What do you think?
Rate this book
Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #143
Doctor Who: Silver Nemesis: 7th Doctor Novelisation
David Banks reads this exciting novelisation of a TV adventure for the Seventh Doctor, Ace, and the Cybermen.
Launched into space 350 years ago, a meteor is returning to Earth. Inside it waits Nemesis, a silver statue made of the living metal validium, the most dangerous substance in the Universe.
Three factions await the statue: the neo-Nazi de Flores and his stormtroopers; Lady Peinforte, who saw Nemesis exiled in 1638, and the advance part of a Cyberman invasion force.
Meanwhile, the Doctor and Ace are in Windsor...
David Banks, who played the Cyberleader in the TV series during the 1980s, reads Kevin Clarke's novelisation of his own 1988 TV serial.
? 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Reading produced by Neil Gardner/Ladbroke Audio.
Sound design by Simon Power.
Executive producer for BBC Audio: Michael Stevens.
Launched into space 350 years ago, a meteor is returning to Earth. Inside it waits Nemesis, a silver statue made of the living metal validium, the most dangerous substance in the Universe.
Three factions await the statue: the neo-Nazi de Flores and his stormtroopers; Lady Peinforte, who saw Nemesis exiled in 1638, and the advance part of a Cyberman invasion force.
Meanwhile, the Doctor and Ace are in Windsor...
David Banks, who played the Cyberleader in the TV series during the 1980s, reads Kevin Clarke's novelisation of his own 1988 TV serial.
? 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Reading produced by Neil Gardner/Ladbroke Audio.
Sound design by Simon Power.
Executive producer for BBC Audio: Michael Stevens.
Audio CD
First published November 16, 1989
185 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Clarke
1 book3 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Kevin Clarke grew up in Birkenhead, Liverpool. He tried his hand at being a guitarist, an actor and went to Leeds University to train to be a drama teacher. He decided to become a writer while teaching in a London comprehensive school in the second half of the 1970s. Eventually his stage efforts piqued the interest of the BBC and he became one of seven writers selected for the first BBC writers scheme in the 1980s.
He went on to write for BBC hospital drama Casualty. A meeting with Doctor Who script editor Andrew Cartmel led to his being commissioned for the 25th anniversary serial. Shortly after he adapted the serial for Target books.
He went on to write for Minder, The Bill (1988-1991), Wycliffe (On Account, 1997, Land's End, 1998), Wish Me Luck, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (A Traitor to Memory, 2004) and The Last Detective (starring Peter Davison, Friends Reunited, 2005).
His first original screenplay Albert and the Lion was networked by Scottish Television in 1992.
His is now writing screenplays for films, a recent commission being Meek (the true story of 1960s pop genius Joe Meek), to star Rhys Ifans stars and be directed by Marc Evans.
Kevin Clarke grew up in Birkenhead, Liverpool. He tried his hand at being a guitarist, an actor and went to Leeds University to train to be a drama teacher. He decided to become a writer while teaching in a London comprehensive school in the second half of the 1970s. Eventually his stage efforts piqued the interest of the BBC and he became one of seven writers selected for the first BBC writers scheme in the 1980s.
He went on to write for BBC hospital drama Casualty. A meeting with Doctor Who script editor Andrew Cartmel led to his being commissioned for the 25th anniversary serial. Shortly after he adapted the serial for Target books.
He went on to write for Minder, The Bill (1988-1991), Wycliffe (On Account, 1997, Land's End, 1998), Wish Me Luck, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (A Traitor to Memory, 2004) and The Last Detective (starring Peter Davison, Friends Reunited, 2005).
His first original screenplay Albert and the Lion was networked by Scottish Television in 1992.
His is now writing screenplays for films, a recent commission being Meek (the true story of 1960s pop genius Joe Meek), to star Rhys Ifans stars and be directed by Marc Evans.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 29, 2020
This adaptation of Doctor Who Silver Nemesis episodes was done interestingly. The episodes are from Classic Doctor Who Season 25 and are the third serial in the season.
In this story the statue Nemesis made form the living metal Validium was launched into space 350 years ago. The statue's current form was that of the Lady Peinforte, who now accompanied by her humble servant Richard, are after the statue. Not just that, but the Neo-Nazis De Flores, Karl and their stromtroopers are also after the Nemesis. They plan on using the Nemesis to create the Fourth Reich. And the Cyberfleet arrived and deployed a advance party lead by the Cyberleader and his Cyberlieutentant. The Cybermen plan on using the Nemesis to convert the earth into the new Mondas. Now The Doctor and Ace must get the Nemesis before anyone else and attempt to save the Earth. This story celebrates 25 years of Doctor Who on televesion!
The story was fairly faithful to the episodes. Though there were several large changes. Most of the entire first episode takes place at night instead of at day time. There also many little random scenes and other parts that were in the episodes. Though one or two things were changed a little. Mrs. Remington was called Mrs. Hackensack for some reason. Also the Nemesis Comet crashes at a housing development. The battle between the Cybermen and Neo-Nazis also takes place here as well as Ace's fight with the Cybermen. Though instead of it being a chase like in the episode. It is more so of a search for Ace in the currently being built houses. I think that the book used the different location perfectly to its advantage. The entire scene with Ace and the Cybermen was done very well using the houses and other rubble at the sight. Though the book was much more violent than the episodes. The descriptions of the Cybermen deaths were much more grisly as well.
Things I would change is the inconstancy of scenes with all of the different characters in different times. Also some of the dialogue is a little random. Some things are also really not explained. Like how Lady Peinforte knows so many secrets about The Doctor. And how the Neo-Nazis are just able to locate where the statue will land.
Though still this was a good book based on good episodes that I would recommend to anyone.
In this story the statue Nemesis made form the living metal Validium was launched into space 350 years ago. The statue's current form was that of the Lady Peinforte, who now accompanied by her humble servant Richard, are after the statue. Not just that, but the Neo-Nazis De Flores, Karl and their stromtroopers are also after the Nemesis. They plan on using the Nemesis to create the Fourth Reich. And the Cyberfleet arrived and deployed a advance party lead by the Cyberleader and his Cyberlieutentant. The Cybermen plan on using the Nemesis to convert the earth into the new Mondas. Now The Doctor and Ace must get the Nemesis before anyone else and attempt to save the Earth. This story celebrates 25 years of Doctor Who on televesion!
The story was fairly faithful to the episodes. Though there were several large changes. Most of the entire first episode takes place at night instead of at day time. There also many little random scenes and other parts that were in the episodes. Though one or two things were changed a little. Mrs. Remington was called Mrs. Hackensack for some reason. Also the Nemesis Comet crashes at a housing development. The battle between the Cybermen and Neo-Nazis also takes place here as well as Ace's fight with the Cybermen. Though instead of it being a chase like in the episode. It is more so of a search for Ace in the currently being built houses. I think that the book used the different location perfectly to its advantage. The entire scene with Ace and the Cybermen was done very well using the houses and other rubble at the sight. Though the book was much more violent than the episodes. The descriptions of the Cybermen deaths were much more grisly as well.
Things I would change is the inconstancy of scenes with all of the different characters in different times. Also some of the dialogue is a little random. Some things are also really not explained. Like how Lady Peinforte knows so many secrets about The Doctor. And how the Neo-Nazis are just able to locate where the statue will land.
Though still this was a good book based on good episodes that I would recommend to anyone.
April 8, 2021
Interestingly, "Silver Nemesis" has a plot similar to the one in "Remembrance of the Daleks" from earlier in this season. The Doctor has gone back to Earth to make sure that he properly deals with a superweapon he left behind, only now one of his oldest enemies is out to get it. But, whereas "Remembrance" has some tight parallel plotting, a central theme to keep the story on track, and background that makes most of it make sense, "Nemesis" is all strands and loose ends. How does De Flores know about Nemesis? How do the Cybermen know about Lady Peinforte? How does Lady Peinforte know how to make a magic potion that will transport her in time? How can such a concoction be so precise? In "Remembrance," every scene advances the story in some way. There are bits in "Nemesis" that are just silly. For instance, the mention that gold dust affects Cybermen's chest units in "Revenge of the Cybermen" now becomes the idea that by merely coming into contact with gold in any form will instantly kill Cybermen. The gold dust idea makes at least a bit of sense, but lodging a gold coin in a Cyberman's chest unit? In "Nemesis," there are too many throw-away scenes, such as the encounter with the skinheads and the ride in the rich American's car. In his novelization of his own TV script, Kevin Clarke does little to correct any of these errors. "Silver Nemesis" was a very weak story in broadcast, and it remains a weak story in novelization.
May 19, 2025
The second doctor who target books novelization I have read so far and this one is a bit of a mixed bag compared to the last one I read (doctor who and the crusaders)! I have never seen the TV story this one is based on before but I honestly get the feeling that I might like TV version better but I digress!
Doctor who: silver nemesis is a bit of a mess but still manages to be a breezy read and never really overstays its welcome thankfully! Its got a lot of interesting elements to it but maybe the story needed to cut out one faction or two who are after the titular silver nemesis to make it more streamlined!
Overall I did not hate this or anything but its for sure a more middling doctor who novelization for sure!
Doctor who: silver nemesis is a bit of a mess but still manages to be a breezy read and never really overstays its welcome thankfully! Its got a lot of interesting elements to it but maybe the story needed to cut out one faction or two who are after the titular silver nemesis to make it more streamlined!
Overall I did not hate this or anything but its for sure a more middling doctor who novelization for sure!
January 11, 2021
Doctor Who – Silver Nemesis, by Kevin Clarke. Target, 1989. Number 143 in the Doctor Who Library. 138 pages, paperback. Original script by Kevin Clarke. BBC, 1988. ISBN 0-426-20340-2.
This adventure features the 7th Doctor and Ace and celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Doctor Who. The anniversary influenced not only the title, but the date – November 23rd, 1988 – was a plot point.
There's a lot going on in this story. A statue, created by the Doctor, made of a living metal that is the most dangerous substance in the universe, a sorceress from the 1600s who travels to the 20th century in pursuit of the statue, and there are Cybermen, and Neo-Nazis also trying to get the statue.
Silver Nemesis is very much a run-around of a story. It chases itself back and forth as the characters chase all over Windsor. It becomes a game of keep-away. The bow, the arrow, and the statue itself that make up the three components are each kept away from Lady Peinforte (the sorceress), de Flores (leader of the Nazis), and the Cybermen.
It's convoluted in the same way other stories from this era of Doctor Who are. Silver Nemesis is a pantomime in its storytelling. Clarke's narrative voice sometimes takes on a very Douglas Adams tone. Altogether, a fun story.
This adventure features the 7th Doctor and Ace and celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Doctor Who. The anniversary influenced not only the title, but the date – November 23rd, 1988 – was a plot point.
There's a lot going on in this story. A statue, created by the Doctor, made of a living metal that is the most dangerous substance in the universe, a sorceress from the 1600s who travels to the 20th century in pursuit of the statue, and there are Cybermen, and Neo-Nazis also trying to get the statue.
Silver Nemesis is very much a run-around of a story. It chases itself back and forth as the characters chase all over Windsor. It becomes a game of keep-away. The bow, the arrow, and the statue itself that make up the three components are each kept away from Lady Peinforte (the sorceress), de Flores (leader of the Nazis), and the Cybermen.
It's convoluted in the same way other stories from this era of Doctor Who are. Silver Nemesis is a pantomime in its storytelling. Clarke's narrative voice sometimes takes on a very Douglas Adams tone. Altogether, a fun story.
August 12, 2019
This makes an interesting comparison with the Remembrance novelisation. Clarke has restored some of the material taken out of the television series without really adding much to the story in terms of depth.
It rattles along at a fine speed, it tells the story clearly and the plot is pretty straightforward. It is, however, the same plot as Remembrance of the Daleks. New day, new Time Lord technological marvel that the Doctor manipulates his enemies into taking in an attempt to wipe them out once and for all. This is the Doctor at his darkest. This is also the story that most obviously hints at the Doctor being 'more than just a Time Lord' through Lady Peinforte's knowledge of his secrets.
Yet the novelisation feels light. It's missing some of that additional character depth that, say, both the Curse of Fenric and Remembrance of the Daleks novelisations have. It's much more a Terrance Dicks style novelisation, which isn't an insult. Dicks at his best is wonderful. Sometimes though he's a little perfunctory. This one isn't bad, but it isn't great either.
Still, it's fun enough.
It rattles along at a fine speed, it tells the story clearly and the plot is pretty straightforward. It is, however, the same plot as Remembrance of the Daleks. New day, new Time Lord technological marvel that the Doctor manipulates his enemies into taking in an attempt to wipe them out once and for all. This is the Doctor at his darkest. This is also the story that most obviously hints at the Doctor being 'more than just a Time Lord' through Lady Peinforte's knowledge of his secrets.
Yet the novelisation feels light. It's missing some of that additional character depth that, say, both the Curse of Fenric and Remembrance of the Daleks novelisations have. It's much more a Terrance Dicks style novelisation, which isn't an insult. Dicks at his best is wonderful. Sometimes though he's a little perfunctory. This one isn't bad, but it isn't great either.
Still, it's fun enough.
July 18, 2021
Probably a solid 3, if not slightly below - quite similar in many respects to Remembrance of the Daleks, but not as well told as such. The Doctor has set things off prior to the story again (something I'm not a big fan of), and is manipulating the situation, and at times doesn't seem that honest about it to Ace either.
There are more factions of enemies, but all of them are somewhat weaker than the Daleks were in the aforementioned story, though at least made some for some interesting interactions between the differing factions, but meant all of them needed to have some weaknesses as well, and the Cybermen haven't been as weak as they are here since Revenge of the Cybermen, and certainly less threatening than in their more recent stories.
Ace gets lots of great moments though as a result, especially against the Cybermen, solidifying herself as quite the action hero really, and starting to see her frustrations with the Doctor here as well.
Overall, an okay read, but nothing too flash, with a number of the things that annoy me about the darker version of the Seventh Doctor, including that he is more than just a Time Lord - also hinted at in Remembrance, but not something I'm a fan of (and so not something I like with the Timeless Child arc either).
There are more factions of enemies, but all of them are somewhat weaker than the Daleks were in the aforementioned story, though at least made some for some interesting interactions between the differing factions, but meant all of them needed to have some weaknesses as well, and the Cybermen haven't been as weak as they are here since Revenge of the Cybermen, and certainly less threatening than in their more recent stories.
Ace gets lots of great moments though as a result, especially against the Cybermen, solidifying herself as quite the action hero really, and starting to see her frustrations with the Doctor here as well.
Overall, an okay read, but nothing too flash, with a number of the things that annoy me about the darker version of the Seventh Doctor, including that he is more than just a Time Lord - also hinted at in Remembrance, but not something I'm a fan of (and so not something I like with the Timeless Child arc either).
November 18, 2023
Doctor Who : Silver Nemesis (1989) by Kevin Clarke is the novelisation of the penultimate serial of the penultimate season of Doctor Who in the twentieth century.
The Doctor returns to earth to retrieve an artifact that the Time Lords constructed. There he meets an old enemy who is also intent on capturing the artifact. This is both the gist of Remembrance of the Daleks and Silver Nemesis.
In Nemesis there is a woman from the Middle Ages, Lady Peinforte, who is also understands the artifact and who manages to use magic to travel to the 1980s. There is also a neo Nazi group after the artifact as well as the Cybermen.
It’s actually not a bad serial, even if the similarities to Remembrance of the Daleks are too strong.
The Doctor returns to earth to retrieve an artifact that the Time Lords constructed. There he meets an old enemy who is also intent on capturing the artifact. This is both the gist of Remembrance of the Daleks and Silver Nemesis.
In Nemesis there is a woman from the Middle Ages, Lady Peinforte, who is also understands the artifact and who manages to use magic to travel to the 1980s. There is also a neo Nazi group after the artifact as well as the Cybermen.
It’s actually not a bad serial, even if the similarities to Remembrance of the Daleks are too strong.
July 20, 2019
The only other 7th Doctor story that competes with "Time and the Rani" for the title of biggest disaster of the Sylvester McCoy era; Target novelizations either rehabilitate such stories, or leave the status quo unchanged. This adaptation manages to just about land on the first option, although it's mostly due to providing a bit more discipline to the story itself, which remains completely bats. But reading the novelization at least reduces it to enjoyable craziness...and that's worth a 3-star reward in its own right.
January 24, 2021
pdf - 112 pages
Somewhat more enjoyable than the usual fare - this makes more sense than the televised version , though the plot is overstuffed: timetravelling sorceress, Nazi conspiracy, and Cybermen... Any two would have been enough!
Somewhat more enjoyable than the usual fare - this makes more sense than the televised version , though the plot is overstuffed: timetravelling sorceress, Nazi conspiracy, and Cybermen... Any two would have been enough!
May 27, 2021
Brilliant story, Ace was definitely a force to be reconnexdwith
September 20, 2023
Back in 1988, I was really, really excited to see "Silver Nemesis."
The tidbits I gleaned from Doctor Who Magazine and the New Jersey Network special teasing the making of the story only served to whip my young Whovian self into a complete and total frenzy. The combination of Cybermen, Nazis, and someone who knew the secret of the Doctor's past. Honestly, as I waited and speculated about "Silver Nemesis," it didn't seem like three episodes would be enough to handle all the cool things it would contain.
And then my PBS station gave me a gift. Instead of running "Dragonfire," (which I'd already seen at this point) one Sunday night, they decided to go ahead and run "Silver Nemesis." I can't tell you how long that school day was the next day as I dreamed of the moment I'd be free to head home and watch "Silver Nemesis."
Needless to say, I watched it -- all three episodes in omnibus format in one sitting. And my first thought was -- "Wait, isn't that the same plot as 'Remembrance of the Daleks'?"
Thirty-five years later, I'm still slightly disillusioned with "Silver Nemesis." Sure, it teases some things about the Doctor's past and adds a bit of the "who" back into the show's title. And maybe it wouldn't have felt quite so derivative if it aired farther away from the infinitely superior "Remembrance of the Daleks." Or perhaps they should have gone for some kind of on-screen reunion of Doctors instead.
I'm not sure what would have necessarily made this one better in my mind, but there are a lot of pieces that don't add up.
So, when the opportunity to visit it again as an audiobook arose, I have to admit I wasn't necessarily all that pumped about it. I'd collected and read the book back upon initial publication, mainly because I love Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor. I didn't recall the book adding much to the story in any substantial way, though it does insert in a few deleted scenes that I heard about later in Doctor Who Magazine, the extended VHS cut, and then the DVD release.
Kevin Clark moves a few scenes around to make the narrative flow a bit better and the battle between Ace and the Cybermen in part three takes place in a new housing construction zone instead of the airport hangar of the broadcast version. But if you're looking for deeper hints of the Doctor's origin or for exactly what Valedium is beyond a really cool McGuffin, you're going to be sorely disappointed.
The audiobook is nicely done --as are all of the books in this range. I believe this one pretty much completes the McCoy era of the show, which leaves me feeling a bit bummed out that my favorite Doctor won't get any more Target audiobooks. The performance of the story by David Banks is quite good and I find myself wishing there were another Cyber-story or two out there for him to perform. (Maybe he could to "Attack of the Cybermen" if they ever get around to it).
In an era when the Target books consistently added a bit to the television stories, it's a shame that "Silver Nemesis" didn't follow suit. It's not a terrible story or novel, mind you. It's just one I find disappointing.
The tidbits I gleaned from Doctor Who Magazine and the New Jersey Network special teasing the making of the story only served to whip my young Whovian self into a complete and total frenzy. The combination of Cybermen, Nazis, and someone who knew the secret of the Doctor's past. Honestly, as I waited and speculated about "Silver Nemesis," it didn't seem like three episodes would be enough to handle all the cool things it would contain.
And then my PBS station gave me a gift. Instead of running "Dragonfire," (which I'd already seen at this point) one Sunday night, they decided to go ahead and run "Silver Nemesis." I can't tell you how long that school day was the next day as I dreamed of the moment I'd be free to head home and watch "Silver Nemesis."
Needless to say, I watched it -- all three episodes in omnibus format in one sitting. And my first thought was -- "Wait, isn't that the same plot as 'Remembrance of the Daleks'?"
Thirty-five years later, I'm still slightly disillusioned with "Silver Nemesis." Sure, it teases some things about the Doctor's past and adds a bit of the "who" back into the show's title. And maybe it wouldn't have felt quite so derivative if it aired farther away from the infinitely superior "Remembrance of the Daleks." Or perhaps they should have gone for some kind of on-screen reunion of Doctors instead.
I'm not sure what would have necessarily made this one better in my mind, but there are a lot of pieces that don't add up.
So, when the opportunity to visit it again as an audiobook arose, I have to admit I wasn't necessarily all that pumped about it. I'd collected and read the book back upon initial publication, mainly because I love Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor. I didn't recall the book adding much to the story in any substantial way, though it does insert in a few deleted scenes that I heard about later in Doctor Who Magazine, the extended VHS cut, and then the DVD release.
Kevin Clark moves a few scenes around to make the narrative flow a bit better and the battle between Ace and the Cybermen in part three takes place in a new housing construction zone instead of the airport hangar of the broadcast version. But if you're looking for deeper hints of the Doctor's origin or for exactly what Valedium is beyond a really cool McGuffin, you're going to be sorely disappointed.
The audiobook is nicely done --as are all of the books in this range. I believe this one pretty much completes the McCoy era of the show, which leaves me feeling a bit bummed out that my favorite Doctor won't get any more Target audiobooks. The performance of the story by David Banks is quite good and I find myself wishing there were another Cyber-story or two out there for him to perform. (Maybe he could to "Attack of the Cybermen" if they ever get around to it).
In an era when the Target books consistently added a bit to the television stories, it's a shame that "Silver Nemesis" didn't follow suit. It's not a terrible story or novel, mind you. It's just one I find disappointing.
Read
April 8, 2009http://nhw.livejournal.com/1079514.html?#cutid3[return][return]Clarke used the opportunity of adapting the script for novelisation to put back some of the material which apparently ended up on the cutting-room floor, but the result is if anything even more confusing. Where the TV series can just about get away with characters being darkly mysterious, the written word demands a bit more clarity (thinking especially of the portrait of Ace in Windsor Castle, never explained). Fails the Bechdel test, unless the cook who Mrs Hackensack's ancestor bribed away from Lady Peinforte was a woman. (Hackensack is a much less likely name than the TV series' Remington for a 17th century English aristocrat; but then, so is Peinforte.)
June 29, 2025
Original Rating 3
2025 rating 3.5
Enjoyable adaptation of this story from the 25th season of classic who.
Story hasn’t been expanded and if not for the location changes in the final battle, this would be a direct screen to page adaptation, despite being penned by the original author.
Prefer the broadcast version tbh as that had the pace of storytelling to be a more overall entertaining story.
2025 rating 3.5
Enjoyable adaptation of this story from the 25th season of classic who.
Story hasn’t been expanded and if not for the location changes in the final battle, this would be a direct screen to page adaptation, despite being penned by the original author.
Prefer the broadcast version tbh as that had the pace of storytelling to be a more overall entertaining story.
August 27, 2012
Worth reading for Whovians.
November 20, 2013
The last few Doctor Who's have definitely been getting darker; a more sinister side of the Doctor.
March 12, 2025
Really enjoyed this book first Kevin Clarke that I have read better than the TV version 4 stars
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews