Introducing the latest edition of this much-loved anthology, with brand-new Fifteenth and Fourteenth Doctor stories.
Fifteen wonderful tales of adventure, science, magic, monsters and time travel – featuring all fifteen Doctors – are waiting for you in this very special Doctor Who volume.
Includes a bonus story starring the Fourteenth Doctor (and a very familiar foe), and a brand-new, very exciting and very exclusive, new tale that will feature the Fifteenth Doctor - written by bestselling author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Other authors featured Eoin Colfer, Michael Scott, Marcus Sedgwick, Philip Reeve, Patrick Ness, Richelle Mead, Malorie Blackman, Alex Scarrow, Charlie Higson, Derek Landy, Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, Naomi Alderman and Steve Cole.
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is the instant New York Times, International bestselling, & Award-winning author of ACE OF SPADES and WHERE SLEEPING GIRLS LIE. In 2024 she was a world book day author with her title THE DOOMSDAY DATE and she also has a Marvel Spider-Verse story coming out this year where she writes a new Spider-Verse character known as Spider-UK/Zarina Zahari. Faridah is an avid tea drinker, a collector of strange mugs, and a graduate from a university in Scotland where she received a BA in English Literature. She also has an MA in Shakespeare Studies from Kings College London. When she isn’t spinning dark tales, Faridah can be found examining the deeper meanings in Disney channel original movies.
This is actually only a review of the 14th and 15th Doctor stories, as I've reviewed the other books on other editions.
I thought both stories were interesting, and I did really like how the 14th Doctor story really tied into the plot from the specials, and also brought back the Sycorax. I quite enjoyed it, which is rare for me, as I really don't like the 10th or 14th Doctors.
For the 15th Doctor story, I just didn't "feel" the story. It didn't capture me the way the previous story did, which is a shame.
Also, the mavity thing. I can't stand it. The fact that this ended up being a reoccurring thing across many series drives me insane, and that it was in this story at least twice made me want to stop listening. Not the author's fault that this is a Doctor Who thing at the moment, but it does make me turn off.
Most of this review is from the previous edition for this book that went through the 13th Doctor. I was very excited to see they added two more stories featuring the 14th and 15th Doctors.
A Big Hand for the Doctor, By Eoin Colfer I haven’t read a lot of stories featuring the First doctor and really I have only seen half of his episodes so I am probably not going to be the best judge of whether or not the Doctor was in character. I think he was though and the Victorian setting was perfect for him and Susan. I think the author did a good job of telling an interesting engaging story in only 39 pages. The epilogue was very cute and well done!
The Nameless City by Michael Scott This story featured the Second Doctor and Jamie. I have always loved Jamie he is a hoot and so ernest in everything he does. I liked this story it was a pretty good premise and I loved the set up at the beginning and how Jamie was able to save the day. All and all a really good short adventure story.
The Spear of Destiny by Marcus Sedgwick This was a good story. I liked the inclusion of the Norse mythology and mentions of the Doctor’s time at U.N.I.T. Jo and the Third Doctor always make a great pair. I will say that I took a quick peek at the Forth Doctor’s story and although I love both Jo and Leela I was a little disappointed that Sarah Jane Smith is going to be left out of this group of stories. I know they can’t included everyone but she was always one of my favorites.
The Roots of Evil by Philip Reeve I liked the Timey Whimey nature of this story. I also thought the living vengeful tree plot was very intriguing. I appreciated the inclusion of Leela because I think she gets forgotten about a bit in the mix of all the various and at times more favorite companions. I have always liked the Forth Doctor and his persona, along with his affectations like the scarf and jelly babies. This story was like a really good Doctor Who episode.
The Tip of the Tongue by Patrick Ness I was unsure about this one. The Fifth Doctor was one of my favorite and I have always liked Nyssa. (Although I did miss the inclusion of Tegan, Adric, and Turlough.) I think the reason this one was hard to connect with was because a lot of it was through an outsider’s pov. I did like Jonny and I loved his friendship with Nettie and getting to see WWII Maine through their eyes was very interesting but somehow it didn’t work all together for me like the other stories did. But all in all I still liked it.
Something Borrowed by Richelle Mead This was an interesting story. I liked how quirky the planetary set up was in this story. Also Peri is a hoot and I have always been fond of her. The inclusion of the mystery villain was unexpected I haven’t thought of them in forever so it was nice that they were included. Overall it was a very likable story, and I could totally see it being in Six’s timeline.
The Ripple Effect by Malorie Blackman I liked the multiple dimensions featured in this story. I have always enjoyed Ace and the Seventh Doctor was bummed they didn’t have more stories before Doctor Who was canceled. So it was awesome to read more about them. This was a bit of an odd stories at times as the Doctor was very fraustrated with the situation he was presented and him and Ace were at loggerheads towards the end. Still enjoyed it though.
Spore by Alex Scarrow I will have to admit I have only really seen the Eighth Doctor in the movie and the Doctor Who special that was on a couple of years ago. I have never listen to the audio plays they have with him. So I was wondering how I would like this story and I found myself quite enjoying it. It is an interesting concept about an intelligent virus floating through space trying to find a new home. I wouldn’t mind reading more on this my least known Doctor.
The Beast of Babylon by Charlie Higson The Ninth Doctor has always had a special place in my heart. There was something about Christopher Eccleston’s portrayal that was just so awesome so I was looking forward to this story in particular and I wasn’t disappointed. I liked the overall story and Ali was an interesting one off character.
The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage by Derek Landy Martha is one of my favorite all time companions so I was thrilled that she was in this story. I thought the premise was an interesting one. I liked how the plot seemed to be one thing and then there was a twist and it turned into something else. Ten and Martha always had such chemistry and it was portrayed here perfectly.
Nothing O’Clock by Neil Gaiman This was so good. I have read a few books by Gaiman and so I was really looking forward to this one and I was not disappointed. It was disturbing and it hooked you from the first few pages. The Kin were so creepy and sinister. The whole story was so awesomely done I would love to see it as an episode.
Lights Out by Holly Black I love Twelve and Holly Black did a really good job of keeping him in character. I enjoyed this story although it was quite sad at times. I think it had a hopeful end. This was one of those stories that I wish was longer because of the ambiguous ending.
Time Lapse by Naomi Alderman I have been greatly enjoying the newest Doctor and can’t wait for 2020 when she returns. This was a great story, and it features not only thirteen but also Yaz, Ryan, and Graham. Plus, a return of a certain Agency that I hadn’t heard of in a while, the story was well told, and it ended very satisfactorily.
Fleeting Faces by Steve Cole This was an interesting story featuring the 14th Doctor shortly after he regenerated. I thought the premise was well done and I enjoyed the return of the Sycorax. I wish there had been a companion with the Doctor as I think he works better with a partner. Overall, an enjoyable story.
The Dalmatian Terrain by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé TDT was a more lighthearted story with a running theme of fish and chips. Ruby and the 15th Doctor are trying to enjoy fish and chips in Brighton when the find a stray dalmatian hijinks and kidnappings ensue from there. I quite enjoyed it especially as it gave us more 15 and Ruby while we wait for the new season.
I hope they continue to do more stories in this series as I quite enjoy revisiting this book from time to time.
I always love a doctor who audiobook as they’re always so greatly narrated, produced and entertaining to boot.
I also like the split doctor stories as you get the chance to explore a new story with each doctor and one for every 15 was great! I got to revisit some of my favourites and spend an adventure or two with ones I’ve yet to fully know.
From returning old enemies, to favourite companions and new mysteries, they were a set of great short stories written by some fab authors.
A review by you! Doctor Who: Fifteen Doctors 15 Stories by Doctor Who
adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A good collection of doctor who short stories 12 of which I have definitely read before, 1 am not sure if I have read before and 2 stories which are definitely new to me which contain stories featuring the 14th and 15th doctors. All the stories were good however I think the stand outs were the 9th doctor story and the 12th doctor story but the 15th doctor story was a fun and interesting addition.
It was fun! Very Doctorish, exciting, very odd, adventurous, timey-wimey and spacey-wacey. Truly Fantastic. And quite long because it is over 700 pages so it definetly can take more than one evening to read.
The only thing I was sad about is one story that is the exact same one as in other book - the "Ten Days of Christmas" (and I have already read that book) and I was very much hoping for something more.