Doctor Who: The Return of Robin Hood

Doctor Who Puffin Crossovers #3

by Paul Magrs

For the Doctor, this was his first visit to the prince of thieves. For Robin, it's been a long time coming . . .

Robin Hood is disenchanted. Maid Marion has left, the Merry Men have settled down, and the legend of the Doctor has retreated deep into the shadows of Sherwood Forest.
But the Doctor is back! (Although this is his first visit - time travel does strange things to a story.) The poor are fed, and the gang are together again.

That is until a desperate King John calls on the deadliest alien force at the nobilities' the mysterious, shape-shifting Mother Maudlin .

As dark magic is spun, heroes are captured, and the Doctor must find a way to save the Kingdom.

It's time for the return of the Lionheart . . .

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Fantasy

215 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2022

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Doctor Who novel has the 4th Doctor travelling with Sarah Jane & Harry Sullivan landing in Sherwood Forrest and encountering the most infamous rogue by the name of Robin Hood.
Robin recognises the TARDIS but does not recognise this Doctor and speaks of Clara Oswald. But hé accepts the Doctor for whom hé is nonetheless.
There is a dark enemy who wants to alter the history of England. Which is actally one of enemies of a later Doctor (David Tennant). This Doctor who is a favorite of mine is always fun to spend time with.

the story is not that difficult and the fun lies in the characters of the 4th Doctor, Sarah Jane & Harry Sullivan, which are fun.

A great read in the Train from Trois-Ponts to Maastricht.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the first time the Doctor met Robin of Locksley, but not the first time Locksley had met him...

A really well thought out "timey-wimey" adventure which weaves the Doctor's timeline together in new patterns. Some humour ensues when Harry teaches the Merrie Men to sing the theme music from "Robin Hood". Magrs is an engaging and witty writer, who lets himself down a little by having the Doctor call himself ”Doctor Who".

[Stephen Robert Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Sarah Jane and Harry Sullivan set before Terror of the Zygons. There is whooping big mistake in this story and Paul should know better. A very good Tom. Robin Hood Robin Hood riding through the Glen with his Merry men. This William Hartnell story in it too. A horrible crazy Shakespeare style witch and magic.I read this in 4hours

[Jon Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful swashbuckling vision of what Doctor Who might have looked like as a 70s children’s Penguin book, somewhere in the lineage of Rosemary Sutcliff and Susan Cooper as much as Holmes and Hinchcliffe.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels more like a season 17 story than a season 12 story...the tone, the humour...it all feels as if Romana & K9 should be accompanying the Doctor, as opposed to the Sarah & Harry. When you read a Paul Magrs books, there is a particular strain of zaniness to deal with...and occasionally he can sail so far over the top that he hurdles Everest. Here it's channeled into a surprisingly melancholy sequel/prequel to "Robots of Sherwood", with a few tonal nods to 1991's "Prince of Thieves". It's not always to my taste, but it put a massive smile on my face from start to finish.

[Lizzie · Rating 1 out of 5]

*1.5 stars
I must admit I skimread the last 70% of this silly book. The only reason I picked this up (from the library) is because I'm both a Doctor Who fan and a Robin Hood fan (and enjoyed the Robots of Sherwood episode with Capaldi). But - even accounting for the fact that it's presumably written for kids - it's an overly shallow and contrived story, written poorly, almost all the characters are irritating, and it ends in an extremely unsatisfying way. It also feels weirdly dated despite having been written in 2022, and not in the sense that Magrs is trying to be true to the time periods the characters are from. Not to mention all the historical anachronisms...

[James Haigh-Kenworthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little crossover that's fun and easy to read. There's lots of treats for fans in here continuity wise, however I felt there was a distinct lack of The Doctor. There are many villains in here as goes with the Robin Hood legend but from a Doctor Who perspective, Mother Maudlin did zero to the plot, either give her a bigger part to play or don't have her present at all; could have easily been a sci-fi-less story, (like some of the old 60s stuff) and the plot would've been the same.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

An awful lot of fun. The Doctor, Harry and Sarah land in Sherwood Forest. years after the 12th Doctor did. There is a witch interfering in the Robin Hood story and they have to stop it. I really enjoyed this, there's some great set pieces and one liners. A very good read.

[Cbcfy7mf · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mediocre.
While Magrs has previously written some fairly good Who books, this is definitely not one of them.
The prose style is poor.
The characterisation is worse; he simply doesn't seem to 'get' D4, SJS and Harry, especially the latter. Though Harry seems to disappear off-screen for long intervals (as on TV).
Worst is the sloppy plotting and seemingly non-existent historical research. Dates are confused (two or twenty years between encounters?). And a host of anachronisms litter the pages; potatoes are eaten several centuries early, soup is carried in 'turrens', pheasants are abundant, Gisbourne heads out 'doing a bit of shooting', the TARDISeers are invited to 'freshen up' in the outlaw camp, the sheriff's cook is unusually literate, Richard enjoys a 'stein of foamy beer and many, many, more.

The outlaw camp is another ludicrous detail.

Then there's the traditional UKlian hero-worship of Richard and John being blamed for the taxation caused by Richard's failed military adventures and his ransom. He's also described as 'weak, silly and vain', which is factually untrue.
Finally Magrs needs to research what a sheriff was, who appointed them and what their duties were.

[David Layton · Rating 2 out of 5]

The audience for this novel is probably ten-year-olds. That, at least, is the way Magrs has written it. I think, however, that he has erred too far on the side of simplicity. The result is a muddled story, a fairly typical Magrs mish-mash of story types in which he has not really worked out how it all fits together. Doctor 4, Sarah, and Harry arrive in Sherwood Forest in the 1190s. There's Robin Hood and the Merrie Men (yep, spelled that way and always referred to in that way, as if Robin Hood and the Merrie Men were a 60s pop group). This is the same troop from the TV serial Robot of Sherwood. Thus, we have The Doctor facing people who have already met him in a later incarnation. Therefore, we know that Magrs will have to contrive some way to wipe The Doctor's memory (yet again - how many times can these novels and audio dramas contrive to work this?). Magrs has written this Robin and Co. like the characters from the 1930s Errol Flynn movie. He's unabashed about it, even mentioning the movie. So, we have Doctor Who mixed with the 20th-century idea of Robin Hood, legendary figure. But wait, there's more. Lurking in the forest is an evil witch who is contriving to do something - cause chaos just because, destroy the world, control the world, distort time? - I can't tell - all the ideas are floated, but none land). So, we have Doctor Who + Robin Hood + Hansel and Gretel, I guess. Magrs tries to get away with this chop suey plot by having characters sometimes act as if "real" and sometimes as if they know they are fictional creations. He even has The Doctor refer to himself as "Doctor Who." All this does, however, is make the mix more confusing. There is no clear idea of just what kind of story we are in or why anyone should care. Magrs also throws in a heap of fan-winks, referring to multiple TV episodes. The worst problem of this book, though, to me is the tone. Magrs seems to think that children are simple-minded. They need a plot that is basically good guys vs. bad guys, villains that are evil simply because they are, motivations that go no deeper than "I want to destroy" or "I want to help people," and ham-fisted writing pointing out the obvious in italics, just so the poor kids' little minds won't be stumped. Young Doctor Who fans deserve better than this.

[Tim Rideout · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The adventures and the stories really are endless, aren’t they?” Sarah said.

“Oh yes,” the Doctor assured her. “Luckily, they go on forever.”

Like Robin Hood, Doctor Who has become the stuff of myth and legend, transcending any one telling, any single author or narrative voice.

Paul Magrs has always brought his own, sublime magic to Doctor Who, giving us stories that simultaneously push boundaries and sing with a love of the source material.

‘The Return of Robin Hood’ is a celebration of adventures and stories. Its engagement with the Robin Hood mythos resonates with tributes to ‘Robin of Sherwood’ and ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’ as well as the more traditional tellings of the legend (with a welcome nod to Disney’s animated Robin Hood for good measure!). It is faithful to Doctor Who’s own Robin Hood adventure without feeling a need to slavishly engage with it.

For the Doctor, events take place seamlessly between ‘Revenge of the Cybermen’ and ‘Terror of the Zygons’. However, this is a Doctor for all seasons, channeling the best of those comic strip and annual stories of the 1970s, giving us a Fourth Doctor liberated from some of the more solemn aspects of the Season 12/13 television portrayal.

Instead, this is a book that delights with its sheer joie de vivre, full of fun, derring-do adventure, with the Doctor, Sarah Jane and, particularly, Harry having the time of their lives, battling witchcraft and the Sheriff of Nottingham alongside Robin and Marian and the Merrie Men we know so well.

Thanks to authors like Paul Magrs, these wonderful stories are endless, the stuff of legend and, of course, fun.

[Mark Higginbottom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant enough read,if a little too simple.I.do miss the old days of the New & Missing Adventures that always seemed much more adult and fascinating....in recent years the Doctor Who novels seem to be aimed mainly at children or teenagers which is a shame really.The story was interesting enough,filled with all the usual images we have always associated with the legend of Robin Hood....Maid Marian,Little John,Allan-a-Dale etc....sword fights,captures,daring rescues .In parts you could see the author was trying to educate about King John and King Richard,albeit briefly...another nod to children.But....the biggest.... actually most shocking mistake the author made....the massive error he committed....was when he actually had the Doctor calling himself....DOCTOR WHO!!! NO NO NO.....that's the oldest mistake you can make!!The programme was/is called Doctor Who....the character was/is The Doctor!I am so surprised this mistake was made ( and not only the once! ) as the author is Paul Magrs who has a vast experience of the worlds Doctor Who so I cannot forgive him such a stupid clanger!The actual Doctor in this novel (as portrayed on the cover )is the fourth played by Tom Baker.Well,I'm sorry Mr Magrs ,you really do need to go back and re-watch Tom's portrayal because often while reading the book his mannerisms and diction could really have been almost any of the Doctor's.Sloppy work there.I am sure it will appeal to young readers who have very little knowledge of Tom Baker as Doctor Who.

[Pietro Rossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is both a prequel and sequel to the Peter Capaldi TV story, Robots of Sherwood.

Prequel as it's the fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, who lands here with Sarah and Harry.

Sequel as, from Hood's perspective, it's twenty years after the events of the Capaldi TV story. Now in their mid to late forties, the current Sheriff of Nottingham has kidnapped Maid Marian with intentions to marry her. Added to this is the bigger villainy of the Carrionites, and of course Prince John keeping King Richard on the crusades.

Harry Sullivan takes the role of every schoolkid, playing at being one of Robin's Merrie Men, with the Doctor at times having to remind him that it's a real battle where he could be killed.

Being a historical story there's lots of keeping history on the right path, which is where I have my problems with this story. They don't say it once, but it's the basis of the book - twenty years after the TV events the Merrie Men are older and jaded, waiting for Richard to return and depose Phoney John. In reality Richard was King from 1189 to 1199, ten years. How does the timeline work? I'm sure many scientist Dr Who fans struggle with these conundrums all the time yet continue enjoy the adventure provided. 7/10.

Scoring: 0 bad; 1-3 poor; 4-6 average; 7-9 good; 10 excellent.

[P.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the second in a series of books where the Doctor, along with various companions, interacts with favorite “fictional” themes and characters. Each book highlights the Doctor in a different incarnation, but they all seem to stay true to the Canon.

This particular book almost lost me when it introduced spectral magic to a story that originally had none. As the plot progressed, even the Doctor agreed the presence of magic should not be there and did all he could to rid the heroes of its influence.

If you like Doctor Who stories, this one is worth the read, but I would also encourage that you look into reading the other two as well. Each are stand-alone tales, but when read together (in no specific order) the appreciation is greater.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A genuine treat of a novel, absolutely worthy of both the DOCTOR WHO range and the Robin Hood stories I loved as a child. Magrs writes the Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane, and Harry Sullivan confidently and with panache, and the latter's enthusiastic embrace of his new role as one of Robin's "Merrie Men" is a joy. The Sheriff of Nottingham and Sir Guy of Gisborne behave with all the dastardly gusto one would expect (I kept hearing Michael Wincott's gravel-choked voice as Gisborne -- thanks, Kevin Costner movie!) and there's a third key villain afoot who will thrill fans of the David Tennant era as well. Magrs deftly weaves all these elements together and delivers an epic crowd-pleaser of a tale. Loved this one to pieces!

[Eric Troup · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this return to the Fourth Doctor, even though a few of the story choices near the end left me slightly frustrated. Still, I liked more of this book than I didn't. There are some oddities, the most glaring of which being that the Doctor is referred to by name as Doctor Who a couple times—but I haven't seen every episode of the series, not by a long shot, so perhaps this is simply my ignorance showing. In any case, these little things should not deter you from picking up this book. If you're a Doctor Who fan, or a fan of Robin Hood, I think you'll have a fun time. I know I did.

[Lola Marguerita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Agree with several of the reviews here - I just couldn't get into this one despite this being one of my favorite doctors. The rehashing of a story that's been told with a later doctor, the fact that the character is erroneously specifically called "Doctor Who." It just all rubbed me the wrong way. Very disappointing.

[Phoebe Clothier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Magrs really gets the Fourth Doctor and his first TARDIS team! This was a great story that followed on from ‘Robots of Sherwood’. Apart from a small notion of having 4 refer to himself as “Doctor Who” (which he has never done before), a great story and with many small First Doctor references to the events of Marco Polo, The Crusade, and a couple other stories.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doctor Who, The Return of Robin Hood. Paul Magrs.
This was fun! Good old classic Who but post-Twelfth Doctor and Clara. Clever and a fan's dream!
"Perhaps it’s a ‘future me’!" the Fourth Doctor says. "The Doctor and his friend Clara Oswald helped.." said Allan-a-Dale. ****

[Chris Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish goodreads did marks out of 10. This better than 3 out of 5, but not good enough for 4.
Mr Magrs deftly weaves the fourth Doctor and Robin Hood with Robot of Sherwood and Ben Jonson’s The Sad Shepherd into a decent tale.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written. Wondered how it was gonna work with 12 having met Robin, but they actually addressed it in a good way.

[Alias Pending · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Very much an old school Doctor Who episode. Chapter 17 was especially fantastic (would love to see that shot with the old BBC fx and budget...)

[Brian]

Besides things the Dr. would never say it was ok.

[Beatriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encantadora lectura en la que las aventuras del Doctor, Harry y Sarah se mezclan con las de Robin Hood y su banda. Me ha tenido enganchada de principio a fin.

[Ari Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was fun! Easy story with no plottwists can be fun too sometimes.

[Steve Matthewman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable 4th Doctor novel. A joy to read .