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Doctor Who: Quick Reads #6
Magic of the Angels
Doctor-Who-Magic-of-the-Angels
110 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2012
37 people are currently reading
1184 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Rayner
133 books168 followersJacqueline Rayner is a best selling British author, best known for her work with the licensed fiction based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who.
Her first professional writing credit came when she adapted Paul Cornell's Virgin New Adventure novel Oh No It Isn't! for the audio format, the first release by Big Finish. (The novel featured the character of Bernice Summerfield and was part of a spin-off series from Doctor Who.) She went on to do five of the six Bernice Summerfield audio adaptations and further work for Big Finish before going to work for BBC Books on their Doctor Who lines.
Her first novels came in 2001, with the Eighth Doctor Adventures novel EarthWorld for BBC Books and the Bernice Summerfield novel The Squire's Crystal for Big Finish. Rayner has written several other Doctor Who spin-offs and was also for a period the executive producer for the BBC on the Big Finish range of Doctor Who audio dramas. She has also contributed to the audio range as a writer. In all, her Doctor Who and related work (Bernice Summerfield stories), consists of five novels, a number of short stories and four original audio plays.
Rayner has edited several anthologies of Doctor Who short stories, mainly for Big Finish, and done work for Doctor Who Magazine. Beyond Doctor Who, her work includes the children's television tie-in book Horses Like Blaze.
With the start of the new television series of Doctor Who in 2005 and a shift in the BBC's Doctor Who related book output, Rayner has become, along with Justin Richards and Stephen Cole, one of the regular authors of the BBC's New Series Adventures. She has also abridged several of the books to be made into audiobooks.
She was also a member of Doctor Who Magazine's original Time Team.
Her first professional writing credit came when she adapted Paul Cornell's Virgin New Adventure novel Oh No It Isn't! for the audio format, the first release by Big Finish. (The novel featured the character of Bernice Summerfield and was part of a spin-off series from Doctor Who.) She went on to do five of the six Bernice Summerfield audio adaptations and further work for Big Finish before going to work for BBC Books on their Doctor Who lines.
Her first novels came in 2001, with the Eighth Doctor Adventures novel EarthWorld for BBC Books and the Bernice Summerfield novel The Squire's Crystal for Big Finish. Rayner has written several other Doctor Who spin-offs and was also for a period the executive producer for the BBC on the Big Finish range of Doctor Who audio dramas. She has also contributed to the audio range as a writer. In all, her Doctor Who and related work (Bernice Summerfield stories), consists of five novels, a number of short stories and four original audio plays.
Rayner has edited several anthologies of Doctor Who short stories, mainly for Big Finish, and done work for Doctor Who Magazine. Beyond Doctor Who, her work includes the children's television tie-in book Horses Like Blaze.
With the start of the new television series of Doctor Who in 2005 and a shift in the BBC's Doctor Who related book output, Rayner has become, along with Justin Richards and Stephen Cole, one of the regular authors of the BBC's New Series Adventures. She has also abridged several of the books to be made into audiobooks.
She was also a member of Doctor Who Magazine's original Time Team.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
June 29, 2023
The eleventh doctor takes Amy and Rory to a magic show. And they quickly realize the magician made his disappearing act a little more realistic by using a Weeping Angel, sending the unsuspecting victims back into time. Now it’s up to the doctor and his companions to put a stop to the disappearances.
The dynamic between the eleventh doctor and husband and wife companions Amy and Rory is spot on here. It’s a quick read, so this is a very fast paced but also quite straight forward adventure. It’s nothing to go out of your way for, but it’s nonetheless entertaining. And a story about Weeping Angels always fits this Tardis trio like a glove.
The dynamic between the eleventh doctor and husband and wife companions Amy and Rory is spot on here. It’s a quick read, so this is a very fast paced but also quite straight forward adventure. It’s nothing to go out of your way for, but it’s nonetheless entertaining. And a story about Weeping Angels always fits this Tardis trio like a glove.
February 22, 2021
8.6/10
Come along Ponds!!!
I really enjoyed this short story, it has the classic Doctor Who pack of action, mystery and comedy. The doctor with his beloved companions are on vacation in London, but of course, where the Doctor is, there's trouble. This time is a magician who uses whipping angels in his act.
The story is interesting and fast paced and the characters act the way they do in the tv series. I think i liked this even more since it's about the eleventh Doctor whom i absolutely love.
If you are a Whovian than definitely give this one a go.
Come along Ponds!!!
I really enjoyed this short story, it has the classic Doctor Who pack of action, mystery and comedy. The doctor with his beloved companions are on vacation in London, but of course, where the Doctor is, there's trouble. This time is a magician who uses whipping angels in his act.
The story is interesting and fast paced and the characters act the way they do in the tv series. I think i liked this even more since it's about the eleventh Doctor whom i absolutely love.
If you are a Whovian than definitely give this one a go.
June 18, 2022
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
This is a quick read that is based on the television series. In this one, we are with Matt Smith's Doctor and with Amy and Rory Pond. They are in the present time having a vacation. Well, if you know this universe that never works out well for our characters.
Like I said this is a quick read as it can be read in one sitting. When I read a media tie-in novel I hope that the characters resemble themselves. I thought the author did a tremendous job with that aspect. I had no problem visualizing the frantic nature of The Doctor or Amy charging in to the situation or quiet Rory putting others ahead of himself. As for the actual story I enjoyed it as a favorite foe is the nemesis in this book. I thought it was well done and calls back to episodes of the television show. I believe somewhere along the line the Weeping Angels have kind of lost their original intent in the series. Not so in this book as it harkens back to the early days of the Angels.
I enjoy these quick read books from this universe. They are a nice way to have one more adventure with beloved characters. Also, they help my Goodreads challenge. This one was well done and I recommend it to all Doctor Who fans.
This is a quick read that is based on the television series. In this one, we are with Matt Smith's Doctor and with Amy and Rory Pond. They are in the present time having a vacation. Well, if you know this universe that never works out well for our characters.
Like I said this is a quick read as it can be read in one sitting. When I read a media tie-in novel I hope that the characters resemble themselves. I thought the author did a tremendous job with that aspect. I had no problem visualizing the frantic nature of The Doctor or Amy charging in to the situation or quiet Rory putting others ahead of himself. As for the actual story I enjoyed it as a favorite foe is the nemesis in this book. I thought it was well done and calls back to episodes of the television show. I believe somewhere along the line the Weeping Angels have kind of lost their original intent in the series. Not so in this book as it harkens back to the early days of the Angels.
I enjoy these quick read books from this universe. They are a nice way to have one more adventure with beloved characters. Also, they help my Goodreads challenge. This one was well done and I recommend it to all Doctor Who fans.
March 19, 2021
“For some people,being mean to others is the point of their lives.”
― Jacqueline Rayner, Doctor Who: Magic of the Angels
― Jacqueline Rayner, Doctor Who: Magic of the Angels
February 9, 2016
Asi by si to zaslúžilo o polhviezdičky menej, ale kašlať na to. Už len preto, že mi to krásne pripomenulo časy, keď bol Doctorom Matt. Pretože tie jeho hlášky boli také, aké aj v seriály. Presne ten štýl. Autorka ich vystihla úplne skvelo a ja som si Matta a Pondovcov krásne pripomenula :3
June 18, 2016
This was slightly terrifying, as expected, but really cool.
Read
February 5, 2023bought this 10 years ago and just read
August 11, 2017
As great as The Weeping Angles are, I can't help but feel that they were slightly overused during Smiths era as The Doctor.
But what I liked about this quick read was that it also focuses on there victims too.
There's some great nods to previous televised stories and a wonderful Classic Series reference too.
But what I liked about this quick read was that it also focuses on there victims too.
There's some great nods to previous televised stories and a wonderful Classic Series reference too.
February 19, 2015
Jeg elsker disse korte Doctor Who bøkene. Magic of the Angels var en flott fortelling, som jeg er veldig glad for at jeg leste. Den var ikke fantastisk, men jeg likte den supergodt.
September 9, 2021
Breezy read. Worth the plunge especially if you like the Weeping Angels. I would have probably given this three stars, but I found the bitter-sweet ending so stunning that it was worth a star by itself. I have to add, it was such a left turn that I still can’t believe the Guardians of all things Doctor Who approved it.
July 27, 2021
Short but enjoyable.
The trio was having fun. (And getting kicked out of so many places because of the Doctor.) They tried to watch "Sammy Star, Master of Magic" show in a theater, and found out that a weeping angel is in the middle of it all.
The trio was having fun. (And getting kicked out of so many places because of the Doctor.) They tried to watch "Sammy Star, Master of Magic" show in a theater, and found out that a weeping angel is in the middle of it all.
June 18, 2016
Magic and Weeping Angels. Frightening and cool at the same time, but still too short!
December 27, 2020
Such an amazing Doctor Who short story.
In this one we follow the Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory as they visit London. They go to a magic show and then they discover a Weaping Angel... Meanwhile lots of girls are missing.
I loved it! I thought it wouldn't be that good but it was. The fact that it has the Eleventh Doctor, Amy, Rory and Weaping Angels may have helped a lot. Those three are like my favorite group and the Weaping Angels are my favorite Doctor Who monster (I didn't even realised I had one). It is all so wibbly wobbly timey wimey.
I recommend it a lot if you like Doctor Who and you miss these three.
In this one we follow the Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory as they visit London. They go to a magic show and then they discover a Weaping Angel... Meanwhile lots of girls are missing.
I loved it! I thought it wouldn't be that good but it was. The fact that it has the Eleventh Doctor, Amy, Rory and Weaping Angels may have helped a lot. Those three are like my favorite group and the Weaping Angels are my favorite Doctor Who monster (I didn't even realised I had one). It is all so wibbly wobbly timey wimey.
I recommend it a lot if you like Doctor Who and you miss these three.
May 30, 2022
Even as a Whovian I don't know what to expect when The Doctor is translated onto a page. This was a reasonable attempt at a Doctor story.
The characterisations of The Eleventh Doctor and Amy were good. Rory didn't seem like the same character we grew to love though.
The story itself is one that has some good ideas but lacked the space to expand upon them. The supporting characters outshone The Doctor in the end.
It is a quick read and one that other fans might enjoy. As a fan I felt it was lacking. I feel I could overanalyse a plot point too much as it felt very plotty wotty timely wimey holey woley.
The characterisations of The Eleventh Doctor and Amy were good. Rory didn't seem like the same character we grew to love though.
The story itself is one that has some good ideas but lacked the space to expand upon them. The supporting characters outshone The Doctor in the end.
It is a quick read and one that other fans might enjoy. As a fan I felt it was lacking. I feel I could overanalyse a plot point too much as it felt very plotty wotty timely wimey holey woley.
February 29, 2012
A Quick Read can easily just slip by in a single sitting. At the end, you might feel the urge to go out and read more of an author, or you might be inspired to read another and another. A Quick Read done well provides a somewhat self contained tale that has a distinct beginning, middle and an end - and presents them with style, energy, enthusiasm, engagement... one or another, several or all.
Somewhere in the mix, 'Magic of the Angels' tells a self-contained tale with all the necessary elements, but fails to satisfy with depth and leaves the reader wanting without the hunger to seek out more from the same source.
Having read other books in the Quick Read series for 2012, I have seen how you can achieve some interesting things in a very limited page count. Jacqueline Rayner doesn't quite pull it off here. The Doctor, Amy and Rory seem right enough, with just enough character to match the expectation of a fan reader or young Whovian. However, perhaps a little too much fan service and rolling out of familiar series tropes makes for a distraction rather than an essential dollop of colour.
I enjoyed the basic plot, but felt that the human villain of the piece might have been given more background to better sell the reader on his intentions. His callouse indifference to the fate of his victims in the pursuit of his own selfish purpose would have benefited from a deeper sence of his hurt or battered vision of the world.
The author makes great use of the abilities of the Weeping Angel, drawing in elements from all appearance of the monster in the series, but fails to provide motivation or thorough explanation. The story fails to explain why the Weeping Angel chooses to submit to external control or feeds with such limited quantities. The canny Angels have survived for so long for a reason, yet this one seems dulled by captivity and indifferent to the possibilities of escape presented by the situation.
The familiar time travelling characters work well enough together and we get the expected division of companions from the Time Lord for hi-jinx and a threat of sudden and premature demise. I can't pick holes in the essentials of the story, or indeed have any wish to try, but the end result left me feeling mildly unsatisfied. Everything hung together, but it felt thin, like using one of those vacuum-sealed micro-tubs of strawberry jam to spread across a whole piece of steaming toast. You get a hint of flavour, but not enough.
I went in for the whole luxurious Belgian chocolate experience and came away with a thinly coated, store own branded, diet wafer snack. Quick Read, by all means - but, that shouldn't mean skimping on the story.
Somewhere in the mix, 'Magic of the Angels' tells a self-contained tale with all the necessary elements, but fails to satisfy with depth and leaves the reader wanting without the hunger to seek out more from the same source.
Having read other books in the Quick Read series for 2012, I have seen how you can achieve some interesting things in a very limited page count. Jacqueline Rayner doesn't quite pull it off here. The Doctor, Amy and Rory seem right enough, with just enough character to match the expectation of a fan reader or young Whovian. However, perhaps a little too much fan service and rolling out of familiar series tropes makes for a distraction rather than an essential dollop of colour.
I enjoyed the basic plot, but felt that the human villain of the piece might have been given more background to better sell the reader on his intentions. His callouse indifference to the fate of his victims in the pursuit of his own selfish purpose would have benefited from a deeper sence of his hurt or battered vision of the world.
The author makes great use of the abilities of the Weeping Angel, drawing in elements from all appearance of the monster in the series, but fails to provide motivation or thorough explanation. The story fails to explain why the Weeping Angel chooses to submit to external control or feeds with such limited quantities. The canny Angels have survived for so long for a reason, yet this one seems dulled by captivity and indifferent to the possibilities of escape presented by the situation.
The familiar time travelling characters work well enough together and we get the expected division of companions from the Time Lord for hi-jinx and a threat of sudden and premature demise. I can't pick holes in the essentials of the story, or indeed have any wish to try, but the end result left me feeling mildly unsatisfied. Everything hung together, but it felt thin, like using one of those vacuum-sealed micro-tubs of strawberry jam to spread across a whole piece of steaming toast. You get a hint of flavour, but not enough.
I went in for the whole luxurious Belgian chocolate experience and came away with a thinly coated, store own branded, diet wafer snack. Quick Read, by all means - but, that shouldn't mean skimping on the story.
June 7, 2013
This is the first Doctor Who novel(la?) I've read. It was enjoyable enough for an evening distraction. The plot was predictable, but not uninteresting. The characters (the Doctor, Amy, and Rory) acted a bit out-of-character at times, which was slightly disappointing as each has been so well established in the television series, but the intrinsic spirit of each character was retained. The overall story was very brief, making it great for a one-sitting read, but keeping it from delving too far into the storyline or emotions and motivations of the characters.
This is not a story that will keep you up late into the night turning pages, but it's enjoyable in the way that re-runs of a much loved series are enjoyable; they may not cover new ground, but they let you play within the world of beloved characters a bit longer.
This is not a story that will keep you up late into the night turning pages, but it's enjoyable in the way that re-runs of a much loved series are enjoyable; they may not cover new ground, but they let you play within the world of beloved characters a bit longer.
Read
June 10, 2014This book was awesome!!!!!!
This book was the first doctor who book I've ever read, and I'm glad I picked this one. I enjoyed this book so much, I made sure to get more of them, for, I am a major whovian. the only thing I didn't like about this book was that it was a bit short, but that's not an excuse for not liking the book, and anyway, it was a quick-read. it was funny and I could tell the author knew what they were writing and that they definitely have watched doctor who. if an 11 year-old girl likes this book, then so should everyone else, adults and kids like me.
This book was the first doctor who book I've ever read, and I'm glad I picked this one. I enjoyed this book so much, I made sure to get more of them, for, I am a major whovian. the only thing I didn't like about this book was that it was a bit short, but that's not an excuse for not liking the book, and anyway, it was a quick-read. it was funny and I could tell the author knew what they were writing and that they definitely have watched doctor who. if an 11 year-old girl likes this book, then so should everyone else, adults and kids like me.
January 16, 2013
Eleven, Amy, Rory and a Weeping Angel - how could I have resisted? Well written and gripping this book gave me two evenings of reading pleasure. I have to admit, however, that the ending was not a surprise and turned out to be pretty much what I expected - which is always a bit disappointing in a Doctor Who story, at least for me.
The characters are spot on, though; I could hear them in my head and enjoyed myself immensely.
This one will surely stay on my Kindle for a long time.
The characters are spot on, though; I could hear them in my head and enjoyed myself immensely.
This one will surely stay on my Kindle for a long time.
November 8, 2025
The 150 Prompt Doctor Who Reading Challenge - The Eleventh Doctor - 2) The Girl Who Waited: Read a book where time plays a major role - time travel, timelines or waiting across years.
I really liked this book! The Doctor, Amy and Rory were well characterised and there were time shenanigans involved with magic and Weeping Angels. Very good.
I really liked this book! The Doctor, Amy and Rory were well characterised and there were time shenanigans involved with magic and Weeping Angels. Very good.
May 4, 2018
Very good short story about Dr. Who. I am a very big fan of Dr. Who and have been for many years
A very good short story of Dr. Who and Rory and Amy. I have been a fan of Dr. Who for many years! This is the first in print episode for me though. I will be looking for more. Thanks an Amazon and Goodreads reader
A very good short story of Dr. Who and Rory and Amy. I have been a fan of Dr. Who for many years! This is the first in print episode for me though. I will be looking for more. Thanks an Amazon and Goodreads reader
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January 8, 2016
[Short review from memory to remind myself of my thoughts before I re-read and re-review]
(Definite re-read, but the previous of the series first. Initial memories: decent DW story with good writing. No idea on plot.)
(Definite re-read, but the previous of the series first. Initial memories: decent DW story with good writing. No idea on plot.)
January 3, 2013
I love the Quick Reads. I found this one to be quite entertaining.
November 27, 2013
The Weeping Angels are one of my favourite villains, so I loved this book. I seriously read it in 1 hour, because it was so awesome.
July 1, 2018
I read this book in about 2 hours, while trying to figure out what to read next. It was SO enjoyable and it felt like a gift of a new episode with my favorite Doctor and Amy & Rory.
April 16, 2023
Fun adventure, where the author gets the characters mostly right. I think at first the references to other adventures are rewarding, then become oversaturated. There is a thoughtful criticism of reality TV and the care of the elderly I appreciated. A major thing about the angel was not explained which was a bit frustrating. The time travel elements were well done and clever. The story seemed to be for a bit of a younger audience than the prime one for the TV show at parts.
Not all of it works quite like magic, but it's an entertaining enough show while it lasts.
Not all of it works quite like magic, but it's an entertaining enough show while it lasts.
July 5, 2019
A fun quick read that took just under an hour. Interesting use of the Weeping Angels. Better than most of their television appearances other than in Blink. Could easily be adapted for television. Only issues I had were that some of the Eleventh Doctor characterisations were somewhat cliche. I did however enjoy the allusion that the Eleventh Doctor dressed up as the Third Doctor for the magic show.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2019
I always see Doctor Who books on the shelves when I'm book hunting. I fancied a snappy read so thought I'd try one with the Weeping Angels; my favourite bad guys from the Doctor Who re-boot. The book was actioned packed and just what I was after for a quick read. I didn't think it was well written though, as it relied heavily on the reader having been introduced to the Weeping Angels before (either through other books in the series or the TV show). I still enjoyed it though.
April 26, 2020
I did enjoy this little "quick read" but it was obviously targeted at a younger audience, which isn't exactly what I was expecting (but that's on me)! I enjoyed the little call backs to other doctors and fan theories contained therein, and I found it to be a really fun and cute little story, but I wish it could have been more substantial. Either way, it was enjoyable as long as you keep in mind it's probably aimed at young ones.
August 11, 2021
My first 11th Doctor book! I liked the idea, the execution was alright, but the writing is quite bad, though I expected this from Jacqueline Rayner after "The Stone Rose" which I also gave 3 stars. If you want a good Doctor Who book, I'd recommend Doctor Who: The Clockwise Man
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews