What do you think?
Rate this book
The Third Doctor Adventures #14
Doctor Who: The Quintessence
The Doctor and Jo Jones arrive at ‘Always’, a Victorian manor house perched impossibly on the distant storm-world of Nethara Reach.
Greeted by the peculiar Pepperdines, a couple frantic with worry about their ailing daughter, they discover terrible secrets hiding within the panelled walls and gruesome oil paintings.
Secrets that will bring the Doctor face to face with one of his most ancient and implacable enemies, and put his relationship with Jo to the ultimate test.
Greeted by the peculiar Pepperdines, a couple frantic with worry about their ailing daughter, they discover terrible secrets hiding within the panelled walls and gruesome oil paintings.
Secrets that will bring the Doctor face to face with one of his most ancient and implacable enemies, and put his relationship with Jo to the ultimate test.
- GenresDoctor WhoAudiobook
Audio CD
Published October 1, 2024
18 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 10, 2025
The third doctor and Jo arrive on a stormy planet. There’s a lone Victorian house where a family lives, unaware that they’re not an Earth but on an alien planet. The husband and wife take care of their sick daughter who is bed-ridden. And there are mysterious angels who’ve promised to cure her.
I think it was Steven Moffat who once said that Doctor Who doesn't survive change, it survives because of change. And I definitely agree with that. The first season of Doctor Who under Disney felt like a positive change in many ways as it came across as overflowing with a refreshing dose of youthful energy and fun, and it clearly had a bigger budget. But it did have some flaws too. The biggest flaw for me was that it felt too Disneyfied. The stories felt lighter and less complex. There was a clear shift from the science fiction Doctor Who is known for to fantasy. And the characters had a lack of depth and development. This audio adventure does the exact opposite.
The setting feels small and intimate, but it doesn’t limit the story. On the contrary, it actually makes it feel like the setting is properly explored and makes it reach its full potential. There are only a few characters in this story. But they’re all fleshed out well and have some character development, as the story makes a point of showing us who they are instead of telling us who they are. Last but not least: the plot. The plot is a bit complex, though the concept is actually quite simple, and the plot is not too complex for its own good. The story also feels quite dark, reminiscent of the fourth doctor’s Hinchcliffe era. It’s inspired by horror, and it explores deep and interesting themes. It builds on what we already know about a recurring enemy of the doctor, and it makes them feel scarier and more intense than they’ve felt in years.
If you’re a Doctor Who fan, this audio adventure is one you won’t regret going out of your way for. It’s a story written by a husband and wife duo who are clearly passionate about Doctor Who, and who know how to tell a good story. It’s also a good change of pace from the lighter and more family-friendly Doctor Who stories.
I think it was Steven Moffat who once said that Doctor Who doesn't survive change, it survives because of change. And I definitely agree with that. The first season of Doctor Who under Disney felt like a positive change in many ways as it came across as overflowing with a refreshing dose of youthful energy and fun, and it clearly had a bigger budget. But it did have some flaws too. The biggest flaw for me was that it felt too Disneyfied. The stories felt lighter and less complex. There was a clear shift from the science fiction Doctor Who is known for to fantasy. And the characters had a lack of depth and development. This audio adventure does the exact opposite.
The setting feels small and intimate, but it doesn’t limit the story. On the contrary, it actually makes it feel like the setting is properly explored and makes it reach its full potential. There are only a few characters in this story. But they’re all fleshed out well and have some character development, as the story makes a point of showing us who they are instead of telling us who they are. Last but not least: the plot. The plot is a bit complex, though the concept is actually quite simple, and the plot is not too complex for its own good. The story also feels quite dark, reminiscent of the fourth doctor’s Hinchcliffe era. It’s inspired by horror, and it explores deep and interesting themes. It builds on what we already know about a recurring enemy of the doctor, and it makes them feel scarier and more intense than they’ve felt in years.
If you’re a Doctor Who fan, this audio adventure is one you won’t regret going out of your way for. It’s a story written by a husband and wife duo who are clearly passionate about Doctor Who, and who know how to tell a good story. It’s also a good change of pace from the lighter and more family-friendly Doctor Who stories.
October 17, 2024
This was a pretty good release.
It is more like a chamber play- very small cast, only a limited number of locations.
It feels rather small and intimate.
But that is not necessarily a bad thing, just think of amazing stories like "Friend of the Family".
Here we have the 3rd Doctor, Jo and a family that got lost in space face up against the Cybermen.
There is a lot of intense character work and a haunting atmosphere.
It will make you feel emotionally uncomfortable in places.
The performances of the cast were amazing.
However, while the story is great and comes together well, we have already seen and heard similar scenes in Doctor Who, so all feels a bit too familiar.
The story also does not come close to the timeless classic "Spare Parts" (even if it is kind of a sequel).
It is more like a chamber play- very small cast, only a limited number of locations.
It feels rather small and intimate.
But that is not necessarily a bad thing, just think of amazing stories like "Friend of the Family".
Here we have the 3rd Doctor, Jo and a family that got lost in space face up against the Cybermen.
There is a lot of intense character work and a haunting atmosphere.
It will make you feel emotionally uncomfortable in places.
The performances of the cast were amazing.
However, while the story is great and comes together well, we have already seen and heard similar scenes in Doctor Who, so all feels a bit too familiar.
The story also does not come close to the timeless classic "Spare Parts" (even if it is kind of a sequel).
January 24, 2025
It's a shame my last review for this range turned out to be a negative one. Thankfully, I knew I would be in safe hands with this one, not only because Lauren Mooney and Stewart Pringle always deliver unique and exciting scripts, but because this one has received a lot of high praise since its release. Very excited to get into this one.
Jo has a dream of a young girl taking her to an old Victorian mansion on a barren planet. Jo receives the coordinates and together she and The Doctor arrive on a dead world. How is there a Victorian mansion in an isolated world? How has the family inside managed to survive? Who is the little girl and what is she capable of? And who are the angels that promise to be the family's salvation? The Cybermen are coming and nothing can stop them.
Lauren Mooney and Stewart Pringle have written an incredible script that is dark, emotional, terrifying and bleak. It's a unique Cyberman story that has our favorite metal men at their most relentless. This is an unsettling and heartbreaking story, full of imaginative and disturbing ideas. The atmosphere in this story is amazing; it has such a haunting and hopeless vibe throughout it.
The 3rd doctor shows a new side to him, pessimistic and hopeless, while Jo Jones is very much the anchor trying to keep him hopeful despite everything they're going through. It's a terrific and devastating character drama that will leave you horrified.
The sound design in this story is amazing. The direction is top-notch, and the cast and crew are at their very best.
Overall: This is by far one of the very best Cyberman stories Big Finish has ever produced, such a unique and creative story that understands what makes the Cybermen so terrifying. 10/10
Jo has a dream of a young girl taking her to an old Victorian mansion on a barren planet. Jo receives the coordinates and together she and The Doctor arrive on a dead world. How is there a Victorian mansion in an isolated world? How has the family inside managed to survive? Who is the little girl and what is she capable of? And who are the angels that promise to be the family's salvation? The Cybermen are coming and nothing can stop them.
Lauren Mooney and Stewart Pringle have written an incredible script that is dark, emotional, terrifying and bleak. It's a unique Cyberman story that has our favorite metal men at their most relentless. This is an unsettling and heartbreaking story, full of imaginative and disturbing ideas. The atmosphere in this story is amazing; it has such a haunting and hopeless vibe throughout it.
The 3rd doctor shows a new side to him, pessimistic and hopeless, while Jo Jones is very much the anchor trying to keep him hopeful despite everything they're going through. It's a terrific and devastating character drama that will leave you horrified.
The sound design in this story is amazing. The direction is top-notch, and the cast and crew are at their very best.
Overall: This is by far one of the very best Cyberman stories Big Finish has ever produced, such a unique and creative story that understands what makes the Cybermen so terrifying. 10/10
October 26, 2024
Parts 1 and 2:
Really cool premise and ways to use the Cybermen. There is a lot of terrifying imagery throughout.
Parts 3 and 4:
Really interesting depiction of Mondas and an interesting character study of how much a man will do in order to save his family. These parts go to some really dark places, and there are also really sad things about Mondas. There’s also some more great horror here, but I won’t spoil it.
Parts 5 and 6:
I won’t get into the details of these parts, but all I can say is that it has a really great conclusion and a nice moment between the Doctor and Jo at the end. There’s also some more creepy imagery, particularly in part 5.
It’s also a really unique and cool way to do a six-parter, because after every two parts, you’re in a new setting, and the story has a new tone to it.
Definitely the best Big Finish release of this year.
Really cool premise and ways to use the Cybermen. There is a lot of terrifying imagery throughout.
Parts 3 and 4:
Really interesting depiction of Mondas and an interesting character study of how much a man will do in order to save his family. These parts go to some really dark places, and there are also really sad things about Mondas. There’s also some more great horror here, but I won’t spoil it.
Parts 5 and 6:
I won’t get into the details of these parts, but all I can say is that it has a really great conclusion and a nice moment between the Doctor and Jo at the end. There’s also some more creepy imagery, particularly in part 5.
It’s also a really unique and cool way to do a six-parter, because after every two parts, you’re in a new setting, and the story has a new tone to it.
Definitely the best Big Finish release of this year.
October 31, 2024
Maybe more of a 3.5. I did like the creepy vibes, but didn't enjoy quite as much as The Return of Jo Jones.
March 6, 2025
Top notch offering from Big Finish. Good story and excellent sound design.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews