VNAs I read. I had read a couple of others I liked and loved the Peldon stories so seemed an obvious choice. Thankfully this wasn't the very first I had read or I might have given up completely.
Rereading now I actually think it is worse than I remembered. Firstly it barely has a plot. Mostly some warmed over leftovers from the previous Peladon stories. Instead most of the book is long info-dumps either recapping old stories, absurdly long descriptions or trying to construct a single chronology to early 70s stories.
Secondly, Ace is shoved off to a side plot barely appearing in the story.
Thirdly, The Doctor acts oddly throughout the book. I do not really recognise the character at all. They also have him manipulate Benny for no really good reason.
Finally, there is a lot of problematic content in this story. Worst is probably the decision to explicitly misgender Alpha Centauri as he, including having both the narrator and The Doctor.
There are a couple of nice moments which makes it better than the creepy Timewyrm Genesys and it is not as badly written as The Pit. But that is about as much positive I can say about it.
Rereading now I actually think it is worse than I remembered. Firstly it barely has a plot. Mostly some warmed over leftovers from the previous Peladon stories. Instead most of the book is long info-dumps either recapping old stories, absurdly long descriptions or trying to construct a single chronology to early 70s stories.
Secondly, Ace is shoved off to a side plot barely appearing in the story.
Thirdly, The Doctor acts oddly throughout the book. I do not really recognise the character at all. They also have him manipulate Benny for no really good reason.
Finally, there is a lot of problematic content in this story. Worst is probably the decision to explicitly misgender Alpha Centauri as he, including having both the narrator and The Doctor.
There are a couple of nice moments which makes it better than the creepy Timewyrm Genesys and it is not as badly written as The Pit. But that is about as much positive I can say about it.
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