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BBC Doctor Who: New Series Audio Exclusives #16
Doctor Who: Darkstar Academy
When the TARDIS is buffeted by ‘time slippage’, the Doctor experiences a terrible vision of the end of everything. Tracking the source of the disruption, he takes Rory and Amy to what appears to be an English public school in the 1950s. But as the friends are about to discover, there are some very unusual things about Darkstar Academy. For a start the prefects carry guns, and then there is the strange forcefield that surrounds the perimeter. Not to mention the foot-long, crab-like creatures with spiny, armoured bodies... When the Doctor learns the truth about the Academy, he also discovers that the whole place is in terrible danger. But with a swarm of carnivorous creatures on the loose, what can he, Amy and Rory do to help prevent a terrible disaster? Written specially for audio by Mark Morris, Darkstar Academy features the Doctor, Amy and Rory as played by Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill in the acclaimed hit series from BBC Television. It is read by Alexander Armstrong, who played Reg Arwell in the 2011 Christmas special 'The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe'.
1 CD. 1 hr 14 mins.
1 CD. 1 hr 14 mins.
2 pages, Audio CD
First published March 8, 2012
3 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Mark Morris
133 books240 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Mark Morris became a full-time writer in 1988 on the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, and a year later saw the release of his first novel, Toady. He has since published a further sixteen novels, among which are Stitch, The Immaculate, The Secret of Anatomy, Fiddleback, The Deluge and four books in the popular Doctor Who range.
His short stories, novellas, articles and reviews have appeared in a wide variety of anthologies and magazines, and he is editor of the highly-acclaimed Cinema Macabre, a book of fifty horror movie essays by genre luminaries, for which he won the 2007 British Fantasy Award.
His most recently published or forthcoming work includes a novella entitled It Sustains for Earthling Publications, a Torchwood novel entitled Bay of the Dead, several Doctor Who audios for Big Finish Productions, a follow-up volume to Cinema Macabre entitled Cinema Futura and a new short story collection, Long Shadows, Nightmare Light.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Mark Morris became a full-time writer in 1988 on the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, and a year later saw the release of his first novel, Toady. He has since published a further sixteen novels, among which are Stitch, The Immaculate, The Secret of Anatomy, Fiddleback, The Deluge and four books in the popular Doctor Who range.
His short stories, novellas, articles and reviews have appeared in a wide variety of anthologies and magazines, and he is editor of the highly-acclaimed Cinema Macabre, a book of fifty horror movie essays by genre luminaries, for which he won the 2007 British Fantasy Award.
His most recently published or forthcoming work includes a novella entitled It Sustains for Earthling Publications, a Torchwood novel entitled Bay of the Dead, several Doctor Who audios for Big Finish Productions, a follow-up volume to Cinema Macabre entitled Cinema Futura and a new short story collection, Long Shadows, Nightmare Light.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 25, 2020
This is an audiobook that is based on the television series. This one has the Eleventh Doctor with Amy and Rory. They travel to a boys school that is under attack from creatures.
I purchased these short stories in one giant collection and this one is the weakest one so far. All the previous stories had the narrator (sometimes the actual actors from the television show) act out each character and try to resemble the character on the show. This added enjoyment to the stories. This narrator didn't do that and read it straightforward. As for the story itself it is a mishmash of Doctor Who tropes that didn't really blend all too well. It was like the author watched episodes of the show and did a check mark of things he liked and he decided to use them in one short story.
The only positive aspect of this book is the message. One of the aspects I love about this universe is its message and this book has a great message. Too bad it wasn't in a likable story.
I purchased these short stories in one giant collection and this one is the weakest one so far. All the previous stories had the narrator (sometimes the actual actors from the television show) act out each character and try to resemble the character on the show. This added enjoyment to the stories. This narrator didn't do that and read it straightforward. As for the story itself it is a mishmash of Doctor Who tropes that didn't really blend all too well. It was like the author watched episodes of the show and did a check mark of things he liked and he decided to use them in one short story.
The only positive aspect of this book is the message. One of the aspects I love about this universe is its message and this book has a great message. Too bad it wasn't in a likable story.
May 3, 2021
Audio book via Audible
2nd read: April 17, 2018 -- Great read.
Audio book via CD
1st read: April 8, 2018 -- I really enjoyed this audio.
2nd read: April 17, 2018 -- Great read.
Audio book via CD
1st read: April 8, 2018 -- I really enjoyed this audio.
February 10, 2022
I found this story because I found a 50th Anniversary series recently.
I am so excited about the discovery of all the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary shorts which are done by all the authors I already love. It's like the perfect match. I have really enjoyed the variety of worlds and troubles that these adventures explore. I hope to read them all one day.
However, this Darkstar Academy was so fantastic I read it twice because I wanted to spend more time with Amy and Rory. Just so many smiles to hang with my old friends.
I am so excited about the discovery of all the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary shorts which are done by all the authors I already love. It's like the perfect match. I have really enjoyed the variety of worlds and troubles that these adventures explore. I hope to read them all one day.
However, this Darkstar Academy was so fantastic I read it twice because I wanted to spend more time with Amy and Rory. Just so many smiles to hang with my old friends.
June 7, 2017
A story that uses some standard Doctor Who tropes: A boys academy with a military-like structure where boys run about bullying and then the monsters come. The stories twists are all telegraphed and as such fail to surprise. The story fails to build any emotional connection which is important for a story like this to work. Overall, a disappointing tale with little to recommend it.
April 14, 2024
Fun, quick story. Reminds me of the old Dr Who novels by Terrance Dicks that I read back in the day. I realize that, more than the TV Doctors, my knowledge and appreciation of the Doctor comes from those books.
January 8, 2025
made the mistake of listening to the two halves of this separately, the first half in 2024, and the last half in 2025, so I’m sure that impacts my review, but I still think I wasn’t a big fan of the story to be fair.
October 22, 2017
Quick, entertaining and well read by Alexander Armstrong.
February 23, 2021
I can tell you, I really hadn’t seen that first twist coming. 😂
September 8, 2021
Didn't really make sense?? Fun to listen to though.
January 26, 2022
It's always fun to revisit my favorite versions of the Doctor in new stories. This one was...meh, ok but not great.
January 26, 2022
Interesting with the prefects but I can do without spiders of any kind.
December 14, 2023
Good story, but I dont like the Doctors way with the old one, not understanding the effects of his past on him
November 17, 2024
This one was an entertaining short story, and I enjoyed it for the most part. I liked the twist and thought it was one of the better stories.
May 2, 2026
4.5 rounded up. good story, excellent narration.
February 14, 2014
This was an awful Doctor Who audiobook. Not the worst, but definitely up there.
The narrator, Alexander Armstrong, who is the voice of Mr. Smith in the Sarah Jane Adventures, is terrible. He doesn’t make any attempt to do the imitations of the Doctor, Amy and Rory, instead choosing to read in his own voice for all three with no discernation. It is beyond strange to hear Amy without a Scottish accent, even a bad one. He also doesn’t do a good job at inflections either. The Doctor’s cry of “No, no no!” is the same as Amy asking “Why don’t you move that horsey thing?”. Perhaps that is why he was cast as a robotic voice in Whoverse?
Morris’ writing does not save this one either, I am afraid.
This is set post series 5 since Amy and Rory are married. Yet in this adventure, Amy clearly has more affection for the Doctor than for Rory. In fact, she is very cold toward her husband, very being mean spirited. Nothing new is explored about the characters thus making it a bit boring.
The actual plot itself is rather horrible. Not throwing out any spoilers, but think of Will from the reboot Lost in Space movie (*crickets*) mashed up with bullying in schools. Yep. It is rather simple and bland.
What is good about this audiobook? I suppose I enjoyed Rory’s part. He played the part of a hero while still being Rory. Also, if Armstrong had done the Doctor’s voice better I would have liked that.
The narrator, Alexander Armstrong, who is the voice of Mr. Smith in the Sarah Jane Adventures, is terrible. He doesn’t make any attempt to do the imitations of the Doctor, Amy and Rory, instead choosing to read in his own voice for all three with no discernation. It is beyond strange to hear Amy without a Scottish accent, even a bad one. He also doesn’t do a good job at inflections either. The Doctor’s cry of “No, no no!” is the same as Amy asking “Why don’t you move that horsey thing?”. Perhaps that is why he was cast as a robotic voice in Whoverse?
Morris’ writing does not save this one either, I am afraid.
This is set post series 5 since Amy and Rory are married. Yet in this adventure, Amy clearly has more affection for the Doctor than for Rory. In fact, she is very cold toward her husband, very being mean spirited. Nothing new is explored about the characters thus making it a bit boring.
The actual plot itself is rather horrible. Not throwing out any spoilers, but think of Will from the reboot Lost in Space movie (*crickets*) mashed up with bullying in schools. Yep. It is rather simple and bland.
What is good about this audiobook? I suppose I enjoyed Rory’s part. He played the part of a hero while still being Rory. Also, if Armstrong had done the Doctor’s voice better I would have liked that.
May 2, 2016
Nothing to really recommend this one but it wasn't so awful that I couldn't listen to it. The reader was solid but no great accents to report.
The story is rather simple: The Doctor screams in the Tardis as he gets visions of a devastating "time slip" which threatens to unmake time itself. So, he, Amy, and Rory land at what appears to be a 1950's style boys boarding school...where the prefects carry guns The story is nothing new, the characters do nothing remarkable and there isn't even any great Doctor Science moments; just a few of his "Oh, didn't you know? These are THESE and this is because of THIS" lines/scenes. It just falls flat; not much of interest or intelligence in this one, just lots of running, screaming, fighting big crab-spider things.
The story is rather simple: The Doctor screams in the Tardis as he gets visions of a devastating "time slip" which threatens to unmake time itself. So, he, Amy, and Rory land at what appears to be a 1950's style boys boarding school...where the prefects carry guns The story is nothing new, the characters do nothing remarkable and there isn't even any great Doctor Science moments; just a few of his "Oh, didn't you know? These are THESE and this is because of THIS" lines/scenes. It just falls flat; not much of interest or intelligence in this one, just lots of running, screaming, fighting big crab-spider things.
May 18, 2012
After taking a brief hiatus from the slew of Doctor Who audio-dramas I discovered in my library system, I thought it was time to dive back in.
Darkstar Academy delivers about all you can expect from an hour and fourteen minutes. Not by any means a series premier or finale, this middle of the road story takes the Eleventh Doctor, Amy, and Rory to one of my favorite settings: a school.
Sarah Jane Smith doesn't reappear and the Doctor isn't playing the Human John Smith, but Matt Smith's character is here investigating a surge in time (or something of that nature) that the TARDIS has shot into his brain.
The team splits up and gets caught up in the sort of goings on that you would expect in an all-male boarding school. Bullies, prefects, and the like are all here but of course there is something about to go terribly wrong.
The drama plays out, getting its share of sonic action, Rory clumsiness, and Amy's condescendingness (actual word?). Ultimately resolved without too much fuss, Darkstar Academy did get me back in the Doctor Who spirit, but I think I found the theme at the opening and closing to be my favorite part.
2 out of 5: I thought it was ok.
Darkstar Academy delivers about all you can expect from an hour and fourteen minutes. Not by any means a series premier or finale, this middle of the road story takes the Eleventh Doctor, Amy, and Rory to one of my favorite settings: a school.
Sarah Jane Smith doesn't reappear and the Doctor isn't playing the Human John Smith, but Matt Smith's character is here investigating a surge in time (or something of that nature) that the TARDIS has shot into his brain.
The team splits up and gets caught up in the sort of goings on that you would expect in an all-male boarding school. Bullies, prefects, and the like are all here but of course there is something about to go terribly wrong.
The drama plays out, getting its share of sonic action, Rory clumsiness, and Amy's condescendingness (actual word?). Ultimately resolved without too much fuss, Darkstar Academy did get me back in the Doctor Who spirit, but I think I found the theme at the opening and closing to be my favorite part.
2 out of 5: I thought it was ok.
February 3, 2016
До странного average story. Доктору прилетает видение страшного конца света, и он срывается в ту точку ВиП, откуда-когда все началось.
Где-то это я уже видел.
Даже школьная атмосфера не помогла раскрасить историю. Жил-был мальчик, который в школе был изгоем, а потом он вырос и решил вернуться назад во времени и затерроризировать родные пенаты до смерти. Временные петли завернуло не хуже кишок, подобные фортели всегда предвещают конец света и прочие милости, без Доктора в таких случаях не обойтись. И без финального конфликта интересов двух версий обиженного мальчика – взрослого и маленького. Кто победит и так ясно, right?
Есть, конечно, неплохие идеи и в этой книжке, но они совсем потерялись на фоне баналитис разного калибра. И что за книжка без насекомых? Я уже прослушала историю про гигантских тараканов, а эта вот про гигантских крабо-пауков. Еще немного, и я подамся в морские биологи.
annikeh.net
Где-то это я уже видел.
Даже школьная атмосфера не помогла раскрасить историю. Жил-был мальчик, который в школе был изгоем, а потом он вырос и решил вернуться назад во времени и затерроризировать родные пенаты до смерти. Временные петли завернуло не хуже кишок, подобные фортели всегда предвещают конец света и прочие милости, без Доктора в таких случаях не обойтись. И без финального конфликта интересов двух версий обиженного мальчика – взрослого и маленького. Кто победит и так ясно, right?
Есть, конечно, неплохие идеи и в этой книжке, но они совсем потерялись на фоне баналитис разного калибра. И что за книжка без насекомых? Я уже прослушала историю про гигантских тараканов, а эта вот про гигантских крабо-пауков. Еще немного, и я подамся в морские биологи.
annikeh.net
July 12, 2016
I usually enjoy listening to the original audiobooks created in the Doctor Who universe, but found this one lacking.
Amy was rather mean to Rory, seeming to prefer the company of the Doctor to that of her own husband.
My biggest issue was with the Doctor himself and how he treated the villian. Granted, I do believe Milton could have done more for himself than build a time machine just so he could go back in time to punish those who bullied him as a youngster, but for the Doctor to tell him that he needs to get over it like he needs to get over losing a favorite toy was just wrong in my opinion. I guess the Doctor was never bullied so doesn't understand how long-term that affects people. Or, maybe, because he's a Time Lord, he's above all that?
Also, it ends as most bullied-kids stories end with the victim doing something grand so his "attackers" see him in a different light and suddenly like him. Like that happens in real life...
Amy was rather mean to Rory, seeming to prefer the company of the Doctor to that of her own husband.
My biggest issue was with the Doctor himself and how he treated the villian. Granted, I do believe Milton could have done more for himself than build a time machine just so he could go back in time to punish those who bullied him as a youngster, but for the Doctor to tell him that he needs to get over it like he needs to get over losing a favorite toy was just wrong in my opinion. I guess the Doctor was never bullied so doesn't understand how long-term that affects people. Or, maybe, because he's a Time Lord, he's above all that?
Also, it ends as most bullied-kids stories end with the victim doing something grand so his "attackers" see him in a different light and suddenly like him. Like that happens in real life...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2023
While the plot of the story was pretty good and I liked both the prefects and the crab-creatures, I found the pivotal character unlikable. Add to this the fact that the bullying wasn't handled very well and the fact that we're left wondering if the little bullied brat will turn out to be just as evil as the version of him he had to try and stop, and it really felt kind of blah.
Maybe this suffers because I listened to it right after Doctor Who: The Art of Death which, in my opinion, was a much better story with a much more satisfying end.
Maybe this suffers because I listened to it right after Doctor Who: The Art of Death which, in my opinion, was a much better story with a much more satisfying end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2012
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1916113.html[return][return]read by Alexander Armstrong (whose accent is occasionally a bit surprising - his "stall" sounds like "stool" which doesn't quite have the same meaning). All but completists can safely skip this one; the setting is a future-kitsch 1950s public school which turns out rather pointlessly to be In Space, and the Doctor compassionately tells the victim of bullying that he should ruddy well get over it; that will be very helpful to any young (or older) listeners who find themselves in that situation.
September 17, 2013
2.5 Stars rounded up
This story felt a little rushed and the solution was a bit anticlimactic. There was absolutely no character developement outside of the already established characters of Amy, Rory, and Eleven. Still the idea and setting were really great, an apparent 1950s boy boarding school (or is it?) that is dealing with a timey wimey disturbance. So much more could have been done with this one but I guess since it is an audio exclusive there is a bit of a time resriction. However, if you aren't going to do a story right don't do it at all.
NOT a must 'read'
This story felt a little rushed and the solution was a bit anticlimactic. There was absolutely no character developement outside of the already established characters of Amy, Rory, and Eleven. Still the idea and setting were really great, an apparent 1950s boy boarding school (or is it?) that is dealing with a timey wimey disturbance. So much more could have been done with this one but I guess since it is an audio exclusive there is a bit of a time resriction. However, if you aren't going to do a story right don't do it at all.
NOT a must 'read'
July 19, 2012
I think it was really the setting that sold me on this story. There's always something about boarding schools that excites me.
However, the resolution is far from satisfying. It just sort of happens. You see the "twist" coming from a mile away the moment you meet one particular character, and all you can say when it's revealed is "Eh, I guess."
However, the resolution is far from satisfying. It just sort of happens. You see the "twist" coming from a mile away the moment you meet one particular character, and all you can say when it's revealed is "Eh, I guess."
August 5, 2020
When the TARDIS lands close by an English public school in the 1950s. Or is it? Many strange things are happening at the Darkstar Academy. The Doctor, Amy, and Rory must intervein to thwart the revenge of the future. This interesting and short audiobook serves as an entertaining, quick listen into the life of the Time Lord.
June 17, 2015
Keskpärane seiklus, ei midagi meeldejäävat. Üldmulje pealiskaudne, rõhk pideval tempol. Kõrvaltegelased karikatuursed, ilma igasuguse eripärata. Kõlbab korra kuulata küll tunniajase jalutuskäigu taustaks, aga teist korda väga ei viitsiks. Sama autori "Forever Autumn" oli mitu vaksa parem.
April 17, 2012
This didn't do it for me: the characters felt wholly out-of-character, the plot was so-so, and the narrator was rather dull.
January 8, 2013
I enjoyed this little Dr Who adventure. It was quite a neat story, but the 50's setting wasn't necessary or could have been worked in a little better.
April 29, 2013
Decent narrator, story falls a bit flat and peachy thought.
September 18, 2013
A clever story (plot perhaps too similar to the previous audiobook we'd heard) and well read by Alexander Armstrong but curiously unengaging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews