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In a small town in the Nevada desert, an alien pathogen has reduced the entire population to a seething mass of black slime. When the Eighth Doctor arrives, he realises this latest threat to humanity is horrifyingly familiar - it is a virus which almost annihilated his entire race, the Time Lords...
Eleven Doctors, eleven months, eleven stories: a year-long celebration of Doctor Who! The most exciting names in children's fiction each create their own unique adventure about the time-travelling Time Lord.
Eleven Doctors, eleven months, eleven stories: a year-long celebration of Doctor Who! The most exciting names in children's fiction each create their own unique adventure about the time-travelling Time Lord.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2013
5 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Alex Scarrow
63 books1,048 followersI live a nomadic existence with my wife Frances, and son Jacob. For now we're living in Norwich. I spent the first 10 years out of college in the music business chasing record deals and the next 12 years in the computer games business as a graphic artist and eventually a games designer. For those of you who like their computer games, here's some of the titles I've worked on:
Waterworld, Evolva, The Thing, Spartan, Gates of Troy, Legion Arena
Since signing up as an author with Orion, I seem to spend most of my time hunched over my laptop in various cafes and coffee bars sipping lattes, tapping keys and watching the ebb and flow of shoppers outside on the street. As I write this, I'm awaiting the launch of my next book - the sequel to , LAST LIGHT, and getting ready to find a publisher for the first book in a separate series, ELLIE QUIN. Ahead of me, lies research work for my next thriller, and also some screenplays I'm looking forward to writing. Although I'm glad to be where I am now, I do occasionally kick myself for not having succumbed to the writing bug much earlier. But then we all just muddle along through life, don't we? There's rarely a plan.
-Source: http://www.scarrow.co.uk/page9.html
Waterworld, Evolva, The Thing, Spartan, Gates of Troy, Legion Arena
Since signing up as an author with Orion, I seem to spend most of my time hunched over my laptop in various cafes and coffee bars sipping lattes, tapping keys and watching the ebb and flow of shoppers outside on the street. As I write this, I'm awaiting the launch of my next book - the sequel to , LAST LIGHT, and getting ready to find a publisher for the first book in a separate series, ELLIE QUIN. Ahead of me, lies research work for my next thriller, and also some screenplays I'm looking forward to writing. Although I'm glad to be where I am now, I do occasionally kick myself for not having succumbed to the writing bug much earlier. But then we all just muddle along through life, don't we? There's rarely a plan.
-Source: http://www.scarrow.co.uk/page9.html
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
January 6, 2016
This is the eighth book of the 50th Anniversary short stories' event featuring the 11 doctors with 11 different companions. Now it's the turn of the Eighth Doctor and he has a totally new companion for this short story, Captain Evelyn Chan.
The Good
It's an interesting story, a rather simple with a typical plot. However, it's engaging to read and it adds a peculiar variation in the theme of viruses from outer space.
A new companion: Captain Evelyn Chan. When you meet her and she starts to interact with the Eighth Doctor, you know that she is a new companion and a really interesting one.
New villain: The Spore. Some kind of outer space virus with particular phases of development.
There is a reference to UNIT, that it's cool and really helpful to keep advancing the plot without delays.
The Bad
The climax is solved quite easy and you lack of full disclosure of how it was solved. You'll understand if you decide to read it.
The Odd
The Eighth Doctor only has one "canonical" appearance which is the Doctor Who: TV Movie. In there, he only had as companion, Dr. Grace Holloway. I understand that the rights to use the character of Grace Holloway have been rather messy, so no wonder that Alex Scarrow, the author, chose instead to create a new companion. Since the rest of apperances of the Eighth Doctor had been on novels, comics and audio dramas, it's really tricky to set when this short story happened. Specially, since at least in novels he always had some companion with him, and he started this short story alone. There are a couple of times on comics and audio dramas reporting him without companion. But I don't dare to get that far in this case to locate the moment of the adventure.
The Good
It's an interesting story, a rather simple with a typical plot. However, it's engaging to read and it adds a peculiar variation in the theme of viruses from outer space.
A new companion: Captain Evelyn Chan. When you meet her and she starts to interact with the Eighth Doctor, you know that she is a new companion and a really interesting one.
New villain: The Spore. Some kind of outer space virus with particular phases of development.
There is a reference to UNIT, that it's cool and really helpful to keep advancing the plot without delays.
The Bad
The climax is solved quite easy and you lack of full disclosure of how it was solved. You'll understand if you decide to read it.
The Odd
The Eighth Doctor only has one "canonical" appearance which is the Doctor Who: TV Movie. In there, he only had as companion, Dr. Grace Holloway. I understand that the rights to use the character of Grace Holloway have been rather messy, so no wonder that Alex Scarrow, the author, chose instead to create a new companion. Since the rest of apperances of the Eighth Doctor had been on novels, comics and audio dramas, it's really tricky to set when this short story happened. Specially, since at least in novels he always had some companion with him, and he started this short story alone. There are a couple of times on comics and audio dramas reporting him without companion. But I don't dare to get that far in this case to locate the moment of the adventure.
September 14, 2021
Spore is a short story written by Alex Scarrow and is a part of the year-long celebration for the fiftieth anniversary for Doctor Who (2013). This short story is the first installment of what would eventually be twelve parts – one for each Doctor. Spore focuses on the Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann).
As an aside, apart from the first few doctors that I knew very little about, I was looking forward to reading about this Doctor in particular. Canonically, there is very little known about this Doctor, besides the ill-fated film in which he was regenerated from and the mini-episode "The Night of the Doctor" where he forced his next regeneration. So with so little source material to drawn upon, I wonder how Scarrow would fair with the Eighth Doctor.
For the most part, I really enjoyed this installment. It was a simple story with a typical plot, but it was interesting and very engaging to read. The new companion interaction with the Doctor was very fascinating and has enough appeal to bond quickly with. One tiny quibble is that the story was a tad predictable and the ending was easily seen. Although the Eighth Doctor is one with the least resources, I felt that Scarrow did an excellent job of keeping the Doctor in character.
All in all, Spore was a well written short story, albeit a tad predictable. I was really glad to know this particular Doctor more and I was glad that he was in character – a wonderful addition to the Doctor Who mythos and worthy for this celebratory collection.
As an aside, apart from the first few doctors that I knew very little about, I was looking forward to reading about this Doctor in particular. Canonically, there is very little known about this Doctor, besides the ill-fated film in which he was regenerated from and the mini-episode "The Night of the Doctor" where he forced his next regeneration. So with so little source material to drawn upon, I wonder how Scarrow would fair with the Eighth Doctor.
For the most part, I really enjoyed this installment. It was a simple story with a typical plot, but it was interesting and very engaging to read. The new companion interaction with the Doctor was very fascinating and has enough appeal to bond quickly with. One tiny quibble is that the story was a tad predictable and the ending was easily seen. Although the Eighth Doctor is one with the least resources, I felt that Scarrow did an excellent job of keeping the Doctor in character.
All in all, Spore was a well written short story, albeit a tad predictable. I was really glad to know this particular Doctor more and I was glad that he was in character – a wonderful addition to the Doctor Who mythos and worthy for this celebratory collection.
September 25, 2013
If you've read my previous reviews on this series you'll know my view that, Tom Baker (and possibly Patrick Troughton) aside, there has been a lot of pretty good writing let down by both the length of these novellas and a feeling they weren't written for any specific Doctor at all.
Step forward Alex Scarrow and the Paul McGann incarnation of the Doctor.
Scarrow probably benefits from the lack of screen time as, although there have been more books and radio plays about this Doctor than just about any other, those who have read and/or listened to them will probably not be disappointed, but nor will those who only saw the god awful feature length 'movie'.
What Scarrow has done with this is write a good old fashioned Doctor story.
Is it the Eighth Doctor? Who knows! (apologies for the pun). Personally I'd chose your favourite, imagine him doing it and have fun. A couple of references to Edwardian dress aside and it could be any of them.
+++++
My reviews of other works in the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts series:
1. A Big Hand for the Doctor
2. The Nameless City
3. The Spear of Destiny
4. The Roots of Evil
5. Tip of the Tongue
6. Something Borrowed
7. The Ripple Effect
9. The Beast of Babylon
Step forward Alex Scarrow and the Paul McGann incarnation of the Doctor.
Scarrow probably benefits from the lack of screen time as, although there have been more books and radio plays about this Doctor than just about any other, those who have read and/or listened to them will probably not be disappointed, but nor will those who only saw the god awful feature length 'movie'.
What Scarrow has done with this is write a good old fashioned Doctor story.
Is it the Eighth Doctor? Who knows! (apologies for the pun). Personally I'd chose your favourite, imagine him doing it and have fun. A couple of references to Edwardian dress aside and it could be any of them.
+++++
My reviews of other works in the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts series:
1. A Big Hand for the Doctor
2. The Nameless City
3. The Spear of Destiny
4. The Roots of Evil
5. Tip of the Tongue
6. Something Borrowed
7. The Ripple Effect
9. The Beast of Babylon
January 23, 2015
One of the better stories, just a bit on the predictable side.
February 11, 2024
"The Doctor."
"That's, uh... that's all they called you. Do you have a name, sir?"
"Just, The Doctor, That's all you need to call me."
"That's, uh... that's all they called you. Do you have a name, sir?"
"Just, The Doctor, That's all you need to call me."
March 14, 2022
I remember nothing about this book, despite finishing it yesterday.
September 2, 2013
There’s a sleight of hand you need to pull off to make a Doctor Who story work. It’s the same trick you need for James Bond (certainly the film incarnation) and Indiana Jones, in fact it’s a crucial element of all invincible hero stories. Even though the readers’ (or viewers’) minds tells them that all will be okay at the end – that this is The Doctor or James Bond or Indiana Jones, and there’s no way this adventure is going to conclude with them pushing up daisies and being quietly mourned – the viewer (or reader) must still be convinced that what is unfolding in front of them is real peril. We have to believe, for the length of the tale, that somehow – incredibly and impossibly – everything could go wrong and the narrative will lead to our hero dying. Yes, it’s absurd; yes, it’s willing suspension of disbelief – but it’s something we need. And as much as I liked this tale, as much as I found a great deal to enjoy within its digital pages, I never had that sense of peril. The Doctor was always in control, never that far away from being on top of things and so the story lacked that adrenalin fizz which would have made it great.
Paul McGann’s Doctor was sure to be the hardest to capture, given that his sole TV appearance was in one not very good episode. Yes, he’s done sterling work in audio plays since, but for most people he’s the half human Doctor in that TV movie which went nowhere. (Why, if you’re introducing a new Doctor, would you have a substantial part of the running time focused on Sylvester McCoy? And I ask that as someone who really likes Sylvester McCoy. And since when are Daleks the height of justice in the universe? Apologies, I seem to have lost my chain of thought, please give me a moment… Thank you.) Alex Scarrow does a fine job in conjuring the dapper English alien abroad. Adjectives which sprang to mind as I read were: polite and unflappable; genial and friendly; both reassuring and other-worldly. This is a Doctor I don’t know as well as the others, but I liked him.
It’s a modern tale and one which owes a lot to Hollywood (even the title recalls ‘Alien’ and ‘Species’.) An alien spore arrives in Arizona and starts to terra-form all around it, destroying any organic matter it encounters. This is a gooey and nasty villain that really made this reader squirm, I’d go as far as to say I’d like to see it in the new TV show. If only the Doctor didn’t get the measure of it so swiftly and glide serenely through the tale.
A good story then, one of the best of this series, but s story which could have been excellent – a really great little chiller.
Paul McGann’s Doctor was sure to be the hardest to capture, given that his sole TV appearance was in one not very good episode. Yes, he’s done sterling work in audio plays since, but for most people he’s the half human Doctor in that TV movie which went nowhere. (Why, if you’re introducing a new Doctor, would you have a substantial part of the running time focused on Sylvester McCoy? And I ask that as someone who really likes Sylvester McCoy. And since when are Daleks the height of justice in the universe? Apologies, I seem to have lost my chain of thought, please give me a moment… Thank you.) Alex Scarrow does a fine job in conjuring the dapper English alien abroad. Adjectives which sprang to mind as I read were: polite and unflappable; genial and friendly; both reassuring and other-worldly. This is a Doctor I don’t know as well as the others, but I liked him.
It’s a modern tale and one which owes a lot to Hollywood (even the title recalls ‘Alien’ and ‘Species’.) An alien spore arrives in Arizona and starts to terra-form all around it, destroying any organic matter it encounters. This is a gooey and nasty villain that really made this reader squirm, I’d go as far as to say I’d like to see it in the new TV show. If only the Doctor didn’t get the measure of it so swiftly and glide serenely through the tale.
A good story then, one of the best of this series, but s story which could have been excellent – a really great little chiller.
March 20, 2018
This was probably my favourite of the 50th anniversary short stories. With the Eighth Doctor being my favourite Doctor, that's no surprise. What makes it even better is that Alex Scarrow is one of my favourite authors.
I loved the fact that this book was set in America, especially with how disastrous the TV movie is considered to be, which was a pretty brave choice. I thought that the twist on the alien virus was pretty cool and I really enjoyed it. Despite the short length, I felt fully immersed in the book. I also liked the not-a-companion companion, and the characterisation of the Doctor, though in that, it did come across that Scarrow had only watched the TV movie, rather than listening to any of the audio novels that the Eighth Doctor is known for, which probably would have made this short story even better.
I loved the fact that this book was set in America, especially with how disastrous the TV movie is considered to be, which was a pretty brave choice. I thought that the twist on the alien virus was pretty cool and I really enjoyed it. Despite the short length, I felt fully immersed in the book. I also liked the not-a-companion companion, and the characterisation of the Doctor, though in that, it did come across that Scarrow had only watched the TV movie, rather than listening to any of the audio novels that the Eighth Doctor is known for, which probably would have made this short story even better.
August 23, 2013
Spore, the Eight Doctor story in the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary series, is ... well, it's a perfectly passable story.
The writing is decent, the plot okay, there's some nice bits about Gallifreyan history, the brand new supporting character created by Scarrow (considering Eight rather lacks TV canon travel companions, making up a new stand-in was quite okay by me) wasn't particularly remarkable or memorable but neither was she awful.
Three stars because, once again, I just cannot find a short story satisfying enough - it wasn't a bad effort but I didn't really connect with it on any level at all.
The writing is decent, the plot okay, there's some nice bits about Gallifreyan history, the brand new supporting character created by Scarrow (considering Eight rather lacks TV canon travel companions, making up a new stand-in was quite okay by me) wasn't particularly remarkable or memorable but neither was she awful.
Three stars because, once again, I just cannot find a short story satisfying enough - it wasn't a bad effort but I didn't really connect with it on any level at all.
December 31, 2015
Simple but entertaining read. More of a 3 star as it was predictable but Eight is adorable so that alone gives the short story another star.
January 7, 2024
I did not enjoy this one. There's an alien virus/invasion plot that has some clever elements to it, but is mostly just low-grade body horror, to which the Doctor reacts so coldly. Eight has the least amount of canon about him, and admittedly I have not read many of his extra-canonical adventures, but this seems wrong to me? Or at least unappealing.
December 1, 2022
Enjoyable, but nothing grand.
October 11, 2014
Spore in the eighth Doctor e-book and features him trying to save the world from a spore that has landed on the Earth determined to turn all organic matter into some sort of soup! The story was set in the Nevada desert in the US and features a single story companion in the shape of one of the military bods who were trying to isolate this infection to just one small area, without much success it has to be said, until the Doctor turns up that is. This is a tried and tested story format for science fiction stories and it works well here as well. I would say that the portrayal of the Doctor is pretty good and he does seem like his eighth persona here rather a more generic Doctor, which is nice.
August 6, 2023
On the one hand, “Spore” is an absolutely delightful little “Doctor Who” romp. A classic earth-under-siege kind of story, complete with a very cosmically unknowable threat. It’s quick-paced, a nice little shot of “Doctor Who” goodness. The kind of premise that could easily be expanded into a full-length episode, but works perfectly fine as a little bite sized story.
On the other hand, though, it’s got the most generic-feeling representation of a Doctor in any of these stories. Outside of a few references to his costume, this Doctor simply doesn’t feel like the Eighth Doctor at all. It’s not that he feels like any other Doctor, either, though. He’s just very archetypal. You could easily imagine any of the Doctors slotted into this story. And while that’s kinda nice in theory, it’s a major let down in a story that’s billed as an Eighth Doctor tale. I know the Eighth Doctor hardly appeared on television, but it’s not like there isn’t a wealth of audio dramas and novels to draw inspiration from. So, that’s a major bummer.
As it is, though, “Pore” is a fun story. It’s got a good dynamic between the Doctor and the one-off companion. The setting is super fun (the American desert is just such a perfect setting for sci-fi stories, isn’t it?). And the overall premise works exceedingly well, possibly better than almost any of the previous short stories in this series. But the generic-feeling Eighth Doctor definitely brings the story down a bit. It’s fun enough, but could’ve been even better.
On the other hand, though, it’s got the most generic-feeling representation of a Doctor in any of these stories. Outside of a few references to his costume, this Doctor simply doesn’t feel like the Eighth Doctor at all. It’s not that he feels like any other Doctor, either, though. He’s just very archetypal. You could easily imagine any of the Doctors slotted into this story. And while that’s kinda nice in theory, it’s a major let down in a story that’s billed as an Eighth Doctor tale. I know the Eighth Doctor hardly appeared on television, but it’s not like there isn’t a wealth of audio dramas and novels to draw inspiration from. So, that’s a major bummer.
As it is, though, “Pore” is a fun story. It’s got a good dynamic between the Doctor and the one-off companion. The setting is super fun (the American desert is just such a perfect setting for sci-fi stories, isn’t it?). And the overall premise works exceedingly well, possibly better than almost any of the previous short stories in this series. But the generic-feeling Eighth Doctor definitely brings the story down a bit. It’s fun enough, but could’ve been even better.
June 27, 2023
That was a lil disturbing
I have never read a book by Alex Scarrow. I hadn't even heard of the guy. I can't say whether his other books were any good. I seems like an alright writer, very gritty in style. I don't know how much he loves the show but most of Spore is strongly inspired by the TV movie
The premise of the book is very good. A contamination site in Nevada has an unexpected visitor. The Spore as concept needs to be brought back in the show by RTD or another show runner. It's some seriously spooky stuff. My ick with this story lies the Doctors characterisation.
The 8th Doctor is an incarnation that is rarely put to prose nowadays. As of writing the latest attempt to bring him to life Doctor Who: The Scent of Blood: 8th Doctor Audio Original in 2019. I just don't think the author did enough homework for this one. It felt more like an interpretation of the Movie Doctor.
I have never read a book by Alex Scarrow. I hadn't even heard of the guy. I can't say whether his other books were any good. I seems like an alright writer, very gritty in style. I don't know how much he loves the show but most of Spore is strongly inspired by the TV movie
The premise of the book is very good. A contamination site in Nevada has an unexpected visitor. The Spore as concept needs to be brought back in the show by RTD or another show runner. It's some seriously spooky stuff. My ick with this story lies the Doctors characterisation.
The 8th Doctor is an incarnation that is rarely put to prose nowadays. As of writing the latest attempt to bring him to life Doctor Who: The Scent of Blood: 8th Doctor Audio Original in 2019. I just don't think the author did enough homework for this one. It felt more like an interpretation of the Movie Doctor.
December 13, 2018
Ótimo equilíbrio entre drama e a comédia do Doctor.
"Esporo", de Alex Scarrow, nos traz um conto da versão menos carismática do Doctor (ou com menos tempo de tela, pois Paul McGann viveu a 8ª encarnação do alienígena em apenas um filme). A história aqui retrata um ataque patogênico a uma cidadezinha americana, patogenia essa já conhecida pelos habitantes de Gallifrey.
A construção e resolução do conto – além de muito amarradas – possuem o clima dos episódios da TV, com muita tensão, reviravoltas e uma solução resultada da esperteza do personagem. Confesso que imaginei Peter Capaldi a cada linha lida, tamanho é o carisma do Doctor atual.
"Esporo" é um bom episódio da série em forma de texto.
"Esporo", de Alex Scarrow, nos traz um conto da versão menos carismática do Doctor (ou com menos tempo de tela, pois Paul McGann viveu a 8ª encarnação do alienígena em apenas um filme). A história aqui retrata um ataque patogênico a uma cidadezinha americana, patogenia essa já conhecida pelos habitantes de Gallifrey.
A construção e resolução do conto – além de muito amarradas – possuem o clima dos episódios da TV, com muita tensão, reviravoltas e uma solução resultada da esperteza do personagem. Confesso que imaginei Peter Capaldi a cada linha lida, tamanho é o carisma do Doctor atual.
"Esporo" é um bom episódio da série em forma de texto.
July 10, 2021
This was brilliant. The eighth doctor has always felt to me to be a solitary and isolated character and obviously because canonically the eighth doctor never really had an official companion it leant more to the eighth doctors isolation and sadness that not only covers the eighth doctor but also the ninth doctor as well. In this one the doctor is hunting some out of space spire that destroys an American town. The doctors companion in this captain Evelyn Chan was cool and it would have been cool to see more adventures with Evelyn Chan and the Doctor but the story was resolved really well and enjoyed this a lot.
May 23, 2018
This was one of the more enjoyable stories!
I was intrigued by the plot even though it may be more of the typical science fiction plots I enjoyed it a lot.
I don't really have a lot more to add though (also possibly because I'm writing this review 3 days later and it's such a short story there isn't much to remember I suppose.)
I was intrigued by the plot even though it may be more of the typical science fiction plots I enjoyed it a lot.
I don't really have a lot more to add though (also possibly because I'm writing this review 3 days later and it's such a short story there isn't much to remember I suppose.)
January 15, 2022
Great story, maybe the creepiest of the lot, perhaps tied with the Gaiman novella. The eighth Doctor had rather a short run (just one TV movie, some audio dramas, and a comic), and now this short. The ending alludes to future collaborations with his short-term companion from this novella. That would be fun.
September 9, 2022
Cool enough antagonist but Sparrow seemed hesitant to offer any kind of insight into Eight - possibly because of the lack of televisual lore - which left me with quite a bland Doctor, demoted to nothing more than a handy space dictionary to explain things happening.
Check out Big Finish to fall in love with Eight.
Check out Big Finish to fall in love with Eight.
August 7, 2017
A quick read, which is totally fine. But sadly this small horror tale is easily told in a few pages and has a kind of lackluster solution. The 8th Doctor's character presented here is somehow dull as well to be honest, even the one in the TV movie two decades ago was more interesting...
December 23, 2018
These shorts have been hit or miss, but finally one that it quintessentially a Doctor Who story. The Doctor acts like the Doctor, he's actually IN it, it feels like a solid episode of the show and has a great hide behind the sofa monster.
January 19, 2020
This had the potential to be a 4 or even a 5 star read. The concept of the spore is so interesting and it even sounded scary. But it was ruined by that stupid, unnecessary exchange between the Doctor and the Captain Evelyn Chan.
November 2, 2020
The concept behind "Spore" was excellent. I didn't care for the 8th Doctor's arrogance. It seems like that is a marker of The Doctor prior to the newer incarnations and it gets old, especially in these short stories.
October 10, 2017
Solid, is what I would say. A bonus point for it being an 8th Doc story. ;)
May 9, 2018
4.5* rating.
August 12, 2018
I loved it :) in my head I almost saw 12 and not 8 but I loved it!
November 3, 2019
+ one star for quantum physics
April 29, 2020
Quite typical
December 8, 2021
Didn’t grab me.
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