What do you think?
Rate this book
Gallifrey #2.5
Gallifrey: Imperiatrix
The Free Time influence in the Capital is spreading, while Darkel has played her hand and opposition to Romana's policies from without and within is growing. When the bombs start going off, the President of Gallifrey decides enough is enough.
While Leela and K9 race to track down the terrorist to avoid more bloodshed, Romana enters into a risky bargain for control with a dangerous, influential figure from her past. But she soon discovers that the answer to her problems lies in the future. A future she has already witnessed. And one she has been trying to avoid.
But someone desperately wants this future and will stop at nothing to make it occur.
Even if it means leading Romana and Gallifrey to war.
While Leela and K9 race to track down the terrorist to avoid more bloodshed, Romana enters into a risky bargain for control with a dangerous, influential figure from her past. But she soon discovers that the answer to her problems lies in the future. A future she has already witnessed. And one she has been trying to avoid.
But someone desperately wants this future and will stop at nothing to make it occur.
Even if it means leading Romana and Gallifrey to war.
Audio CD
First published August 1, 2005
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 15, 2025
Gallifrey Relisten-
Honestly every time I relisten to Gallifrey it just gets better and better with each relisten and reminds me why I am so passionate about this series in the first place.
The one thing I equally love about Imperiatrix with how many different types of strong female characters it has to offer and not all of them good. You have Darkel, Romana, Leela and of course, Pandora/First Romana to offer and I find it such an interesting dynamic with them being in a Time-Lord society.
With the attack in Manchester last week, I thought the attack on the Time-Lord academy was highly relatable as both had 22 dead in each and the political tensions rising and it was so relatable in modern day terms.
Poor K9, Leela's K9. Hallen really got on the wrong end of the stick with Romana and she is absolutely terrifying when she's angry and understandably so.
I also loved Narvin in this. I honestly think this is the turning point for Narvin as truly you do see that he does care for Gallifrey and although he doesn't always 100% agree with Romana's policies, he will go to the end of time for her if he had to for the sake of Gallifrey.
5/5.
Honestly every time I relisten to Gallifrey it just gets better and better with each relisten and reminds me why I am so passionate about this series in the first place.
The one thing I equally love about Imperiatrix with how many different types of strong female characters it has to offer and not all of them good. You have Darkel, Romana, Leela and of course, Pandora/First Romana to offer and I find it such an interesting dynamic with them being in a Time-Lord society.
With the attack in Manchester last week, I thought the attack on the Time-Lord academy was highly relatable as both had 22 dead in each and the political tensions rising and it was so relatable in modern day terms.
Poor K9, Leela's K9. Hallen really got on the wrong end of the stick with Romana and she is absolutely terrifying when she's angry and understandably so.
I also loved Narvin in this. I honestly think this is the turning point for Narvin as truly you do see that he does care for Gallifrey and although he doesn't always 100% agree with Romana's policies, he will go to the end of time for her if he had to for the sake of Gallifrey.
5/5.
February 25, 2020
Big Finish: we've created a political sci-fi thriller with two vastly different female leads who nevertheless respect each other, we've also cast two women as the antagonists, and the male characters never use gender to discriminate
Me: shut up and taKE MY MONEY NICHOLAS BRIGGS
Me: shut up and taKE MY MONEY NICHOLAS BRIGGS
July 30, 2019
It is startling just how far they take this in the series. I'm filled with admiration for Big Finish's work here. We veer into Gallifreyan Civil War, which is just as insane as you might expect.
June 2, 2023
So here we are at the finale of Series 2 of Gallifrey. It's been an amazing series with brilliant characterization, world-building, political tension, and sound design. It's truly blown my mind just how good this range actually is, despite it being arguably Big Finish's most popular spinoff it definitely still falls under the radar somewhat when you compare it to the likes of the main Doctor Who stuff.
Darkel has everyone exactly where she wants them to be and now that terrorist attacks have occurred on Gallifrey threatening interstellar war, it seems not only will Romana's reign of presidency be over, but Gallifrey itself. To save her people, Romana might have to ally herself with Pandora but in doing so might bring about a greater threat.
Stewart Sheargold is a writer who I feel is very underappreciated, yes people like his works well enough but because he didn't overall get to do very much for Big Finish, he very much falls under the radar of more notable writers very easily and I think that's a damn shame because he's brilliant. This finale he's put together is outstanding, it's intense, terrifying, clever, and most of all excellently well-handled. The cliffhanger to this story was truly a slap in the face and has me really excited for series 3!
Overall: It's hard to say what my favorite of this series is, but Imperiatrix definitely rivals Pandora as being the best installment of this range so far! 10/10
Darkel has everyone exactly where she wants them to be and now that terrorist attacks have occurred on Gallifrey threatening interstellar war, it seems not only will Romana's reign of presidency be over, but Gallifrey itself. To save her people, Romana might have to ally herself with Pandora but in doing so might bring about a greater threat.
Stewart Sheargold is a writer who I feel is very underappreciated, yes people like his works well enough but because he didn't overall get to do very much for Big Finish, he very much falls under the radar of more notable writers very easily and I think that's a damn shame because he's brilliant. This finale he's put together is outstanding, it's intense, terrifying, clever, and most of all excellently well-handled. The cliffhanger to this story was truly a slap in the face and has me really excited for series 3!
Overall: It's hard to say what my favorite of this series is, but Imperiatrix definitely rivals Pandora as being the best installment of this range so far! 10/10
May 22, 2023
Une super finale à la saison, plein de renversement de situation et de dénouements inattendu, qui lie nous seulement la deuxième et la première saison, mais offre des développements intéressants et inédits pour les personnages et réussit à bien mettre en valeur tout le monde et offre une base solide pour repartir sur une nouvelle saison.
August 28, 2022
Longer than what’s expected for the Gallifrey series. Guess they really wanted to go big for this series 2 finale. Weird how Part 2 is significantly shorter than Part 1. Leela and Romana reevaluating whether they can remain friends was an interesting development.
October 17, 2019
What a great end, with a cliffhanger no less! I'm very much enjoying this series.
March 13, 2020
A thrilling conclusion to the second series; we get to find out the Andred's true killer, and witness the return of the Imperiatrix. I'm greatly looking forward to the next series.
May 18, 2021
Tour de force.
January 8, 2024
Everything comes to an explosive climax! And, if I’m being honest, I didn’t see the end coming at all. Looking forward to moving right into Series Three.
December 15, 2024
So here we have the Series 2 Finale of the Big Finish Gallifrey series. Whereas the Gallifrey series has thus far been made up of single disc releases, this story is two discs containing two parts plus behind-the-scenes interviews. This story starts with bang and just keeps going. Starting with a bomb at the Academy, we weave our way through action and intrigue as all our leads get things to do. Darkel prepare a coup, Romana slipping further into paranoia, Leela and Narvin showing the beginnings of their eventual friendship. I don't want to spoil anything because it's just so good. Everything this season has built to this and we're left on the cusp of civil war by the end. While Gallifrey always seems to be character-driven, this story is just as plot-driven. It's exciting and suspenseful and if you've been following the series this far, you won't want to have to press pause. That said, it is probably a must though to listen to everything proceeding this in order to, a: understand what's going on and understand who the characters are, and b: get the full emotional punch of the various twists and shocks of the story. An excellent adventure that hits the ground with a bang and doesn't let up.
November 22, 2012
A lot of things happen. And that's an understatement. Everyone's schemes come to light, it turns out other people knew about those schemes all along and made up their own schemes accordingly, but they didn't realise they were playing into the scheme of yet someone else all along...
Basically it's like those games of multi dimensional chess, I guess.
But I've never even played normal chess so I don't really get all that's happening.
One heck of a set-up for season 3, though.
Basically it's like those games of multi dimensional chess, I guess.
But I've never even played normal chess so I don't really get all that's happening.
One heck of a set-up for season 3, though.
February 22, 2018
What an ending. This episode is sad with the death of K9. So much happens. The situation with Darkel and Romana turning to become the imperatrix. The way that Gallifrey falls into civil war. How there are no right choices. Lovely conversations with Leela and Romana. Very dramatic end to this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 15, 2009One heck of a setup for season 3, but overall, I'm not really sure what I think of it.
July 5, 2020
Pandora is in communication with Romana, Leela is investigating the bombing at the Academy and someone is setting up Narckle. You don't want to miss this installment.
February 25, 2015
Politics and schemes, in layers and layers, with several twists along the way, especially the ending. Can't wait to see where they go in season 3.
November 22, 2023
I dunno. It got pretty weird at some points, but it was generally well done.
May 23, 2016
A rollicking finish to the season.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews