nathanjhunt's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
3.75
My 13th book finished in 2023.
I was very excited to read my first Doctor Who novel. But as with other novelisations, I found the additional content the worst parts of the book.
Sure, it was an enjoyable read but it's hard to like Osgood.
I was very excited to read my first Doctor Who novel. But as with other novelisations, I found the additional content the worst parts of the book.
Sure, it was an enjoyable read but it's hard to like Osgood.
jasper22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rataivlis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
gingerreader99's review against another edition
5.0
The episode is simply not enough. This Target novel is what all Target novels aspire to be. All the best and then some more Moffat delivers the same story in an absolutely incredible and hilarious way. Why isn't there a 10 star option?
jamietherebelliousreader's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars. Hands down my favorite of these that I’ve read so far. Steven Moffatt really does add so much more to the 50th anniversary episode The Day of the Doctor. While I like that special, it’s not one I find myself rewatching because it feels a bit…lackluster. This novelization though really makes the story feel more complete and more like a whole story. We got more Doctors and I thought that ending was a lot more satisfying. The anniversary episode is good on it’s own but this book really outshines it to me.
myantonia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
supeskenobi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Day of the Doctor. The fiftieth anniversary episode celebrating the greatest sci-fi show of all time. A triumph in writing and acting, The Day of the Doctor has gone on to be, rightfully, celebrated as one of the greatest episodes of Doctor Who ever made. However if one reads or watches any interview with the episode's writer, the then show-runner, Steven Moffat; you will know that the writing of the episode was something akin to a nightmare. So the fact that Moffat decided to come back to the story five years later and, in many ways, re-write the damn thing, is either incredibly commendable; or bloody insane. Or perhaps, like The Doctor himself; it's a little bit of both.
For the most part, the story is the same as what was broadcast nearly ten years ago this November. Three incarnations of The Doctor (the Tenth, Eleventh and a never before seen incarnation called 'The War Doctor' or 'The Warrior played by the late, great Sir John Hurt) join forces on the last day of 'The Time War' to thwart the schemes of Zygons in Elizabethan England and save The Doctor's home world from destruction that will come at either the hands of The Doctor's mortal enemies, The Daleks or by his own hand.
Perhaps the best, and oftentimes the most confusing, aspect of this novelisation is, unlike most stories that are being told, where there is either a first or third person narrative (or in rare circumstances a second person narrative); this book is told across multiple point of views, in both first and third person, sometimes in the same chapter and even sometimes from the same character. This is most evident during any chapter written by The Doctor (which is most of them), for you see, this book is not a conventional re-telling of the story, but rather told from a collection of papers called "The Doctor Papers"; each written by The Doctor themselves. Each chapter has a small "breather" section written from another persons point of view.
Now whilst this is brilliant as it allows the story to be told in a fresh and newer, more sexier (as the Moff would be wont to say) could be a bit of a bugger for new readers. It is therefore advised that before reading this book, one should reacquaint oneself with the television story, especially the six minute short "The Night of the Doctor" beforehand. Once you have done that, what you'll find is a largely faithful retelling of the story; however by allowing us to go inside The Doctor's heads (there are three of them after all) we see and understand so much more than we were allowed to see on TV. Also moments become far more detailed and explored, such as why was the Tenth Doctor was flirting it off with the "Virgin Queen"?
All in all, The Day of the Doctor, much like it's televisual counterpart, is a masterpiece in non-linear, wibbly-wobbley, timey-whimey storytelling, with many laughs, tears, shouts of joy, callbacks and fan-service to leave the most diehard Doctor Who fan pleased.
For the most part, the story is the same as what was broadcast nearly ten years ago this November. Three incarnations of The Doctor (the Tenth, Eleventh and a never before seen incarnation called 'The War Doctor' or 'The Warrior played by the late, great Sir John Hurt) join forces on the last day of 'The Time War' to thwart the schemes of Zygons in Elizabethan England and save The Doctor's home world from destruction that will come at either the hands of The Doctor's mortal enemies, The Daleks or by his own hand.
Perhaps the best, and oftentimes the most confusing, aspect of this novelisation is, unlike most stories that are being told, where there is either a first or third person narrative (or in rare circumstances a second person narrative); this book is told across multiple point of views, in both first and third person, sometimes in the same chapter and even sometimes from the same character. This is most evident during any chapter written by The Doctor (which is most of them), for you see, this book is not a conventional re-telling of the story, but rather told from a collection of papers called "The Doctor Papers"; each written by The Doctor themselves. Each chapter has a small "breather" section written from another persons point of view.
Now whilst this is brilliant as it allows the story to be told in a fresh and newer, more sexier (as the Moff would be wont to say) could be a bit of a bugger for new readers. It is therefore advised that before reading this book, one should reacquaint oneself with the television story, especially the six minute short "The Night of the Doctor" beforehand. Once you have done that, what you'll find is a largely faithful retelling of the story; however by allowing us to go inside The Doctor's heads (there are three of them after all) we see and understand so much more than we were allowed to see on TV. Also moments become far more detailed and explored, such as why was the Tenth Doctor was flirting it off with the "Virgin Queen"?
All in all, The Day of the Doctor, much like it's televisual counterpart, is a masterpiece in non-linear, wibbly-wobbley, timey-whimey storytelling, with many laughs, tears, shouts of joy, callbacks and fan-service to leave the most diehard Doctor Who fan pleased.
thatthomas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
joshuahannan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Moffats writing style is delightful and he does some really interesting things with perspective
kcarys31's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
It added so much to the Day of The Doctor story, which is already my favourite. There were so many passages which made me laugh (the Silence gag was brilliant) and one or two which made me cry (the Brigadier 😥). I loved the perspective switches, particularly Osgood’s letter and when you find out who was narrating the inbetween-sections at the end. The inclusion of The Night of The Doctor also made me very very happy. Thank you Moffat for this glorious Moffatiness.
It added so much to the Day of The Doctor story, which is already my favourite. There were so many passages which made me laugh (the Silence gag was brilliant) and one or two which made me cry (the Brigadier 😥). I loved the perspective switches, particularly Osgood’s letter and when you find out who was narrating the inbetween-sections at the end. The inclusion of The Night of The Doctor also made me very very happy. Thank you Moffat for this glorious Moffatiness.