evan1395's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
wynnifer's review
adventurous
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
3.75
lordroose's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
spacephilosopher's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
aderyn's review
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore
khayes0525's review
3.0
I saw some very negative reviews floating around about this book, honestly, I thought it was just fine. I didn't enjoy it as much as Vampire Science, the EDA that proceeds The Bodysnatchers, but as Eighth Doctor stories go, this one was pretty good. Not much actually happens in the story, which seems to be a common point folks bring up when ragging on the book, and in all fairness, they're right. This book's conflict is not very deep and had a very simple solution. There's no lasting damage, no ripples in the relationship between Sam and the Doctor...nothing. I will say, though, that the Doctor is very well characterized in this story, and his relationship with Litefoot and fleshed out and fun to experience. Sam is quite annoying as usual, but that's to be expected, I suppose.
Not a bad read by any means, but there are better Eighth Doctor stories out there, for sure.
Not a bad read by any means, but there are better Eighth Doctor stories out there, for sure.
not_delia_smith's review
3.0
It was great to have a story involving Litefoot however this one just didn't grab me as much as the first two EDA's.
nwhyte's review
3.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1392532.html
The Eighth Doctor and Sam turn up in Victorian London where they have an adventure which largely retraces The Talons of Weng-Chiang, complete with Litefoot (but not Jago) and with added Zygons. It actually would have worked rather better as a second novel in the sequence than Vampire Science did; here Sam is still trying to get to grips with the Doctor and with time travel, rather than behaving as if she's been at it for years. Morris' descriptive writing is generally good but he doesn't have as firm a grasp of Victorian dialogue (there is a particularly irritating ruffian called Jack). The fundamentals are sound, if not hugely original.
The Eighth Doctor and Sam turn up in Victorian London where they have an adventure which largely retraces The Talons of Weng-Chiang, complete with Litefoot (but not Jago) and with added Zygons. It actually would have worked rather better as a second novel in the sequence than Vampire Science did; here Sam is still trying to get to grips with the Doctor and with time travel, rather than behaving as if she's been at it for years. Morris' descriptive writing is generally good but he doesn't have as firm a grasp of Victorian dialogue (there is a particularly irritating ruffian called Jack). The fundamentals are sound, if not hugely original.
cynt's review
3.0
Monsters and Victorians, that's quite enough to keep me satisfied for a while. Solid adventure, nothing more nothing less.
Oh and no amnesia.
Oh and no amnesia.
belbonnie's review
3.0
This was. Okay? I guess? It definitely feels great to finally be reading Doctor Who stuff again and making some progress on this series. I'm probably going to start the next one later today, lmao.
I think the bent of this book was dark in a way that isn't really in line with what I like from darker DW stuff. It was gratuitously gory and gross, and not in an overly interesting or unique way. Scherzo is a perfect example of DW body horror/gore done well. This book is not. Another thing I found detracting from my enjoyment of it was the use of an established monster. Don't get me wrong, that can be done super well! But it has to be approached right for me to really enjoy it, and this book missed the mark slightly on that.
On the positive, though, I really loved the characterization Sam got in this book. I feel like every book we see more of her sort of need to be seen as just as capable and experienced as the Doctor get her nearer and nearer to trouble, so I'm really excited where the series will take that. I love her attitude and I love her ego. There were some really interesting character moments for the Doctor in this one too.
Definitely looking forward to the next book; I've heard great things about it.
I think the bent of this book was dark in a way that isn't really in line with what I like from darker DW stuff. It was gratuitously gory and gross, and not in an overly interesting or unique way. Scherzo is a perfect example of DW body horror/gore done well. This book is not. Another thing I found detracting from my enjoyment of it was the use of an established monster. Don't get me wrong, that can be done super well! But it has to be approached right for me to really enjoy it, and this book missed the mark slightly on that.
On the positive, though, I really loved the characterization Sam got in this book. I feel like every book we see more of her sort of need to be seen as just as capable and experienced as the Doctor get her nearer and nearer to trouble, so I'm really excited where the series will take that. I love her attitude and I love her ego. There were some really interesting character moments for the Doctor in this one too.
Definitely looking forward to the next book; I've heard great things about it.