Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Times up, number 8, 20 Jul 2005
When the 1997 Paul McGann TV Movie turned out to be a one-off BBC Books continued the adventures of the 8th Doctor in print - and now, 73 books later, with a 9th Doctor appearing back on BBC TV it's time to wrap up the ongoing adventures of the 8th Doctor.As such, this novel is concerned with tying up as many outstanding unresolved plot-threads as possible from the previous novels in the series, so if you're a casual fan who hasn't read any of the previous 8th Doctor novels but wants to find out how the 8th Doctor turned into Christopher Eccleston's 9th Doctor this book isn't for you - there is no regeneration scene, and no direct linkage to the new TV series at the novels close. About halfway through the 8th Doctor novel range a new editor came in, and the direction of the novels was changed by having the Doctor destroy his home planet of Gallifrey and therefore killing off any references to previous continuity - unfortunately as an inept means of sweeping all the characters baggage under the carpet the old cliché of amnesia was wheeled out, and like a festering sore the Doctor's subsequent failure to face up to his actions has plagued the latter novels in the series - Parkin does a good job of transforming the Doctor's darkest hour into something more heroic, though the fact that this plot-thread has been left dangling for so long means that it now takes 3 quarters of this novel to resolve. Alongside this surprisingly light novel we have a reasonable, if slightly over familiar, attack on Earth by some aliens, though the overly happy ending is a little unconvincing. A novel more concerned with character moments and continuity than plot, this is a very indulgent Doctor Who novel, but as the last in the series that's forgivable. No classic, but for long term readers Parkin does at least a reasonable job of providing an end to the series.
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9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The wait is over!, 12 Jun 2005
Well, that was a marathon read!
Having read the entire BBC Books 8th Doctor series, this was obviously the one I've been anticipating for some time. The series has ranged from the absolutely fantastic to the frankly awful, but has nontheless kept me hooked until the end. The 8th Doctor (Paul McGann), despite only appearing in one TV story has developed into a fascinating literary character, with great depth and appeal, his assistants too, paticularly Sam and Fitz were just great companions (and bear uncanny resmblences to Rose and Captain Jack in the new series).
Its a real shame that these books have a niche audience as a lot of these books deserved wider readership, Lawrence Miles, Justin Richards and Kate Oram in particular have certainly added immense quality and kept the series compelling at the very least. Lance Parkin too has produced some great stories and was a worthy choice for the author of this final tale in the saga.
The book has plenty of surprises and unless I'm mistaken, does tie up the many loose ends that have been tantalising readers for so long. There are at least two jaw droppers which were completely unexpected, of which I applaud Mr Parkin wholeheartedly. There is a tendency towards some cringeworthy contemporary references to show how up to date this all is (Revenge of the Sith and The Scissor Sisters, come on!) and the end is a little too backslappy for comfort. But... its great and a fitting end to the journey, which I have enjoyed ridiculously and will miss even more. Thankfully BBC books are planning on releasing non ongoing saga stories for Doctor No 8 and his predecessors, which will be a welcome alternative to the new TV tie-ins which nice as they are, are basically kids books. To the many authors involved, thanks, its been a blast.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great sendoff for 8th Doctor!, 22 Aug 2006
I love Paul McGann's Doctor and this was an exciting and fitting swansong for one of my favourite Doctors. The story is littered with subplots and secrets you won't get until you read it again meaning that this is a book you can read again and again without getting tired of. The storyline is interesting and the reason for the Doctor's "Amnesia" is finally explained fully. Buy this book!
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