Reviews

Torchwood: Almost Perfect by James Goss

momopeach's review against another edition

4.0

Personally, when I first wanted to read this book it was several years ago and I had found it in a New York City bookshop. There is a reason that kept me from giving this a full five stars, in all honesty, this is kinda coming in at a 3.5, that will have to wait until I've listened to 'Dead Air' and maybe even read more of Goss' novels to see if it is a common thread with Goss that I have not seen in other Whovinerse writers. Other than that I did enjoy the bit of house of horrors that we got in the latter third and I fully sympathize with Ianto in this book though, to be honest, when do I not. TTFN.

via1's review against another edition

4.0

This was... crazy?

Firstly, the plot. Insane. Without giving any spoilers, the gays will like this book.

Secondly, the chapter titles are hilarious - some of my personal favourites are:
'Gwen and Ianto get a shopping montage'
'Gwen is wearing corpse'
'Ianto can ride a horse across a beach without fear or shame'
'The strange alien device is plotting to take over Jeremy Kyle after this'
'Jack is softly, softly, catchee monkey'
'Mozart is sponsored by Cholestria'
'Ianto knows the true value of a nugget'
'Eric doesn't feel like dancing, no sir, no dancing today'
'Madonna is a gay icon for beginners'

Basically what I'm trying to say is that you should definitely read this book.

demimancy's review against another edition

4.0

Honestly, I didn't expect much from this, except the fact that Ianto is a girl and Jack is as incorrigible as ever. There was a moral, I suppose? I was distracted by the surprisingly in-character banter and how much Gwen worries about Jack and Ianto's sex life.

Which, I admit, I worry about too.

Overall, it read like a well-thought fanfiction, which, of course, is what it is, albeit authorized. Hmm, maybe I should try that?

lizabethstucker's review against another edition

2.0

This Torchwood book had an interesting premise, but failed to deliver. A magic machine has wreaked havoc in Cardiff, from mysterious disappearances to a desperate young woman searching for love to Ianto Jones waking up as a woman. Yes, you read that right, our favorite coffee brewer and Jack's partner in work and love has become an almost perfectly beautiful woman.

I have a few major complaints about this book. First, Goss tends to tell us rather than show us. We don't get to "see" how Ianto and Jack react when they first discover the change. I also felt that the characters were slightly out-of-character. I won't even discuss the creepiness factor of Ianto still having Lisa's clothing, much less him wearing said clothing, in a book set after Tosh and Owen were killed.

timelordash92's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

murderousscottishgremlin's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

bookish_niamh's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

ducklingh's review against another edition

1.5

The beginning was really cool, but it went downhill from there. All of the female POVs made it seem like the author had a very one dimensional view of women and how they think for example,

upon finding a female Ianto in the hub, Gwen is immediately jealous of his boobs - that is not how any woman I know would react. Also, for some reason all of the female characters had clothes that magically fit each other when needed

The whole think reeked of jealous woman stereotypes. Then later on gay stereotypes were added in. 

nwhyte's review against another edition

3.0

http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1903082.html[return][return]I may have mentioned once or twice that I think James Goss is one of the best writers of Who spinoff literature currently in business. Almost Perfect appears to have been his first book, a 2008. Torchwood novel set between Season 2 and Children of Earth, and while I liked it a lot it doesn't quite reach the level of his later work. There is a sexy alien presence, which is classic Torchwood, and Ianto gets transformed into a beautiful woman for most of the novel, which is very entertaining; and there is a lot of really good writing about the Gwen/Rhys relationship, and about how much Owen and Toshiko are missed. But the book slightly misses the mark with regard to Jack's characterisation and back-story, and the actual resolution seemed a bit incoherent - lots of fantastic imagery but lacking a decent frame. So, as Torchwood novels go, one of the decent ones; as James Goss novels go, it shows the way to future excellence.

soft_sarah's review against another edition

2.0

I hate to be giving such a low rating to a Torchwood book since I love the show however this was terrible, although if your wanting something quick and easy to read you can read this. I was disappointed in this book, I had read some of James Goss's previous Doctor Who books and really liked them but this fell short.