Doctor Who - The Shadows of Avalon: Amazon.co.uk: Paul Cornell: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

From the start we know we're in a Paul Cornell novel: the Brigadier is back: angst-ridden and torn over the death of his wife Doris; and Compassion has been left on Earth by the Doctor in order to "experience humanity". We first meet her in a house she shares with five or six blokes--one of them is in love with her and she didn't help matters by snogging him extensively. She also has a cat - which she has somewhat bizarrely named Cheese. All these things are typical Cornell and, unfortunately, given the lack of character development of Compassion in previous books, do not ring true at all. If Compassion had a cat, she'd call it "Cat". No way would she snog a human, and given that she has agonised over the lack of 'input' when away from the TARDIS, it's hard to see her willingly agreeing to an enforced stay, on her own, on Earth.

We then launch into an uneasy plot in which a vortex opens up between Earth and Avalon (the land of Faeries) and the Doctor, Fitz, Compassion and the Brigadier find themselves involved in a war between Humans and those in Avalon (which number include Silurians as regular Doctor Who readers will realise). There's also a sleeping King (whose dream has created Avalon), brutal Gallifreyan Interventionists sent by President Romana to ensure a certain outcome and lots of tactical battles, explosions, and death.

Overall it's a bit of a mess, although it is quite an easy read. Cornell drags the reader along with him through a multitude of confusion until we reach the revelations at the end.

And it's the end which really makes this book. Over the last few titles, those in the know realised that there was a kind of story arc going on but it was hard to detect its presence. With this book it all comes to a head, and results in one of the greatest innovations that the Doctor Who novels have yet delivered which readers will just have to find out for themselves.

What this outcome really proved, however, was how Compassion really needs to be more defined and likeable to the readers beforehand. As it is, some of the power of what happens is muted as you never really knew or liked her in the first place. Peter Angelides--the only author in recent time to have really understood the characters--should have written this book.

All credit to author Lawrence Miles, apparently, for this outcome, which has been in the offing since Compassion joined in Interference. Maybe now knowing what the outcome is, re-reading those books might shed more clues but, ultimately, it really doesn't matter because a series of stand-alone books which are connected by near-invisible threads would work better than a series which you have to read and remember all for any to make sense. --David Howe

Product Description

The Brigadier, mourning the loss of his wife Doris, is called to help find a nuclear weapon that's gone missing over the Wiltshire Downs. The Doctor is on his way there too, to pick up his companion Compassion, after her holiday on Earth. But when the Doctor's TARDIS explodes, he, the Brigadier, Compassion and Fitz are thrown into the other-dimensional world of Avalon. Magic faces down science, dragons duel with jet fighters.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Good novel, irritating plot details 24 Jun 2000

By A Customer

I was annoyed at all the continuity referrences to the previous range of Dr Who novels from a previous publisher. Now out of print, if someone hasnt read them, they wont understand this book. Paul Cornell has went too far with continuity. What happened to avoiding previous NA novel continuity in the BBC books? I liked that, it stopped awful contradictions within the same range, like we have now, and baffling plot to newcomers. The BBC books only part of the plot is great though, and I have to say, at least the book gives a great ending. I was dubious at first, but the new direction the novels will be taking are excellent. I just *love* what they have done with Compassion, and the new Gallifrey subplot. The main novel 2 stars. The ending 5 stars.

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A totally new Doctor Who! 1 Mar 2000

By Dean Jones

I must confess, I did find some of the events in this book distressing, and I'll mourn. I can't really say anything about who I'll mourn without spoiling the surprise. A fantastic book, a really culmination of events from the story arc that's been developing over the past few months. Those who feel that the Doctor stories should stay unchanged, with the Doc arriving in the TARDIS, beating up monsters and leaving, may not like the innovations in this novel. I guess I'm not too pleased myself, but you either change or stagnate. Well done, Paul!

The "Queen of Doctor Who's" triumphant return 28 Feb 2000

THE MAN WHO BOUGHT US SOME TRULY CLASSIC MOMENTS IN THE VIRGIN NOVEL SERIES (INCLUDING THE HUMANISING OF THE DOCTOR , ACE LEAVING, BERNICE ARIVING, SOME CAMP SILURIANS AND LOTS OF DICK JOKES ) RETURNS WITH A BOOK THAT IS ... UM ... ER... PRETTY GOOD. I mean, its very good, with its Death Wish style Brigader (He walks out under fire to rescue a wounded soldier , i was crying!),its Dragon vs Harrier dog fights and theres a master wannabe, and the revelation at the end (which im not allowed to tell you), but we want more from Mr Cornell and you come away feeling sort of cheated , like its not BIG enough, but you know that its excelent , but it could be better, but its great, but its missing somthing , but what's there is great, but.. and .. erm ... oh hell , just buy it if you like his other stuff,and don't mind feeling sort of confused. Its a lot less depressing than some of the other books in the series.