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yanagi's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
2.5
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
3.0
As one would expect of Stephen Cole, The Art of Destruction was simply fine. It wasn't awful, but it certainly wasn't great or memorable. It takes place in 22nd century Africa, which is a refreshing break from the usual London/UK Earth setting. Rose and the Doctor are thrust into an ancient battle between an artistic race called the Valnaxi and a battle hungry race of earthworms appropriately called the Wurm. Living creatures who stumble upon the resting place of the Valnaxi and their stash of artwork under the African volcano are taken over and appropriated into gold-like statues.
It sounds interesting enough, but it drags. The Doctor only kicks into high-problem-solving-gear when Rose is captured (because who cares about everyone else, amirite?). His characterization is off, to the point he actually says 'Oh, God' once, and compares a statue to Schwarzenegger's neck (awkward for everyone). If you went into this novel not knowing who the Doctor was, you'd probably be waffling between Tom Baker's, Matt Smith's and David Tennant's incarnations.
It's a decent installment, but forgettable.
It sounds interesting enough, but it drags. The Doctor only kicks into high-problem-solving-gear when Rose is captured (because who cares about everyone else, amirite?). His characterization is off, to the point he actually says 'Oh, God' once, and compares a statue to Schwarzenegger's neck (awkward for everyone). If you went into this novel not knowing who the Doctor was, you'd probably be waffling between Tom Baker's, Matt Smith's and David Tennant's incarnations.
It's a decent installment, but forgettable.
beth_books_123's review against another edition
3.0
Another enjoyable book I feel from the Doctor Who series. It isn't the best, it isn't up there with the likes of the Stone Rose (that is a must read in my opinion) but it is still a good book capturing the determination of the Doctor and Rose.
I think this book perfectly captures Rose but fails to capture the quirkiness of the Doctor that was seen throughout the 10th's portrayal on TV and many other books.
I think this book perfectly captures Rose but fails to capture the quirkiness of the Doctor that was seen throughout the 10th's portrayal on TV and many other books.
caitz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rtudes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
patroclusbro's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There were some classically Doctor Who things about this one, which I liked: an intruiging location (within a vulcano), strange aliens, silliness, golems made of gold, old rivalries, an awful lot of running and Rose as the woman of the hour.
But, alas, this book isn't free of exoticising: The setting of the story is constantly getting generalised as "Africa", while it is made clear that it takes place specifically in Chad. The vulcano in question is called "Mount Tarsus", even though, according to quick research, "Tarso" basically refers to a high plateau and a lot of vulcanoes in the Tibesti mountains carry it within their name. I refuse to think that the locals in this story would call the vulcano "Mountain Mountain". Also there's a weird running joke by the Doctor, where he asks people if they have met the French (??). Adding some other misplaced comments, all in all, this book would have gained from a sensitivity reading, which it might have gotten, if it wasn't from 2006.
But, alas, this book isn't free of exoticising: The setting of the story is constantly getting generalised as "Africa", while it is made clear that it takes place specifically in Chad. The vulcano in question is called "Mount Tarsus", even though, according to quick research, "Tarso" basically refers to a high plateau and a lot of vulcanoes in the Tibesti mountains carry it within their name. I refuse to think that the locals in this story would call the vulcano "Mountain Mountain". Also there's a weird running joke by the Doctor, where he asks people if they have met the French (??). Adding some other misplaced comments, all in all, this book would have gained from a sensitivity reading, which it might have gotten, if it wasn't from 2006.
felinity's review against another edition
2.0
This is my 3rd DW audiobook, and it just didn't sit well. It must be hard, doing voices for two well-known characters, but even if the voices aren't a match at least they should be consistent. Unfortunately, those for both Rose and the Doctor tended to vary a lot, and the narrator couldn't get Rose's London accent at all. The other voices were quite good, and distinctive, and the plot was okay, but it was harder to concentrate on the plot changes while being distracted by the bad voices.
reginacattus's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely captured the essence of the 10th Doctor and, having recently rewatched Series 2, I appreciated the callbacks to it. First book I've read set in 22nd century Africa, and interesting starting concept of messing with nature to save lives, paralleled between the humans and the aliens.
andystehr's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty solid Rose and 10th Doctor adventure. It moved along well and the third act had a fairly epic scope.
zoeb2101's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25