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Torchwood #2
Border Princes
The End of the World began on a Thursday night in October, just after eight in the evening...
The Amok is driving people out of their minds, turning them into zombies and causing riots in the streets. A solitary diner leaves a Cardiff restaurant, his mission to protect the Principal leading him to a secret base beneath a water tower. Everyone has a headache; there's something in Davey Morgan's shed; and the church of St Mary-in-the-Dust, demolished in 1840, has reappeared - though it's not due until 2011. Torchwood seem to be out of their depth. What will all this mean for the romance between Torchwood's newest members?
Captain Jack Harkness has something more to worry about: an alarm, an early warning, given to mankind and held - inert - by Torchwood for 108 years. And now it's flashing. Something is coming. Or something is already here.
The Amok is driving people out of their minds, turning them into zombies and causing riots in the streets. A solitary diner leaves a Cardiff restaurant, his mission to protect the Principal leading him to a secret base beneath a water tower. Everyone has a headache; there's something in Davey Morgan's shed; and the church of St Mary-in-the-Dust, demolished in 1840, has reappeared - though it's not due until 2011. Torchwood seem to be out of their depth. What will all this mean for the romance between Torchwood's newest members?
Captain Jack Harkness has something more to worry about: an alarm, an early warning, given to mankind and held - inert - by Torchwood for 108 years. And now it's flashing. Something is coming. Or something is already here.
254 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
32 people are currently reading
925 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
August 1, 2025
This one takes a bit to get going. The beginning reads super cold. There’s a general lack of cohesion; the team is all over the place, as is the plot.
Border Princes features considerably less exposition into the team members than Book One. It’s a minor quibble, as the action mostly makes up for it, but I have always enjoyed the human element of Torchwood as much as the alien/supernatural.
Once Jack and Toshiko get to the church, the pace picks up significantly. There’s more exploration of Mr. Dine and the Amok. Almost gives the feeling it’s a different book.
When the Serial G emerges, the action sequences are captivating.
The James reveal is somewhat expected by the end, but it gives too many vibes from the "Adam" episode of the television series.
“Is everything all right?”
“Oh, yeah. As all right as everything usually is in Torchwood.”
Border Princes features considerably less exposition into the team members than Book One. It’s a minor quibble, as the action mostly makes up for it, but I have always enjoyed the human element of Torchwood as much as the alien/supernatural.
Once Jack and Toshiko get to the church, the pace picks up significantly. There’s more exploration of Mr. Dine and the Amok. Almost gives the feeling it’s a different book.
When the Serial G emerges, the action sequences are captivating.
The James reveal is somewhat expected by the end, but it gives too many vibes from the "Adam" episode of the television series.
“Is everything all right?”
“Oh, yeah. As all right as everything usually is in Torchwood.”
October 18, 2018
A busy week in Cardiff for the Torchwood team of Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Owen, Tosh and James investigate why the local residents are slowing losing their minds.
But who’s James? He’s not a character that those who are familiar with the show would have heard of...
Well that’s the mystery of the book.
I can understand why some would not enjoy this novel, but it does payoff in the end.
But who’s James? He’s not a character that those who are familiar with the show would have heard of...
Well that’s the mystery of the book.
I can understand why some would not enjoy this novel, but it does payoff in the end.
March 28, 2011
I'll admit, my expectations weren't high, as in my experience books based on TV shows are mediocre at best, but Border Princes still managed to fall short of them. The story moved at a snail's pace, and character development was nonexistent. In addition, the new character, James, was ridiculously Mary-Sue-like: faster, stronger, smarter than everyone else, attractive, and well-liked by everyone. And because the author was so intently focused on making his new character more awesome than everyone else, his depiction of the other characters suffered. I'm not sure who these people are, but they certainly aren't the team I know and love. Owen's snarky comments and cynical outlook are absent, Jack seems to do nothing but sit back and watch admiringly as James takes charge, Tosh is suddenly outgoing, Ianto is barely mentioned, and don't even get me started on Gwen. The presence of the Torchwood characters felt secondary to James' story, which was annoying and disappointing. I felt more like I was reading a bad fanfiction than a published novel.
June 5, 2007
I'll be honest - I don't ask for much from the Torchwood books. A plot that can at least stick together while I'm reading and recognizable characters. Snark is good, funny one-liners are great, ribald comments from Jack a must.
But seriously. It is not a good thing to have your reader wondering through 3/4 of the book if the author was working from an old script where there was an extra team member. This book definitely needed a prologue. And some editing. Ugh.
I only marked two pages as having good lines/characteristics/things, as opposed to the others, with dozens.
But seriously. It is not a good thing to have your reader wondering through 3/4 of the book if the author was working from an old script where there was an extra team member. This book definitely needed a prologue. And some editing. Ugh.
I only marked two pages as having good lines/characteristics/things, as opposed to the others, with dozens.
September 5, 2024
So the second in the early trilogy of Torchwood books and for me one of the most intriguing, as with other books in the series I have read you have a series of small incidents that indirectly feed in to a larger more complex (and ultimately more serious) storyline that needs resolving if the world is to survive (so it would seem).
I find it interesting in that all 3 books took time to connect with me even though I know and have invested with the characters from the TV series. I think the idea of having multiple stories going on sometimes in parallel can slow down - at least for me - the engagement with the bigger picture.
Once there the story picks up pace and rips along with great fun and gusto and more that a little disregard for the safely of the inhabitants of Cardiff
I find it interesting in that all 3 books took time to connect with me even though I know and have invested with the characters from the TV series. I think the idea of having multiple stories going on sometimes in parallel can slow down - at least for me - the engagement with the bigger picture.
Once there the story picks up pace and rips along with great fun and gusto and more that a little disregard for the safely of the inhabitants of Cardiff
August 5, 2016
Definitely better than Another Life. Only the first third of the book or so deals with the Amok, a metallic sentient item that seems eager to play with anyone who comes by. The problem is, it isn't created for humans, so all hell breaks loose when people come in contact with it. The Amok and other events are only used to introduce a stronger entity though. Anything else I write would be a spoiler. There is an episode of Torchwood that has similar, but definitely not the same theme. I think this one is way better.
There are so many things I loved. It is more emotional than the first I've read and I like the way it is written. No second person narrative in Border Princes. Even when you start to suspect the truth, it doesn't ruin the story. It is fast-paced and full of twists, seemingly unrelated events and people.
The thing I didn't really like: Gwen Cooper is supposed to be the sensitive one in the team, any yet people in her life don't get the same treatment as some nameless person. Her sensitivity doesn't seem to include people who love her. After all, they aren't going anywhere.
There are so many things I loved. It is more emotional than the first I've read and I like the way it is written. No second person narrative in Border Princes. Even when you start to suspect the truth, it doesn't ruin the story. It is fast-paced and full of twists, seemingly unrelated events and people.
The thing I didn't really like: Gwen Cooper is supposed to be the sensitive one in the team, any yet people in her life don't get the same treatment as some nameless person. Her sensitivity doesn't seem to include people who love her. After all, they aren't going anywhere.
May 2, 2021
Nearly the whole book I’m like, who is James? wHo iS JaMeS? Then when he twisted the gun and I started to figure it out. I knew he wasn’t really a team member. It was a great book though. A good way of tying several different perspectives and stories into one.
April 27, 2008
ONLY 5 TYPOS! Better then the 13 I counted in the first book "Another Life". Perhaps the editor enjoyed this one as much as I did.
This book was really great. Yes, it's for Torchwood fans. It will most likely not get any new fans from it, as strangers to the Torchwood series wouldn't care to even look twice at the book.
At any rate, I have few issues with this book. The story is very VERY similar to an actual chapter of series 2 of Torchwood, so if you've seen it, you'll have a good, general idea of whats going on right from the start, which is a shame to some extent; but the story starts off with a lot of action, and the action portions of the book are very well written. The story, though familiar from a series 2 plot line (although, this was probably written first) is interesting but there are a lot of other twists and turns and interesting WHO-like facts and artifice that will leave Torchwood fans begging for this story to be mined for even more plot lines.
Another thing- No Jack/Ianto slashing going on here. The first author played with Jack's sexual... exuberance. a little with his teasing of Ianto. Unfortunately the author, Abnett doesn't make an attempt, which is a shame, because I really like this authors writing.
Torchwood fans- this one is worth the read.
This book was really great. Yes, it's for Torchwood fans. It will most likely not get any new fans from it, as strangers to the Torchwood series wouldn't care to even look twice at the book.
At any rate, I have few issues with this book. The story is very VERY similar to an actual chapter of series 2 of Torchwood, so if you've seen it, you'll have a good, general idea of whats going on right from the start, which is a shame to some extent; but the story starts off with a lot of action, and the action portions of the book are very well written. The story, though familiar from a series 2 plot line (although, this was probably written first) is interesting but there are a lot of other twists and turns and interesting WHO-like facts and artifice that will leave Torchwood fans begging for this story to be mined for even more plot lines.
Another thing- No Jack/Ianto slashing going on here. The first author played with Jack's sexual... exuberance. a little with his teasing of Ianto. Unfortunately the author, Abnett doesn't make an attempt, which is a shame, because I really like this authors writing.
Torchwood fans- this one is worth the read.
November 12, 2025
The 150 Prompt Doctor Who Reading Challenge - Eighth Doctor - 1) I Love Humans. Always Seeing Patterns In Things That Aren't There: Read a book about time, memory or identity.
This book is so boring. It spends most of the book focusing on a one-book-only character and I spent the entire time thinking "am I meant to care about this character?" while waiting for the reason why said character would not be in the next book. Honestly, this book felt like the episode Adam when the guy inserted himself into the teams memories like he'd always been there - and I couldn't stand that episode.
This book is so boring. It spends most of the book focusing on a one-book-only character and I spent the entire time thinking "am I meant to care about this character?" while waiting for the reason why said character would not be in the next book. Honestly, this book felt like the episode Adam when the guy inserted himself into the teams memories like he'd always been there - and I couldn't stand that episode.
September 20, 2011
I hate to review a book I didn't finish but the fact that I didn't finish it is a sign to me. I only got about halfway through before I became disgusted with it. And when I pay nearly $10 for a book, it takes a lot for me to flat out not finish it. If I could have given it zero stars I would have. My main problem? The introduction of a brand new team member, James, who never appears series and (although he may turn into an Adam at the end, I wouldn't know since I couldn't finish it and my not caring to find out should also say something) I couldn't stand the concept of the introduction of such a brand new team member that fit so seamlessly into the group, like he'd existed for years. I could have probably hung on till the end if the plot had been decent or even intriguing. But to me, the story just wasn't engaging enough for me to do the whole "willing suspension of disbelief" on the part of this new James character.
December 18, 2019
As I have already read most of the Torchwood books I would rate this as the least good one (it’s probably the worst).
The novel‘s plot does not really develop and it‘s like there are two stories following each other. And it‘s not thrilling like the other Torchwood books, it‘s obvious, miserably told and the characters are not authentic (worse than any fanfiction I ever read: like Jack binge-watching a TV-Series with the team... come on, this would never happen)
The new character and team member James who is just there and not introduced strongly reminded me of Adam...(guess what was the plot-twist...)
Also this novel is told around Gwen and how she out of the blue breaks up with Rhys to be with James. Which makes the story almost unreadable.
The novel‘s plot does not really develop and it‘s like there are two stories following each other. And it‘s not thrilling like the other Torchwood books, it‘s obvious, miserably told and the characters are not authentic (worse than any fanfiction I ever read: like Jack binge-watching a TV-Series with the team... come on, this would never happen)
The new character and team member James who is just there and not introduced strongly reminded me of Adam...(guess what was the plot-twist...)
Also this novel is told around Gwen and how she out of the blue breaks up with Rhys to be with James. Which makes the story almost unreadable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2008
During a very busy week, Torchwood discovers an artifact that was given to an earlier Torchwood as an early warning system is starting to count down.
What of the many things going on is the 'Big One' that the artifact is warning them about?
Good read, with lots of clever bits, good characterization and a nice look at the day to day running of a secret agency that deals with aliens.
Jack and Gwen get the most time in the spotlight, and so the most characterization, but at least everyone gets to do something and some good lines.
If only the TV show could be this well written.
What of the many things going on is the 'Big One' that the artifact is warning them about?
Good read, with lots of clever bits, good characterization and a nice look at the day to day running of a secret agency that deals with aliens.
Jack and Gwen get the most time in the spotlight, and so the most characterization, but at least everyone gets to do something and some good lines.
If only the TV show could be this well written.
May 24, 2021
There's a sense that Abnett really understands what makes Torchwood click, at least superficially. Border Princes relishes in the collision of the fantastic and the mundane; exotic, Bond-esque international locations are exchanged for Iceland supermarkets and suburban Cardiff's banality, and the book's verisimilitude is all the better for it.
We're also given a brilliant insight into the day-to-day workings of Torchwood Three. Where the show's budget restricts scenarios to the tune of a-monster-a-week, here we feel the impact on the team's psyche when several "situations" pile in at once, and the incompliance of the Rift with anything resembling a normal work week is portrayed more thrillingly than any end-of-episode monologue would be able to achieve.
Admittedly, there is a sense that the story is less than the sum of its parts, with a lack of thematic coherence, and several brilliant narrative strands awkwardly structured, their impact lessened as a result. All in all, though, this second Torchwood novel feels so much more richly detailed and clever than Another Life; with pinpoint characterisation and a nice balance of the bleak and the fun, it's a shame it was the second release in the line rather than its pilot.
We're also given a brilliant insight into the day-to-day workings of Torchwood Three. Where the show's budget restricts scenarios to the tune of a-monster-a-week, here we feel the impact on the team's psyche when several "situations" pile in at once, and the incompliance of the Rift with anything resembling a normal work week is portrayed more thrillingly than any end-of-episode monologue would be able to achieve.
Admittedly, there is a sense that the story is less than the sum of its parts, with a lack of thematic coherence, and several brilliant narrative strands awkwardly structured, their impact lessened as a result. All in all, though, this second Torchwood novel feels so much more richly detailed and clever than Another Life; with pinpoint characterisation and a nice balance of the bleak and the fun, it's a shame it was the second release in the line rather than its pilot.
August 6, 2018
Torchwood is working like normal, stopping an alien device that changes peoples brains. There seems to be another member of the team that we haven't met before, James. Meanwhile, an old soldier finds something intelligent in his allotment.
It's cleverly written, as the reader knows that James isn't supposed to be there, but he fits in so well. The story of the old soldier is very moving, and you feel sorry for this lonely man. I find the idea that Gwen is quite happy to cheat on Rhys a bit annoying. But it is a good read.
It's cleverly written, as the reader knows that James isn't supposed to be there, but he fits in so well. The story of the old soldier is very moving, and you feel sorry for this lonely man. I find the idea that Gwen is quite happy to cheat on Rhys a bit annoying. But it is a good read.
June 13, 2023
I think the only thing that Border Princes has against it, is the Torchwood episode “Adam”. The basic premise of having a character inserted in the team that was never there before, has been done already in that episode. But this book is superior in every way to “Adam”. It’s exceptional well written, with great characterization, has a frantic pace and lots of humor. Highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2018
DNF @ 20%
I think I'll just stick with the tv series rather than attempt the tie in novels. The characters I've become attached to don't feel like themselves. It had it's moments, but not nearly enough to keep me reading.
I think I'll just stick with the tv series rather than attempt the tie in novels. The characters I've become attached to don't feel like themselves. It had it's moments, but not nearly enough to keep me reading.
February 1, 2023
This book takes a while to get going, then is a bit all over the place, and then finishes with a predictable and expected ending that quickly ties things up in a relatively unsatisfying manner.
The action sequences are relatively fun and the characters are quite well written but I did expect better from Dan Abnett.
The action sequences are relatively fun and the characters are quite well written but I did expect better from Dan Abnett.
August 18, 2025
Justice for James but also justice for Rhys
December 21, 2009
I did something with this book that I never thought I would do again. I stopped reading it. Normally I give the book the benefit of the doubt and see if I can get through it. But this one I just wanted to give up and I did. The plot was stupid, granted it is a copy of a Series 2 episode (even though this takes place in Series 1) but at least I could make it through Adam without wanting to hurt anything. The author put in what he 'thought' where funny quips which were just in fact stupid and out of character for all who said it. The characterizations were completely off, even Gwen! It's not that hard to write Gwen but even I was questioning some of her actions, something that I don't normally do. Jack was basically made a bumbling fool and reacted to some situations like a rookie and wasn't even like the original Jack character either. There were too many attempts at trying to be funny which just came off as painful. And the fact that Gwen became so attached to James was sickening. How she could be like that ruined and even more dispicable character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2008
My first Torchwood tie-in book! I borrowed it from Lauren of TW5 ;) It's such a fast read and I was starving for Torchwood stories! I had no problem with there being a new member, James, but when they showed Gwen was having an affair with him, I thought this AGAIN? I'm not sure where this book falls on the storyline but gah, not cool. I did like Mr. Dine and the ensuing powers that James showed (in my mind, the last chase was a totally cheesy summer action movie) and it DID have zombies at the beginning... I kinda liked it. Erm, more Ianto please. I like Owen's snarkiness. More snarky please. I'm so glad Gwen and Rhys have worked things out in the series. I have nothing else to add :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2008
If you're like me, and wanting more Torchwood than they can broadcast, I highly recommend this. The characterisations are spot on, and the story is quite interesting.
August 25, 2025
The second book based off the hit BBC TV show Torchwood, Border Princes has an intriguing premise. But, it is hindered by uneven pacing, too many secondary plots, and an easy to guess central mystery.
Much of the book rests on how successful the mystery of Torchwood member James Mayer is sustained. Unfortunately, the author was always going to be fighting a losing battle. As well as never being mentioned in any other media, the cover art shows Jack pointing a gun at him! Therefore, any mystery is reduced to the circumstances around James' identity, which only really picks up in the second half. James is quite likeable, with his code-words to measure the intensity of situations. He is also the closest to who I would call the main character of this book. But, I always knew that he would not exist past Border Princes, which limits how strongly I feel about him. I do like the suddenness of the ending, and how it left open questions about the rest of the team. This feels very similar to the Series 2 TV episode 'Adam', but predates it by a whole year. It is an interesting concept for a book; I just wish the mystery element is better sustained.
The weakest element is the pacing, which is scattershot and unfocused. The first half feels like 'Things that happened on Torchwood this week'. I'll admit that it is interesting to get more insight into the team's daily investigations. There are also some great sequences in this half, like the chase and fight sequence with the Amok-possessed humans. The problem is that there is no real priority between the episodic and the main plot. It is frustrating to read this and not know which chapters are relevant, and which are side missions. Sometimes, the encounters would awkwardly link to the James Mayer narrative, but not always. Their effectiveness is therefore limited, which is a shame as there are some at times creepy concepts. The murderous artificial human and the encounter in the disappearing church are two examples of these. The latter even chose to reference the Series 1 TV finale, which felt very out of place. Once the secondary plots had been dropped, the pacing becomes much stronger and more focused.
With James taking on the lead role, the rest of the regular characters are reduced to more minor roles. The exception to this is Gwen, who doesn't really come off great in this book. I know this is Series 1 Gwen, but her numerous relationship indiscretions are infuriating. Apparently, this book takes place before 'Cyberwoman' so, before her affair with Owen, she nearly left Rhys for James. You've really got to feel for Rhys at this point. The other team members suffer from having this one-off character take centre stage. In Another Life, more was revealed about Owen's backstory than the whole first half of the first series on TV. Here, we don't really get anything. Tosh has an encounter in the church, that is mostly off the page. Owen does very little. Ianto does practically nothing at all. And Jack only serves as an exposition dump in the closing pages. The books could be a great opportunity to expand on the other main cast, and this sadly missed the mark.
Border Princes has an intriguing concept but is unable to fully utilise it in its plot. Some of this is down to a muddled first half which balanced the main plot with several side adventures. But, mostly, it was always going to be difficult to sustain a mystery around a one-off central character. The second half is definitely stronger once the secondary plots are sorted, and the focus is on James' story. There are also some good action sequences, particularly the opening with the Amok. A decent read overall, if a bit muddled.
Much of the book rests on how successful the mystery of Torchwood member James Mayer is sustained. Unfortunately, the author was always going to be fighting a losing battle. As well as never being mentioned in any other media, the cover art shows Jack pointing a gun at him! Therefore, any mystery is reduced to the circumstances around James' identity, which only really picks up in the second half. James is quite likeable, with his code-words to measure the intensity of situations. He is also the closest to who I would call the main character of this book. But, I always knew that he would not exist past Border Princes, which limits how strongly I feel about him. I do like the suddenness of the ending, and how it left open questions about the rest of the team. This feels very similar to the Series 2 TV episode 'Adam', but predates it by a whole year. It is an interesting concept for a book; I just wish the mystery element is better sustained.
The weakest element is the pacing, which is scattershot and unfocused. The first half feels like 'Things that happened on Torchwood this week'. I'll admit that it is interesting to get more insight into the team's daily investigations. There are also some great sequences in this half, like the chase and fight sequence with the Amok-possessed humans. The problem is that there is no real priority between the episodic and the main plot. It is frustrating to read this and not know which chapters are relevant, and which are side missions. Sometimes, the encounters would awkwardly link to the James Mayer narrative, but not always. Their effectiveness is therefore limited, which is a shame as there are some at times creepy concepts. The murderous artificial human and the encounter in the disappearing church are two examples of these. The latter even chose to reference the Series 1 TV finale, which felt very out of place. Once the secondary plots had been dropped, the pacing becomes much stronger and more focused.
With James taking on the lead role, the rest of the regular characters are reduced to more minor roles. The exception to this is Gwen, who doesn't really come off great in this book. I know this is Series 1 Gwen, but her numerous relationship indiscretions are infuriating. Apparently, this book takes place before 'Cyberwoman' so, before her affair with Owen, she nearly left Rhys for James. You've really got to feel for Rhys at this point. The other team members suffer from having this one-off character take centre stage. In Another Life, more was revealed about Owen's backstory than the whole first half of the first series on TV. Here, we don't really get anything. Tosh has an encounter in the church, that is mostly off the page. Owen does very little. Ianto does practically nothing at all. And Jack only serves as an exposition dump in the closing pages. The books could be a great opportunity to expand on the other main cast, and this sadly missed the mark.
Border Princes has an intriguing concept but is unable to fully utilise it in its plot. Some of this is down to a muddled first half which balanced the main plot with several side adventures. But, mostly, it was always going to be difficult to sustain a mystery around a one-off central character. The second half is definitely stronger once the secondary plots are sorted, and the focus is on James' story. There are also some good action sequences, particularly the opening with the Amok. A decent read overall, if a bit muddled.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2018
This had potential to be a decent TW novel but there were so many things that I just hated about it:
1) We are introduced to this character 'James', and it's acted as if he's been a member of TW the entire time. I was incredibly confused about who this James was so I googled himafter I read the first chapter, spoiling James' entire role in the novel. The introduction of James just left me feeling confused and wondering if the author had an old draft where TW had an extra member. There should have a prologue or something introducing James rather than throwing him on us as this already established character.
2) James is the very definition of a Mary Sue 'can do no wrong' character. He's very strong, handsome, he gets the girl, he's funny, everyone likes him. He appears to have no flaws.
3) Gwen's relationship with James seems very untrue to Gwen's character. She abandons Rhys to live with James after staying at his place for 2 nights. It comes across very sudden and TV-Gwen loves Rhys more than just ultimately abandoning him as she does in this novel. However, I do admit Gwen is a very complicated human but I can't see her leaving Rhys in the way that she does here.
4) Once again this is the 2nd TW novel in a row to portray Owen as being this boring, side character who delivers semi-witty lines and doesn't do much else, which I think is very unfaithful to the TV version.
5) The writing seems discombobulated. It doesn't feel like a whole novel but rather like 2 or 3 novellas stuck together and published.
I tried to like this but ultimately couldn't, hence the 1-star.
1) We are introduced to this character 'James', and it's acted as if he's been a member of TW the entire time. I was incredibly confused about who this James was so I googled himafter I read the first chapter, spoiling James' entire role in the novel. The introduction of James just left me feeling confused and wondering if the author had an old draft where TW had an extra member. There should have a prologue or something introducing James rather than throwing him on us as this already established character.
2) James is the very definition of a Mary Sue 'can do no wrong' character. He's very strong, handsome, he gets the girl, he's funny, everyone likes him. He appears to have no flaws.
3) Gwen's relationship with James seems very untrue to Gwen's character. She abandons Rhys to live with James after staying at his place for 2 nights. It comes across very sudden and TV-Gwen loves Rhys more than just ultimately abandoning him as she does in this novel. However, I do admit Gwen is a very complicated human but I can't see her leaving Rhys in the way that she does here.
4) Once again this is the 2nd TW novel in a row to portray Owen as being this boring, side character who delivers semi-witty lines and doesn't do much else, which I think is very unfaithful to the TV version.
5) The writing seems discombobulated. It doesn't feel like a whole novel but rather like 2 or 3 novellas stuck together and published.
I tried to like this but ultimately couldn't, hence the 1-star.
March 24, 2022
A great book. It took a while to get into because I was reading other things, but once I did, I raced through it.
The characters from the tv series are well written and clearly reflect what we see on screen and the addition of new characters is well done, being keenly and sympathetically written. For example, despite Owen not being the most prominent character in the book, there is one scene in particular where he displays his medical knowledge and a caring, sympathetic, kinder side we rarely saw on screen.
What impressed me was how well the many disparate elements of the plot threaded together in the end. At first, it seemed that so much unconnected was going on that it was difficult to keep events in order, but by the time the story was drawing to its conclusion, you could clearly see how well plotted this was. The ending packs an emotional punch, leaving you wanting to know more and continuing events in your own head long after the story had finished. How long did it take for scars to heal; we'll never know.
I read this book once before, many years ago now, in 2006. So much has changed in the world since then and yet in some ways, it feels like yesterday. Nods to renting DVDs, flip phones, and Harry Ramsdens date it, but not in an unpleasing way. This is the Torchwood we see on screen and it is great.
Great, but not perfect because at this point Ianto was still a glorified butler. Long live Ianto.
Oops.
The characters from the tv series are well written and clearly reflect what we see on screen and the addition of new characters is well done, being keenly and sympathetically written. For example, despite Owen not being the most prominent character in the book, there is one scene in particular where he displays his medical knowledge and a caring, sympathetic, kinder side we rarely saw on screen.
What impressed me was how well the many disparate elements of the plot threaded together in the end. At first, it seemed that so much unconnected was going on that it was difficult to keep events in order, but by the time the story was drawing to its conclusion, you could clearly see how well plotted this was. The ending packs an emotional punch, leaving you wanting to know more and continuing events in your own head long after the story had finished. How long did it take for scars to heal; we'll never know.
I read this book once before, many years ago now, in 2006. So much has changed in the world since then and yet in some ways, it feels like yesterday. Nods to renting DVDs, flip phones, and Harry Ramsdens date it, but not in an unpleasing way. This is the Torchwood we see on screen and it is great.
Great, but not perfect because at this point Ianto was still a glorified butler. Long live Ianto.
Oops.
March 13, 2020
I love Torchwood, and I love Doctor Who even more. I’m an old school Whovian- constantly grumpy and endlessly defending the 80’s. So when things like this book show up, I make it my business to get involved. This book was incredibly trashy. There’s a horrid plot line with a weird insertion of a character who never existed- essentially a rip-off of a Stargate plot from prior years. The characters are devoid of their character, Gwen is cheating on Rhys for no apparent reason, Owen is just snarky and boozy but weird, and Jack does...nothing? Jack Harkness, the main character of Torchwood and an immortal superman (who has his own flaws) was reduced to absolutely nothing. This book made me feel like there was a book that I had missed out on with James’ thing, but that was...the plot? But it was so badly laid out that it didn’t even work for a plot twist. Concepts were introduced (like the Church) and are then fairly well ignored with the audience’s knowledge of a phenomenon NEVER explained simply assumed. Also, Ianto has absolutely nothing to do, and I’m sorry, I can’t accept that in any capacity. If a plot skims over Ianto, you know it’s not gonna be great. Back to the audio adventures for me.
June 23, 2017
I'm not sure how to rate this one. Perhaps a 3.5 stars would be closer but since we don't have that, we'll go with 3 stars.
There were a few things that really threw me off this book.
If the author was trying to make Gwen more appealing or sexy or baddass or something, having her cheat on Rhys AGAIN really wasn't the way to go. I know this is probably just me as I have a strong dislike of the character from the show, but really? Most people don't look on infidelity as a good trait, so writing the leading lady - and Gwen had that role in this book - cheating is not going to win over anyone.
For sure not enough Ianto. Again, this is probably me being a Janto fanatic but the uneven representation of the characters was unappealing to me.
And finally, the episode "Adam" did it much better. It was hard to bond to James. He was just boring. But the pacing was brisk and the action well written. I enjoyed the aliens a great deal.
Overall it was an okay outing. I'm going to keep reading the books though because I LOVE Torchwood, even when it's not presented as well as it could be.
There were a few things that really threw me off this book.
If the author was trying to make Gwen more appealing or sexy or baddass or something, having her cheat on Rhys AGAIN really wasn't the way to go. I know this is probably just me as I have a strong dislike of the character from the show, but really? Most people don't look on infidelity as a good trait, so writing the leading lady - and Gwen had that role in this book - cheating is not going to win over anyone.
For sure not enough Ianto. Again, this is probably me being a Janto fanatic but the uneven representation of the characters was unappealing to me.
And finally, the episode "Adam" did it much better. It was hard to bond to James. He was just boring. But the pacing was brisk and the action well written. I enjoyed the aliens a great deal.
Overall it was an okay outing. I'm going to keep reading the books though because I LOVE Torchwood, even when it's not presented as well as it could be.
February 25, 2026
An interesting book flawed by a few things. First of all, you can tell that this was written well before the show aired. The writer would have been given briefs on all the characters, but things change between early rough drafts and actual episodes. I can never imagine Jack complaining that they didn’t invite him to watch ren and stimpy. So it’s decent, but the characters don’t feel right, compared to what we see on the show.
The second issue is the fact that Russell then writes this exact episode a year later. Sure, it’s not as complex, and there’s no mystery about jacks missing brother - but this is basically a proto version of Adam. Saying that, I did enjoy the princes ideas, the fact that there’s alien civilisations out there that are truly alien and not just people with weird makeup.
What it does do well is show us some of the other moments of the Torchwood team that we never get to see. An alien mind teaser toy from a higher dimension that makes humans mad, alien spores that live in human sinuses? (Ew)… the way it shows how chaotic and odd a job like Torchwood could ever be. There’s a really good idea in here, but sadly it was never meant to be.
The second issue is the fact that Russell then writes this exact episode a year later. Sure, it’s not as complex, and there’s no mystery about jacks missing brother - but this is basically a proto version of Adam. Saying that, I did enjoy the princes ideas, the fact that there’s alien civilisations out there that are truly alien and not just people with weird makeup.
What it does do well is show us some of the other moments of the Torchwood team that we never get to see. An alien mind teaser toy from a higher dimension that makes humans mad, alien spores that live in human sinuses? (Ew)… the way it shows how chaotic and odd a job like Torchwood could ever be. There’s a really good idea in here, but sadly it was never meant to be.
April 22, 2018
Border Princes takes its inspiration from Torchwood 2.5 Adam and Gwen and Owen's affair from season 1 (episodes 6-11) - merging the two ideas together to have Gwen having a blazing affair with 'new' Torchwood member James. Now if you've seen Adam you'll know that James shouldn't be there and is more than he seems....
While the core idea of Border Princes is solid - the narrative is very disjointed with lots of unrelated 'filler' that has no impact on the main plot. This one is also really poor on character development. Gwen is the major player here and at her worst - cheating on Rhys, and not being particularly sympathetic. All the other characters are pushed to the sidelines to make room for James. Ianto in particular is relegated back to tea-boy. This lacks humour and Jack's witty dialogue and indeed pretty much everything that makes Torchwood so fun. Nice idea but a bit dull really.
While the core idea of Border Princes is solid - the narrative is very disjointed with lots of unrelated 'filler' that has no impact on the main plot. This one is also really poor on character development. Gwen is the major player here and at her worst - cheating on Rhys, and not being particularly sympathetic. All the other characters are pushed to the sidelines to make room for James. Ianto in particular is relegated back to tea-boy. This lacks humour and Jack's witty dialogue and indeed pretty much everything that makes Torchwood so fun. Nice idea but a bit dull really.
December 20, 2018
I like what the author was trying to do, but for the day to day approach just didn't work for me. What should have been a series of intense dangerous situations just came out flat since they where so short. There's so many sub-plots it's hard to keep track of whats going on. You only get to the main plot in the last 30 pages or so, by the time you're there it just seems like another side plot.
James seemed to be the only character with any real personality. However that was completely overshadowed by the fact that I had no idea who he was. A lot of the book is focused on him and his relationship with Gwen, which I didn't really care about since I had little to no interest in him.
Also why is Gwen cheating on Rhys again?
On a more positive note I did like the idea of there being people on the other side of the rift defending it Torchwood style. The sub-plots where okay too, I just wish the where longer or less of them.
James seemed to be the only character with any real personality. However that was completely overshadowed by the fact that I had no idea who he was. A lot of the book is focused on him and his relationship with Gwen, which I didn't really care about since I had little to no interest in him.
Also why is Gwen cheating on Rhys again?
On a more positive note I did like the idea of there being people on the other side of the rift defending it Torchwood style. The sub-plots where okay too, I just wish the where longer or less of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2021
First off this book starts with a new member of the team. Which is weird. It also focuses on two random side characters and the 'new' member more than anyone else. The point of reading a Torchwood book is to read about your favorite characters. It is boring and confusing for most of book. It gets exciting near the middle with all 3 plot lines come together for a bit, but then drops off to dull again. The only team drama in this comes from Gwen cheating on her boyfriend Rhys with the new guy James. The rest of the team is hardly in it at all. The whole book feels kinda like the episode "Adam" from the second season.
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