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nwhyte's review against another edition
3.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2179004.html[return][return]This is the third of the three Eleventh Doctor novels published this year, and the first one to feature Clara - it may at this rate turn out to be the only Eleven/Clara novel, depending on the BBC's publication plans for the rest of the year. It's not the only story to be set on 23 November 1963, but it's also not the worst, using the backdrop of Kennedy's death for an alien being that feeds off sorrow, with some nice descriptive moments and considerable continuity service. It will set the scene nicely for younger readers wanting to sense the history of the show in advance of next month's celebrations.
simplyparticular's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard to remember these are really children's books - the stories are fairly complex, but then they'll be some wacky slang that reminds me.
And there was totally a fandom moment remembering the deaths and departures of major companions.
My only real complaint is we don't get much time to mourn deaths before the action continues -very much like the shows, but I don't think that should be the case in the books, too.
bellisima's review against another edition
4.0
Cute and well-paced - the sort of adventure I'd like to see Eleven and Clara having more of.
sprinkledwithwords's review against another edition
4.0
I am a self-proclaimed Whovian, along with my father. Therefore, an entire half of one of my bookcase’s shelves is dedicated to the Timelord, his many faces and the array of companions he tends to acquire. Is it really a surprise that one of these books is turning up in a review?
Whilst many people think these BBC books are for children, believe me when I say they’re not. ‘Adult’ themes, such as death, are commonly talked about, and often at least one person dies in a horrible way. This book was no different.
Having recently fallen in love with X-Men – First Class especially – I have begun to have more of an interest in the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis and JFK – and that’s where this book starts.
It is the day after John F. Kennedy's assassination and the faces of the dead are everywhere. PC Reg Cranfield sees his recently deceased father in the mists along Totter's Lane. Reporter Mae Callon sees her late grandmother in a coffee stain on her desk. FBI Special Agent Warren Skeet finds his long-dead partner staring back at him from raindrops on a window pane. Then the faces begin to talk, and scream... and push through into our world. As the alien Shroud begins to feast on the grief of a world in mourning, can the Doctor dig deep enough into his own sorrow to save mankind? (Synopsis from Goodreads)
The prologue had me immediately terrified (didn’t help that I was reading late at night and am a scaredy cat anyway). But it was a good terrified (if there is such a thing), and I continued to read.
I liked how Donbavand introduced another planet during the book - I’m kinda tired of stories about Earth in Doctor Who, and human companions (I say that, but there are many that focus on alien planets). Still, I liked this new planet and felt that it added to the plot. It could easily have done it without it, but there you go.
There’s a bit of a twist on the main alien, the Shroud, which I also liked – especially as it threw up more obstacles and didn’t just change your idea of it (eg making you sympathise with it) or something like that. You know, it actually had an affect on the story.
The Doctor was all right – wacky as always. Clara was all right, too, although I wish Donbavand had written about her dead mother (which was shown in the TV show) instead of an uncle we have never heard of. I was expecting it all the way through, and was disappointed when it didn’t come.
However, I would still recommend this book. You don’t even have to know a lot about Doctor Who to read it (although I guess it helps) – it could just be seen as a sci-fi novel. So yes, have a go – you may enjoy it, but let’s hope the Shroud don’t really come to Earth, eh?
Whilst many people think these BBC books are for children, believe me when I say they’re not. ‘Adult’ themes, such as death, are commonly talked about, and often at least one person dies in a horrible way. This book was no different.
Having recently fallen in love with X-Men – First Class especially – I have begun to have more of an interest in the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis and JFK – and that’s where this book starts.
It is the day after John F. Kennedy's assassination and the faces of the dead are everywhere. PC Reg Cranfield sees his recently deceased father in the mists along Totter's Lane. Reporter Mae Callon sees her late grandmother in a coffee stain on her desk. FBI Special Agent Warren Skeet finds his long-dead partner staring back at him from raindrops on a window pane. Then the faces begin to talk, and scream... and push through into our world. As the alien Shroud begins to feast on the grief of a world in mourning, can the Doctor dig deep enough into his own sorrow to save mankind? (Synopsis from Goodreads)
The prologue had me immediately terrified (didn’t help that I was reading late at night and am a scaredy cat anyway). But it was a good terrified (if there is such a thing), and I continued to read.
I liked how Donbavand introduced another planet during the book - I’m kinda tired of stories about Earth in Doctor Who, and human companions (I say that, but there are many that focus on alien planets). Still, I liked this new planet and felt that it added to the plot. It could easily have done it without it, but there you go.
There’s a bit of a twist on the main alien, the Shroud, which I also liked – especially as it threw up more obstacles and didn’t just change your idea of it (eg making you sympathise with it) or something like that. You know, it actually had an affect on the story.
The Doctor was all right – wacky as always. Clara was all right, too, although I wish Donbavand had written about her dead mother (which was shown in the TV show) instead of an uncle we have never heard of. I was expecting it all the way through, and was disappointed when it didn’t come.
However, I would still recommend this book. You don’t even have to know a lot about Doctor Who to read it (although I guess it helps) – it could just be seen as a sci-fi novel. So yes, have a go – you may enjoy it, but let’s hope the Shroud don’t really come to Earth, eh?
elevetha's review against another edition
2.0
I hear this has Whouffle.
And my library owns it!
....
Eh. Turns out the minimal amount of Whouffle wasn't worth it.so they mean well but they're clowns so that negates everything positive they're attempting that live on an ice world, where saber-toothed polar bears attack the ambulance the Doctor used to travel through a wormhole(which was the Shroud's stomach, complete with dead bodies and grief), that's a little bit too far out.
Also, what was up with revisiting some of the Doctor's most sorrowful moments in his life, many of which were very appropriate, but then we get Captain's Jack farewell and NOT WHEN ROSE LEAVES?????? Excuse me?
And my library owns it!
....
Eh. Turns out the minimal amount of Whouffle wasn't worth it.
Spoiler
When you've got Clowns that try to bring happiness to peopleAlso, what was up with revisiting some of the Doctor's most sorrowful moments in his life, many of which were very appropriate, but then we get Captain's Jack farewell and NOT WHEN ROSE LEAVES?????? Excuse me?
shanbear16's review against another edition
4.0
I love how the Doctor Who books are just like an episode of the TV show. They're really fun and pretty faithful to the characters. This book in particular was very creepy and wibbly wobbly. The only negative I have to say about it is that it dragged a bit in the middle.
jenniferfoglesong's review against another edition
3.0
Anyone who is a fan of the Doctor Who franchise will enjoy this book. It is fast paced, funny, with sad, touching moments as well. There are nods to past episodes, new worlds are discovered, and a new alien threat to planet Earth. This easily could have been a novelization of an episode, and I enjoyed it.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
marciatch's review against another edition
2.0
Clowns! Why clowns? They don't bring happiness, they're evil and terrifying! Nope. Just nope.