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pandorasxbox's review against another edition
2.0
This is probably more of a 2.5, but I can't bring myself to give it a 3. I did like the shout-outs to the old doctors.
The author has the Doctor more or less down, but Clara seemed a little off to me. I got a bit of a sense that the author didn't like her character very much- there's a lot more pouting, complaining, etc. It may not be on every page, but it's enough that it jumped out at me.
I'm generally pretty good about suspending my disbelief when watching Doctor Who. I'm not sure whether it's because this is a different medium, but it was a bit more difficult for me to do that this time around. The Shroud just didn't work for me, especially when it came to the conclusion.
Spoiler
It's a bit strange that Donna and Rose are missing from the Bad Memory Montage, while Astrid shows up so many times. For fans at least, those goodbyes are far more painful than Astrid's.The author has the Doctor more or less down, but Clara seemed a little off to me. I got a bit of a sense that the author didn't like her character very much- there's a lot more pouting, complaining, etc. It may not be on every page, but it's enough that it jumped out at me.
I'm generally pretty good about suspending my disbelief when watching Doctor Who. I'm not sure whether it's because this is a different medium, but it was a bit more difficult for me to do that this time around. The Shroud just didn't work for me, especially when it came to the conclusion.
kandicez's review against another edition
3.0
I wavered between two and three stars. I’m still not sure. The characterization in this book was spot on. I could hear and see Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman as I read. Donbavand is obviously a fan, not only of Doctor Who in general, but of the Twelfth Doctor in particular because I don’t think I've read such a perfect written representation of a television character. Ever. That includes Max Allan Collins who I thought was the absolute king in this area.
The Doctor and Clara are drawn to Earth on the day after the Kennedy assassination when the nation, possible the world, is experiencing a shared grief and heartache. Something is toning up the grief for reasons unknown until the Doctor arrives and discovers the Shroud. The Shroud was a terrific Doctor Who nemesis. An alien entity that feeds on grief. The Shroud searches your mind for the source of your most poignant grief and then impersonates it and twists memories to intensify your anguish. Dobavand wrote the Shroud well enough, and in such an exquisitely detailed way, that I feel I almost “watched” this episode unfold.
The waffling has nothing to do with characters. My torn feelings are in regards to the plot. The first two thirds or so of the book was a joy to read. When we travel through a wormhole in search of the Shroud’s last feeding ground and meet the clowns...not so much. The entire premise of the clowns was just silly to me. Doctor Who requires a certain acceptance, affection even, for silliness, but there is a certain point where silliness becomes stupidity. I feel Donbavand crossed that line with the clowns.
In the end the Doctor saves the day (of course!) But only by reliving his own moments of grief. Those of us that know and love the Doctor know just how much grief he has felt over his centuries of life. He again shows his willingness to suffer for others. It’s this willingness that causes those he encounters to trust and follow him. I would.
The Doctor and Clara are drawn to Earth on the day after the Kennedy assassination when the nation, possible the world, is experiencing a shared grief and heartache. Something is toning up the grief for reasons unknown until the Doctor arrives and discovers the Shroud. The Shroud was a terrific Doctor Who nemesis. An alien entity that feeds on grief. The Shroud searches your mind for the source of your most poignant grief and then impersonates it and twists memories to intensify your anguish. Dobavand wrote the Shroud well enough, and in such an exquisitely detailed way, that I feel I almost “watched” this episode unfold.
The waffling has nothing to do with characters. My torn feelings are in regards to the plot. The first two thirds or so of the book was a joy to read. When we travel through a wormhole in search of the Shroud’s last feeding ground and meet the clowns...not so much. The entire premise of the clowns was just silly to me. Doctor Who requires a certain acceptance, affection even, for silliness, but there is a certain point where silliness becomes stupidity. I feel Donbavand crossed that line with the clowns.
In the end the Doctor saves the day (of course!) But only by reliving his own moments of grief. Those of us that know and love the Doctor know just how much grief he has felt over his centuries of life. He again shows his willingness to suffer for others. It’s this willingness that causes those he encounters to trust and follow him. I would.
sabregirl's review against another edition
5.0
This books goes right along side Series 7B! With all of the mentions of previous Doctors and companions. Loved it, Clara's characterization was pretty much spot on though there were a few things that were a little off or odd but it being the first book she's apart of that's to be expected really.
gallifreyqueen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
rachel93's review against another edition
1.0
I love Doctor Who and when I found a copy of this book at my local Library I just had to get it. Sadly though I think i just had too high of expectations for this book. I just could not get into it.
ultron_gold's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
anniedelsignore's review against another edition
2.0
I literally just flipped through the last hundred or so pages. This definitely didn't feel like Doctor Who and I don't think the writer did enough research on the show. To me, it felt like he'd only seen a couple episodes. I like that the Ponds were in the Doctor's flashback, but the Rose flashback should have been Doomsday related and there should have been a Donna one too. Overall, I'm very disappointed.
joyematt's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.5
straciehniezdo's review against another edition
3.0
Milujem Doctora. Ale toto proste nebolo dobré. Respektíve príbeh bol zaujímavý. Ale preklad je totálne príšerný. Nikdy viac nečítam Doctora v češtine. Odteraz už len v angličtine. Takto si ho kaziť nebudem.
A akurát keď som sa cezeň preniesla a začala si užívať príbeh, tak prišli klauni. Nemám rada klaunov :D
Každopádne to bolo zaujímavé a rada by som to videla ako nejakú epizódu seriálu :)
A akurát keď som sa cezeň preniesla a začala si užívať príbeh, tak prišli klauni. Nemám rada klaunov :D
Každopádne to bolo zaujímavé a rada by som to videla ako nejakú epizódu seriálu :)
coboshimself_'s review against another edition
3.0
To me, this book felt a little weak at least 3/4 of its entirety. However, the last part of the book really stands out as we see a very emotional moment for The Doctor.
The idea for this new nemesis is really interesting but the way the difficlties are overcome really lefts a lot to ask for. Even when its plot could be better, I find myself giving a 3 out of 5 because of the characterization of Clara and The Doctor which is marvelous.
All in all, it was a good read but I believe the idea of The Shroud could have been better developed
The idea for this new nemesis is really interesting but the way the difficlties are overcome really lefts a lot to ask for. Even when its plot could be better, I find myself giving a 3 out of 5 because of the characterization of Clara and The Doctor which is marvelous.
All in all, it was a good read but I believe the idea of The Shroud could have been better developed