Reviews

Doctor Who: Combat Magicks by Stephen Cole

writingwwolves's review against another edition

3.0

No matter how hard I tried I really couldn’t get into this novel; I liked the idea behind the alien villains but the storyline felt dragged out, with far too much of it hard to understand. This book felt a lot longer than the other two 13th Doctor novels & I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much. The Doctor, Ryan, Yasmine & Graham were portrayed well though.

⚠️ This book contains a lot of violence & death ⚠️

Extended Review to follow.

millikat's review

2.0

I read several of the Thirteenth Doctor novelizations back to back, and this was my least favorite. I will admit it's because of my personal preference. I like the sci-fi, alien planet type adventures, so I did not care for the war based setting with Atilla the Hun and Romans. The plot overall was fine, but many of the gritty or violent details were specifically off putting, and I did not entirely agree with some of the characterizations (*cough* sexism *cough*). I hate to be negative, but I was truly surprised at how much this book contrasts to, for example, The Good Doctor, which I really liked.

bookprincess11's review

4.0

Another exciting Doctor Who adventure featuring the Thirteenth Doctor and her fam. I didn't know what to expect going into this novel, not knowing anything about the huns, however, I was pleasantly surprised. The characters were all compelling and the book had a mystical tone about it. A highlight was definetly the Doctor and Graham separately both being confused for sorcerers.

This novel is an exciting and historical ride I'd recomend it to all.

kers_tin's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.25

anniereads221's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, War, Death, Racism, Murder, and Misogyny

grace_lola14's review

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

bethhhhhhh's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

berniemcbear's review

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

daisyro24's review

5.0

Absolutely loved it, Steve Cole always manages to capture the current Doctor and companions brilliantly. I loved the story and the setting in the time of the Huns and the Romans. Each character got their own little sections which was nice to see especially as the show can’t always give them each the time they deserve.

nwhyte's review

4.0

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3190596.html

The two best episodes of last year's Doctor Who series were the two historical settings which are up for the Hugo this year; here, Steve Cole takes the Tardis crew to a less well known historical moment, the conflict between Attila the Hun and the Roman general Flavius Ætius which culminated in the Battle of the Catalaunian Fields in 451, near what is now Troyes in France. As it turns out, there are aliens involved as well as human factions; the Tardis crew get split up four ways - to facilitate the plot of course, but it also gives Cole a chance to show off his grasp of detail in the setting and the characterisation. Cole is one of the most prolific Who writers, and I felt he was well on form.