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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
Read like an episode of Doctor Who, though I feel like Clara and the Doctor were slightly out of character in some places. Finished it in about 3 hours, so that was fun!
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This was a perfectly serviceable Doctor Who novel until the clowns showed up. And no, that's not a metaphor. There are actual clowns that juggle, make balloon animals, chase each other with pies, and fit into ridiculously tiny vehicles. Given the trajectory of the story, I can understand their inclusion, but at the same time, there were so many other choices the author could have made. Clowns tend to scare people or turn them off to your story. The only place they belong is in Stephen King's IT, and even that's pushing it.
That's not to say that there isn't any good stuff here. The Doctor and Clara are perfectly within character, down to their speech patterns and physical idiosyncrasies. I could absolutely see this playing out as an episode in my mind. I really like the easter eggs in here for past Doctors, as well as the events happening on the day that the original Doctor Who aired in the UK. I've also read a few books and watched a couple documentaries on the assassination of President Kennedy, so that drew my interest as well.
All in all, the story was well done, the characters were spot on, but I really could have done without the clowns.
That's not to say that there isn't any good stuff here. The Doctor and Clara are perfectly within character, down to their speech patterns and physical idiosyncrasies. I could absolutely see this playing out as an episode in my mind. I really like the easter eggs in here for past Doctors, as well as the events happening on the day that the original Doctor Who aired in the UK. I've also read a few books and watched a couple documentaries on the assassination of President Kennedy, so that drew my interest as well.
All in all, the story was well done, the characters were spot on, but I really could have done without the clowns.
I loved it! Definitely a great book if you are in need of some new Doctor Who stuff while the show is on hiatus. I really liked how Clara was included and there were little whouffle moments. I also liked the references to past Doctors and the companions.
Eleven really isn't my favorite & he's just mean to Clara in this one. Interesting idea for a story, but didn't quite live up to what I'd hoped for.
4 stars
If you happen to follow me on Twitter, you would know by now that Doctor Who has taken over my life pretty much. So when I saw the beautiful New Series Adventures books in Waterstones in London back in March, it took all my self-control not to buy them. Alas, since then, the obsession has only grown, especially with my love of Whoufflé, and I could not stop myself any longer. I had no idea what to expect with a media tie-in book like this, but MAN was it enjoyable and captured the essence of the TV series perfectly.
What becomes apparent right off the bat is that Tommy Donbavand has such a great understanding of the Eleventh Doctor and Clara as characters. They sound completely genuine, which I suppose I was a bit nervous about (since Clara especially hadn't really been seen for long by the time this book was published). Especially the dialogue was top notch, and I found myself giggling like an idiot throughout most of the book. It was just Matt Smith. Totally.
The adventure in this book was also quintessentially DW. The Shroud are such a creepy freaking alien race, it pretty much gave me the shivers - as all good Doctor Who villains should. It even ended on a note reminiscent of the most famous episode ever, Blink, in that I'm going to have a bit of trouble not thinking I see the Shroud all around me. Creepy goodness!
I thought it was especially cool that elements of the series really came back in this book, like mentions of old characters, especially at the end, with memories of the Doctor saying goodbye to various companions over the years. It was not only cool, but that last scene was so emotional and beautiful. Also, I'm just going to put this out there, but there was a Mr. Williams, a veterinarian, in the US in the 1920s. Just. You know.
The only negative thing I have to note is that the ending is a bit confusing. I know Doctor Who is not exactly known for its thorough (and believable) explanations of science fiction elements, but the wormhole situation was poorly explained and felt a bit rushed to get the climax over with. But that ultimately didn't keep me from enjoying the book any less.
AND. As to the Whoufflé. There could have been more, but I totally understand that this is not fanfiction, haha. I love the dynamic between the two characters anyway, and Donbavand captured that perfectly. The subtle hints are good enough for me now and had me fangirling anyway.
That is all.
Summing Up:
A fun, quick read! For Doctor Who fans who are bookworms like me, I think this series is probably the perfect solution to tide us over in between series. I mean, how am I going to survive the wait until November now? I might buy some more of these.
Recommended To:
Any Doctor Who fans, really.
If you happen to follow me on Twitter, you would know by now that Doctor Who has taken over my life pretty much. So when I saw the beautiful New Series Adventures books in Waterstones in London back in March, it took all my self-control not to buy them. Alas, since then, the obsession has only grown, especially with my love of Whoufflé, and I could not stop myself any longer. I had no idea what to expect with a media tie-in book like this, but MAN was it enjoyable and captured the essence of the TV series perfectly.
What becomes apparent right off the bat is that Tommy Donbavand has such a great understanding of the Eleventh Doctor and Clara as characters. They sound completely genuine, which I suppose I was a bit nervous about (since Clara especially hadn't really been seen for long by the time this book was published). Especially the dialogue was top notch, and I found myself giggling like an idiot throughout most of the book. It was just Matt Smith. Totally.
The adventure in this book was also quintessentially DW. The Shroud are such a creepy freaking alien race, it pretty much gave me the shivers - as all good Doctor Who villains should. It even ended on a note reminiscent of the most famous episode ever, Blink, in that I'm going to have a bit of trouble not thinking I see the Shroud all around me. Creepy goodness!
I thought it was especially cool that elements of the series really came back in this book, like mentions of old characters, especially at the end, with memories of the Doctor saying goodbye to various companions over the years. It was not only cool, but that last scene was so emotional and beautiful. Also, I'm just going to put this out there, but there was a Mr. Williams, a veterinarian, in the US in the 1920s. Just. You know.
The only negative thing I have to note is that the ending is a bit confusing. I know Doctor Who is not exactly known for its thorough (and believable) explanations of science fiction elements, but the wormhole situation was poorly explained and felt a bit rushed to get the climax over with. But that ultimately didn't keep me from enjoying the book any less.
AND. As to the Whoufflé. There could have been more, but I totally understand that this is not fanfiction, haha. I love the dynamic between the two characters anyway, and Donbavand captured that perfectly. The subtle hints are good enough for me now and had me fangirling anyway.
His words were drowned out by a piercing scream from the corridor outside. He flashed a grin at Clara. 'They're playing our song, dear.'
Clara held out her hand. 'Care to do the corridor quickstep?'
Doctor Who: Shroud of Sorrow by Tommy Donbavand
'Want to know what this friend is thinking right now?'
'What?' asked the Doctor. 'Is it that you'd like to be taller? Because I think you should be taller. When I hug you, I can feel your breath on my chest. It's weird.'
Doctor Who: Shroud of Sorrow by Tommy Donbavand
That is all.
Summing Up:
A fun, quick read! For Doctor Who fans who are bookworms like me, I think this series is probably the perfect solution to tide us over in between series. I mean, how am I going to survive the wait until November now? I might buy some more of these.
Recommended To:
Any Doctor Who fans, really.
I picked this book up in the library as I was doing a panel at Fantasycon on Dr Who and I thought every little bit helps
Reading the book it was an okay Dr who book, I didn't feel that the Clara in the story matched the Clara from the TV show. It was also like 2 separate stories at one stage
I finished it today and it had a nice ending overall it's not a bad read if you need something quick to pass the time.
Reading the book it was an okay Dr who book, I didn't feel that the Clara in the story matched the Clara from the TV show. It was also like 2 separate stories at one stage
I finished it today and it had a nice ending overall it's not a bad read if you need something quick to pass the time.
Not one of my favorite Doctor Who books, but it was still entertaining. The villain was interesting, but could have been much more. I would have liked to see a villain like this on the show, I think it would work better on television than through book.
The characters were somewhat flat. The Doctor really didn't seem like the Doctor for a good portion of the book, and Clara didn't really feel like Clara.
For being set the day after Kennedy's assassination, it didn't really have the feel of all the sorrow that there was. The book would say everyone was in mourning, but when talking to characters, it really didn't seem like that.
Now saying that, I've read some absolutely terrible Doctor Who books, and this one is not one of them, but it is also not the best.
A good read for Doctor Who fans who are looking to read through the book series.
The characters were somewhat flat. The Doctor really didn't seem like the Doctor for a good portion of the book, and Clara didn't really feel like Clara.
For being set the day after Kennedy's assassination, it didn't really have the feel of all the sorrow that there was. The book would say everyone was in mourning, but when talking to characters, it really didn't seem like that.
Now saying that, I've read some absolutely terrible Doctor Who books, and this one is not one of them, but it is also not the best.
A good read for Doctor Who fans who are looking to read through the book series.
Quick read. Finished in just about 3 hours. Good use of clowns and Clara's wit. A good read for any Whovian!
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Eu amo muito Doctor who, ainda mais esse doutor, então pode-se dizer que eu amei muito esse livro, os diálogos eram simplesmente perfeitos
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief