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faiazalam's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A fascinating tale, seeing the first time a returning villain makes an appearance in the Missing Adventures range. The plot itself is very fascinating, with a world built up akin to ours, but very different, leaving you to wonder what is happening and how history had taken such a wild turn. The only drawback is the characterisation of Peri, who is made infuriatingly juvenile during parts of the tale and does leave a huge amount to be desired. The Doctor and the supporting characters, however, are a treat and this is a story well worth seeking out
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first time reading a Sixth Doctor novel, and I really, REALLY had a good time with it. Six's personality was still readily recognizable, but toned down to a rather likable level. Peri was definitely still Peri, but as the story went on, her more annoying traits were shaved down as well. It's a fascinating story that Bulis has dropped them into- the Doctor and Peri visited Cleopatra's procession, then fast forward 25 years and visit her tomb, only to discover that the people have discovered flight, engines, weapons, and bomb development. They set out to find out why, and become embroiled in tomb robberies, gladiator fights, and Egyptian politics. Not only that, Peri is growing her feathers back from when they were on Varos, and the Doctor is regenerating backwards. There's a lot going on here, especially when you toss in a villain who we've seen interact with Doctor 6 before (no spoilers!) and time running out for this world he's discovered.
There's a few reasons why I didn't rate this as highly as I could have. One, there's a LOT of politics. Alexander plotting. Selene interacting with her lackeys. Ptolemy making plans. It slows the book down a bit. Two, Peri does most of the heavy lifting in the story (sometimes quite literally!) she's the one who sets plans into motion and does a lot of saving. The Doctor does quite a bit too, but it's Peri who really stands out as the hero here. Third, you really would have to watch the arc Vengeance on Varos to understand all the references and truly get why Peri is turned into a bird. This didn't slow me down, as I had seen it, but if I hadn't, I would have stopped reading and completed watching the episodes before continuing.
These smaller things aside, I'd highly recommend this novel if you like Colin's Doctor, or, even if you don't. This book might just change your mind about how you feel about him. I had a great time, and I'm looking forward to my next 6th Doctor read!
There's a few reasons why I didn't rate this as highly as I could have. One, there's a LOT of politics. Alexander plotting. Selene interacting with her lackeys. Ptolemy making plans. It slows the book down a bit. Two, Peri does most of the heavy lifting in the story (sometimes quite literally!) she's the one who sets plans into motion and does a lot of saving. The Doctor does quite a bit too, but it's Peri who really stands out as the hero here. Third, you really would have to watch the arc Vengeance on Varos to understand all the references and truly get why Peri is turned into a bird. This didn't slow me down, as I had seen it, but if I hadn't, I would have stopped reading and completed watching the episodes before continuing.
These smaller things aside, I'd highly recommend this novel if you like Colin's Doctor, or, even if you don't. This book might just change your mind about how you feel about him. I had a great time, and I'm looking forward to my next 6th Doctor read!
saoki's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. Actually, couldn't put it down (or go to sleep) until I finished it.
State of Change feels like a bit like something that grew from a Discworld/Doctor Who crossover, and I say that as someone that welcomed that idea. But that is just the general shape, there are enough differences in the Roman-but-steampunk setting (with its properly weird sciency explanation for what happened and how) for it to be a proper place on its own, and the author is very skilled at introducing characters relations, politics and setting at a good pace, so that the alternate history parts and the very unhistorical parts don't actually clash, but complement each other.
But I liked the weirdness in this story. The romanpunkness of it, the humorous parts, Ptolemy's lovercraftian tale, Peri's mutation and its effects, the Doctor's snide comments. And it's well crafted, properly researched, tightly written. I can't wait to read Christofer Bullis' next one.
And lastly, because I have to say it: it's a 6th Doctor adventure! And he is portrayed in a good light! It's always such a joy to read 6 written as a complex character.
State of Change feels like a bit like something that grew from a Discworld/Doctor Who crossover, and I say that as someone that welcomed that idea. But that is just the general shape, there are enough differences in the Roman-but-steampunk setting (with its properly weird sciency explanation for what happened and how) for it to be a proper place on its own, and the author is very skilled at introducing characters relations, politics and setting at a good pace, so that the alternate history parts and the very unhistorical parts don't actually clash, but complement each other.
But I liked the weirdness in this story. The romanpunkness of it, the humorous parts, Ptolemy's lovercraftian tale, Peri's mutation and its effects, the Doctor's snide comments. And it's well crafted, properly researched, tightly written. I can't wait to read Christofer Bullis' next one.
And lastly, because I have to say it: it's a 6th Doctor adventure! And he is portrayed in a good light! It's always such a joy to read 6 written as a complex character.
shane's review against another edition
4.0
Peri is one of my favourite companions from the TV episodes, so I thought I'd choose one of her novels to kick off with. This one is from the Virgin Missing Adventures collection and sees her and the 6th Doctor, Colin Baker, land in an alternate version of ancient Rome. Anyone that's seen the TV episode Vengeance on Varos will recognise Peri's impromptu change of appearance, and much is made of it here. She becomes a much more confident person and begins to revel in her transformation.
For someone who hasn't read too many Doctor Who novels, you can imagine my surprise when early on we're treated to a scene with Peri taking a dip in the pool as naked as a newborn babe. It's at this point that the Tardis encountering an unexpected energy force is thrown around and so we see Peri sluiced headlong and still naked through the corridors of the Tardis and into the Control Room where the Doctor eventually covers her modesty with his coat.
A good start to a novel by any standards.
For someone who hasn't read too many Doctor Who novels, you can imagine my surprise when early on we're treated to a scene with Peri taking a dip in the pool as naked as a newborn babe. It's at this point that the Tardis encountering an unexpected energy force is thrown around and so we see Peri sluiced headlong and still naked through the corridors of the Tardis and into the Control Room where the Doctor eventually covers her modesty with his coat.
A good start to a novel by any standards.
andystehr's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't guess the villain! I'd say that's pretty successful. I thought the Sixth Doctor's voice was well captured and he fit in Roman setting.
nwhyte's review
3.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1780253.html
I can recommend this Sixth Doctor novel to my Whovian classicist friends: it is set in a world where Antony and Cleopatra discovered alien technology and won the Battle of Actium, and a generation later, their twins and Cleopatra's son by Julius Cæsar together are ruling the known world as an uneasy triumvirate. Of course, all is not as it seems, but Bulis has produced quite a good story with some quite subtle underlying themes of change and transformation, and in particular gives Peri a rather better story than she usually gets. The characterisation of the Sixth Doctor is a bit off-kilter, but actually in rather a good way. Good fun.
I can recommend this Sixth Doctor novel to my Whovian classicist friends: it is set in a world where Antony and Cleopatra discovered alien technology and won the Battle of Actium, and a generation later, their twins and Cleopatra's son by Julius Cæsar together are ruling the known world as an uneasy triumvirate. Of course, all is not as it seems, but Bulis has produced quite a good story with some quite subtle underlying themes of change and transformation, and in particular gives Peri a rather better story than she usually gets. The characterisation of the Sixth Doctor is a bit off-kilter, but actually in rather a good way. Good fun.
sleepytechnokid's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
I struggle with this one a bit, but I did rather enjoy this book, I like the concept and ideas in it, It was struggling as moments just go on and on which I understand that it is for world building which is rather nice, mostly I like something about ancient Rome.
nukirisame's review
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
shane's review
4.0
Peri is one of my favourite companions from the TV episodes, so I thought I'd choose one of her novels to kick off with. This one is from the Virgin Missing Adventures collection and sees her and the 6th Doctor, Colin Baker, land in an alternate version of ancient Rome. Anyone that's seen the TV episode Vengeance on Varos will recognise Peri's impromptu change of appearance, and much is made of it here. She becomes a much more confident person and begins to revel in her transformation.
For someone who hasn't read too many Doctor Who novels, you can imagine my surprise when early on we're treated to a scene with Peri taking a dip in the pool as naked as a newborn babe. It's at this point that the Tardis encountering an unexpected energy force is thrown around and so we see Peri sluiced headlong and still naked through the corridors of the Tardis and into the Control Room where the Doctor eventually covers her modesty with his coat.
A good start to a novel by any standards.
For someone who hasn't read too many Doctor Who novels, you can imagine my surprise when early on we're treated to a scene with Peri taking a dip in the pool as naked as a newborn babe. It's at this point that the Tardis encountering an unexpected energy force is thrown around and so we see Peri sluiced headlong and still naked through the corridors of the Tardis and into the Control Room where the Doctor eventually covers her modesty with his coat.
A good start to a novel by any standards.
markk's review
3.0
After taking Peri to snap photographs of Cleopatra's barge as it sails down the Nile, the Doctor and his companion set course for their next destination: Rome in the 2nd century AD. Upon landing, however, they find that they've journeyed forward only a few decades and that they have arrived in a Rome with electric lighting and dirigibles floating in the sky. With the Doctor's TARDIS inexplicably cut off from the Eye of Harmony the two scramble to restore the ship's power and unravel the mystery the steam-powered Rome — one which will lead them to one of the Doctor's most dangerous enemies.
With over a dozen novels to his credit, Christopher Bulis ranks as among the most prolific contributors to the various series of Doctor Who novels in the 1990s and 2000s. Reading this book, it's easy to see why. His novel is a brisk work that nicely conveys the larger world in which Bulis sets it. Best of all is his portrayal of the sixth Doctor, which conveys all of the best parts of the character without any of the flaws which made his tenure on the show so controversial. While the plot itself has plenty of formulaic elements, the novel itself is an enjoyable read that will provide many fans of the franchise with a pleasant way to pass the time.
With over a dozen novels to his credit, Christopher Bulis ranks as among the most prolific contributors to the various series of Doctor Who novels in the 1990s and 2000s. Reading this book, it's easy to see why. His novel is a brisk work that nicely conveys the larger world in which Bulis sets it. Best of all is his portrayal of the sixth Doctor, which conveys all of the best parts of the character without any of the flaws which made his tenure on the show so controversial. While the plot itself has plenty of formulaic elements, the novel itself is an enjoyable read that will provide many fans of the franchise with a pleasant way to pass the time.
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