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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
A must read for any Doctor Who fan. I read other Doctor Who books but this one is the best! I took it for a 12 hours plane and I could not put it down the entire trip!
This book was pretty interesting, although it was a bit annoying, however it went along very well. I liked this book.
This ... is so bad. Just stunningly awful writing. Allow me to quote:
"A guard grabbed hold of Martha's arm, while another two pointed their space guns at her."
"Space guns." Really?
Also, what's up with all the pointless exposition making sure I know that Doctor Who is a time traveller and all the very basic bits of this universe. Do you really think that someone who isn't familiar with these sorts of things is going to be diving into book 14 of the New Series Adventures of Doctor Who?
DNF at page 50 so that my love of Doctor Who is not tarnished by this objectively terrible prose.
"A guard grabbed hold of Martha's arm, while another two pointed their space guns at her."
"Space guns." Really?
Also, what's up with all the pointless exposition making sure I know that Doctor Who is a time traveller and all the very basic bits of this universe. Do you really think that someone who isn't familiar with these sorts of things is going to be diving into book 14 of the New Series Adventures of Doctor Who?
DNF at page 50 so that my love of Doctor Who is not tarnished by this objectively terrible prose.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The narrative choice here—swapping between a distant third person and Martha's first person POV—was kind of odd and didn't really work for me. The pseudo-mystery aspects (who stole the extinct animals?!) and the related clues felt clunky, but maybe because I'm a mystery reader my expectations were too high? Anyway, overall I was disappointed with the story itself, though I thoroughly enjoyed the narration by Freema Agyeman.
Pretty good yeah. I didn't really understand or like the "abridged" business. I assume that was why they kept switching between 3rd and 1st person at random moments?? Anyway it was all rather odd and I feel a bit like I've cheated reading the book but ah well. I liked the plot quite a lot. Good concept but I felt it went a bit wild and big scale towards the end. Plenty of emotion. Liked the Dodo.
now i'm mad because nothing on the library site or the case for this or anywhere did it say it was abridged. down a star for that.
The Doctor & Martha encounter a planet filled with a museum of the last animal of its kind for each animal that has become extinct in the Milky Way galaxy. And each is in suspended animation so that the species doesn't die out. Will the proprietor try to enshrine the last of the Time Lords as well? Will the last dodo be saved by the Doctor?
This was a quick read. There was a bit of bad logic here and there, but the author at least tried to tie up the loose ends at the end, including adding in a faulty android which was supposed to explain the lapse of logic. Just when I thought the story was over, there was a nice surprise extra at the end.
I think I'd give this story 3 1/2 stars, but I'll round down because it really wasn't a 4 star book.
This was a quick read. There was a bit of bad logic here and there, but the author at least tried to tie up the loose ends at the end, including adding in a faulty android which was supposed to explain the lapse of logic. Just when I thought the story was over, there was a nice surprise extra at the end.
I think I'd give this story 3 1/2 stars, but I'll round down because it really wasn't a 4 star book.
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've noted before that the 10th Doctor and Martha have a really great track record when it comes to the novels, and that trend continues here. At it's core this story is pretty solid and typical, but it has some really great and unique ideas and features that elevate it into something more special.
One of these is the framing device that pops up throughout, which is essentially Martha journaling some of her experiences and thoughts. This enhances Martha as a character, giving us a deeper insight into what she's feeling and thinking about things going on, developing her dynamic with the Doctor, and the shift in perspective really freshens up the reading experience/pacing.
The decision to do this also feels really appropriate given the ethical/moral questions this story wants to explore.
While the concept of a space/future zoo isn't exactly a new idea, it also isn't incredibly common and makes for a good base premise. The sci-fi ideas at play are cool, even encroaching on silly at times but it all works under the rompy tone of the story. The exploration of poaching, black markets, ecological conservation and animal exploitation/captivity are handled generally well and provides some interesting substance behind the adventure of it all.
Another special aspect of this book is the zoology device that Martha uses. This pops up between chapters, giving us facts about certain animals and how many she's seen, all updating chronologically with the events of the story. It's a really fun and rewarding structural feature which links nicely to the extra focus Martha has.
The Doctor and especially Martha are (as usual) are the standouts here, along with the titular dodo! The other characters are decent all round - and the story is good but nothing unexpected - however these both serve as a solid foundation for the special touches, resulting in a story that is greater than the sum of its parts.
One of these is the framing device that pops up throughout, which is essentially Martha journaling some of her experiences and thoughts. This enhances Martha as a character, giving us a deeper insight into what she's feeling and thinking about things going on, developing her dynamic with the Doctor, and the shift in perspective really freshens up the reading experience/pacing.
The decision to do this also feels really appropriate given the ethical/moral questions this story wants to explore.
While the concept of a space/future zoo isn't exactly a new idea, it also isn't incredibly common and makes for a good base premise. The sci-fi ideas at play are cool, even encroaching on silly at times but it all works under the rompy tone of the story. The exploration of poaching, black markets, ecological conservation and animal exploitation/captivity are handled generally well and provides some interesting substance behind the adventure of it all.
Another special aspect of this book is the zoology device that Martha uses. This pops up between chapters, giving us facts about certain animals and how many she's seen, all updating chronologically with the events of the story. It's a really fun and rewarding structural feature which links nicely to the extra focus Martha has.
The Doctor and especially Martha are (as usual) are the standouts here, along with the titular dodo! The other characters are decent all round - and the story is good but nothing unexpected - however these both serve as a solid foundation for the special touches, resulting in a story that is greater than the sum of its parts.
In Teilen ist der Roman etwas langatmig. Wenn man denkt, die Geschichte neigt sich dem Ende zu, ist man noch nicht einmal auf der Hälfte der Seiten angelangt. Und auch die Logik ist nicht immer völlig schlüssig. Hinzu kommt eine teilweise recht extreme moralische Haltung, die von einigen Tierfreunden heute ja auch schon propagiert wird: Dass es besser ist, eine Tierart in Freiheit aussterben zu lassen, als sie in Gefangenschaft zu halten, egal wie artgerecht die Gehege gestaltet werden.
Dennoch sind das nur kleine Schwächen in einem ansonsten interessant und teils lehrreich gestalteten Roman, der einen auch in die Pflicht nimmt, seine eigene moralische Position zumindest zu hinterfragen.
Dennoch sind das nur kleine Schwächen in einem ansonsten interessant und teils lehrreich gestalteten Roman, der einen auch in die Pflicht nimmt, seine eigene moralische Position zumindest zu hinterfragen.