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Torchwood #16
First Born
Gwen and Rhys are on the run. Rhys was hoping this meant a windswept cottage on a cliff top, but he's had to settle for a miserable caravan in the isolated village of Rawbone. With the locals taking an unhealthy interest in their daughter, Gwen and Rhys start to realize that something is very wrong - something with echoes of a life they thought they'd left behind. As they uncover the village's terrible past, Gwen discovers that Torchwood will never leave them behind, and now she and Rhys stand alone in defense of the Earth. And the children of Rawbone can only bring her closer to the secret forces that want her out of the way. Based on the hit series created by Russell T Davies, First Born is a prequel to Miracle Day, starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles as Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper, with Kai Owen as Rhys Williams.
253 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
8 people are currently reading
602 people want to read
About the author
James Goss
230 books181 followersJames Goss has written two Torchwood novels and a radio play, as well as a Being Human book. His Doctor Who audiobook Dead Air won Best Audiobook 2010. James also spent seven years working on the BBC's official Doctor Who website and co-wrote the website for Torchwood Series One. In 2007, he won the Best Adaptation category in the annual LA Weekly Theatre Awards for his version of Douglas Adams' novel Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
September 19, 2022
A book that is based on the television series and it takes place before Miracle Day. In this one, Gwen and Rhys are on the run with their newborn baby. They are hiding in a remote town and things are not adding up there.
This book fits in perfectly within the universe and the author does a terrific job with the portrayal of the established characters. I had no problem visualizing Gwen and Rhys. I did think this book was really slow for the first half. The author explores the problems of being new to parenthood. I am not reading a Torchwood book for that. I understand it was for character exploration but in my opinion it went on a little too long. The second half grabbed me as this book had Children of the Corn mixed with The Stepford Wives vibe going for it. The second half of the book is classic Torchwood and that is what I am looking for when I picked up this book.
I would only pick up this book if you have watched the television show. If not I believe you will not enjoy it. If you do pick it up be patient with it. It does portray our characters right away and you will feel like it belongs in the established universe. It just takes a little bit to gain any momentum.
This book fits in perfectly within the universe and the author does a terrific job with the portrayal of the established characters. I had no problem visualizing Gwen and Rhys. I did think this book was really slow for the first half. The author explores the problems of being new to parenthood. I am not reading a Torchwood book for that. I understand it was for character exploration but in my opinion it went on a little too long. The second half grabbed me as this book had Children of the Corn mixed with The Stepford Wives vibe going for it. The second half of the book is classic Torchwood and that is what I am looking for when I picked up this book.
I would only pick up this book if you have watched the television show. If not I believe you will not enjoy it. If you do pick it up be patient with it. It does portray our characters right away and you will feel like it belongs in the established universe. It just takes a little bit to gain any momentum.
March 10, 2020
The first of a trio of titles that serve as prequels to Miracle Day, this novel focuses on Gwen and Rhys as they adapt to parenthood - whilst on the run!
They along with little baby Anwin soon find themselves staying in the small isolated village of Rawbone, but they are about to discover a sinister secret after the locals show an unhealthy obsession towards Anwin.
Gross really captures both the mood of the first time parents alongside a really creepy mystery at the heart of the story.
With both the series regulars perfectly captured, the worry of getting the right nappy size in the shops is so real!
They along with little baby Anwin soon find themselves staying in the small isolated village of Rawbone, but they are about to discover a sinister secret after the locals show an unhealthy obsession towards Anwin.
Gross really captures both the mood of the first time parents alongside a really creepy mystery at the heart of the story.
With both the series regulars perfectly captured, the worry of getting the right nappy size in the shops is so real!
June 22, 2020
This might be one of my favourite Torchwood books to date! I really enjoyed reading it and the whole story was just amazing. I thought it would be lacking in Captain Jack action considering the book only features Gwen and Rhys but this wasn’t the case at all (no offence to Jack as I love him to pieces) but this book didn’t need him! It was perfect as it was.
James Goss just got the characters so so right and their inner monologue of Gwen and Rhys were absolutely spot on. It was funny, action packed and really immersed you, not only into the world of the alien but also into the world of a newborn’s parent! The inner workings of a new parents mind was incredibly funny to read whilst also navigating around a potential alien invasion and a small village where things just didn’t seem right...
A fantastic Torchwood story and prequel to miracle day. I didn’t want it to end!
James Goss just got the characters so so right and their inner monologue of Gwen and Rhys were absolutely spot on. It was funny, action packed and really immersed you, not only into the world of the alien but also into the world of a newborn’s parent! The inner workings of a new parents mind was incredibly funny to read whilst also navigating around a potential alien invasion and a small village where things just didn’t seem right...
A fantastic Torchwood story and prequel to miracle day. I didn’t want it to end!
December 19, 2011
This is one of three Torchwood novels published as prequels to Miracle Day, the recent Torchwood 10-episode storyline, but it's the only one that I really wanted to read.
Gwen Cooper and her long-suffering (but game) husband Rhys Williams are on the run. The government wants her contained, because she knows too much. Also, at the end of Children of Earth, she was also pregnant.
When First Born starts, Gwen, Rhys, and little baby Anwen are still on the run. They've got a bunch of keys to secret Torchwood safe houses, and are moving around, keeping a step ahead of the men in dark suits coming after them. They're now living in a mobile park in the small town of Rawbone. But something strange is going on. People stopped having kids in '87, and at a later date, strange children who look to be about 15, but never age, started showing up as a bizarre child-substitute. What does it have to do with the 'weather station' on the edge of town?
One thing you can definitely tell is that James Goss talked to a lot of new mothers. The elements of sore breasts from breast-feeding, and all the other details of being parents of a newborn, were almost uncomfortable in their details and feeling of accuracy. The interplay between Gwen and Rhys is also very true to the television series.
If you enjoyed Miracle Day, I would recommend reading this book. If you gave up with Children of Earth, you probably shouldn't bother. And if you haven't watched any Torchwood, why are you reading this review?
Gwen Cooper and her long-suffering (but game) husband Rhys Williams are on the run. The government wants her contained, because she knows too much. Also, at the end of Children of Earth, she was also pregnant.
When First Born starts, Gwen, Rhys, and little baby Anwen are still on the run. They've got a bunch of keys to secret Torchwood safe houses, and are moving around, keeping a step ahead of the men in dark suits coming after them. They're now living in a mobile park in the small town of Rawbone. But something strange is going on. People stopped having kids in '87, and at a later date, strange children who look to be about 15, but never age, started showing up as a bizarre child-substitute. What does it have to do with the 'weather station' on the edge of town?
One thing you can definitely tell is that James Goss talked to a lot of new mothers. The elements of sore breasts from breast-feeding, and all the other details of being parents of a newborn, were almost uncomfortable in their details and feeling of accuracy. The interplay between Gwen and Rhys is also very true to the television series.
If you enjoyed Miracle Day, I would recommend reading this book. If you gave up with Children of Earth, you probably shouldn't bother. And if you haven't watched any Torchwood, why are you reading this review?
February 4, 2013
I liked this one, though it's not for everyone. I think you definitely need to have watched some Torchwood to really get it. The author has done a great job of making the characters on the page fit how they are on screen. Gwen and Rhys are completely themselves; it wasn't difficult to "hear" everything going on in their voices. And the plot is a typical "everything is not as it seems" Torchwood scenario, which is pretty much what you expect when you pick up a book in the series. I like that this is post-"Children of Earth" and pre-"Miracle Day", so you see a bit of growth and know what has led to the characters being where they are. For a fan of the series, this is a must read.
August 9, 2025
This is the first of three Torchwood novels set prior to series 4 (Miracle Day) but after the destruction of the Torchwood Hub and the end of the Torchwood team in Series 3. Whilst this book was enjoyable - following Gwen and Rhys on the run with their newborn baby is a great idea - I just found this book missed some of the excitement from the previous Torchwood novels when there was a wider team.
June 4, 2025
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1865810...
A prequel to this year's Torchwood: Miracle Day series, which fairly leapt off the online shelves at me when I realised it was by James Goss, whose contributions to the off-screen Whoniverse have been pretty impressive, and that two of the readers - the main two, it turns out, the other four getting only a chapter or so each - are Kai "Rhys Williams" Owen, who did such a good job of Goss's Ghost Train, and Clare Corbett, who likewise did well sharing The Hounds of Artemis and carrying Dead of Winter on her own.
I was not disappointed. Although the plot itself is a pretty straightforward cut-and-paste from The Midwich Cuckoos and Children of the Corn, Goss puts together a very compelling story of creepy children in a village where nothing is quite right, with the added factor of Gwen Cooper and Rhys Williams and their very small baby trying to work out what is going on and also incidentally not get killed. I have been generally enjoying the Torchwood novels, which as a series are some of the hidden gems of Who fiction, but this is one of the best. The audio brings us Kai Owen's voice to do a warm, confused but courageous Rhys, with Clare Corbett doing a convincing interpretation of Eve Myles and carrying her chapters extremely impressively (she is really good at accents). Apart from the basic horror of the story, there's some bleak office humour about the bureaucracy of atrocity, and some tough teenagers who are central to the story. Very strongly recommended.
A prequel to this year's Torchwood: Miracle Day series, which fairly leapt off the online shelves at me when I realised it was by James Goss, whose contributions to the off-screen Whoniverse have been pretty impressive, and that two of the readers - the main two, it turns out, the other four getting only a chapter or so each - are Kai "Rhys Williams" Owen, who did such a good job of Goss's Ghost Train, and Clare Corbett, who likewise did well sharing The Hounds of Artemis and carrying Dead of Winter on her own.
I was not disappointed. Although the plot itself is a pretty straightforward cut-and-paste from The Midwich Cuckoos and Children of the Corn, Goss puts together a very compelling story of creepy children in a village where nothing is quite right, with the added factor of Gwen Cooper and Rhys Williams and their very small baby trying to work out what is going on and also incidentally not get killed. I have been generally enjoying the Torchwood novels, which as a series are some of the hidden gems of Who fiction, but this is one of the best. The audio brings us Kai Owen's voice to do a warm, confused but courageous Rhys, with Clare Corbett doing a convincing interpretation of Eve Myles and carrying her chapters extremely impressively (she is really good at accents). Apart from the basic horror of the story, there's some bleak office humour about the bureaucracy of atrocity, and some tough teenagers who are central to the story. Very strongly recommended.
May 12, 2018
My guilty pleasure. Dr. Who and Torchwood. Love British sci-fi.
January 5, 2021
First Born is set prior to the events of Miracle Day, and naturally that may dissuade some readers as there’s not many stories to really tell between the events of COE and Miracle Day. Gwen and Rhys on the run, Ianto dead, and Jack having ran away from earth. This novel uses the first of those events to tell a story, which although completely unconnected to events of the series that it is prefacing, still manages to tell and engrossing enough story with all the characters and ideas at it’s disposal.
The story opens with a bit of an exposition dump with Rhys and Gwen basically reminiscing about what has happened since going on the run, as opposed to showing us those events. We then get introduced to the different format this story follows, which is that each chapter follows the perspective of a different character, often flipping between Rhys and Gwen it does sometimes switch to another character in the story and does make for a fun format, with the 70+ name marked chapters allowing you to pace yourself with the book and get inside the heads of a character. To summarise about 60% of the novel narrative-wise, I would simply say, imagine the little girls from the League Of Gentlemen’s Denton House skits, spliced with Wicker Man, and some sci-fi nonsense thrown in for good measure. I know there is no such thing as an original story, but when you can see so blatantly the borrowed elements used to tell the story, it does really labour the actual enjoyment of the story.
The story itself progresses fairly slowly for the first half of the book, introducing the characters, talking a lot about Gwen’s baby, and heavily implying something is wrong in Gwen and Rhys’ new home of Rawbone without telling us what that is. Once we get past the needless mystery, and finally begin to understand what is going on, the story becomes far more interesting, with a nice from cameo from Jack and some interesting twists thrown in, and a really fantastic final confrontation. The pretty brilliant ending doesn’t really justify the first hundred pages being fairly mediocre, but it’s definitely worth persisting with the book for, as it is definitely as satisfying resolution. Without spoiling anything, the basic premise is a small town of people, made unable to have children and gifted children who don’t really age by a secret part of the government (no, not Torchwood) and eventually this begins to backfire once Gwen and Rhys arrive. The children are basically out of the shining and are brilliantly creepy, plus they make for some fantastically dark moments through the story. The most memorable is one of the town members who hates her Scion (the spooky scary children) and scalding him deliberately in a bath burning his skin off, when the Scions revolt, he does the same to his ‘mother’. It was truly horrific, and really set the tone for the latter half of the book.
James Goss does comedy really well, but he also does horror really well too. The comedy is noticeable, with all the stuff with Anwen, and the gay couple in the village, but the story heavily leans on the horror side of James’ talents. The Scions living in the town and being part of day to day life is obviously very much not something the Scions can do flawlessly. The uncanny valley is heavily in play, as they try and imitate perfect children, but they are just too perfect to be the real thing. They are perfect but that’s the point, children are rebellious, naughty and often stupid, not obedient and flawless. The idea is fun but when forty percent of the book is just showing them being creepy, it does begin to wear on you.
There are a lot of characters in this one, and it does feel a bit crowded at certain points, as you’ve got Rhys and Gwen, who naturally dominate the story as the main selling points of a book. Rhys is as fun as he always is, and is, as usual the comedic relief. Gwen is fun, but honestly the stuff with Anwen begins to get grating as it really does persist throughout the book and eventually you get to the point where you just want to shout ‘yes it’s very funny how life changes when you have a baby, can we have the story now?’. You’ve then got the Scions, the townsfolk, and the secretive military people to give time and dialogue to. No wonder the first half of the book feels like a cluster, it gives us the backstories to characters who just vanish in the latter half. The Scions are interesting as an idea, but all too interesting when you separate them and gives us all the different names and who they live with. It’s very hard to remember which is which or to really care about them, and the same can sort of be said for the townsfolk as they hardly offer anything important aside from the odd bit of exposition.
All in all, I’d recommend this book if you really love Gwen as a character, and if you’re willing to sit through a fair bit of bland set up, so you can get to a truly fantastic ending. It’s by no means a bad book, but it is overcrowded, and does seem to substitute a lot of the chapters that could be telling the story, for ‘look Gwen has a baby now’ which, as I’ve said is a bit tiring eventually.
The story opens with a bit of an exposition dump with Rhys and Gwen basically reminiscing about what has happened since going on the run, as opposed to showing us those events. We then get introduced to the different format this story follows, which is that each chapter follows the perspective of a different character, often flipping between Rhys and Gwen it does sometimes switch to another character in the story and does make for a fun format, with the 70+ name marked chapters allowing you to pace yourself with the book and get inside the heads of a character. To summarise about 60% of the novel narrative-wise, I would simply say, imagine the little girls from the League Of Gentlemen’s Denton House skits, spliced with Wicker Man, and some sci-fi nonsense thrown in for good measure. I know there is no such thing as an original story, but when you can see so blatantly the borrowed elements used to tell the story, it does really labour the actual enjoyment of the story.
The story itself progresses fairly slowly for the first half of the book, introducing the characters, talking a lot about Gwen’s baby, and heavily implying something is wrong in Gwen and Rhys’ new home of Rawbone without telling us what that is. Once we get past the needless mystery, and finally begin to understand what is going on, the story becomes far more interesting, with a nice from cameo from Jack and some interesting twists thrown in, and a really fantastic final confrontation. The pretty brilliant ending doesn’t really justify the first hundred pages being fairly mediocre, but it’s definitely worth persisting with the book for, as it is definitely as satisfying resolution. Without spoiling anything, the basic premise is a small town of people, made unable to have children and gifted children who don’t really age by a secret part of the government (no, not Torchwood) and eventually this begins to backfire once Gwen and Rhys arrive. The children are basically out of the shining and are brilliantly creepy, plus they make for some fantastically dark moments through the story. The most memorable is one of the town members who hates her Scion (the spooky scary children) and scalding him deliberately in a bath burning his skin off, when the Scions revolt, he does the same to his ‘mother’. It was truly horrific, and really set the tone for the latter half of the book.
James Goss does comedy really well, but he also does horror really well too. The comedy is noticeable, with all the stuff with Anwen, and the gay couple in the village, but the story heavily leans on the horror side of James’ talents. The Scions living in the town and being part of day to day life is obviously very much not something the Scions can do flawlessly. The uncanny valley is heavily in play, as they try and imitate perfect children, but they are just too perfect to be the real thing. They are perfect but that’s the point, children are rebellious, naughty and often stupid, not obedient and flawless. The idea is fun but when forty percent of the book is just showing them being creepy, it does begin to wear on you.
There are a lot of characters in this one, and it does feel a bit crowded at certain points, as you’ve got Rhys and Gwen, who naturally dominate the story as the main selling points of a book. Rhys is as fun as he always is, and is, as usual the comedic relief. Gwen is fun, but honestly the stuff with Anwen begins to get grating as it really does persist throughout the book and eventually you get to the point where you just want to shout ‘yes it’s very funny how life changes when you have a baby, can we have the story now?’. You’ve then got the Scions, the townsfolk, and the secretive military people to give time and dialogue to. No wonder the first half of the book feels like a cluster, it gives us the backstories to characters who just vanish in the latter half. The Scions are interesting as an idea, but all too interesting when you separate them and gives us all the different names and who they live with. It’s very hard to remember which is which or to really care about them, and the same can sort of be said for the townsfolk as they hardly offer anything important aside from the odd bit of exposition.
All in all, I’d recommend this book if you really love Gwen as a character, and if you’re willing to sit through a fair bit of bland set up, so you can get to a truly fantastic ending. It’s by no means a bad book, but it is overcrowded, and does seem to substitute a lot of the chapters that could be telling the story, for ‘look Gwen has a baby now’ which, as I’ve said is a bit tiring eventually.
June 2, 2024
I suspect this is going to be the best of the three Miracle Day prequels because it really does a good job with a town where something seems to be going on. Focused on Gwen and Rhys (although Jack has a brief appearance in a flashback, we get a little of the now deceased Ianto in a dream sequence, and we do get POVs from other characters unique to the novel), the book does a good job discussing parenthood when you are on the run from the government, even if it goes on for a little too long in that aspect.
August 21, 2024
Absolutely BRILLIANT. Reading this as a prequel to Miracle Day just shows how Torchwood impacts life even beyond its collapse. Rhys's frustration and instinct to protect Gwen and Anwen is excellent as is Gwen's tiredness but also simultaneous resilience.
Now, I must say, I actually don't find this story hugely memorable asides from finding out about Gwen and Rhys's life post-Children of Earth. However, the characterisation adds so much to the Gwen and Rhys we next see in Miracle Day that this novel cannot be given less than 5/5 stars.
Now, I must say, I actually don't find this story hugely memorable asides from finding out about Gwen and Rhys's life post-Children of Earth. However, the characterisation adds so much to the Gwen and Rhys we next see in Miracle Day that this novel cannot be given less than 5/5 stars.
April 17, 2022
Really enjoyed this prequel to Miracle Day (charity shop bargain too). Written from several viewpoints but mainly via Gwen and Rhys, this is what happened when Gwen and co rock up whilst on the run to the isolated North Walian village of Rawbone (this made me laugh given there is a Ruabon near Wrexham which is not isolated, just run down). Definite shades of Wyndham's 'The Midwich Cuckoos' and interestingly minimal Captain Jack.
Excellent wind down reading.
Excellent wind down reading.
June 19, 2017
the set of Torchwood books, starting with this one, tells what happens before Miracle Day. I love reading these continuing adventures and in between stories. Recommended to fans of Torchwood & Doctor Who.
January 28, 2024
I felt this one was slow to start but it didn't help that its all about Gwen and she's always been my least favourite character. It was well written hough and it was full of twists and turns that I didn't expect. Ended well, too.
February 7, 2019
If you enjoyed the Torchwood series on TV, chances are you will enjoy being able to revisit the Torchwood universe introduced by the Dr. Who spinoff.
October 15, 2019
Audiobook. Good production and I enjoyed the story.
July 25, 2021
Great little story of between the series episodes of torchwood and getting to know the character anwen
October 10, 2022
Audio Dramatization
August 29, 2025
Really good!
July 31, 2015
I’ve read a couple of Torchwood books, well, read is a big word. As part of my recovery from my surgery I had to do a lot of walking and to keep me company I added a couple of audio books to my mp3 player, and this was one of them. The thing I love about the Torchwood audio books is that they include the original cast from the TV series as much as possible to read the books. This one was done by Audible and unfortunately only has Kai Owen (who plays Rhys Williams) participating in this project. The other audio books where narrated by just the one person, this is narrated by a couple of characters in the book. I think it’s a shame they didn’t get Eve Myles for the role of Gwen Cooper, although the voice actor who does play the role of Gwen, is really good and it sounds a lot like Gwen.
Oh, before I go any further. This book takes place before Miracle day and this review is gonna contain spoilers.
So I listened to a couple of Torchwood Audio books already and I must say, this isn’t one of my favorites, together with Border Princess. I don’t know if this has anything to do with the fact that it was more of an audio drama then an audio book, or an audio book all together. But the other audio books I listened to where a lot shorter than this one. Most of them were between an hour and a half and two hours. First Born is over 6 hours long! And it is sometimes confusing listening to the different voices and parts being played by the narrators.
Although I love the story very much. And may I just comment on the fact that a lot of the Torchwood stories are the same? Again this is about children, creepy alien children that is to say. I love how throughout the story little hints are given, working towards the final endgame. For example, the stink thistles. You just know there is something wrong with them, but it isn’t explained right away. Another thing, the children. Seeing that they all look alike, your mind get’s all these ideas about what could be the cause of this, and when you learn what’s behind it. The only proper response you can give is, yep, Torchwood.
There are actually a couple of storylines in this particular story. All neatly woven into one. First of all, we have Rhys and Gwen on the run, after everything that happened with Children of Earth. Torchwood is no more, Jack is gone, and the rest is dead. And I really appreciate that in just about all the books, the remaining characters still look back at their fallen colleagues, keeping their memories in their hearts. But yeah, Rhys and Gwen are on the run with their daughter Anwen and end up in Rawbone to keep a low profile.
The other storyline is the creepiness of Rawbone. The people are strange, the children even stranger, all looking alike. I don’t want to say too much of this, because I don’t want to actually spoil the plot for people who haven’t read it yet.
And also we have a little subplot. Rhys, dealing with being a daddy and looking after baby Anwen and keeping Gwen away from bloody Torchwood. Kai Owen plays the role perfectly for Rhys. (James Gross did a marvelous job capturing Rhys as the character he is in this story.)
But as I said, not one of my favorite stories. The story is really long; we have too many perspectives from the different characters in the book and for me that is really distracting. I need to get my hands on the book so I can read it and see if my opinion stands or the culprit of my low rating is indeed the audio book.
If you are a fan of Doctor Who and Torchwood, I still recommend you read and/or listen to it. Otherwise, just pick something else.
My rate for this book is 6 out of 10.
Oh, before I go any further. This book takes place before Miracle day and this review is gonna contain spoilers.
So I listened to a couple of Torchwood Audio books already and I must say, this isn’t one of my favorites, together with Border Princess. I don’t know if this has anything to do with the fact that it was more of an audio drama then an audio book, or an audio book all together. But the other audio books I listened to where a lot shorter than this one. Most of them were between an hour and a half and two hours. First Born is over 6 hours long! And it is sometimes confusing listening to the different voices and parts being played by the narrators.
Although I love the story very much. And may I just comment on the fact that a lot of the Torchwood stories are the same? Again this is about children, creepy alien children that is to say. I love how throughout the story little hints are given, working towards the final endgame. For example, the stink thistles. You just know there is something wrong with them, but it isn’t explained right away. Another thing, the children. Seeing that they all look alike, your mind get’s all these ideas about what could be the cause of this, and when you learn what’s behind it. The only proper response you can give is, yep, Torchwood.
There are actually a couple of storylines in this particular story. All neatly woven into one. First of all, we have Rhys and Gwen on the run, after everything that happened with Children of Earth. Torchwood is no more, Jack is gone, and the rest is dead. And I really appreciate that in just about all the books, the remaining characters still look back at their fallen colleagues, keeping their memories in their hearts. But yeah, Rhys and Gwen are on the run with their daughter Anwen and end up in Rawbone to keep a low profile.
The other storyline is the creepiness of Rawbone. The people are strange, the children even stranger, all looking alike. I don’t want to say too much of this, because I don’t want to actually spoil the plot for people who haven’t read it yet.
And also we have a little subplot. Rhys, dealing with being a daddy and looking after baby Anwen and keeping Gwen away from bloody Torchwood. Kai Owen plays the role perfectly for Rhys. (James Gross did a marvelous job capturing Rhys as the character he is in this story.)
But as I said, not one of my favorite stories. The story is really long; we have too many perspectives from the different characters in the book and for me that is really distracting. I need to get my hands on the book so I can read it and see if my opinion stands or the culprit of my low rating is indeed the audio book.
If you are a fan of Doctor Who and Torchwood, I still recommend you read and/or listen to it. Otherwise, just pick something else.
My rate for this book is 6 out of 10.
February 3, 2016
Во время чтения этой книги я обнаружила, что няшка Госс знает до странного мельчайшие подробности состояния души и тела новоиспеченной мамочки в первые недели жизни ребенка – как физиологические, так и психологические пассажи удивительно правдоподобны. Гвен и Рис проходят через фазу «ребенок = мир», когда все крутится вокруг малышки Анвен. Спасать остальной мир в таких условиях становится тяжеловато.
За четой Уильямсов охотятся все, кому не лень, поэтому им приходится оседать в богом забытых местах, которые чаще всего оказываются домиками на колесах. Единственный нюанс – чаще всего эти домики находятся рядом с аномалиями, которые Торчвуд в свое время не смог или забыл раскрыть. Неудивительно, что они забрели в глушь-деревню, где уже много лет не рождались дети, но зато их можно было «заказать», и на следующий день детки прибывали в семью – практически одинаковые, вежливые, необыкновенно тихие, нестареющие подростки примерно одного возраста. А к Анвен население проявляет недюжинный интерес, ведь это первый младенец, которого они видели за долгие годы.
До жути пробрали эти искусственные детки. Да еще и психологическая травма их родителей, которые не могут иметь своих собственных. Загадочная метеорологическая станция, которая мониторит «погоду», но всем ясно, что совсем не этим они там занимаются. Внезапно всплывший в процессе расследования Джек Харкнесс, несколько лет назад принимавший участие в экспериментах. Один ребенок, который отклоняется от своей «идеальной» программы, чтобы стать взрослым и настоящим.
Шесть часов пролетели практически незаметно. Сначала динамичность хромала – пока Гвен, Рис и Анвен обустроились, познакомились с местными жителями и инопланетными детками. Я так и не поняла, как ребята смогли так спокойно сидеть в своем домике на колесах, зная, что где-то вокруг могут бродить дети-зомби, и все это бесплодие, постигшее город, вызвано не просто экологией? Я бы хватала ребенка и мужа и бежала оттуда со всех ног, из этого жуткого и опасного места. Но то ли чувство опасности притупилось, то ли Гвен надеялась, что они не задержатся здесь до нагнетания атмосферы сверх положенного, – в какой-то момент бежать стало поздно, и пришлось действовать.
POV плавно смещается с Гвен на Риса (которого озвучивает опять же Кай Оуэн – мне нравится эта тенденция!), на местную учительницу и управляющую «метеорологической станцией». Остальных нарраторов не знаю, странно, что нет Ив Майлс – вот уж было бы чудно)
Для pre-miracle истории она очень и очень состоятельна, особенно сюжетно. Развитие авторской мысли нельзя предугадать, повороты подсовываются читателю в тщательно продуманном порядке, так чтобы все концы сошлись только в самом конце. А конец – это венец человечности. Госс опять не подкачал, из-под его пера выходят лучшие истории о Торчвуде. Да!
annikeh.net
За четой Уильямсов охотятся все, кому не лень, поэтому им приходится оседать в богом забытых местах, которые чаще всего оказываются домиками на колесах. Единственный нюанс – чаще всего эти домики находятся рядом с аномалиями, которые Торчвуд в свое время не смог или забыл раскрыть. Неудивительно, что они забрели в глушь-деревню, где уже много лет не рождались дети, но зато их можно было «заказать», и на следующий день детки прибывали в семью – практически одинаковые, вежливые, необыкновенно тихие, нестареющие подростки примерно одного возраста. А к Анвен население проявляет недюжинный интерес, ведь это первый младенец, которого они видели за долгие годы.
До жути пробрали эти искусственные детки. Да еще и психологическая травма их родителей, которые не могут иметь своих собственных. Загадочная метеорологическая станция, которая мониторит «погоду», но всем ясно, что совсем не этим они там занимаются. Внезапно всплывший в процессе расследования Джек Харкнесс, несколько лет назад принимавший участие в экспериментах. Один ребенок, который отклоняется от своей «идеальной» программы, чтобы стать взрослым и настоящим.
Шесть часов пролетели практически незаметно. Сначала динамичность хромала – пока Гвен, Рис и Анвен обустроились, познакомились с местными жителями и инопланетными детками. Я так и не поняла, как ребята смогли так спокойно сидеть в своем домике на колесах, зная, что где-то вокруг могут бродить дети-зомби, и все это бесплодие, постигшее город, вызвано не просто экологией? Я бы хватала ребенка и мужа и бежала оттуда со всех ног, из этого жуткого и опасного места. Но то ли чувство опасности притупилось, то ли Гвен надеялась, что они не задержатся здесь до нагнетания атмосферы сверх положенного, – в какой-то момент бежать стало поздно, и пришлось действовать.
POV плавно смещается с Гвен на Риса (которого озвучивает опять же Кай Оуэн – мне нравится эта тенденция!), на местную учительницу и управляющую «метеорологической станцией». Остальных нарраторов не знаю, странно, что нет Ив Майлс – вот уж было бы чудно)
Для pre-miracle истории она очень и очень состоятельна, особенно сюжетно. Развитие авторской мысли нельзя предугадать, повороты подсовываются читателю в тщательно продуманном порядке, так чтобы все концы сошлись только в самом конце. А конец – это венец человечности. Госс опять не подкачал, из-под его пера выходят лучшие истории о Торчвуде. Да!
annikeh.net
October 4, 2011
Review: You don’t really need to know Torchwood to read this, but ir dows help. It is part of the most recent batch of books, along with The Men who Sold the Earth and Long Time Dead, to follow on from the Children of Earth series and to be set before Miracle. Ex-Torchwood girl Gwen Williams nee Cooper and her husband Rhys are in hiding due to the many many people who wnat them dead. At the beginning they are chased out of their home, and they flee to Rawbone, a village in North Wales that has been cut off from the rest of the world. And the children there are a little too perfect. Then mysterious events happen, and Gwen realises she hasn’t left Torchwood behind at all.
I like reading TV tie ins. I’m not sure why, and we can discuss that some other time. I’ve also read the other Torchwood books and enjoyed them, so I had high hopes for this.
James Goss kept the main characters, Gwen and Rhys, true to their original selves, which was very nice but also not really surprising considering he’s written other Torchwood books. The characters he invented, such as Tom, Josh, Eloise, Sebastian and the rest of the Skions weren’t particularly well developed, but were still interesting to read about, if not the easiest to connect to.
The plot at times was hard to follow, particularly the ending where I was reading and thinking “what is the point of this?” The main bit up to it, particularly the middle bit and the whole subplot involving Anwen were interesting and kept me going.
I really enjoyed the switching perspectives. Most of it came from the perspectives of Gwen and Rhys, but occasionally the natives of Rawbone had something to say too, providing a wider outlook on the whole situation of things. each character had a strong voice that really shone through in the writing.
Overall: Strength 3 tea to a good addition to a well established, and loved (by me anyway) franchise.
I like reading TV tie ins. I’m not sure why, and we can discuss that some other time. I’ve also read the other Torchwood books and enjoyed them, so I had high hopes for this.
James Goss kept the main characters, Gwen and Rhys, true to their original selves, which was very nice but also not really surprising considering he’s written other Torchwood books. The characters he invented, such as Tom, Josh, Eloise, Sebastian and the rest of the Skions weren’t particularly well developed, but were still interesting to read about, if not the easiest to connect to.
The plot at times was hard to follow, particularly the ending where I was reading and thinking “what is the point of this?” The main bit up to it, particularly the middle bit and the whole subplot involving Anwen were interesting and kept me going.
I really enjoyed the switching perspectives. Most of it came from the perspectives of Gwen and Rhys, but occasionally the natives of Rawbone had something to say too, providing a wider outlook on the whole situation of things. each character had a strong voice that really shone through in the writing.
Overall: Strength 3 tea to a good addition to a well established, and loved (by me anyway) franchise.
February 22, 2012
I have read many Doctor Who novels but only ever attempted one Torchwood novel. I can't remember which one it was but it was so bad that I gave up and never tried to read a Torchwood book again but instead concentrated on Doctor Who. But for some reason this one really appealed to me, and I am so glad that I gave it a go.
Although it appealed to me I really didn't expect that much from it one: because as said my first attempt at a Torchwood novel was a failed one, and two: because it is written by James Goss an authour who seems to be held in high regard for his contributions to the "Whoniverse". But having only read one of his pieces of work before - The Doctor Who novel "Dead Of Winter" a novel which I persoannly thought was terrible, I obviously had my doubts about this book.
But this was a very decent contribution to the Torchwood canon (though not directly related to "Children Of Earth" or "Miracle Day" the two series between which the events of this book take place.
The plot whilst not entirely original (parts of it appear to have been "inspired" by the TV series Lost) was well written and above all captivating. The Gwen and Rhys characters very very reminiscent of the characters from the TV show (something which is not always the case with Who books) and the other characters were beliavable with decent back stories.
One little thing that bothered me was Gwen and Rhys leaving their newborn baby in the care of an alien whom thay didn't entirely trust and whose species they were investigating and I found this quite hard to believe. There is one character in this book who when mentioned I couldn't help picturing Ianto, but I think that was supposed to be the point. The ending was a little flat and I would have perhaps liked a little link into "Miracle Day". But this was a very enjoyable read and I plan on giving more Torchwood books a go now.
Although it appealed to me I really didn't expect that much from it one: because as said my first attempt at a Torchwood novel was a failed one, and two: because it is written by James Goss an authour who seems to be held in high regard for his contributions to the "Whoniverse". But having only read one of his pieces of work before - The Doctor Who novel "Dead Of Winter" a novel which I persoannly thought was terrible, I obviously had my doubts about this book.
But this was a very decent contribution to the Torchwood canon (though not directly related to "Children Of Earth" or "Miracle Day" the two series between which the events of this book take place.
The plot whilst not entirely original (parts of it appear to have been "inspired" by the TV series Lost) was well written and above all captivating. The Gwen and Rhys characters very very reminiscent of the characters from the TV show (something which is not always the case with Who books) and the other characters were beliavable with decent back stories.
One little thing that bothered me was Gwen and Rhys leaving their newborn baby in the care of an alien whom thay didn't entirely trust and whose species they were investigating and I found this quite hard to believe. There is one character in this book who when mentioned I couldn't help picturing Ianto, but I think that was supposed to be the point. The ending was a little flat and I would have perhaps liked a little link into "Miracle Day". But this was a very enjoyable read and I plan on giving more Torchwood books a go now.
August 15, 2011
Set between Torchwood's third series (Children of Earth) and its fourth (Miracle Day), First Born tells the story of Gwen Cooper and Rhys Williams, new parents on the run from undefined forces, due to their part in the events of Children of Earth. They end up in a small Welsh village, with a history of infertility. If nobody from the village is able to have children, then where did all the teenage children come from? Why do they seem just a little bit left of normal? And what is the connection back to Torchwood?
James Goss has crafted a book that works as a Torchwood tie-in novel, and an effectively chilling British science fiction/horror novel. His characterizations of Gwen, Rhys, and Captain Jack Harkness are spot-on. He creates an effectively creepy mood when necessary, and manages to give us a science fiction explanation that feels internally plausible and consistent without being confusing. It's the sort of story that is very much in keeping with the tone of the Torchwood television series, but requires almost no knowledge of the show in order to appreciate it.
Of course, because it's a prequel to the latest series on television, we know Gwen and Rhys survive just fine. But that doesn't make the story any less compelling, because Goss gives us new characters whose fates we want to learn. For fans of Torchwood, it's a chance to see a new, offbeat adventure, one where Gwen can't rely on the support structure of Torchwood and the skills of Captain Jack. For readers looking to while away the hours with a spooky-ooky story, it fills that niche just fine, as well.
James Goss has crafted a book that works as a Torchwood tie-in novel, and an effectively chilling British science fiction/horror novel. His characterizations of Gwen, Rhys, and Captain Jack Harkness are spot-on. He creates an effectively creepy mood when necessary, and manages to give us a science fiction explanation that feels internally plausible and consistent without being confusing. It's the sort of story that is very much in keeping with the tone of the Torchwood television series, but requires almost no knowledge of the show in order to appreciate it.
Of course, because it's a prequel to the latest series on television, we know Gwen and Rhys survive just fine. But that doesn't make the story any less compelling, because Goss gives us new characters whose fates we want to learn. For fans of Torchwood, it's a chance to see a new, offbeat adventure, one where Gwen can't rely on the support structure of Torchwood and the skills of Captain Jack. For readers looking to while away the hours with a spooky-ooky story, it fills that niche just fine, as well.
August 12, 2013
Another charming, rather witty and somewhat politically subversive Torchwood novel by staff writer James Goss, this prequel to Miracle Day features almost zero Captain Jack, but gives us plenty of the awesomeness of new mum Gwen and new dad Rhys, along with grubby, puking baby empress Anwen as they try to settle in a caravan park in rural North Wales. Of course something's not quite right, and it happens to be alien in nature; that's not a spoiler for the world of Torchwood, but I shall say no more or it would be. Most of the appeal of this book comes from the switching first-person narrative viewpoints, offering the innermost thoughts of Gwen, Rhys, and various other characters, which includes plenty of sass, in-jokes, current slang that I can only guess is a Welsh thing because I don't know any better ("mitching off"?) and current slang I completely understand ("D-I-L-F" shows up more than once; I've got "pot noodle" and "on the lash" well under my belt, thanks) and the rock-solid decency and nobility of the Williamses as they deal with threats and dangers well beyond the usual ken of anybody on this planet.
I don't need to keep this book forever and ever, though, so hopefully the fact that my kitten bit through the cover won't keep me from being able to sell it. If not, it's a superb giveaway, and may well be appreciated in the various doctors' offices where I spend many an afternoon.
I don't need to keep this book forever and ever, though, so hopefully the fact that my kitten bit through the cover won't keep me from being able to sell it. If not, it's a superb giveaway, and may well be appreciated in the various doctors' offices where I spend many an afternoon.
May 14, 2012
An okay entry in the Torchwood book series. I like audio books with multiple narrators and this one was spot on with it's actor choices. However, the story started out tense and action packed and became a confusing, rushed, out of character mess. Gwen and Rhys would be crying and or giving up hope one moment and then ready to take down the bad guy the next. There was a Rhys gets flirted with subplot that went no where and I had no idea who the bad guys were from moment to moment.
Not only that but the few moments of Jack Harkness we got were short and made no sense. The only thing that saved this book from getting two stars were the secondary characters, a group of isolated townspeople so beaten down and sad it broke my heart and one of them has a terrifying scene were you wonder what her life would have been like if she had gotten what she really wanted in the first place.
Overall, a decent book for the hardcore fan, but I wouldn't suggest giving it to anyone as an entry to the series.
Not only that but the few moments of Jack Harkness we got were short and made no sense. The only thing that saved this book from getting two stars were the secondary characters, a group of isolated townspeople so beaten down and sad it broke my heart and one of them has a terrifying scene were you wonder what her life would have been like if she had gotten what she really wanted in the first place.
Overall, a decent book for the hardcore fan, but I wouldn't suggest giving it to anyone as an entry to the series.
June 26, 2012
Out of the three 'Miracle Day' Prequel tie-in novels, this was the best. Given that it's the only one of the three which really tells a story with some of the surviving Torchwood characters and a missing part of the story between 'Children of Earth' and 'Miracle Day.'
It wears the 'Midwich Cuckoos/Village of the Damned' influences on its sleave, but that's okay. Doctor Who and its spin-off shows have never shied away from shamelessly homaging everything under the sun and putting their own unique spin on it. This book is no exception and goes in directions I wasn't expecting in the history and purpose of the children. Some of the best parts of the book are Gwen and Rhys' slow adjusting to parenthood and the strains and pressures they endure simply rasing a child in any condition, creepy Welsh Village and their Children aside.
July 14, 2012
First of the trilogy of Miracle Day prequel novels, and set between Children of Earth and Miracle Day. Gwen and Rhys have taken to the hills after the birth of baby Anwen, using a selection of Torchwood safe houses to hide from people who are much too interested in the last surviving piece of Torchwood. The latest one is a caravan park in a remote village -- and as they wryly note at one point, there had to be a reason why Ianto's keyring collection included the key for a caravan in the middle of nowhere.[return][return]It's just Gwen and Rhys in this one, but it's still a solid Torchwood story about the use and misuse of alien technology that has fallen into human hands. As usual Goss does an excellent job with writing Rhys, and I enjoyed this one a lot.
December 24, 2016
Finally a really good Torchwood (audio)book. I mistakenly skipped about 11 books in the series, thinking this was the 5th one but once I realized what I did I was already hooked.
Despite a couple of quite annoying performances (rather keep this to myself to not hurt feelings, just in case), I thoroughly enjoyed this. Kai Owen was reason alone to listen to this. Beautiful beautiful performance. I know Eve Myles wasn't in it but the substitute actor was brilliant as well. There were also a couple of smaller performances that were very enjoyable and nice surprises (like Tom, the original Sebastian, the girl at the pub whose name escapes me, Mrs Harries if I'm spelling that correctly).
The story was good, but nothing spectacular. It was the voice acting that truly delivered for me.
Despite a couple of quite annoying performances (rather keep this to myself to not hurt feelings, just in case), I thoroughly enjoyed this. Kai Owen was reason alone to listen to this. Beautiful beautiful performance. I know Eve Myles wasn't in it but the substitute actor was brilliant as well. There were also a couple of smaller performances that were very enjoyable and nice surprises (like Tom, the original Sebastian, the girl at the pub whose name escapes me, Mrs Harries if I'm spelling that correctly).
The story was good, but nothing spectacular. It was the voice acting that truly delivered for me.
October 13, 2011
This one just didn't work for me. Maybe it was because there was no Captain Jack, other than a few references. Maybe it was the first person narrative, which jumped mostly from Gwen to Rhys but also included a few other characters. I had to wonder, who were Rhys and Gwen relating this tale to? Surely they weren't writing about the events for posterity...was Rhys telling this to Banana Boat, or one of his other friends? Unlikely! Most disappointing though was Gwen...I know she was struggling with being a new mom here, but she really didn't seem Gwen-ish to me. I may give the others in the pre-Miracle Day series a miss. I mean, who wants to read about Suzie, or (ugh!) Rex!
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