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Lethbridge-Stewart #1.2
Lethbridge-Stewart: The Schizoid Earth
Lethbridge-Stewart was supposed to be in the mountains of the east, but things didn't quite go according to plan. On the eve of war, something appeared in the sky; a presence that blotted out the moon. Now it has returned, and no battle plan can survive first contact with this enemy.
Why do the ghosts of fallen soldiers still fight long-forgotten battles against living men? What is the secret of the rural English town of Deepdene? Lethbridge-Stewart has good reason to doubt his own sanity, but is he suffering illness or injury, or is something more sinister going on?
Plagued by nightmares of being trapped in a past that never happened, Lethbridge-Stewart must unravel the mystery of a man ten years out of his time; a man who cannot possibly still exist.
Why do the ghosts of fallen soldiers still fight long-forgotten battles against living men? What is the secret of the rural English town of Deepdene? Lethbridge-Stewart has good reason to doubt his own sanity, but is he suffering illness or injury, or is something more sinister going on?
Plagued by nightmares of being trapped in a past that never happened, Lethbridge-Stewart must unravel the mystery of a man ten years out of his time; a man who cannot possibly still exist.
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2015
3 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
David A. McIntee
77 books30 followersDavid A. McIntee was a British author who specialised in writing spin-offs and nonfiction commentaries for Doctor Who and other British and American science-fiction franchises.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 29, 2018
Whilst on he’s way to Tibet, Lethbridge-Stewart starts suffering from recent memory loss.
Could these strange capsules that have recently fallen from the sky be the cause of this.
Another really enjoyable book in this series.
Could these strange capsules that have recently fallen from the sky be the cause of this.
Another really enjoyable book in this series.
September 29, 2015
Having read The Forgotten Son, the first novel in Candy Jar Books series of novels based on the long-running Doctor Who character of Lethbridge-Stewart, the second novel in the series had me just as intrigued. Written by David A McIntee (the author of such excellent Wilderness Era novels such as The Dark Path and The Face Of The Enemy) and titled The Schizoid Earth, it promised to be an exciting entry in the series. Thankfully, it didn't disappoint.
In the earlier novel The Face Of The Enemy, McIntee showed he clearly knew how to write a solid Who based thriller without the Doctor. More than fifteen years later, he's continuing in that vein with great success. If you've read the title, seen the cover art, and know your Classic Who it's likely you have some idea of what this is about. Whatever you may think going in, you're in for more than one surprise along the way. The Schizoid Earth is a roller-coaster ride of a plot that combines Doctor Who style Earthbound science fiction with a thriller elements straight out of the 1960s. There's echoes not just of Classic Who but of many of ITVs great spy series of the time, something that McIntee clearly has a knack for it and it shines through in this volume.
Which to a certain extent is also the biggest issue with this novel. The novel starts off with two different plot strands that seem to contradict each other outright, something that also makes for confusing reading at times as the novel swaps back and forth between them at regular intervals. To its credit, the novel does eventually tie the two together, doing so in a way that is most unexpected and immensely satisfying. For much of its length though, it makes for an times confusing read even for someone familiar with the elements and characters being used.
Back to the positives though. The Face Of The Enemy also showed that McIntee had a fine grasp on who Lethbridge-Stewart was as a character as well, something else that works to the novel's advantage. The once and future Brigadier comes across very well here as both action hero and a man trying to figure out the situation he's found himself in. The novel also makes a rather interesting and unexpected tie-in back to elements from the earlier novel in the series which adds a wonderful layer to the character and how he deals with it here as part of the novel's unfolding plot. It's something that, like in Forgotten Son, gives the novel an added layer of authenticity.
While it does have the minor issue of a plot that's perhaps a tad more complex than it needs to be, on the whole The Schizoid Earth is a fine read. McIntee turns in a fine Who based thriller that both harkens back to the era in which its set while also exploring ideas and concepts more modern. It's a fast paced tale and one that makes for a wonderful addition to this new series. If they are as good as this and Forgotten Son, one suspects it'll have a healthy run as well.
(I was supplied an advance copy of this book by publisher Candy Jar Books in exchange for an honest review.)
In the earlier novel The Face Of The Enemy, McIntee showed he clearly knew how to write a solid Who based thriller without the Doctor. More than fifteen years later, he's continuing in that vein with great success. If you've read the title, seen the cover art, and know your Classic Who it's likely you have some idea of what this is about. Whatever you may think going in, you're in for more than one surprise along the way. The Schizoid Earth is a roller-coaster ride of a plot that combines Doctor Who style Earthbound science fiction with a thriller elements straight out of the 1960s. There's echoes not just of Classic Who but of many of ITVs great spy series of the time, something that McIntee clearly has a knack for it and it shines through in this volume.
Which to a certain extent is also the biggest issue with this novel. The novel starts off with two different plot strands that seem to contradict each other outright, something that also makes for confusing reading at times as the novel swaps back and forth between them at regular intervals. To its credit, the novel does eventually tie the two together, doing so in a way that is most unexpected and immensely satisfying. For much of its length though, it makes for an times confusing read even for someone familiar with the elements and characters being used.
Back to the positives though. The Face Of The Enemy also showed that McIntee had a fine grasp on who Lethbridge-Stewart was as a character as well, something else that works to the novel's advantage. The once and future Brigadier comes across very well here as both action hero and a man trying to figure out the situation he's found himself in. The novel also makes a rather interesting and unexpected tie-in back to elements from the earlier novel in the series which adds a wonderful layer to the character and how he deals with it here as part of the novel's unfolding plot. It's something that, like in Forgotten Son, gives the novel an added layer of authenticity.
While it does have the minor issue of a plot that's perhaps a tad more complex than it needs to be, on the whole The Schizoid Earth is a fine read. McIntee turns in a fine Who based thriller that both harkens back to the era in which its set while also exploring ideas and concepts more modern. It's a fast paced tale and one that makes for a wonderful addition to this new series. If they are as good as this and Forgotten Son, one suspects it'll have a healthy run as well.
(I was supplied an advance copy of this book by publisher Candy Jar Books in exchange for an honest review.)
October 1, 2015
While still an enjoyable read, Schizoid Earth suffers a bit (perhaps by following the excellent first book in the series, The Forgotten Son) by the nature of the mystery at the heart of the story. It's always tricky to keep your main character in the dark about whats going on around them if the audience is kept in the dark as well. You run the risk confusing them as surely as your protagonist. And while the plot sets this up nicely, the followthrough is a little convoluted and muddled to be truly effective with he story telling and instead leaves you feeling vaguely unsatisfied and slightly confused. There are many great moments in the story, and many fantastic ideas. Perhaps a few too many, which is a shame. About 3/4 of the way through a special guest star (not who you're thinking) makes an appearance and the tone of the book changes. I should have been all over this, but instead found myself mildly bemused and wondering how on earth the author was going to tackle this now, with only so many pages left.
I will freely admit, that since the book ties into a certain Doctor Who episode (one that I have seen only once, and a few years back), or that it is tied into David A McIntee's Who novel The Face Of The Enemy that maybe I didn't catch or get all the references that are included. Maybe that hampered my enjoyment of the story and it's actually much better than I'm able to give it credit for. These are certainly possible. I look forward to tackling these other stories and then coming back and re-reviewing my feelings on this one, but as of right now, it's a good, enjoyable read, but not great.
I will freely admit, that since the book ties into a certain Doctor Who episode (one that I have seen only once, and a few years back), or that it is tied into David A McIntee's Who novel The Face Of The Enemy that maybe I didn't catch or get all the references that are included. Maybe that hampered my enjoyment of the story and it's actually much better than I'm able to give it credit for. These are certainly possible. I look forward to tackling these other stories and then coming back and re-reviewing my feelings on this one, but as of right now, it's a good, enjoyable read, but not great.
December 13, 2015
This second Lethbridge-Stewart book is much better than the first. Like the first book, this focuses on the character of Lethbridge-Stewart shortly after his TV introduction in 'The Web of Fear', before UNIT existed and he was made the Brigadier.
Lethbridge-Stewart is on his way to Tibet when something strange happens. The next thing he knows he can't remember his recent past properly and the world doesn't seem quite right. As he investigates mysterious capsules he begins to question his sanity. Is it his brain that has gone wrong or the rest of the world.
That's about all I am going to give you otherwise I'll give too much away. I think it will be fairly obvious to most Who fans that this is a parallel world story but the details are very mysterious and there are some great reveals which I didn't see coming. I suppose it has a hint of the brilliant story 'Inferno' about it but doesn't have a connection to it in anything but theme.
Anne and Professor Travers have a small role to play here and Chorley is mentioned a few times too so this is very much in the post-Web of Fear universe of the series. Yet at the same time, this feels very independent and you could read this without even knowing that over Lethbridge-Stewart novels exist.
I adored this, much more than the first. A good idea with some great moments which is well told. It starts a little slowly perhaps but as you gradually learn what's going on it gets better and better.
Lethbridge-Stewart is on his way to Tibet when something strange happens. The next thing he knows he can't remember his recent past properly and the world doesn't seem quite right. As he investigates mysterious capsules he begins to question his sanity. Is it his brain that has gone wrong or the rest of the world.
That's about all I am going to give you otherwise I'll give too much away. I think it will be fairly obvious to most Who fans that this is a parallel world story but the details are very mysterious and there are some great reveals which I didn't see coming. I suppose it has a hint of the brilliant story 'Inferno' about it but doesn't have a connection to it in anything but theme.
Anne and Professor Travers have a small role to play here and Chorley is mentioned a few times too so this is very much in the post-Web of Fear universe of the series. Yet at the same time, this feels very independent and you could read this without even knowing that over Lethbridge-Stewart novels exist.
I adored this, much more than the first. A good idea with some great moments which is well told. It starts a little slowly perhaps but as you gradually learn what's going on it gets better and better.
August 29, 2017
Didn't enjoy this as much as the first in the series but still pretty decent. Very strong continuity with the episodes as well as with multiple novels. A bit muddled and not sure I'm keen on believing that so much went on between Lethbridge-Stewart's meetings with the Doctor.
February 5, 2021
Thanks to Shaun, Will and Keren at Candy Jar for a review copy.
Having enjoyed some of David A. Mcintee’s novels in the past (with White Darkness’ being one of the standout novels in the New Adventures Range in my opinion) I was very much looking forward to seeing what perils he had in store for Colonel Lethbridge Stewart.
The second book in the first season of Lethbridge-Stewart novels is very different from its predecessor in many ways. Here, the Colonel finds himself in very unfamiliar territory indeed and unable to easily distinguish friend from foe. Meanwhile Professor Travers and his daughter Anne find rather more than they bargained for on an expedition to the Arctic whilst a journalist colleague of Harold Chorley is tasked with uncovering strange goings on at a military base. Of course all these story threads turn out to form a coherent whole by the end of the novel but there is much enjoyment to be had in following them through.
This is a complex story and needs to be considered carefully as there is a great deal going on and some of the clues are subtle. That being said David A. McIntee manages to keep all three main threads of the story progressing and building on each other without any of them becoming boring or neglected.
The portions of the story involving the Colonel develop his character beautifully showing him to be the resourceful and resilient soldier that he is whilst still retaining the heart and decency that we know him to possess. Here he is in a totally unknown, and as it turns out, totally unprecedented situation yet he brings his wits to bear to try to understand what is happening without ever resorting to unnecessary violence or brutality.
The book very definitely follows on from the first novel and it would be a mistake to read these out of order. Doing so would not only yield a good many spoilers for the first story but also lead to considerable confusion as to the who is who in the Colonel’s expanding group of friends and family.
There are also references in this story to some other novels in the Doctor Who range, primarily McIntee’s own 1998 novel ‘Face of the Enemy’ and Paul Leonard’s 1999 Eighth Doctor story ‘Revolution Man’ but familiarity with these is not essential to enjoy ‘The Schizoid Earth.’ Some Easter Eggs also appear in the text, for example the appearance of a certain character who is not given his most familiar name due to licensing restraints but who’s identity is in little doubt.
The end of the story is very satisfactory and thought provoking – where exactly was the Phoenix and what happened to it afterwards is something I hope will be revisited later in the series. The novel also explains the background to the much loved television story ‘Inferno’ featuring Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor. Although not a prequel to the TV serial as such this book serves as a welcome anchor for it and provides context for the reality in which most of the story takes place.
I promised in my review for ‘The Forgotten Son’ that I would suggest essential Dr Who stories for readers who want to enjoy the Lethbridge-Stewart books with minimal reference to their parent series. For this novel the only story I would recommend is ‘Inferno’ which is available in full on DVD. Alternatively the story was novelised in the Target range by Terrance Dicks; second-hand paperback versions of this can be found easily or there is also an audiobook beautifully read by the late Caroline John who played the Doctor’s assistant Liz Shaw in the TV version. I would suggest anyone unfamiliar with the story view (or read) it after this Lethbridge-Stewart novel as it definitely would spoil the surprise otherwise.
Having enjoyed some of David A. Mcintee’s novels in the past (with White Darkness’ being one of the standout novels in the New Adventures Range in my opinion) I was very much looking forward to seeing what perils he had in store for Colonel Lethbridge Stewart.
The second book in the first season of Lethbridge-Stewart novels is very different from its predecessor in many ways. Here, the Colonel finds himself in very unfamiliar territory indeed and unable to easily distinguish friend from foe. Meanwhile Professor Travers and his daughter Anne find rather more than they bargained for on an expedition to the Arctic whilst a journalist colleague of Harold Chorley is tasked with uncovering strange goings on at a military base. Of course all these story threads turn out to form a coherent whole by the end of the novel but there is much enjoyment to be had in following them through.
This is a complex story and needs to be considered carefully as there is a great deal going on and some of the clues are subtle. That being said David A. McIntee manages to keep all three main threads of the story progressing and building on each other without any of them becoming boring or neglected.
The portions of the story involving the Colonel develop his character beautifully showing him to be the resourceful and resilient soldier that he is whilst still retaining the heart and decency that we know him to possess. Here he is in a totally unknown, and as it turns out, totally unprecedented situation yet he brings his wits to bear to try to understand what is happening without ever resorting to unnecessary violence or brutality.
The book very definitely follows on from the first novel and it would be a mistake to read these out of order. Doing so would not only yield a good many spoilers for the first story but also lead to considerable confusion as to the who is who in the Colonel’s expanding group of friends and family.
There are also references in this story to some other novels in the Doctor Who range, primarily McIntee’s own 1998 novel ‘Face of the Enemy’ and Paul Leonard’s 1999 Eighth Doctor story ‘Revolution Man’ but familiarity with these is not essential to enjoy ‘The Schizoid Earth.’ Some Easter Eggs also appear in the text, for example the appearance of a certain character who is not given his most familiar name due to licensing restraints but who’s identity is in little doubt.
The end of the story is very satisfactory and thought provoking – where exactly was the Phoenix and what happened to it afterwards is something I hope will be revisited later in the series. The novel also explains the background to the much loved television story ‘Inferno’ featuring Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor. Although not a prequel to the TV serial as such this book serves as a welcome anchor for it and provides context for the reality in which most of the story takes place.
I promised in my review for ‘The Forgotten Son’ that I would suggest essential Dr Who stories for readers who want to enjoy the Lethbridge-Stewart books with minimal reference to their parent series. For this novel the only story I would recommend is ‘Inferno’ which is available in full on DVD. Alternatively the story was novelised in the Target range by Terrance Dicks; second-hand paperback versions of this can be found easily or there is also an audiobook beautifully read by the late Caroline John who played the Doctor’s assistant Liz Shaw in the TV version. I would suggest anyone unfamiliar with the story view (or read) it after this Lethbridge-Stewart novel as it definitely would spoil the surprise otherwise.
April 18, 2020
Doctor Who and UNIT's - Brigadier Lethbridge - Stewart Spin-off.
The year is 1969 and Colonel Lethbridge - Stewart is still in the regular army. Prior to his (soon to be ) UNIT days.
It is a parallel world story. A bit like Inferno. Very good and as more things begin to unravel more intrigue followers. In this parallel world, Lethbridge meets his dead older brother, who has obviously not died in this parallel world. Also, in the parallel world, it is 1959 as opposed to Lethbridge - Stewart's own world where it is 1969. Added to this, people from other timelines are crash landing in capsules. Some displaced from 1914 and others from 1939.
Lots of strange things and a big conundrum to solve with help from Professor Travis and his daughter. It does require a little more focusing than the first story. The movement from one world of characters to another can sometimes catch the reader out. As the story progresses the switch between worlds is easier to make out.
The year is 1969 and Colonel Lethbridge - Stewart is still in the regular army. Prior to his (soon to be ) UNIT days.
It is a parallel world story. A bit like Inferno. Very good and as more things begin to unravel more intrigue followers. In this parallel world, Lethbridge meets his dead older brother, who has obviously not died in this parallel world. Also, in the parallel world, it is 1959 as opposed to Lethbridge - Stewart's own world where it is 1969. Added to this, people from other timelines are crash landing in capsules. Some displaced from 1914 and others from 1939.
Lots of strange things and a big conundrum to solve with help from Professor Travis and his daughter. It does require a little more focusing than the first story. The movement from one world of characters to another can sometimes catch the reader out. As the story progresses the switch between worlds is easier to make out.
September 23, 2018
Leider muss ich sagen, dass ich zum Schluss hin immer weniger begeistert von dem Buch wurde. Irgendwie stellte sich der Lost-Effekt ein, bei dem man das Gefühl hat, dass der Autor nicht so recht wusste wo er denn überhaupt hin will (was in der Danksagung am Ende auch so ziemlich bestätigt wird, da McIntee dort schreibt, dass dies das erste Buch war das er ohne Outline geschrieben hat). Insgesamt kein schlechtes Buch, vor allem wegen der Querverweise auf Inferno und The Face of the Enemy, aber irgendwie leider auch sehr unausgereift.
November 3, 2017
Lethbridge Stewart is investigating strange metal capsules dropping from space that are accompanied by people out of time. This is an alternative earth story, it can be confusing at times working out which earth is which, especially if you haven't picked up the book in a while. The storyline is clever and it's nice to see some character development related to the first novel in the series. A good read.
April 26, 2018
rather confusing
September 26, 2019
Not bad, but very confusing. It didn't help that the author really was not always clear which Lethbridge-Stewart was which.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable; recommended. This is one of those books that addresses some serious themes but you barely notice because it’s such a fun read.
January 11, 2026
Out of the 3 I've read so far, this is the least enjoyable. Basically, there's little ( if any) actual plot. Glad I've got it for the collection but I won't reread in a hurry.
Read
November 21, 2015Doctor Who's Brigadier gets his own spin-off series, albeit set in the post-Yeti, pre-UNIT phase when he was a mere Colonel. I tried this one because it's by David McIntee - the man who, in my fantasy season at the helm of Doctor Who, would write the historical without any aliens. McIntee's attention to period detail is still present and correct here, though sometimes it tips over the line, with an excess of undigested research crowbarred into conversations or internal reflections. And that's not the only thing which makes me suspect that either he was very well-edited on the Who books proper, or very badly edited here*. Too many scenes start in media res, but in such a way as to confuse rather than entice; at one stage an earlier exchange is repeated verbatim, and I don't think it's down to the ripples in time.
Fortunately (and in my experience of editorial mishaps, unusually - as a rule they get worse towards the end of a book) these hiccups die down as the story progresses. The direction of that progress...well. Part of the core of the Brigadier is that he deals with weird things, yet remains slightly sceptical about them - take him to an alien planet, and he thinks he's somewhere near Cromer. It's a very British parochialism which can at times be infuriating, not least to the Doctor, while also being a facet of his appeal. So there's always a risk in giving the future Brig, especially in his youth, too strange an adventure. The book's opening is pitched perfectly, with soldiers from the past apparently turning up in the book's 1960s-ish present (let's not get into UNIT dating, even if Moffat is happy to deploy that gag on prime-time TV) and strange capsules falling from the sky. As it moves along, things get stranger along at least two axes, and for the most part it does work as a science fiction story - but I'm not sure it entirely works as a Lethbridge-Stewart story, at least not this early in his career. There's a get-out for why it wouldn't expand his horizons too much, but that still feels like a solution to a problem which wouldn't have arisen if the tone had been pitched slightly more strange adventure, slightly less outright SF.
And yet, at the heart of it all, Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart himself is always written just right. And in a book of this nature, one must conclude that's the most important thing.
*One does suspect the publishers of this new series may be a bit of a kitchen table operation, not least because of that unfortunately amateurish cover art.
Fortunately (and in my experience of editorial mishaps, unusually - as a rule they get worse towards the end of a book) these hiccups die down as the story progresses. The direction of that progress...well. Part of the core of the Brigadier is that he deals with weird things, yet remains slightly sceptical about them - take him to an alien planet, and he thinks he's somewhere near Cromer. It's a very British parochialism which can at times be infuriating, not least to the Doctor, while also being a facet of his appeal. So there's always a risk in giving the future Brig, especially in his youth, too strange an adventure. The book's opening is pitched perfectly, with soldiers from the past apparently turning up in the book's 1960s-ish present (let's not get into UNIT dating, even if Moffat is happy to deploy that gag on prime-time TV) and strange capsules falling from the sky. As it moves along, things get stranger along at least two axes, and for the most part it does work as a science fiction story - but I'm not sure it entirely works as a Lethbridge-Stewart story, at least not this early in his career. There's a get-out for why it wouldn't expand his horizons too much, but that still feels like a solution to a problem which wouldn't have arisen if the tone had been pitched slightly more strange adventure, slightly less outright SF.
And yet, at the heart of it all, Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart himself is always written just right. And in a book of this nature, one must conclude that's the most important thing.
*One does suspect the publishers of this new series may be a bit of a kitchen table operation, not least because of that unfortunately amateurish cover art.
July 10, 2016
Being my first entry into this new series of books focused on Lethbridge-Steward, I am now very interested in continuing to read more adventures from the line. McIntee was always one of my favorites from the various Who lines, especially his historicals, and his excellent attention to detail is a highlight in this novel's prose, especially with how each variation of Earth bends history a little. The side-Earth with dirigibles and Nikola Tesla is a memorable section of the novel and one wishes more time could be spent on that Earth. Lethbridge-Stewart proves a robust hero for the novel and I look forward to seeing how he gets to the Brigadier we see in Spearhead from Space. The story, involving the side-universes and the unfolding mystery keeps you guessing whether the alternate Earth seen in Inferno is a part of this at all.
Long ago I was a big fan of Harry Sullivan's War by Ian Marter and I always longed for more UNIT-based novels. These Lethbridge-Stewart novels seem to be nest best thing, and I recommend them to any fans of Pertwee-era Who.
Long ago I was a big fan of Harry Sullivan's War by Ian Marter and I always longed for more UNIT-based novels. These Lethbridge-Stewart novels seem to be nest best thing, and I recommend them to any fans of Pertwee-era Who.
June 18, 2016
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2646776.html
Candy Jar's series of books about the earlier career of Alastair Lethbridge-Stewart have not been getting as much buzz as I feel they deserve. For a lot of us, the UNIT days are the defining period of Who, and the idea here is to look into their backstory, the four years that the Brigadier say in The Invasion since The Web of Fear. The previous couple of books I'd read in the series were pleasing enough, but here McIntee plays with the format and timeline very inventively, to bring Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart (and Professor Travers, etc) into a parallel timeline or two with confusion about his own family history. It's very nicely done, and wholly respectful of the traditions of canon while at the same time subverting them just a bit.
Candy Jar's series of books about the earlier career of Alastair Lethbridge-Stewart have not been getting as much buzz as I feel they deserve. For a lot of us, the UNIT days are the defining period of Who, and the idea here is to look into their backstory, the four years that the Brigadier say in The Invasion since The Web of Fear. The previous couple of books I'd read in the series were pleasing enough, but here McIntee plays with the format and timeline very inventively, to bring Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart (and Professor Travers, etc) into a parallel timeline or two with confusion about his own family history. It's very nicely done, and wholly respectful of the traditions of canon while at the same time subverting them just a bit.
April 1, 2016
Another intriguing mystery for the Colonel to solve in his pre-UNIT days without the aid of the Doctor. A strong read with interesting characters, especially Lethbridge-Stewart himself. I enjoyed the further exploration of his back story, which began in the first of this series. Highly recommend to fans of the late great Nicholas Courtney as the author does a great job of capturing the character that he defined over the course of many decades. Top notch.
October 15, 2015
I really liked it. At the beginning it's a little confusing, and I ended up making a chart of the different universes, but it's really good.
My only real complanit is that towards the end there are entirely too many Lethbridge-Stewarts, and the author could have used their first names instead of their last name.
My only real complanit is that towards the end there are entirely too many Lethbridge-Stewarts, and the author could have used their first names instead of their last name.
August 24, 2016
Although overall I enjoyed this book but I found it difficult to get into the bulk of the story. Several times I put this down and forgot about it for a few days. Took me a little longer than I expected to complete. This is not to say it's a bad book, just that I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous one I read.
November 14, 2015
After a good start to the series, this book was a serious let down. While it may have been the author's intention to keep the reader confused for a large chunk of the book, I finished it and still felt confused. Hoping the next entry in the series is a lot better.
December 3, 2016
A cleverly written Dr Who spin off book which almost makes no mention of the Dr - and works despite that. It's slightly confusing unless you're fully on the ball the whole time, given the nature of the two main "adversaries", and it's powered by interesting ideas.
July 25, 2025
Really enjoyed this Doctor Who spin off boo. Really looking forward to reading the others in the series.
March 26, 2016
Very enjoyable and clever book.
May 3, 2017
Slow-burning, intricate, and precise; this book induces a subtle feeling of wrongness from the beginning and methodically ratchets it up until you realise what is happening. I don't want to go into details here, because I really don't want to ruin the working out for future readers, but suffice to say that it involves several legs of the trousers of time all tangled around each other.
McIntee is known for his attention to military detail, and this book certainly has enough of that to be realistic to me (sister of an army man, cousin of an RAF man, etc.) - in fact the one star I knocked off this was because the military detail was slightly too exacting in places, and slowed the pace a little.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this. The double-whammy reveal at the end made me laugh aloud with delight. I think you probably need to be a hefty Doctor Who geek to get as much enjoyment out of this as I did; but then you probably wouldn't be considering it if you weren't. If you find it a bit slow and confusing to start, stick with it, the payoff is worth it.
A solid 4 out of 5.
McIntee is known for his attention to military detail, and this book certainly has enough of that to be realistic to me (sister of an army man, cousin of an RAF man, etc.) - in fact the one star I knocked off this was because the military detail was slightly too exacting in places, and slowed the pace a little.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this. The double-whammy reveal at the end made me laugh aloud with delight. I think you probably need to be a hefty Doctor Who geek to get as much enjoyment out of this as I did; but then you probably wouldn't be considering it if you weren't. If you find it a bit slow and confusing to start, stick with it, the payoff is worth it.
A solid 4 out of 5.
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