Doctor Who: Big Bang Generation

Or, should I say "big bust"? No, I didn't dislike it that much. As someone who knew River Song long before I read this book, I kept thinking that, 'God, Bernice is a rip-off," but I'm getting ahead of myself.

So, Big Bang Generation features a pyramid appearing in Sydney out of nowhere. It stars the Doctor as played by Peter Capaldi and some older, lesser known characters out of the Doctor Who universe, Bernice Summerfield and her gang.

The book was entertaining enough. It definitely wasn't the best Doctor Who novel I've read. Definitely not the best I've read from this author, Gary Russell. It kept me reading to the end, but at times that push was quite tenuous.

Why? Again, I know and love River Song. I'm relatively new to Who, so this Bernice Summerfield character seemed to be an obnoxious rip-off. I know now that Bernice pre-dates River. I know how Bernice fans felt when River came along.

The first 90 pages were a chore for someone who is not familiar with Bernice and frankly doesn't care for her. Yes, 90 pages, that's almost half the book, was spent on background before the pyramid ever even landed in Sydney. If you love Bernice, you might like the background. If not, it makes for a difficult read.

[Spoiler alert]: I would have preferred if the story started with the Bavarian couple hunting in the woods. It would have been a bit of a fun mystery. And I guess that statement wasn't much of a spoiler at all. Oh, well.

I'd give this book 3 stars out of 5. Not horrible, but definitely not the best. It's difficult to read a book where the first 90 pages are just annoying and you really don't like one of the characters.

I got to read this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. I love Blogging for Books, they offer an excellent opportunity for bloggers like me to get free books to blog about.

Deep Time with Doctor Who and Trevor Baxendale

Looking for something fun to read? Look no further. Deep Time by Trevor Baxendale is as fun as they come.

Like any good Doctor Who novel, it reads like an episode and you can hear the actors' voices through the dialogue. There is plenty of mystery and your typical amount of 'wtf?' moments. What do I mean? Well, mystery first: you discover very gradually everything you need to know about the the main alien, the Phaeron. Second, 'wtf?': several things are not explained or just ignored. For example, just about everything about a character named Marco. As is true for many aspects of the Doctor Who universe, you just have to take some things at face value and not think too much.

These 'wtf?' moments do not detract from the story and the fun journey to another world with the Doctor. A taste:

'What the hell was this place?' Hobbo wondered aloud, her voice echoing backwards and forwards along the tunnel.

The Doctor either didn't hear her or didn't bother to reply. He strode confidently ahead, using his sonic screwdriver to light the way. The cool green glow revealed what seemed to be an intricate cave system carved out by unknown hands. The circular walls and floor were oddly smooth and etched with obscure markings. 

Hobbo hurried to keep up. 'This is gettin' weirder all the time. Do you know where we're even goin'?'

'I'm trying to home in on the signal from my TARDIS.' The Doctor paused to fiddle with the screwdriver for a minute and then held it up to his ear, listening carefully. 'It's getting weaker all the time, even though we seem to be getting closer. I don't understand...'
'This place is like a maze,' said Jem. 

A blue glow appeared around the corner, and the now familiar robed shape stepped into view. Jem watched in barely concealed awe as the birdlike face turned slowly within the shadow of its hood to look directly at her. Nictitating eyelids flicked across the dark eyes and then the wraith vanished.

'We must keep on,' Jem said. 'Go deeper into the caves. The Phaeron are waiting for us. They're calling us!'

Tell me you don't want to know what 'wraith' is. Even if you don't know what 'nictitating' means.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from my membership in Blogging for Books. Blogging for Books is awesome! Join them today!