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hidekisohma's review against another edition
3.0
Wow, it took me a while to get through this book. And obviously, that's not a good thing.
So, i actually like McCoy's 7th doctor and wanted to give one of his books a chance. And the book was very...disjointed? I guess is the best word for it.
The premise itself was fine, but the setting has kinda been overused to death. The biggest problem i found with this book was that it takes a LONG time to get started. it's ~300 pages and the first 100 were kind of a schlog to get through. Once i got to the halfway point though, the rest read pretty fast. It was honestly just getting to that point. If the whole book had been like the 2nd half i would have given it a 4, but i just couldn't forgive the first half.
i will say the characterization was good. It really felt like McCoy was there and they nailed his quirks and the way he acts very well. However, this novel falls into the hole that most doctor who stories fall into. Introducing WAYYYY too many characters who show up for five minutes and die. I can't tell you how many times i'd read it and go "oh no! not THAT guy! wait..who was that guy?" (flips back a few pages) "oh right. THAT guy."
Also, Doctor who's gotta stop with WWII london. we get it. it was a bad time. But there's a LOT of other places you can go in time Doc, please. Stop.
Overall, the cybermen story was fine and was competent. The bad guy was stock and fine, but it didn't jump out at me as AMAZING. It was...serviceable. If i was trying to sell someone on McCoy, it would not be this book. But if you already like McCoy...it's fine. Solid 3/5.
So, i actually like McCoy's 7th doctor and wanted to give one of his books a chance. And the book was very...disjointed? I guess is the best word for it.
The premise itself was fine, but the setting has kinda been overused to death. The biggest problem i found with this book was that it takes a LONG time to get started. it's ~300 pages and the first 100 were kind of a schlog to get through. Once i got to the halfway point though, the rest read pretty fast. It was honestly just getting to that point. If the whole book had been like the 2nd half i would have given it a 4, but i just couldn't forgive the first half.
i will say the characterization was good. It really felt like McCoy was there and they nailed his quirks and the way he acts very well. However, this novel falls into the hole that most doctor who stories fall into. Introducing WAYYYY too many characters who show up for five minutes and die. I can't tell you how many times i'd read it and go "oh no! not THAT guy! wait..who was that guy?" (flips back a few pages) "oh right. THAT guy."
Also, Doctor who's gotta stop with WWII london. we get it. it was a bad time. But there's a LOT of other places you can go in time Doc, please. Stop.
Overall, the cybermen story was fine and was competent. The bad guy was stock and fine, but it didn't jump out at me as AMAZING. It was...serviceable. If i was trying to sell someone on McCoy, it would not be this book. But if you already like McCoy...it's fine. Solid 3/5.
allowableman2's review against another edition
5.0
"They talk of the triumph of the machine but the machine will never triumph"
D. H. Lawrence
In a Luftwaffe bombed London. A serial killer, the Limehouse Lurker, stalks the streets. A sinister silver sphere falls from the sky, and ex-pat American private eye Cody McBride sees it crash-land and split open. The military dismisses McBride's account, but the Doctor and Ace believe him. The sphere is a sophisticated alien technology, and it's now loose in London.
Tucker and Perry's novel explores a different side of Seventh Doctor, showcasing his ability to think on his feet and change plans at the moment. The Doctor's deep connection to Ace and his exploration of her TARDIS room during her kidnapping showcases his more softer emotions.
The story is practically a noir film in a descriptive prose style, blending London's empty streets during the Blitz and Cody McBride, an American detective, narrating the opening scenes. The Cybermen are a more genuine threat here than in Silver Nemesis, with them biding their time and using citizens hiding underground from the Blitz as stock. The book features scenes that rival Attack of the Cybermen in terms of body horror. Tucker and Perry skillfully craft horror off-screen, allowing the screams and silence to sink in.
Illegal Alien is a talented debut novel for the Seventh Doctor and Ace, offering an excellent introduction to the Past Doctor Adventures series. The regulars and side characters are well-realized, and the plot is engaging.
D. H. Lawrence
In a Luftwaffe bombed London. A serial killer, the Limehouse Lurker, stalks the streets. A sinister silver sphere falls from the sky, and ex-pat American private eye Cody McBride sees it crash-land and split open. The military dismisses McBride's account, but the Doctor and Ace believe him. The sphere is a sophisticated alien technology, and it's now loose in London.
Tucker and Perry's novel explores a different side of Seventh Doctor, showcasing his ability to think on his feet and change plans at the moment. The Doctor's deep connection to Ace and his exploration of her TARDIS room during her kidnapping showcases his more softer emotions.
The story is practically a noir film in a descriptive prose style, blending London's empty streets during the Blitz and Cody McBride, an American detective, narrating the opening scenes. The Cybermen are a more genuine threat here than in Silver Nemesis, with them biding their time and using citizens hiding underground from the Blitz as stock. The book features scenes that rival Attack of the Cybermen in terms of body horror. Tucker and Perry skillfully craft horror off-screen, allowing the screams and silence to sink in.
Illegal Alien is a talented debut novel for the Seventh Doctor and Ace, offering an excellent introduction to the Past Doctor Adventures series. The regulars and side characters are well-realized, and the plot is engaging.
dp112's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Kind of falls over at times
eion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
nwhyte's review
4.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2635668.html
A Seventh Doctor novel published in 1997, featuring Ace and Cybermen in wartime 1940s London; grittily imagined, with good characterisation; one of the better Past Doctor Adventures that I have read. It shares certain resonances with The Doctor Dances / The Empty Child, but is really very true to the spirit of McCoy era Who, to the point that I wondered if it could have been a script in its own right.
As indeed, apparently, it was - submitted for the 1990 season that was never made.
A Seventh Doctor novel published in 1997, featuring Ace and Cybermen in wartime 1940s London; grittily imagined, with good characterisation; one of the better Past Doctor Adventures that I have read. It shares certain resonances with The Doctor Dances / The Empty Child, but is really very true to the spirit of McCoy era Who, to the point that I wondered if it could have been a script in its own right.
As indeed, apparently, it was - submitted for the 1990 season that was never made.
rachelpotter97's review
4.0
First Doctor Who book I've read in a while, and I really enjoyed diving back into the Doctor Who universe! This one focused on the Seventh Doctor and Ace, and I really got to know the characters, as I never watched Seven's episodes. It was just fast paced enough for me to see how it would work as an episode, and although it personally took a while for me to get into it, once I did, it flew by for me!
4*
- Rachel
4*
- Rachel
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