Doctor Who: New Series Adventures - The Stone Rose Review

A lot of things stood out to me before I even read this book.

Firstly, Jacqueline Rayner returns, the author of Winner Takes All which is one of my favourites thus far. Secondly, this is the first Tenth Doctor story for this series and, finally, tying in with that point, the Christmas Invasion hadn’t had aired yet. That means that Rayner only had what she was given prior to Tennant’s portrayal was even public.

That means that this review is going to be a bit deeper than usual as I have to look at this as a book by itself, as a sequel to Rayner’s previous work, a follow up to the previous stories as a whole, a follow up to the Ninth Doctor’s series of stories as a whole, the Tenth Doctor’s first story and the portrayal of the character.

So let’s do just that.

The Stone Rose is off to a great start by immediately having the newer Doctor interact with the Rose & Co so we can get a good idea of how Rayner has written this version of the Doctor and how she thinks the crew will respond to a new Doctor they’ve just grown comfortable with.

That alone told me this was going to be a great follow up to Rayner’s previous work in this series, Winner Takes All, that focused on a lot of similar themes.

I wasn’t quite sure where this was going to go initially so I’ll leave the spoilers at the door whilst giving my general thoughts on what occurred after the amazing prologue ad I refer to other things.

Much like Rayner’s previous work, the Doctor and Rose’s relationship is what this story thrives upon and I’ll even admit that this story handles the pair and their chemistry the best out of everything I’ve read so far in this series.

The banter is on point, sure, but the way the two instinctually depend on each other and are even aware of that makes for some of the greatest inner thoughts written.

The set up is great as well. We start off as usual, following Rose’s perspective until a sudden shake up occurs and we’re following the Doctor’s and then a mashup happens until we settle finally with the two as equals.

Okay then, their relationship is good, but how well is Doctor 10 written?

I’ll say that you can definitely tell this was guess work more than anything else as the Doctor certain has the Tennant-isms many love but when you study the Tenth Doctor’s character you can tell that this is that on paper without the seatbelts.

The Doctor is athletic, energetic, smart, witty, romantic and, with a strong emphasis, a fighter.

This take on those traits for the Tenth Doctor are what make this story as engaging as it is.

Obviously with the Time Lord Victorious practically over now, there’s a wealth of angry Tenth Doctor stuff out there but this is more than just angry. Rayner’s interpretation of this Doctor is that of passion. And in someways I have to wonder if she went too far. I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt here and say the balance is just right as these traits only show in vital moments. Just know that there are points where I believe this Doctor goes a little too far for my liking.

Regardless, this is a great version of the Doctor and it makes me excited to see how other authors have adapted him.

A focus on narrative for bit now as I’d like to say how captivating this mystery novel was. Already a good mile above Winner Takes All and a notch above the majority of The Clockwise Men, my favourite of the series so far, I have to admit this nearly knocked the title for best of the series for me if it wasn’t for the final 100 pages of this story.

This is just one of those scenarios where I get what’s happening and why it’s happening, I can understand how the book’s events could’ve lead to the finale we got, but I don’t agree that I like it.

Once again without spoilers, the first 150 pages paint a tale that revels in its setting and fully takes advantage of it. But then the third act starts and I threw my head to the side slightly as a lot of that was being forgotten.

I know that not every story can be tied up with a neat bow but this was so close and that’s why stings to say I didn’t like how it ended because it took that idea and dragged it to the grave. I won’t mention what happens but will simply say that everything could’ve tied in much better than the insanity that was the finale.

I will still say that the first two acts are more than enough to say that this novel is just below my favourite in the series.

Not bad Rayner, you’ve written two books which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Even if that third act issue has lingered over to this book.

8.5/10

Quick after thoughts:

New set of Doctor Who books for me to read calls for a little break whilst I finish up some other reviews for the time being.

Don’t want my site to get too bogged down by these reviews so next up I’ll try and cover Star Wars: The High Republic - The Light Of The Jedi!

See ya then!