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Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #25
Doctor Who and the Face of Evil
Setting the controls for Earth, the Fourth Doctor is surprised when the Tardis lands in a primeval forest. Has the Tracer gone wrong or has some impulse deep in the unconscious mind directed him to this alien planet? In investigating the forest, the Doctor meets and assists Leela, a warrior banished from her tribe, the Sevateem. Through Leela, it gradually becomes apparent that the constant war between the Sevateem and the Tesh has been instigated by the god they both worship, Xoanon.
Xoanon, an all-powerful computer, is possessed by a desperate madness – a madness that is directly related to Doctor Who, that causes Xoanon to assume the voice and form of the Doctor, a madness that is partly caused by the Doctor and that only the Doctor himself can rectify!
The Doctor must not only do battle with Xoanon, but also must escape from the savage practices of the Sevateem, and the technically mind-controlling destructive impulses of the Tesh.
Xoanon, an all-powerful computer, is possessed by a desperate madness – a madness that is directly related to Doctor Who, that causes Xoanon to assume the voice and form of the Doctor, a madness that is partly caused by the Doctor and that only the Doctor himself can rectify!
The Doctor must not only do battle with Xoanon, but also must escape from the savage practices of the Sevateem, and the technically mind-controlling destructive impulses of the Tesh.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
5 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Terrance Dicks
326 books219 followersTerrance Dicks was an English author, screenwriter, script editor, and producer best known for his extensive contributions to Doctor Who. Serving as the show's script editor from 1968 to 1974, he helped shape many core elements of the series, including the concept of regeneration, the development of the Time Lords, and the naming of the Doctor’s home planet, Gallifrey. His tenure coincided with major thematic expansions, and he worked closely with producer Barry Letts to bring a socially aware tone to the show. Dicks later wrote several Doctor Who serials, including Robot, Horror of Fang Rock, and The Five Doctors, the 20th-anniversary special.
In parallel with his television work, Dicks became one of the most prolific writers of Doctor Who novelisations for Target Books, authoring over 60 titles and serving as the de facto editor of the range. These adaptations introduced a generation of young readers to the franchise. Beyond Doctor Who, he also wrote original novels, including children’s horror and adventure series such as The Baker Street Irregulars, Star Quest, and The Adventures of Goliath.
Dicks also worked on other television programmes including The Avengers, Moonbase 3, and various BBC literary adaptations. His later work included audio dramas and novels tied to Doctor Who. Widely respected for his clarity, imagination, and dedication to storytelling, he remained a central figure in Doctor Who fandom until his death in 2019, leaving behind a vast legacy in television and children's literature.
In parallel with his television work, Dicks became one of the most prolific writers of Doctor Who novelisations for Target Books, authoring over 60 titles and serving as the de facto editor of the range. These adaptations introduced a generation of young readers to the franchise. Beyond Doctor Who, he also wrote original novels, including children’s horror and adventure series such as The Baker Street Irregulars, Star Quest, and The Adventures of Goliath.
Dicks also worked on other television programmes including The Avengers, Moonbase 3, and various BBC literary adaptations. His later work included audio dramas and novels tied to Doctor Who. Widely respected for his clarity, imagination, and dedication to storytelling, he remained a central figure in Doctor Who fandom until his death in 2019, leaving behind a vast legacy in television and children's literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 18, 2022
A fun novelisation that hits all the right points on what is a great introductory story for new companion Leela.
Dicks faithful adaptaion of Chris Boucher's script really showcases the savage Sevateem character, whilst little additions like the explanation as to when The Doctor last visited the planet are nice touches.
The story does get overlooked as there's so many strong episodes during this era of the show, but Dicks would always make the Target books a worthwhile read.
Dicks faithful adaptaion of Chris Boucher's script really showcases the savage Sevateem character, whilst little additions like the explanation as to when The Doctor last visited the planet are nice touches.
The story does get overlooked as there's so many strong episodes during this era of the show, but Dicks would always make the Target books a worthwhile read.
November 29, 2021
This is a novelization of the fourth adventure of the fourteenth season of Doctor Who, one of the best in my opinion, which was broadcast in January of 1977. It features the fourth Doctor at his scarf-sporting best, and introduces Leela of the Sevateem as his companion. The original teleplay was written by Chris Boucher, and I think it's one of Terrance Dicks' best adaptations; he tells the story with a straight-forward simple style, but enhances some of the humorous bits and explains a few ambiguous points in the plot. (Such as the giant Baker face sculpture.) It has a lot of traditional elements of traditional literary science fiction; the all-powerful computer gone awry, the descendants of the technicians and the interstellar survey team remembering their origin as mythology, the results of prior interference having consequences generations later, etc. Leela is a strong, intelligent, and compassionate character, and she even outsmarts The Doctor a time or two. It's a fast, fun read.
June 14, 2019
Another example of Terrance Dicks combining his skill at concise, efficient adaptation with the joy of adding extra layers to an already excellent tale...and creating a new mini-story parallel to the 4th Doctor's opening tale in the process. One of a number of Target novelizations that punches well above its weight.
April 12, 2008
Featuring Leela of the Sevateem, one of my favorite Companions.
May 29, 2025
The TARDIS brings the Doctor to the jungle region of a planet that feels oddly familiar to him. After a period of exploring, and on the brink of returning the TARDIS, a skin clad woman named Leela comes crashing through the trees. She's momentarily frightened of the Doctor but she's also being chased by an invisible creature she claims to be of the Doctor's making.
Escaping the creature, the Doctor and Leela go to her small village from where she was cast out. There's a power struggle between Andor, the Tribe's leader, and Neeva, the Tribe's shaman. The Sevateem, Leela's Tribe, are at war with the Tesh, who seem to have the Tribe's god, Xoanan, captive and the Tribe arms to free him.
The Doctor and Leela find themselves on the run from the Sevateem and the Doctor wants to see the Wall beyond which the Sevateem cannot seen to pass. It all begins to come back to the Doctor when he sees his own face carved as an enormous monument in the mountain side. They climb the mountain and go through the mouth of the monument. Once inside, the Doctor and Leda encounter Jabel, Leader of the Tesh, but not before turning off the psychic projections that are destroying the village.
The Sevateem mount an attack on the Tech, getting through the monument in the Wall while the
Doctor confronts Xoanon, a supercomputer whose split personality he accidentally created.
The story ends well with Xoanan made whole and the Sevateem (who were originally Survey
Team Six) and the Tesh, the ship Technicians, beginning to come to terms. And the Doctor leaves with new companion, Leela.
It's been a while since I read this one. Terrance Dicks does well with Chris Boucher’s script. The danger to the characters feels immediate and the mystery of Xoanon and the history of the peoples here is teased out nicely.
Not an immediate favorite but still a good book.
Escaping the creature, the Doctor and Leela go to her small village from where she was cast out. There's a power struggle between Andor, the Tribe's leader, and Neeva, the Tribe's shaman. The Sevateem, Leela's Tribe, are at war with the Tesh, who seem to have the Tribe's god, Xoanan, captive and the Tribe arms to free him.
The Doctor and Leela find themselves on the run from the Sevateem and the Doctor wants to see the Wall beyond which the Sevateem cannot seen to pass. It all begins to come back to the Doctor when he sees his own face carved as an enormous monument in the mountain side. They climb the mountain and go through the mouth of the monument. Once inside, the Doctor and Leda encounter Jabel, Leader of the Tesh, but not before turning off the psychic projections that are destroying the village.
The Sevateem mount an attack on the Tech, getting through the monument in the Wall while the
Doctor confronts Xoanon, a supercomputer whose split personality he accidentally created.
The story ends well with Xoanan made whole and the Sevateem (who were originally Survey
Team Six) and the Tesh, the ship Technicians, beginning to come to terms. And the Doctor leaves with new companion, Leela.
It's been a while since I read this one. Terrance Dicks does well with Chris Boucher’s script. The danger to the characters feels immediate and the mystery of Xoanon and the history of the peoples here is teased out nicely.
Not an immediate favorite but still a good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2025
Based on a script by Chris Boucher this is number 25 in the Target catalogue. Chris Boucher is one of my favourite script writers. Not only are he’s 3 Doctor Who among my favourites, but his Blake’s 7 scripts are also favourites.
I love this story, with the two sides to everything. The Tribe of Sevateem and the Tesh. The Tesh think they’re brilliant, but they’ve lost just as much history as the Tribe, though not as much technology. And Xoanon is just the right sort of bonkers for a run amok AI.
And Terrance has done a brilliant job of this adaption. Right from the start he gives the Doctor niggling thoughts that it’s not the first time that he’s been there. I also loved that Terrance gave the Doctor’s first visit a specific time as just after the encounter with K1 while he was still recovering from his regeneration (pg79).
The actions and attitudes of Caleb and Tomas are exactly as I remember them. Neeva is brilliantly described as he heads to his final confrontation with Xoanon. The Tesh are suitably pompous and arrogant, leading to their downfall. Leela runs around stabbing everyone one with Janis thorns. The scene with the Test of the Horda is great. Although it has to be said the Doctor flicking that horda onto they guard he struck Leela is a bit vicious to be the Doctor. He’s supposed to be anti-violence unless there’s no option. Its amusing on the surface and in the moment, but nasty when you stop and think about it.
This is a first-rate novelisation I’m tempted to re-read immediately. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of it.
I love this story, with the two sides to everything. The Tribe of Sevateem and the Tesh. The Tesh think they’re brilliant, but they’ve lost just as much history as the Tribe, though not as much technology. And Xoanon is just the right sort of bonkers for a run amok AI.
And Terrance has done a brilliant job of this adaption. Right from the start he gives the Doctor niggling thoughts that it’s not the first time that he’s been there. I also loved that Terrance gave the Doctor’s first visit a specific time as just after the encounter with K1 while he was still recovering from his regeneration (pg79).
The actions and attitudes of Caleb and Tomas are exactly as I remember them. Neeva is brilliantly described as he heads to his final confrontation with Xoanon. The Tesh are suitably pompous and arrogant, leading to their downfall. Leela runs around stabbing everyone one with Janis thorns. The scene with the Test of the Horda is great. Although it has to be said the Doctor flicking that horda onto they guard he struck Leela is a bit vicious to be the Doctor. He’s supposed to be anti-violence unless there’s no option. Its amusing on the surface and in the moment, but nasty when you stop and think about it.
This is a first-rate novelisation I’m tempted to re-read immediately. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of it.
January 18, 2018
“Doctor Who and the Face of Evil” by Terrance Dicks (1978)
“'Back away or I'll kill him with this deadly Jelly Baby.'”
Thoroughly loved it – humorous, flowing action, surprising turns of events, believable characters, unexpected outcome. ****
“Neva was a figure of great authority in the Tribe … There was a respectful hush as he spoke. 'The girl is a blasphemer. She has profaned the holy purpose of the Tribe of Sevateem.'
Leela seemed determined to condemn herself. 'Holy purpose? To die for nothing in another useless attack?'
'The god Xoanon demands she be cast out,' said Neeva angrily. 'He told me this!'
'Liar!' snapped Leela. 'There is no Xoanon!'” (p9)
“Leela turned and walked away. The crowd drew apart to let her pass. She was unclean now, accursed, an outcast from the tribe.” (p11)
“The trouble with forests, decided the Doctor, is that they are undoubtedly rather monotonous.” (p17)
“gasp or horror” should be “gasp of horror” (p17)
“'Do you know the answer to everything?' [said Leela]
'Of course,' said the Doctor. 'Answers are easy. Asking the right questions is the tricky part.'” (p55)
'You know, Leela,' he said, 'the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common... they don't alter their view to fit the facts. They alter the facts to fit their views … which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that need altering.'” (p104-105)
“A sense of humour is the finest proof of sanity.” (p121)
- - -
“'Back away or I'll kill him with this deadly Jelly Baby.'”
Thoroughly loved it – humorous, flowing action, surprising turns of events, believable characters, unexpected outcome. ****
“Neva was a figure of great authority in the Tribe … There was a respectful hush as he spoke. 'The girl is a blasphemer. She has profaned the holy purpose of the Tribe of Sevateem.'
Leela seemed determined to condemn herself. 'Holy purpose? To die for nothing in another useless attack?'
'The god Xoanon demands she be cast out,' said Neeva angrily. 'He told me this!'
'Liar!' snapped Leela. 'There is no Xoanon!'” (p9)
“Leela turned and walked away. The crowd drew apart to let her pass. She was unclean now, accursed, an outcast from the tribe.” (p11)
“The trouble with forests, decided the Doctor, is that they are undoubtedly rather monotonous.” (p17)
“gasp or horror” should be “gasp of horror” (p17)
“'Do you know the answer to everything?' [said Leela]
'Of course,' said the Doctor. 'Answers are easy. Asking the right questions is the tricky part.'” (p55)
'You know, Leela,' he said, 'the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common... they don't alter their view to fit the facts. They alter the facts to fit their views … which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that need altering.'” (p104-105)
“A sense of humour is the finest proof of sanity.” (p121)
- - -
May 15, 2020
This is not brilliant fiction, but it IS a good rendition of the story that introduced Leela, one of my favorite companions. The main cool thing about Leela is that, unlike most of the companions, she was not mainstream human, so she often got to display her own culture's differences. Oddly, she was so fascinated by The Doctor that she ran off with him rather than accept a position of power and authority, which I had forgotten. Either that, or she hated the idea of power and authority so much that she'd run off with the crazy guy in the blue box...
This was one of the first Doctor Who stories I'd encountered where the Doctor had made a horrific mistake, admitted to it, and tried to fix it. The actual details are hard to explain without giving things away, but to me, that attempt to fix things was important.
The Terrance Dicks books were usually a quick read, and this is no exception to that. I liked the episodes better, but with the few pages he was allowed, this was a good abridgment.
This was one of the first Doctor Who stories I'd encountered where the Doctor had made a horrific mistake, admitted to it, and tried to fix it. The actual details are hard to explain without giving things away, but to me, that attempt to fix things was important.
The Terrance Dicks books were usually a quick read, and this is no exception to that. I liked the episodes better, but with the few pages he was allowed, this was a good abridgment.
April 26, 2021
Between a 4 and a 5 here. This book introduces Leela, quite an unusual companion - doesn't have the knowledge, similar to the likes of Victoria or Katarina, but has a lot of bravery and fearlessness to her, quite ready to get into fights and danger if she sees the need, leading to quite a different dynamic with the Doctor than the normal Doctor/companion dynamic.
The story itself is quite an interesting one, with the Doctor having to deal with an unusual situation of his own making, where everyone seems to know his face at least, with quite different reactions as a result.
The one off characters are quite mixed but fleshed out and lead to some good varying interactions with the Doctor and Leela, building to a strong climax to the story, and does leave the reader wondering what happened afterwards on the planet :)
The story itself is quite an interesting one, with the Doctor having to deal with an unusual situation of his own making, where everyone seems to know his face at least, with quite different reactions as a result.
The one off characters are quite mixed but fleshed out and lead to some good varying interactions with the Doctor and Leela, building to a strong climax to the story, and does leave the reader wondering what happened afterwards on the planet :)
January 17, 2021
あらすじ
神を冒涜した科で超えたものは誰一人戻ってこないと言われる境界線の向こう側に追放されたリーラは森の中でドクターと出会う。リーラから彼女の部族が信仰しているクサノンという神の話と悪魔の話を聴き、高度な科学技術の存在を疑う。話している間にリーラの暗殺を企む追ってにおいつかれ、ドクターはリーラを逃し、自らは捕まって部族のリーダーと直接話すチャンスを狙う。ドクターはリーダーのアンドアに部族の抱える問題の解決を手伝えると申し出るが、神官のニーヴァがデタラメとドクターの言葉を突っぱねようとする。そこにリーラがドクターを助けに戻ってくる。リーラと共に森の中に逃れたドクターはリーラたちが”悪魔“とよぶ存在の顔を見て、自分がこの場所にきたことがあるらしいと悟るが全く記憶にない。しかし、通信機からニーヴァを呼ぶ自分の声らしき声をきき、ドクターはある仮説を思いつくが...
感想
リジェネレーションした後は新しい自分に慣れるまでしばし時間がかかるらしく、その間にやらかしてしまったドクターの失敗。記憶にもあんまり残っていないというのだから厄介だ。それでもまぁ、このおかげでリーラちゃんという最強のコンパニオンと巡り会えたのだから、いいか！(←ドクター至上主義）
Never be too certain of anything. It’s a sign of limited intelligence.
神を冒涜した科で超えたものは誰一人戻ってこないと言われる境界線の向こう側に追放されたリーラは森の中でドクターと出会う。リーラから彼女の部族が信仰しているクサノンという神の話と悪魔の話を聴き、高度な科学技術の存在を疑う。話している間にリーラの暗殺を企む追ってにおいつかれ、ドクターはリーラを逃し、自らは捕まって部族のリーダーと直接話すチャンスを狙う。ドクターはリーダーのアンドアに部族の抱える問題の解決を手伝えると申し出るが、神官のニーヴァがデタラメとドクターの言葉を突っぱねようとする。そこにリーラがドクターを助けに戻ってくる。リーラと共に森の中に逃れたドクターはリーラたちが”悪魔“とよぶ存在の顔を見て、自分がこの場所にきたことがあるらしいと悟るが全く記憶にない。しかし、通信機からニーヴァを呼ぶ自分の声らしき声をきき、ドクターはある仮説を思いつくが...
感想
リジェネレーションした後は新しい自分に慣れるまでしばし時間がかかるらしく、その間にやらかしてしまったドクターの失敗。記憶にもあんまり残っていないというのだから厄介だ。それでもまぁ、このおかげでリーラちゃんという最強のコンパニオンと巡り会えたのだから、いいか！(←ドクター至上主義）
Never be too certain of anything. It’s a sign of limited intelligence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2019
After Terrence Dicks passed I wanted to reread his old novelisations and dug this out. Enjoyed reading this in a guilty pleasure way. He embraces the campiness of the episodes, going through the escapes and running between locations quickly. Leela's "brief costome and smooth brown skin". The doctors "you must listen to me or we're all doomed" protestations. Good fun. Does show it's age though. Just can't get my kids interested in them. Might have to move them on instead of letting them gather dust in the bookshelf.
March 25, 2024
Quick and easy read. This is an interesting story of rogue AI and plain human animosity. I would think that there would be more introspection from the Doctor on his role here, but it is mostly glossed over. All of the conflict and suffering of this story is instigated by a mistake the Fourth Doctor made at the beginning of his regeneration. This lack of retrospection may be an Old Who vs New Who thing. I recently watched the episode where the new Sixth Doctor strangles Peri. It put me off the Sixth Doctor right away.
July 14, 2023
Doctor Who and the Face of Evil (1977) by Terrance Dicks is the novelisation of the fourth serial of season fourteen of Doctor Who.
The Doctor lands in a jungle and encounters the Sevateem tribe and one of their warriors Leela. They worship a god who has the voice of the Doctor and there is a great face in the cliff, that of the Doctor. The Sevateem oppose the Tesh who they seek to confront.
It’s all strange and not a bad episode. It’s notable for the debut of Leela as a companion
The Doctor lands in a jungle and encounters the Sevateem tribe and one of their warriors Leela. They worship a god who has the voice of the Doctor and there is a great face in the cliff, that of the Doctor. The Sevateem oppose the Tesh who they seek to confront.
It’s all strange and not a bad episode. It’s notable for the debut of Leela as a companion
November 16, 2025
I find this a bit wonky on Leela characterisation occasionally (giving her a bit more uncertainty than is warranted) but I do like her curiosity, the expansion of the role of the Doctor in the Sevateem's past...and the fact that Dicks' eternal need to clarify on-screen limitations actually contributes to the story tonally, as we learn that the reason for us seeing so few Sevateem is because so many of them have been lost in attacks.
October 7, 2024
This is one of the most 1970s stories that Who ever did: mad computers, warring tribes, psychic powers, technobabble, Forbidden Planet references and, of course, the introduction of Leela in Chris Boucher’s first script. Good fun.
March 5, 2021
A nice easy read good introduction story for Leila, enjoyed the way that story folded out
June 3, 2025
pdf 95 pages
I enjoyed this a lot more than many in the series - the novelisation covers over some of the inadequacies of studio filming well. It helps that Leela is a good proactive companion... a fighter rather than a screamer who is an excellent foil for the Doctor, despite her 'savage' background.
I enjoyed this a lot more than many in the series - the novelisation covers over some of the inadequacies of studio filming well. It helps that Leela is a good proactive companion... a fighter rather than a screamer who is an excellent foil for the Doctor, despite her 'savage' background.
July 11, 2022
Featuring one of the best covers in the Target range, The Face of Evil is a solid adaptation of a classic serial from an era when Doctor Who could seemingly do no wrong.
Originally titled "The Day God Went Mad" (at least according to fan legend), The Face of Evil is a tight, taut, confident four-part story from Tom Baker's third season in the role of the Doctor. Fresh off his adventures on Gallifrey, the Doctor arrives on a jungle planet that he's visited before and had a huge impact upon. However, the Doctor has no memory of his previous adventure there nor the damage he's inflicted on the societies there.
Terrance Dicks fills in the gap of the Doctor's previous adventure with a deft, concise backstory that places the original visit during a slight gap in the fourth Doctor's first story, Robot. It's hard not to wish that Dicks had a bit more time adapting this one and an expanded page count because a chapter detailing the Doctor's first visit might have been welcome.
Instead, we get an adaptation of the solid script, complete with a bit of character work for some of the supporting cast. In many ways, this is Doctor Who's take on the original Star Trek trope of a mad computer holding a society hostage. However, there's no Captain Kirk around to "Gracie Allen" logic said computer into submission. Instead, the Doctor has to find a way to undo an error he made in a post-regenerative haze.
In a season full of classic serials, The Face of Evil is another outstanding outing. The audiobook is full of the usual highlights from the Target audio range from sound effects to dramatic music. Louise Jameson turns in a solid performance for this one, though I will still argue her interpretation of Tom Baker's Doctor doesn't always necessarily ring true.
Originally titled "The Day God Went Mad" (at least according to fan legend), The Face of Evil is a tight, taut, confident four-part story from Tom Baker's third season in the role of the Doctor. Fresh off his adventures on Gallifrey, the Doctor arrives on a jungle planet that he's visited before and had a huge impact upon. However, the Doctor has no memory of his previous adventure there nor the damage he's inflicted on the societies there.
Terrance Dicks fills in the gap of the Doctor's previous adventure with a deft, concise backstory that places the original visit during a slight gap in the fourth Doctor's first story, Robot. It's hard not to wish that Dicks had a bit more time adapting this one and an expanded page count because a chapter detailing the Doctor's first visit might have been welcome.
Instead, we get an adaptation of the solid script, complete with a bit of character work for some of the supporting cast. In many ways, this is Doctor Who's take on the original Star Trek trope of a mad computer holding a society hostage. However, there's no Captain Kirk around to "Gracie Allen" logic said computer into submission. Instead, the Doctor has to find a way to undo an error he made in a post-regenerative haze.
In a season full of classic serials, The Face of Evil is another outstanding outing. The audiobook is full of the usual highlights from the Target audio range from sound effects to dramatic music. Louise Jameson turns in a solid performance for this one, though I will still argue her interpretation of Tom Baker's Doctor doesn't always necessarily ring true.
March 14, 2016
After a brief side trip to the expanded stories, it is a return to the televised stories. In addition, The Face of Evil also introduces Leela as a companion for the Doctor.
The Doctor arrives on the planet where he encounters a savage tribe trying to free their god, Xoanon. Part of this plot involves a mountain with the face of the Doctor on it. From my memory of watching the story, I remember the face on the mountain and people running around the jungle. This pretty much sums up the story. Not much of a great plot.
In the novelization, Terrance Dicks adds that the Doctor had visited the planet during the events of Robot. This helps to tie some continuity to it. Besides that it is not that memorable. Though there are two key items from this story that I did like, the introduction of Leela and the history of the people.
Leela was created as a companion who the Doctor could educate, like Eliza Doolittle. You can see this concept with the Doctor and Leela in this first story. Going forward with the books, I am curious to see if the BBC Books continue with this idea. See if Leela's characterization evolves as she "learns" with the Doctor. I know not to expect much from the Target books on this concept.
The other part that I enjoyed was the use of how names and places evolve over time. How the two groups of people on the planet evolved from the members of a crashed ship. This is great concept and neat idea to start from. It does help to explain why the Sevateem want to free their "god".
The bottom line, another Target style book that might appeal to the fans only. Just to add one piece of trivia, I actually would have preferred one of the original titles, The Day God Went Mad.
The Doctor arrives on the planet where he encounters a savage tribe trying to free their god, Xoanon. Part of this plot involves a mountain with the face of the Doctor on it. From my memory of watching the story, I remember the face on the mountain and people running around the jungle. This pretty much sums up the story. Not much of a great plot.
In the novelization, Terrance Dicks adds that the Doctor had visited the planet during the events of Robot. This helps to tie some continuity to it. Besides that it is not that memorable. Though there are two key items from this story that I did like, the introduction of Leela and the history of the people.
Leela was created as a companion who the Doctor could educate, like Eliza Doolittle. You can see this concept with the Doctor and Leela in this first story. Going forward with the books, I am curious to see if the BBC Books continue with this idea. See if Leela's characterization evolves as she "learns" with the Doctor. I know not to expect much from the Target books on this concept.
The other part that I enjoyed was the use of how names and places evolve over time. How the two groups of people on the planet evolved from the members of a crashed ship. This is great concept and neat idea to start from. It does help to explain why the Sevateem want to free their "god".
The bottom line, another Target style book that might appeal to the fans only. Just to add one piece of trivia, I actually would have preferred one of the original titles, The Day God Went Mad.
December 10, 2012
This year I've really grown a proper appreciation for Leela. I have the vaguest memories of watching her when I was very small. In my mind there's a distinct break between the Tom Baker, Leela and Romana stories than his stories with Harry and Sarah. I think it's just cause of childhood associations. But this year I went and watched all of her stories in order and just loved Leela. So it wa nice to go back and read the novelisation of Face of Evil. As most of Dicks' novels there really isn't a great deal added to the show, but one thing he does mention is that the Doctor realised he must have first come to Leela's planet when he was very newly regenerated and a bit confussed and that was why he couldn't remember it. Personally I'd always thought he'd just done so much, even in his fourth regeneration that he wasn't able to keep track. The story reminds me a little of a star trek story with the "mad computers" controlling everything. But I like the divided society (even if it's so sparcely populated to be totally unbelieveable) but Leela is great and it's a nice introductory story for her.
January 25, 2016
The Doctor lands on a planet which has few humans, and the few that there are seem to be in constant warfare. There are invisible monsters, a tribe of animal-skin clad humans, one of whom is Leela, who becomes his companion at the end of the novel, a crashed spaceship, and an evil god that is worshipped by one tribe.
The evil god, though, speaks with the voice of the Doctor, and, later, physical clues also feature the Doctor's appearance.
The Doctor, though, can't figure out what happened that would have led to this turn of events. He and Leela must penetrate the god's own lair and confront it before Leela's tribe is massacred by the creatures from the forest.
A good story, and a new companion.
The evil god, though, speaks with the voice of the Doctor, and, later, physical clues also feature the Doctor's appearance.
The Doctor, though, can't figure out what happened that would have led to this turn of events. He and Leela must penetrate the god's own lair and confront it before Leela's tribe is massacred by the creatures from the forest.
A good story, and a new companion.
October 23, 2009
A brilliant Doctor Who story about a crashed colony expedition that has broken down into tribes and are too busy fighting each other to notice something is seriously wrong with this planet.
Who is the Xohanon? Is he a god? Why is he messing with everybody? and why does the Doctor have the funny feeling that he's been here before?
Great sci-fi, lots of action, suspense and humor ( 'back away or I'll kill him with this deadly Jelly Baby.') and also the story that introduces Leela, one of the most original companions ( heck, I'm always thrilled when they do something different than the 'girl from modern times')
Who is the Xohanon? Is he a god? Why is he messing with everybody? and why does the Doctor have the funny feeling that he's been here before?
Great sci-fi, lots of action, suspense and humor ( 'back away or I'll kill him with this deadly Jelly Baby.') and also the story that introduces Leela, one of the most original companions ( heck, I'm always thrilled when they do something different than the 'girl from modern times')
December 14, 2009
Fourth Doctor. About as good as seeing the episode, and you don't have to grit your teeth against bad voice acting by Tom Baker. Atmospheric and deep in the first five chapters and the last couple (the rest is simple and cliche and doesn't explain confusing things in the show), although the author didn't really expand on or clarify anything that wasn't already in the episode. The usual handful of spelling errors, and some items appear out of nowhere. I wouldn't recommend it to a fan eagerly devouring the episodes (the show is better), but I would recommend it to a casual fan who found it much more convenient to get the novelisations than the shows.
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April 8, 2009http://nhw.livejournal.com/1007902.html[return][return]Doctor Who and the Face of Evil has a couple of interesting differences with the TV version: Leela is actually portrayed as young, vulnerable and, well, girly in a way that is inconsistent both with the TV story as shown and with the other books. Also, of course, we have the explanation of how the Doctor's face became the Face of Evil, as the result of a solo adventure shortly after his regeneration.
January 27, 2010
I hadn't read any of these cranked-out books before, the spin-off books from sci-fi TV shows featuring static characters in canned plots, and this two-week experiment in disposable genre fiction actually made welcome reading material in those 5-10 minutes of heavy-eye-lidded consciousness before I succumbed to sleep each night and couldn't bear to think of anything more serious at the end of the day.
August 29, 2012
One of my favorite novelizations, that happens to be of one of my favorite stories, that introduces my favorite companion, Leela. One of the best elements of the novelization is that it clarifies some backstory that wasn't clearly explained in the episode and there is a wry sense of humor that permeates the story.
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August 23, 2008isbn,original
December 10, 2010
Hey Leela!!
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