Dan Abnett's The Silent Stars Go By is very episode-like? -y? -esque? (ask Amy, Rory, and the Doctor maybe they have settled on one by now) Doctor Who story. It's a good-intentioned alien war with the background of a humanoid alien world. It captures the Eleventh Doctor's era well. There is a good amount of Amy and Rory banter, lots of getting separated, running gags, and nicely penned late stage revelations written so that we get the answers just before the Doctor does. If you are a fan of the Eleventh Doctor's era, or suffering Pond withdrawal, this one is for you. I also highly recommend it for Whovians who are not avid readers, but would like to break into Doctor Who prose. The original characters list is fairly small and we are regularly reminded of who they are; the average chapter length is short and manageable; and Abnett is careful never to get caught up in lengthy descriptions. While I never felt completely connected to the Morphans, and found parts of the book to lag, the end of The Silent Stars Go By has true page turner tension, and just when you think you've got all figured out, one last surprise emerges. I would be remiss if I did not mention potentially the biggest draw of the book. Ice Warriors are back! The classic not-quite-a-baddie villain is utilised to their full potential for both dramatic and comedic value. It wraps all of this up with a nice lesson about honour and hard work. Definitely worth a read. As always, I would love to hear from you below or via email or twitter. Remember, please avoid spoilers in the comments. Thanks and happy reading!
A person who thought a lot, then decided thinking with other people is more fun. If you fancy a chat, feel free to email NicoleatWhatCulture@excite.com
