The Hollow Men (Dr. Who Series)

Rating:
Summary: The best Doctor Who novel i have ever read
Review: A stunning novel from these two excellent writers (and nothing like their previous 3rd Doctor novel which was amusing and well characterised but lacking in plot); The Hollow Men, on the other hand, is John Wyndham-style story of a village under seige with a terrible secret. A classic evocation of the traditional Doctor Who story of spooky going's-on in an English country setting. The depicions of McCoy and Aldred are terrifically accurate, and the villagers are so well drawn one can almost picture this novel as a TV adventure (my favourite is the arms dealer Trevor Winstone - a *real* black-white-and-gray character). Simply beautiful and very funny in places too. Six out of five!

Rating:
Summary: Doctor Who at it's creepiest
Review: The Doctor takes Ace to the little village of Hexen Bridge, where he is due to attend a school reunion at a school of which he is one of the Board of Governors. But shortly after their arrival, animated scarecrows start attacking the villagers, and the internal conflicts within the village are whipped up by an external force...

A book that includes scenes in which the life of the village, and the individual failures of some villagers, is tied up with the presence of an unknown power (well, unknown until quite late in the book), I have to say that I found this book oddly uncompelling.

Keith Topping and Martin Day have constructed a novel which, looking at its disparate elements, is one which I would have thought it likely I'd enjoy. I certainly can't point to any part and say "this is bad", but somehow the whole of this book is less than the some of its parts.

Rating:
Summary: Somehow this one doesn't work for me
Review: The Doctor takes Ace to the little village of Hexen Bridge, where he is due to attend a school reunion at a school of which he is one of the Board of Governors. But shortly after their arrival, animated scarecrows start attacking the villagers, and the internal conflicts within the village are whipped up by an external force...

A book that includes scenes in which the life of the village, and the individual failures of some villagers, is tied up with the presence of an unknown power (well, unknown until quite late in the book), I have to say that I found this book oddly uncompelling.

Keith Topping and Martin Day have constructed a novel which, looking at its disparate elements, is one which I would have thought it likely I'd enjoy. I certainly can't point to any part and say "this is bad", but somehow the whole of this book is less than the some of its parts.

Rating:
Summary: Doctor Who at it's creepiest
Review: This is a well written novel from the duo that brought us "The Devil Goblins from Neptune". I haven't read that novel so I cant really compare the two. However I can say that this book was very enjoyable with some genuinely creepy moments. The characters are all well defined as are The Doctor and Ace. The plot was good and the action was well paced. The ending was perhaps the only real thing which let the book down. In the last few chapters there was a huge build up to... something. And then when it all came down to it, it was over so quickly. But this aside the rest of the novel was highly enjoyable and I would recommend it to any DW fan.

Rating:
Summary: The best Doctor Who novel i have ever read
Review: This story is the first Who book I have read and I must say I made a great choice to start with. I feel that Stephen King would appreciate this one. Creepy people in a creepy town that holds an ancient evil. Good stuff. I gave this 4 stars because I feel it fell down in some places (most notably the conclusion) but the whole of the book makes up for that. I was pulled in right from the start. The chemistry of the 7th Doctor and Ace was right on target and it would indeed have been a good episode if not for the amount of violence and some sexuality. The characters are well made and the story has an excellant pace to it. Don't miss The Hollow Men.

Rating:
Summary: Generation curse
Review: With Ace in tow, the Seventh Doctor returns to Hexen Bridge to confront an ancient evil that he should have/thought he had dealt with before. Hexen Bridge and its populace are literally isolated; not a soul within 20 miles in any direction. The only non-natives are a Chinese family who own and run "A Taste of the Orient".
Several folks return to the village for a school reunion. While waiting for its arrival, Ace and the Doctor lodge at The Green Man, run by Bob and Joanna Matson. During the night, Ace thinks she spots what appears to be a sacrifice to the Green Man.
The Doctor has by this time, of course, been kidnapped.
We meet Chief Constable Denman, known to the Fifth Doctor; Minister Matthew Hatch, seeking a cure for what bedevils Hexen Bridge; teacher Rebecca Baber; Thomas Baber, the vicar and Rebecca's father. And some unusual children.
The Doctor has been keeping an eye on Hexen Bridge for centuries, since his second regeneration. As did the Seventh Doctor TV episodes, there are hints of past involvements. Denman brought to mind the Brigadier. An enjoyable story.
"The Doctor came to a sudden halt. There were droplets of rain on his face, but Ace guessed that it must have been splashes of rain falling down from the trees that edged the field. 'I always have unfinished business, Ace,' he said."