lizardgoats's review against another edition
5.0
Technically, this is a dual-book review as this Barnes and Noble leatherbound edition contains two television tie-in novels: "The Silent Stars Go By," by Dan Abnett and "Touched by an Angel," by Jonathan Morris.
That being said, I much preferred the first story. In "The Silent Stars Go By" we have Amy and Rory (my favorite companions) with the eleventh Doctor (my favorite reincarnation) trying to make it home for Christmas. Which was unexpectedly seasonally appropriate, since I didn't start reading the book until near the holidays.
However, it's not a typical Christmas story. By which I mean, Christmas wasn't it's primary theme. That's the impetus for the story, but it continues on--as our dynamic trio end up on the wrong planet, in the wrong year--as a story of hope and the meaning of tradition and the truths hidden in history.
And I loved it. Absolutely loved it. Rory is spot-on in his characterization. The story is also told from his primary point-of-view, which I adored. On the show, it can often feel as though Amy is the Doctor's companion, and Rory is Amy's. At least at first. They definitely become equal in that respect as their storyline moves forward.
Which is why the second story, "Touched by an Angel," just wasn't as interesting for me. We still have all the same cast of primary characters, but the characterizations are just a bit off for Rory and Amy. I can't quite put my finger on it, though I have to say Eleven is perhaps larger-than-life. Which suits him.
This story, as I'm sure you can guess, has to do with the Weeping Angels. There's time-travel and morality and difficult choices to make. Honestly, I'm not sure the Weeping Angels work so well on the page as they do on-screen. That tension is missing when the lights flicker out and the next thing you know you're staring at a fanged statue in the face.
I also have wibbly-wobbly problems with the whole idea of the Weeping Angels. TV SPOILERS, but if Rory and Amy get sent back in time, can't they just wait a few years...maybe even a decade...move to, I dunno, Europe...and have the Doctor pick them up in the TARDIS from there? I was never keen with the whole time suck trapped forever plot resolution of the Ponds.
But that's not so much this book as the TV show. Still. I find the Angels problematic.
I still gave this book five stars. Reason #1: It's freaking gorgeous. A shiny, leatherbound, TARDIS-shaped book? Yes, please. Reason #2: Despite minor failings in characterization, the plots to both stories were impeccable and engaging. I enjoyed reading them and would recommend this book to any Whovian.
After all, Rory continually telling the Doctor that his name is not Rory Williams Pond will never get old for me.
That being said, I much preferred the first story. In "The Silent Stars Go By" we have Amy and Rory (my favorite companions) with the eleventh Doctor (my favorite reincarnation) trying to make it home for Christmas. Which was unexpectedly seasonally appropriate, since I didn't start reading the book until near the holidays.
However, it's not a typical Christmas story. By which I mean, Christmas wasn't it's primary theme. That's the impetus for the story, but it continues on--as our dynamic trio end up on the wrong planet, in the wrong year--as a story of hope and the meaning of tradition and the truths hidden in history.
And I loved it. Absolutely loved it. Rory is spot-on in his characterization. The story is also told from his primary point-of-view, which I adored. On the show, it can often feel as though Amy is the Doctor's companion, and Rory is Amy's. At least at first. They definitely become equal in that respect as their storyline moves forward.
Which is why the second story, "Touched by an Angel," just wasn't as interesting for me. We still have all the same cast of primary characters, but the characterizations are just a bit off for Rory and Amy. I can't quite put my finger on it, though I have to say Eleven is perhaps larger-than-life. Which suits him.
This story, as I'm sure you can guess, has to do with the Weeping Angels. There's time-travel and morality and difficult choices to make. Honestly, I'm not sure the Weeping Angels work so well on the page as they do on-screen. That tension is missing when the lights flicker out and the next thing you know you're staring at a fanged statue in the face.
I also have wibbly-wobbly problems with the whole idea of the Weeping Angels. TV SPOILERS, but if Rory and Amy get sent back in time, can't they just wait a few years...maybe even a decade...move to, I dunno, Europe...and have the Doctor pick them up in the TARDIS from there? I was never keen with the whole time suck trapped forever plot resolution of the Ponds.
But that's not so much this book as the TV show. Still. I find the Angels problematic.
I still gave this book five stars. Reason #1: It's freaking gorgeous. A shiny, leatherbound, TARDIS-shaped book? Yes, please. Reason #2: Despite minor failings in characterization, the plots to both stories were impeccable and engaging. I enjoyed reading them and would recommend this book to any Whovian.
After all, Rory continually telling the Doctor that his name is not Rory Williams Pond will never get old for me.
mrsjulietfox's review against another edition
5.0
I swear I've seen an episode of Doctor Who that read almost exactly like The Silent Stars Go By, so that was a bit annoying. However, I LOVED Touched by an Angel. Eleven is my favorite Doctor and I love Amy and Rory. All of their on-screen personas bleed through onto the page, I could just hear all of the characters in the dialogue. Touched by an Angel was really well-written and kept me on the edge of my seat just like any other episode of the show. I've never read a book accompaniment to a show before because I usually think they are silly, but this was a great read for any fan who also appreciates decent fiction.
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