embridge's review against another edition
5.0
This book was perfect, Douglas Adams and Doctor Who is a match made in heaven: funny, adventurous and thoroughly entertaining.
dbrooklyn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
Written with humour and great concepts, this novel finishes one of Douglas Adam's best Doctor Who scripts. It is fast paced, but the fourth Doctor doesn't quite shime through like the other Adam's novelizations, but this is still a very fun read
sarahrara's review against another edition
5.0
So my background for this is: I absolutely adore Douglas Adams and have read the entire Hitchhiker's series more times than I can count. I've seen all of NuWho and mostly loved it, a few episodes of "Classic" Who but not read anything or listened to anything Who before.
As such I had no mythic expectation of the lost story finally arriving. I also have nothing to compare it with in regards to Doctor Who written stories.
That being said, I found it delightful! Gareth Roberts did a great job of making this into a novel and leaving the distinctly Adamsian whimsy intact. It doesn't read exactly like Adams' other novels, but you can definitely sense his presence.
As I haven't seen any episodes with the fourth doctor, he was sort of an amalgamation of his picture that I looked up, and Tennant, which worked pretty well. I don't tend to like switching media formats within a series (i.e. reading the graphic novel after seeing the TV series, watching the movie after reading the book), but here it just.. worked.
There was enough of a story to keep me intrigued (with a twist that was not totally unexpected, but entertaining nonetheless), enough heart to make me care about the characters, and enough humour to make me laugh. I was going back and forth between 4 and 5 stars but I figured "what the heck, I'm too stingy with my 5s" and I did really enjoy it in its entirety.
As such I had no mythic expectation of the lost story finally arriving. I also have nothing to compare it with in regards to Doctor Who written stories.
That being said, I found it delightful! Gareth Roberts did a great job of making this into a novel and leaving the distinctly Adamsian whimsy intact. It doesn't read exactly like Adams' other novels, but you can definitely sense his presence.
As I haven't seen any episodes with the fourth doctor, he was sort of an amalgamation of his picture that I looked up, and Tennant, which worked pretty well. I don't tend to like switching media formats within a series (i.e. reading the graphic novel after seeing the TV series, watching the movie after reading the book), but here it just.. worked.
There was enough of a story to keep me intrigued (with a twist that was not totally unexpected, but entertaining nonetheless), enough heart to make me care about the characters, and enough humour to make me laugh. I was going back and forth between 4 and 5 stars but I figured "what the heck, I'm too stingy with my 5s" and I did really enjoy it in its entirety.
fuzzycoatimundi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book reads exactly as Doctor Who should, which comes as no surprise when the story is by Douglas Adams and the writer has written multiple Doctor Who screenplays (The Shakespeare Code, The Unicorn and the Wasp, etc.) and novels.
With a dusting of tributes to Adams woven seamlessly into the narrative alongside other Doctor Who-isms like ridiculous logic streams and preposterous grammar, this is a delightful romp for any Whovian.
With a dusting of tributes to Adams woven seamlessly into the narrative alongside other Doctor Who-isms like ridiculous logic streams and preposterous grammar, this is a delightful romp for any Whovian.
nnati's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
engoli o livro, matei as saudades que eu nem sabia que tava de doctor who
engoli o livro, matei as saudades que eu nem sabia que tava de doctor who
miketheboy89's review against another edition
4.0
Even for a non Doctor Who fan (which I am not), Shada would be a very enjoyable read, one needing only the most basic background knowledge of the television series. Gareth Roberts is excellent in making sure that Douglas Adams' classic storytelling is not all lost, however it still manages to not be completely ridiculous like the Hitchhiker's Guide. It is a testament to the greatness of this novel that you can really see this episode in your head while you are reading. Excellent characters of Romana, Chris, Clare, and of course the Doctor himself shine in this novel, while a dynamic antagonist in Skagra (although a tad boring) features wonderfully here. Although the title of the novel is really only explained about three-quarters of the way in, Shada is a light and enjoyable read.
vae's review against another edition
2.0
No no no not for me dear gods no. Anyone who isn't Douglas Adams shouldn't attempt to write in his style, especially not with this much misogyny.
liz_keeney's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
teanahk's review against another edition
4.0
An entertaining Doctor Who story. Probably wouldn't suggest it to anyone not familiar with the tv show.