“On Leisure Platform 9
gamblers and villains mix with socialites and celebrities. It's a place where
you won't want to win the wrong game. With Rory kidnapped by a brutal crime
lord, the Doctor and Amy infiltrate a deadly contest where fugitives become the
hunted. But how long before they realize the Doctor isn't a vicious mercenary
and discover what Amy is up to? It's a game that can only end in death, and
time for everyone is running out.”
After reading two Eleventh
Doctor novels that abound with clever plotting and humor, this third (and last for now, as I move
on to other books) is a bit bleaker, less interesting, with a fairly large cast of guest
characters (with all annoyingly similar names and spellings, which gets very hard
to keep straight) who are all pretty much vile aliens. The book has a strong,
yet familiar premise (The Most Dangerous Game comes to mind), but writer Paul Finch never captures
the TV voice of any of the three main characters, The Doctor, Amy, or Rory. And
while the Doctor always has to use his wits in most of situations, he is
portrayed as rather mean as well, telling Amy to go along with the customs on
the planet –something I’m sure I could not see this version of the Doctor
doing. Rory losing the TARDIS in a game is best set piece, but here’s another
bit being out of character. So in the end, all three are used as a plot device
instead of –what is usual- the other characters. This would be fine –if a bit
weak- if the reader could care about anyone else, as even Earthlings husband and wife team
of Harry and Doris (with daughter Sophie) is too broadly painted.
So while I flew through the other two books, Hunter’s Moon was a slog, and where there could be some comedic moments –like Amy as a servant girl- Finch never seems to want to go in any direction with that potential, so it becomes a missed opportunity. Again, as noted, these original novels set within the Doctor Who universe are a mixed bag. Some work, but sadly, a lot don’t. It’s frustrating thing, as most of these media tie-ins tend to be. I stopped reading and collecting Star Trek and Star Wars novels mostly because of this; that a good 95% are pretty bad. My thought has always been on these books (and the others mentioned) that instead of quantity, the editors should be finding quality. If that means just a handful of titles a year, so be it.
Otherwise, pass on this tale.
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