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Eighth Doctor Adventures #30
Doctor Who: Parallel 59
Fleeing a doomed space station in tiny life capsules, the Doctor and Compassion find themselves prisoners of Parallel 59, a militaristic power on the planet Skale. Meanwhile Fitz finds himself apparently safe in Mechta, a colony for convalescents.
A space race is in full swing on Skale, with each of the planet's many blocs desperate to be first to reach the stars. If the Doctor's knowledge helps Parallel 59 to succeed, the consequences for the rest of the world could be devastating.
But Fitz knows nothing of his friends' predicament. Enjoying his new life, he's not even sure he wants to be rescued — which is a good thing.
Because the Doctor has no intention of going to Mechta. He's decreed that Fitz's new-found utopia must be totally destroyed.
This is another in the series of original adventures for the Eighth Doctor.
A space race is in full swing on Skale, with each of the planet's many blocs desperate to be first to reach the stars. If the Doctor's knowledge helps Parallel 59 to succeed, the consequences for the rest of the world could be devastating.
But Fitz knows nothing of his friends' predicament. Enjoying his new life, he's not even sure he wants to be rescued — which is a good thing.
Because the Doctor has no intention of going to Mechta. He's decreed that Fitz's new-found utopia must be totally destroyed.
This is another in the series of original adventures for the Eighth Doctor.
282 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 4, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 24, 2019
A decent enough entry in the EDA’s mainly for the good character moments with the TARDIS regulars.
The Doctor and Compassion are held captive on the militaristic Parallel 59, whilst Fitz is enjoying himself with the local ladies on Mechta.
I found the story to be engaging enough with the bold adult themes and the sense of paranoia but it was the lack of interest in the supporting characters that drags this book down for me.
The Doctor and Compassion are held captive on the militaristic Parallel 59, whilst Fitz is enjoying himself with the local ladies on Mechta.
I found the story to be engaging enough with the bold adult themes and the sense of paranoia but it was the lack of interest in the supporting characters that drags this book down for me.
September 4, 2024
Parallel 59 is one of those Who stories that attempts to check several boxes of the classic era. Futuristic civilization on a planet similar to Earth? Check. Military installation that runs a section of the planet? Check. Resistance that fights the military? Check. Spies infiltrating the military? Mutiny/coup? Secret twist at the end? Alien invasion? Companions separated? Check, check, check, check, check. Even with two authors, this title did nothing new for the EDAs or for DW and was ridiculously, boringly safe. There's way too many side characters to keep track of, and they aren't different enough or deep enough for you to care about them. There's one fun twist in here, but given the novel's publishing date, I would rather give the Wachowskis credit instead.
Fitz goes into a bit of a character spiral, which of course, ends up not mattering anyway, and Compassion still hasn't undergone much character growth. The Doctor does do quite a bit here in terms of undermining the military including blowing up their machine, does some ridiculous calculations, not to mention he uses his sonic screwdriver (finally).
This title is only really worth reading if you're a completionist and trying to get through all of the EDAs- otherwise, I'd skip it.
Fitz goes into a bit of a character spiral, which of course, ends up not mattering anyway, and Compassion still hasn't undergone much character growth. The Doctor does do quite a bit here in terms of undermining the military including blowing up their machine, does some ridiculous calculations, not to mention he uses his sonic screwdriver (finally).
This title is only really worth reading if you're a completionist and trying to get through all of the EDAs- otherwise, I'd skip it.
April 9, 2011
Eh. It was okay. Actually, I did like the characterisation of Compassion in this (because Compassion is sort of awesome, even if she's also wildly dislikable). And the way Eight really does seem to consider life 'clothing-optional' (thank you for that phrase, TVTropes). But in the bits we saw of Fitz, although they were pretty strong on characterisation... he mainly seemed to be characterised as a bit of a jerk. I can accept the occasional 'WTF are you doing?' moment because, hey, 1960s guy, but this time it was pretty much non-stop. Which is sad, because I adore Fitz most of the time, and don't really like it when writers dredge up the more unsavoury aspects of his character.
And my *god*, the OCs were a nightmare to keep track of. I swear I spent most of the book wondering who was sleeping with whom, or having unrequited angsty love for whom (answer: everyone with everyone, apparently). It never really seemed very relevant, to be quite honest. Nearly everyone in the Facility seemed to be backstabbing incompetents who couldn't even keep track of their own dodgy space exploration programmes. People died and I just didn't *care*.
Oh, and I managed to work out both the mysterious mystery and the Plot Twist OMG before I was halfway through, and I'm usually *rubbish* at that.
I am disappoint, Stephen Cole. And possibly Natalie Dallaire too, though through a tenuous connection with The Ancestor Cell, I'm going to make the sweeping statement that Cole's books tend to be pretty good at the MCs *when they're actually onscreen*, but that said MCs tend to get sideswiped by a ton of unlikeable OCs and an over-complex plot (although that one could just be TAC).
And my *god*, the OCs were a nightmare to keep track of. I swear I spent most of the book wondering who was sleeping with whom, or having unrequited angsty love for whom (answer: everyone with everyone, apparently). It never really seemed very relevant, to be quite honest. Nearly everyone in the Facility seemed to be backstabbing incompetents who couldn't even keep track of their own dodgy space exploration programmes. People died and I just didn't *care*.
Oh, and I managed to work out both the mysterious mystery and the Plot Twist OMG before I was halfway through, and I'm usually *rubbish* at that.
I am disappoint, Stephen Cole. And possibly Natalie Dallaire too, though through a tenuous connection with The Ancestor Cell, I'm going to make the sweeping statement that Cole's books tend to be pretty good at the MCs *when they're actually onscreen*, but that said MCs tend to get sideswiped by a ton of unlikeable OCs and an over-complex plot (although that one could just be TAC).
September 22, 2024
Welp, to the shock of absolutely no one, this book was bad.
The second i saw the author was Stephen cole, i was like 'welp....time for another bad one'. So far, i've read several of his novels and his short stories and not a single time have i gone "man, that sure was a fun time". Nope, never. Stephen cole should just like....put the pen down.
Anyway, this one's basically a 'there's a bunch of spaceship people who jail the doctor and are doing evil things. the doc tries to stop it and help people. The end." the concept of this story is so generic that honestly, it's just dull. very very dull. and yes, they very much ripped off the matrix (as the matrix had come out just that year previously i doubt it was a coincidence).
If you're hoping for Fitz to do well...ANYTHING at all in this book you're going to be sorely disappointed as he does exactly zero things relevant to the plot. They literally might as well have put him in a time out chair because that's how much he affects the plot. he's separated in a different reality from 8 and compassion and can't communicate with them and nothing he does matters. Fantastic storytelling.
Compassion and the doc get some okay back and forth in the beginning but then they separated of course and the doc is in jail for a good 70% of the book.
WHAT IS THEIR FASCINATION WITH PUTTING EIGHT IN JAIL?! it seems like every other book the doc gets not only captured, but like captured for at least a few days. was it like a writer edict that in at least every other book he's got to go to jail? in thirty books this man has spent more time captured than like all the previous doctors 1-7 combined. like damn boy. STOP.
This story has an ABUNDANCE of side characters. And all of them are pointless. Names pop up like whack-a-moles and i have no idea who they are. They'll show up for 2 seconds then die and you're like "wait.....who was that again?" and this happens so many times that i couldn't even begin to tell you who any of these people are. i literally remember like... 3 of their names. 3 out of like 25. that goes to show you how important these people were.
It's also one of those "the doc sucks" story as well, so don't expect 8 to be awesome at the end. Because he's not.
The biggest crime about this book was that i just...i didn't CARE. i didn't care about the story, the side characters, what was going on, i didn't CARE. Every time a side character scene popped up without Fitz, Compassion, or 8, i just zoned out. and honestly, i missed nothing as their stories amounted to exactly zero.
If you had to ask me was there anything GOOD about this book....i'd probably say that i liked some of the 8/compassion banter in the beginning....and it wasn't written like a doctoral thesis like "Taking of Planet 5" as in, it wasn't difficult to understand. That's honestly the only positives i can give it. Fitz's character was terrible and did NOTHING, the side characters were boring and pointless, and i gave zero craps if any person lived other than the main 3.
If you need to read ALL the eighth doctor adventures like I'm doing, then god have mercy on you when you read this one. took me 10 days to force myself through this one. if you're a just a casual who fan and are looking for a random who book, DON'T read this one. just.. no.
1.5 out of 5 rounded up to a 2.
The second i saw the author was Stephen cole, i was like 'welp....time for another bad one'. So far, i've read several of his novels and his short stories and not a single time have i gone "man, that sure was a fun time". Nope, never. Stephen cole should just like....put the pen down.
Anyway, this one's basically a 'there's a bunch of spaceship people who jail the doctor and are doing evil things. the doc tries to stop it and help people. The end." the concept of this story is so generic that honestly, it's just dull. very very dull. and yes, they very much ripped off the matrix (as the matrix had come out just that year previously i doubt it was a coincidence).
If you're hoping for Fitz to do well...ANYTHING at all in this book you're going to be sorely disappointed as he does exactly zero things relevant to the plot. They literally might as well have put him in a time out chair because that's how much he affects the plot. he's separated in a different reality from 8 and compassion and can't communicate with them and nothing he does matters. Fantastic storytelling.
Compassion and the doc get some okay back and forth in the beginning but then they separated of course and the doc is in jail for a good 70% of the book.
WHAT IS THEIR FASCINATION WITH PUTTING EIGHT IN JAIL?! it seems like every other book the doc gets not only captured, but like captured for at least a few days. was it like a writer edict that in at least every other book he's got to go to jail? in thirty books this man has spent more time captured than like all the previous doctors 1-7 combined. like damn boy. STOP.
This story has an ABUNDANCE of side characters. And all of them are pointless. Names pop up like whack-a-moles and i have no idea who they are. They'll show up for 2 seconds then die and you're like "wait.....who was that again?" and this happens so many times that i couldn't even begin to tell you who any of these people are. i literally remember like... 3 of their names. 3 out of like 25. that goes to show you how important these people were.
It's also one of those "the doc sucks" story as well, so don't expect 8 to be awesome at the end. Because he's not.
The biggest crime about this book was that i just...i didn't CARE. i didn't care about the story, the side characters, what was going on, i didn't CARE. Every time a side character scene popped up without Fitz, Compassion, or 8, i just zoned out. and honestly, i missed nothing as their stories amounted to exactly zero.
If you had to ask me was there anything GOOD about this book....i'd probably say that i liked some of the 8/compassion banter in the beginning....and it wasn't written like a doctoral thesis like "Taking of Planet 5" as in, it wasn't difficult to understand. That's honestly the only positives i can give it. Fitz's character was terrible and did NOTHING, the side characters were boring and pointless, and i gave zero craps if any person lived other than the main 3.
If you need to read ALL the eighth doctor adventures like I'm doing, then god have mercy on you when you read this one. took me 10 days to force myself through this one. if you're a just a casual who fan and are looking for a random who book, DON'T read this one. just.. no.
1.5 out of 5 rounded up to a 2.
May 17, 2025
Fitz has another go at domestic bliss in the mysterious city of Mechta while the Doctor and Compassion navigate xenophobes and freedom fighters on another planet.
There’s a good amount to like here, with a quick pace and lots of fussy character details, but everything besides the Fitz storyline could use more definition. The plot takes a while to reveal what’s even at stake, at which point it all gets a bit rushed. Still, it’s solid and readable
There’s a good amount to like here, with a quick pace and lots of fussy character details, but everything besides the Fitz storyline could use more definition. The plot takes a while to reveal what’s even at stake, at which point it all gets a bit rushed. Still, it’s solid and readable
January 19, 2015
This book was a mixed bag for me. I'm always going to be there for space race stuff, and the virtual-reality-matrix stuff was also fascinating. Also liked Eight trying to outwit the guards and figure out WTF was going on, while occasionally being interrogated naked. ;-)
But Fitz's awful, awful, awful treatment of his girlfriends on Mechta really grated on me. Sometimes I can find Fitz charming (his uncertainties and his trying to be 'cool' and the fact that he does have a good heart) but he was just being a sexist dick in this and it wasn't fun. Seriously, all three of the relationships he has are cheating, and he has the gall to be annoyed at the women when they don't like him lying to them! Come on, Fitz. You're better than this. At least I hope you are.
Interested to see where things are going with Compassion. I still don't quite have a handle on her after half a dozen books, but of course part of the thing with Compassion is that she is just not quite human. So I'm intrigued.
But Fitz's awful, awful, awful treatment of his girlfriends on Mechta really grated on me. Sometimes I can find Fitz charming (his uncertainties and his trying to be 'cool' and the fact that he does have a good heart) but he was just being a sexist dick in this and it wasn't fun. Seriously, all three of the relationships he has are cheating, and he has the gall to be annoyed at the women when they don't like him lying to them! Come on, Fitz. You're better than this. At least I hope you are.
Interested to see where things are going with Compassion. I still don't quite have a handle on her after half a dozen books, but of course part of the thing with Compassion is that she is just not quite human. So I'm intrigued.
November 18, 2012
This is the first novel I've ever read that is a spin-off from a TV series / film and my hopes were not high. This was however a Christmas present and I felt duty bound to read it. However I was pleasantly surprised. The plot is dense (almost too much so in places), the characterisations pretty good and there are some genuinely suspenseful moments. The plot is far-removed from the TV versions which are fairly formulaic and the morality less clear-cut, but the Doctor's wit, intelligence and emotional involvement all come through in the writing. I was amazed that there appear to be over 70 other titles in this particular series and I may even have to pick up a couple more to while away my bus journeys into work.
January 15, 2021
あらすじ
惑星スケールの湖に突然空から降ってきた救命カプセルが着水する。回収されたカプセルはパラレル59という施設に運び込まれる。カプセルに乗っていたのはドクターとコンパッションだった。スパイかと疑われた二人は囚われ、執拗な取り調べをうけることになる。しかし、ドクターはもう一つの救命カプセルに乗ったはずのフィズの行方が気になっていた。フィズはメチタンという惑星スカルの矯正施設にいた。矯正施設の中で暮らす人々はなぜ自分がここに送られたのかその理由を覚えていなかった。定期的にメディカルチェックを受け、普通の社会が営める状態になったと判断されれば赤色のタクシーが迎えにきて、メチタンを出ることができる。
しかし、施設の中では普通の生活が平和に営まれており、気の合う仲間もできて、フィズは居心地の良さを感じていた。
感想
ターディスがたまたま着地したのが惑星スカルの宇宙ステーション・バスティオン６３４だったことがとんでもない悲劇の引き金となってしまう。ターディスをおいて救出カプセルで脱出し、不時着した先で囚人にされたドクター。当初はどういう事態に巻き込まれているのかが不明でドクターとコンパッションは検査されたり、尋問を受けたり、そんな中でドクターが心配するのは行方がわからないフィズのこと。一方でフィズはいつかドクターが助けにきてくれるだろうと、環境に適応し、友達や彼女をつくったりしてそれなりに楽しんでいるのだが、じわじわと不穏なものが露呈してくる。ドクターの状態とフィズの置かれている状態。これがどうリンクしてくるのか、それが明らかになってくるまでは正体のつかめないもやもやとした不安感に常に付きまとわれている感じでなかなか落ち着けない。全体像がなかなか見渡せないまま、じりじりと破滅の方へと追い詰められていく。ついに物事が動き出した時の堰を切ったような怒涛のたたみこみ方は圧巻。登場人物も多いが、キャラクターが丁寧に書き込まれていていつの間にか感情移入させられている。疑心、恐怖、欲、見栄などに突き動かされた時、人がどれだけ残酷になれるか。偏狭からくる判断がどれほど恐ろしい結果をまねくことになるのか。そんなことも考えさせられたなかかの力作。
惑星スケールの湖に突然空から降ってきた救命カプセルが着水する。回収されたカプセルはパラレル59という施設に運び込まれる。カプセルに乗っていたのはドクターとコンパッションだった。スパイかと疑われた二人は囚われ、執拗な取り調べをうけることになる。しかし、ドクターはもう一つの救命カプセルに乗ったはずのフィズの行方が気になっていた。フィズはメチタンという惑星スカルの矯正施設にいた。矯正施設の中で暮らす人々はなぜ自分がここに送られたのかその理由を覚えていなかった。定期的にメディカルチェックを受け、普通の社会が営める状態になったと判断されれば赤色のタクシーが迎えにきて、メチタンを出ることができる。
しかし、施設の中では普通の生活が平和に営まれており、気の合う仲間もできて、フィズは居心地の良さを感じていた。
感想
ターディスがたまたま着地したのが惑星スカルの宇宙ステーション・バスティオン６３４だったことがとんでもない悲劇の引き金となってしまう。ターディスをおいて救出カプセルで脱出し、不時着した先で囚人にされたドクター。当初はどういう事態に巻き込まれているのかが不明でドクターとコンパッションは検査されたり、尋問を受けたり、そんな中でドクターが心配するのは行方がわからないフィズのこと。一方でフィズはいつかドクターが助けにきてくれるだろうと、環境に適応し、友達や彼女をつくったりしてそれなりに楽しんでいるのだが、じわじわと不穏なものが露呈してくる。ドクターの状態とフィズの置かれている状態。これがどうリンクしてくるのか、それが明らかになってくるまでは正体のつかめないもやもやとした不安感に常に付きまとわれている感じでなかなか落ち着けない。全体像がなかなか見渡せないまま、じりじりと破滅の方へと追い詰められていく。ついに物事が動き出した時の堰を切ったような怒涛のたたみこみ方は圧巻。登場人物も多いが、キャラクターが丁寧に書き込まれていていつの間にか感情移入させられている。疑心、恐怖、欲、見栄などに突き動かされた時、人がどれだけ残酷になれるか。偏狭からくる判断がどれほど恐ろしい結果をまねくことになるのか。そんなことも考えさせられたなかかの力作。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2018
I couldn't continue, this actually my third attempt of reading this book. (The first of documenting it) I do want to continue on but I couldn't, I stopped at page 65, all that's truly memorable is the Doctor and Compassion escapes in a capsule from a space station and land on Skale which they been captured by the Military Regime of Parallel 59 as Fitz wakes up in another world. On how far I have gotten in the book it's just nothing but a run-around, with the Doctor and Compassion being Naked throughout the first portion of the book, neither of Fitz's Story doesn't help, Did I mention this Book has Two Plots.
February 28, 2024
It's quite the shock to occasionally come back to these 8th Doctor-era novels, with their love of dark, hard-edge military SF...little whimsy on display. Thankfully, the reason I'd push this to 3.5 stars is that the Doctor and his whimsical attempts to undermine the military darkness are easily the best thing on offer in this novel. Compassion is a character I never did enjoy, so her part of the plot is really wallpaper to me, but I can effortlessly envision Paul McGann acting out his parts of this novel.
May 5, 2024
Blindingly dull. So many interchangeable OCs and the reader is not encouraged to care about any of them. Fitz's subplot is gross and borderline character assassination. The only part I liked was the notion that the Doctor has a song Fitz wrote for Sam stuck in his head and keeps humming it to himself, and that's not enough. I should have skipped this one.
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April 8, 2009http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1930080.html
This is rather a good Eighth Doctor novel, with the Doctor and the steadily improving Compassion trying to navigate a military regime which is better realised than most of the many such regimes in Who books, while Fitz (who I think is actually in more individual stories, taken across all media, than any other companion), having got separated off, settles into an ambiguous and ultimately dangerous utopia. Some of the ideas here seem to be drawn from The Matrix, though I'm not sure if the timing works out (the film came out in 1999; this book was published in 2000 and must have been in the works for a while). Stephen Cole rarely disappoints, and I don't know what Dallaire's contribution was, but I thought the characterisation of the non-regulars here was a notch above the usual standards for Who books of any era.
This is rather a good Eighth Doctor novel, with the Doctor and the steadily improving Compassion trying to navigate a military regime which is better realised than most of the many such regimes in Who books, while Fitz (who I think is actually in more individual stories, taken across all media, than any other companion), having got separated off, settles into an ambiguous and ultimately dangerous utopia. Some of the ideas here seem to be drawn from The Matrix, though I'm not sure if the timing works out (the film came out in 1999; this book was published in 2000 and must have been in the works for a while). Stephen Cole rarely disappoints, and I don't know what Dallaire's contribution was, but I thought the characterisation of the non-regulars here was a notch above the usual standards for Who books of any era.
July 1, 2011
Interesting idea, as this is mostly political intrigue, set on an alien world just starting its own space program.
The problem is too much time is spent on the supporting cast, who are all up to something, dull, unlikable or some combination of the three.
Even the heroes are only okay. The Doctor is well written and even when pushed to the back ground still overshadows the rest of the cast. Fitz screws up alot and then mopes at what a mess his life is and Compassion is her usual, anti-social, no people skills self.
There is a clever twist towards the end, but the writers are scrambling to tie all the plot threads up that it doesn't get the attention it deserves.
The three leads are well written and there are some good ideas/moments here, but it's not one I'll be keeping.
The problem is too much time is spent on the supporting cast, who are all up to something, dull, unlikable or some combination of the three.
Even the heroes are only okay. The Doctor is well written and even when pushed to the back ground still overshadows the rest of the cast. Fitz screws up alot and then mopes at what a mess his life is and Compassion is her usual, anti-social, no people skills self.
There is a clever twist towards the end, but the writers are scrambling to tie all the plot threads up that it doesn't get the attention it deserves.
The three leads are well written and there are some good ideas/moments here, but it's not one I'll be keeping.
June 5, 2010
Just finished the other day and all I can say is ho hum.
Doctor, Fitz and Compassion arrive on a space station. They end up having to leave in a hurry, without the TARDIS and are split up. Doctor and Compassion end up on Skale and Fitz on Mechta
Mechta is a hospital planet, where people are sent to recover. Skale is a planet in turmoil. Compassion and the Doctor are immediatly arrested.
Its ok, but nothing special. The good Doctor (Eighth) really didnt do much. I am thinking thats the major failing of the books, He takes the backseat in most of the stories.
Doctor, Fitz and Compassion arrive on a space station. They end up having to leave in a hurry, without the TARDIS and are split up. Doctor and Compassion end up on Skale and Fitz on Mechta
Mechta is a hospital planet, where people are sent to recover. Skale is a planet in turmoil. Compassion and the Doctor are immediatly arrested.
Its ok, but nothing special. The good Doctor (Eighth) really didnt do much. I am thinking thats the major failing of the books, He takes the backseat in most of the stories.
January 11, 2015
The Doctor and Compassion escape from a space station in an escape pod together. They get captured by a military organisation. Fitz, meanwhile, is sent to a convalescence city to recover from the ordeal on the space station. It's an easy read, if a bit predictable. The Fitz storyline felt very similar to previous things that had happened to him. Why are the authors always putting Fitz in horrible situations? It's getting a bit boring now, why not let something nice happen to him for a change? A good read.
December 22, 2012
I think the Doctor was out of character. He certainly failed to come up with his usual plans and schemes--choosing instead to be helplessly swept along by the story. I didn't like it. Compassion is her usual dull self.
Fits' story was distracting and uninteresting, since his predicament was obvious from the start. And I still don't like him. He's a scumbag.
No point in reading this one, really.
Fits' story was distracting and uninteresting, since his predicament was obvious from the start. And I still don't like him. He's a scumbag.
No point in reading this one, really.
December 15, 2009
Neither the best nor the worst Doctor Who book I've read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews