Soldeed

Author at Teaspoon and an Open Mind http://www.whofic.com/viewuser.php?uid=1005.

Road To Shalka

(1) Born Again (Doctor Who)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 30th March 2008 (15)
Tags: Novelette
(76K)

Summary: An aged Doctor is living in comfortable retirement in 19th Century England. But when a new alien menace rears its head, will he still have what it takes to save the day?

If you liked the Doctor as portrayed in the BBC webcast "The Scream of the Shalka", then here's some fun: his backstory, here starting with his regeneration. This is a good introduction to this harsher, brisker Doctor, seen through the eyes of the OC Jasmine, curious and clever, but not bold.

(2) Old Friends (Doctor Who)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 30th March 2008 (16)
Tags: Novelette
(101K)

Summary: Jasmine is starting to have second thoughts about setting off across the universe with this strange new Doctor. But she'll soon have other things on her mind.

Jasmine and the Doctor's first "proper" adventure, a good classic one, with an evil boss, a sympathetic guard, mystery, peril, captures, escapes, dilemmas and explosions. We're also getting to know the Doctor and Jasmine a bit more, and they're getting to know each other.

(3) Skypigs (Doctor Who)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 30th March 2008 (17)
Tags: Novella
(125K)

Summary: Agrathus is paradise. Who could hate it so much they want to destroy its whole history?

Another adventure, this time with added temporal paradoxes! And briefly introducing the previous Doctor's companions. Good plot, and again more contrast with the old Doctor and the new Doctor. The new Doctor is one of those crabby ones who cares but isn't good at showing it.

(4) The End of the World (Doctor Who)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 30th March 2008 (18)
Tags: Novella
(154K)

Summary: With a beloved friend to save and enemies old and new to fight, the Doctor will call upon all his skills and ingenuity. But can he still win if fate itself seems to conspire against him?

So here at last we have the story that leads to the circumstances that we saw in "The Scream of the Shalka". And even though we know how it is going to end, more or less, it is fascinating to see all the pieces come together. Melodrama? Perhaps. Grand and tragic and full of suffering and bravery? Yes.

I really like the characterisation of the Master, here. Completely cold and selfish and heartless, but also a gentleman, in his own inimitable way; the gameplayer, the courteous villain.

(5) Out of the Dark (Doctor Who)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 30th March 2008 (19)
Tags: Novella
(168K)

Summary: Jasmine is gone. But with a new companion at his side and the Master at his back, the Doctor may yet have the chance of a happy ending.

This is the sequel to "The Scream of the Shalka", with his new companion Alison. I could really hear their voices. Again, I loved the characterisation of the Master here. As for the plot, it was your very Who-ish creepy peril, with a bit of a twist.