Reviews with content warning for Murder - Doctor Who: The Ruby's Curse

A story about River Song written and read by the woman who has embodied her for years! If River Song is one of your favorite Doctor Who characters, you will love this! From breaking in and out of Stormcage prison to time traveling to see important historical events, to Cleopatra meeting River Song, to River Song the writer of Melody Malone Mysteries, to some meta-jabs about writing, this has everything I was hoping for. I don't know if Alex Kingston has written much before, but I hope she keeps on.

Content Warnings

emilywrayburn's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

I liked the idea more than the execution

This had a lot of good moments, particularly in the last third. but ultimately it dragged a lot and I spent a lot of time feeling confused. Not to mention that after a while, Melody Malone's hardboiled dame schtick got a bit much. I liked the way the two stories wove together, but I didn't follow what Ventrian's ultimate plan to hide his "Eye of Horus" was. It got very muddled. Or at least, I got very muddled.

I don't know whether it needed another proof read because I noticed not only some typos but also several instances of the prose swapping between past and present tense. Sometimes in the same paragraph.

Content Warnings

jarnbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging informative tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

I enjoyed River. The story is very chaotic and becomes easily confusing the more you read. Combining River’s story with an Agatha Christie-esque mystery that leaves you wanting and confused at what’s going on. I love River in Doctor Who but here, she felt empty. She didn’t feel like River from the show. Maybe I would feel different about it if I listened to the audiobook but in print, it’s lacking. Not bad for a first book and written by the actress that originated her. It was okay. If you’re into Doctor Who books and River Song, go ahead but it might be a drag. And Honestly, I didn’t really like Melody Malone, here sections were the hardest to read through to me. Whether you liked the story or not, you’re in for a ride nonetheless.

Content Warnings

More...