Books: Doctor Who: The Secret in Vault 13 By David Solomons (2018)

"A sinister school where graduation means death . . .A monstrous mystery lurking below a quiet London street . . .A desperate plea for help delivered by . . . hang on. A potted plant? The Doctor has been summoned. The galaxy is in terrible danger, and only a Time Lord can save it. But to do so, she must break in to an ancient vault on a remote and frozen world - from which nobody has ever returned alive . Can the Doctor and her friends Yaz, Ryan and Graham uncover the shocking secret in Vault 13?"

This was the first original novel to be released with the broadcast premier of Jodie Whittaker’s version of the Doctor. Much like what we’ve seen in the last two seasons of her playing the Time Lord, The Secret in Vault 13 plays out like original serials form the 1960s, but instead of a historical tale that gives us encounters with Marco Polo or adventure set during the Crusades, this book is a modern science fiction tale with many passages designed to teach kids about things, here about plants and how important a role they play in every society in the universe, not just Earth. Solomons does capture the voice, somewhat of Whittaker –that combination of both the tenth and eleventh Doctor, with tinges of the first. Same goes for Ryan, Graham, and Yaz –at least they actually do something, unlike their TV counterparts.

The book also reminds the readers of what happened during the first season of Whittaker’s reign, and features a ton of continuity references (which I find odd, if only because the 13^th Doctor and this book seemed aimed at new viewers and readers). What it does better than the recent TV seasons is its whirlwind plot and frenetic pacing. It’s a bit bonkers, as it features a giant mole living under a Kensington estate being fed sacrifices by rich partygoers. There seems no reason for it. It just is. I’m also unsure why it ends on a cliffhanger, but okay.

So unlike a lot of original Doctor Who novels released in the 90’s and the ones that have come out since its TV return, this book is definitely geared to the younger set. It can easily be skipped over buy the adults, even though there are some clever jokes. But if you’re not a fan of Whittaker, this book won’t make you one.