spacephilosopher's review
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
isayhourwrong's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Cartmel you are on thin ice babyyy
cwsawyer's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Neat stuff. I am enjoying going back into Doctor Who history and reading the stories of this era, this version of Seven is interesting, if slightly off putting really
nwhyte's review
3.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1391423.html
I was rather impressed by this Doctor Who novel in the New Adventures series. The Seventh Doctor and Ace get caught up in the nasty machinations of a near-future biotech firm, variously in the US, London and a small island near Istanbul. Cartmel is a very good descriptive writer, both in terms of establishing the physical setting and in terms of getting inside the heads of Ace and the other characters. The Istanbul chapters in particular had some memorable set-pieces. As often happens, it wasn't clear that the bad guys' conspiracy made sense (and even less clear how the Doctor had got involved in stopping it; or for that matter where the cat's cradle of the title comes into it) but I very much enjoyed the ride. Possibly the first really adult Doctor Who novel.
I was rather impressed by this Doctor Who novel in the New Adventures series. The Seventh Doctor and Ace get caught up in the nasty machinations of a near-future biotech firm, variously in the US, London and a small island near Istanbul. Cartmel is a very good descriptive writer, both in terms of establishing the physical setting and in terms of getting inside the heads of Ace and the other characters. The Istanbul chapters in particular had some memorable set-pieces. As often happens, it wasn't clear that the bad guys' conspiracy made sense (and even less clear how the Doctor had got involved in stopping it; or for that matter where the cat's cradle of the title comes into it) but I very much enjoyed the ride. Possibly the first really adult Doctor Who novel.
fullfledgedegg's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gun violence
Moderate: Blood, Xenophobia, Medical content, Drug use, and Death
Minor: Child abuse, Car accident, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Police brutality, and Pedophilia
whovian2711's review
5.0
Cat's Cradle: Warhead is an amazing novel. The worldbuilding is gritty, compelling, and terrifyingly plausible, the side characters are interesting and feel like real people, and the pacing is perfect, balancing slow-building intricate plot with moments of dramatic action, whilst remaining genuinely gripping all the way through.
I love the way the story initially builds through vignettes that establish the setting and plot elements with minimal exposition, focusing intensely on the characters, their perspectives, motivations, histories, and surroundings. Andrew Cartmel has a fantastic talent for highlighting tiny details that really sell the world he's created and immerse the reader within it.
Particular praise must also be given to the manner in which Warhead alludes to the passage of time and the coherent character evolution within the Virgin New Adventures series. Namely, the Doctor and Ace's characters are authentic but more developed forms of their tv selves, and they interact with the world around them in a way that feels realistic, yet congruous with the somewhat heightened nature of the Doctor Who universe. It's clear that Andrew Cartmel (having worked on the show for years as script editor) understands how to manage this balancing act, and it's brilliant to see him given the opportunity to explore his vision for these characters in a way that wasn't possible in the tv show itself.
Cartmel's depiction of a future Earth on the verge of ecological collapse can be dark at times, but its message is vital and tragically relevant to our own times. Despite the heavy subject matter, the story is thrilling, entertaining, and deeply human-centred.
I love the way the story initially builds through vignettes that establish the setting and plot elements with minimal exposition, focusing intensely on the characters, their perspectives, motivations, histories, and surroundings. Andrew Cartmel has a fantastic talent for highlighting tiny details that really sell the world he's created and immerse the reader within it.
Particular praise must also be given to the manner in which Warhead alludes to the passage of time and the coherent character evolution within the Virgin New Adventures series. Namely, the Doctor and Ace's characters are authentic but more developed forms of their tv selves, and they interact with the world around them in a way that feels realistic, yet congruous with the somewhat heightened nature of the Doctor Who universe. It's clear that Andrew Cartmel (having worked on the show for years as script editor) understands how to manage this balancing act, and it's brilliant to see him given the opportunity to explore his vision for these characters in a way that wasn't possible in the tv show itself.
Cartmel's depiction of a future Earth on the verge of ecological collapse can be dark at times, but its message is vital and tragically relevant to our own times. Despite the heavy subject matter, the story is thrilling, entertaining, and deeply human-centred.
nukirisame's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
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