d3anna28's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
scampr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Right off the bat, The Stealers of Dreams offers a fascinating central premise - what if there was a world where imagination, fiction and lies were prohibited? It's a sci-fi premise that is immediately intriguing and allows for some great worldbuilding.
The opening half the novel dedicates a lot to fleshing out this future human colony, exploring what everyday life is like with this adherence to truth, and how these rules are enforced. It's all rather interesting and with the outsider perspective of the Doctor and companions, it provides a lot to work with in establishing character, atmosphere, exposition and so on. As expected, the anti-fiction laws are perplexing to our main characters, and they witness first-hand the difficulties and conflict it seems to be causing between the status quo and the few that don't conform.
Of the six 9th Doctor books that were released in 2005, this is one of the later released trio that features Captain Jack as a companion, alongside the aforementioned Doctor and Rose. I found Jack's characterisation to be pretty well executed, and his loud personality and turbulent past are at complete odds with the setting/society this novel takes place in, so he's really interesting here.
The Doctor feels like he takes a bit of a backseat role in this book, but this contemplative, headstrong, lone wolf vision of Eccleston's Doctor is absolutely a side that deserves exploring more, and it makes perfect sense in this type of story/scenario.
Of our three main protagonists, Rose is solid, but easily the least stand out character we have here.
For a good stretch of this book, the Tardis team are split up and paired with different characters, and we get an insight into different avenues of the truth vs fiction ideologies and conflict.
Rose becomes friends with Dominic, a young man who is ultimately normal but lives in fear and uncertainty for being a 'fiction geek'.
Jack finds himself cooperating with a mysterious stranger as he takes to the streets to locate the leaders of Static, a resistance group making secret broadcasts of fiction as acts of protest.
Meanwhile, the Doctor posing as a TV reporter is acquainted with Inspector Waller, following her operations and observing how the authorities police the use fiction and lies - along with finding out what happens to people after they're found 'guilty.
It all makes for a pretty thorough exploration of this world and that core premise. The eventual answers to the mystery of WHY fiction is banned may not be as exciting as the build-up, but it is still satisfying enough. I expected the climax of the story to go in a grander, weirder, more sci-fi direction, so the more practical solution that does happen was a little underwhelming - however the more I thought about it as the story wrapped things up, the conclusion was actually pretty decent and somewhat unique.
Probably the strongest 9th Doctor book I've read so far, The Stealers of Dreams would feel right at home as a part of the 2005 series, both in story and visuals. Although they don't spend a lot of time together, we get some good development of the 9/Rose/Jack team dynamic. The side characters and moments of action are solid, but the ideas and worldbuilding is where this novel does really well. A good balance of fun and depth, which is nicely paced and an easy reading experience. Altogether, It's just a rather well rounded story!
The opening half the novel dedicates a lot to fleshing out this future human colony, exploring what everyday life is like with this adherence to truth, and how these rules are enforced. It's all rather interesting and with the outsider perspective of the Doctor and companions, it provides a lot to work with in establishing character, atmosphere, exposition and so on. As expected, the anti-fiction laws are perplexing to our main characters, and they witness first-hand the difficulties and conflict it seems to be causing between the status quo and the few that don't conform.
Of the six 9th Doctor books that were released in 2005, this is one of the later released trio that features Captain Jack as a companion, alongside the aforementioned Doctor and Rose. I found Jack's characterisation to be pretty well executed, and his loud personality and turbulent past are at complete odds with the setting/society this novel takes place in, so he's really interesting here.
The Doctor feels like he takes a bit of a backseat role in this book, but this contemplative, headstrong, lone wolf vision of Eccleston's Doctor is absolutely a side that deserves exploring more, and it makes perfect sense in this type of story/scenario.
Of our three main protagonists, Rose is solid, but easily the least stand out character we have here.
For a good stretch of this book, the Tardis team are split up and paired with different characters, and we get an insight into different avenues of the truth vs fiction ideologies and conflict.
Rose becomes friends with Dominic, a young man who is ultimately normal but lives in fear and uncertainty for being a 'fiction geek'.
Jack finds himself cooperating with a mysterious stranger as he takes to the streets to locate the leaders of Static, a resistance group making secret broadcasts of fiction as acts of protest.
Meanwhile, the Doctor posing as a TV reporter is acquainted with Inspector Waller, following her operations and observing how the authorities police the use fiction and lies - along with finding out what happens to people after they're found 'guilty.
It all makes for a pretty thorough exploration of this world and that core premise. The eventual answers to the mystery of WHY fiction is banned may not be as exciting as the build-up, but it is still satisfying enough. I expected the climax of the story to go in a grander, weirder, more sci-fi direction, so the more practical solution that does happen was a little underwhelming - however the more I thought about it as the story wrapped things up, the conclusion was actually pretty decent and somewhat unique.
Probably the strongest 9th Doctor book I've read so far, The Stealers of Dreams would feel right at home as a part of the 2005 series, both in story and visuals. Although they don't spend a lot of time together, we get some good development of the 9/Rose/Jack team dynamic. The side characters and moments of action are solid, but the ideas and worldbuilding is where this novel does really well. A good balance of fun and depth, which is nicely paced and an easy reading experience. Altogether, It's just a rather well rounded story!
dreezy's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
3.25
wynnifer's review
slow-paced
2.0
took me a whole month to read, its probs not that bad but i listened to the 8th doctor story "natural history of human fear" which is like this but way better.
jenmcvay's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
fandomgalcentral's review
5.0
This book was a bit slow at the beginning, but it soon got going after the first chapter. I liked it and I wouldn't call it a favorite, but it was a good read none the less. It took me exactly 12 days to finish it due to personal reasons, but I managed to finish it without a problem. The ending was a bit confusing, but it was a fun ending to end the story with, but a few more details could've gone into it about a couple of the characters. The beginning was confusing. I recommend this book to anyone who is a Doctor Who fan, even if it takes place between episodes of the 1st season. I enjoyed it very much and will probably reread it in the future. :)
wayward's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-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
3.0
alreinwarth's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
atlantic_reader_wannabe's review
5.0
Another amazing book in the New Adventures Series. It reminded me just how much I love Nine (though considering he was my first Doctor, I am a little biased). I'm just disappointed that there aren't any more books with Nine. I need more Nine!
hwpw92's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0