Rating: 
Summary: A Great Dalek Story
Review: I have just finished reading this great book and can't wait to read John Peel's other Dalek book 'the War of the Daleks.' This novel, is great in the way it ties together the aftermast of the Dalek invasion of Earth and also the disfigured Master of the Deadly Assasin. I'm no big fan of the Daleks but their actions are just about believable in this book. A good read for any fan.
Rating:
Summary: The Doctor finally looks in on Susan...sort of
Review: I was delighted to read that the Doctor finally decided to look in on Susan, and was therefore dissappointed that they never actually meet. There is only one brief scene where they barely make eye contact. The point of conflicting continuity is raised by some, but that has always been one of the endearing qualities of Doctor Who. Like the Doctor himself, it never abides by the rules. And who really cares as long as the story works? There is a nice bit of story linking that explains how the Master became the decaying wreck he was in The Deadly Assassin. As for the ending, I hope it leaves open the possibility of bumping into Susan somewhere in future. Maybe she and her "Grandfather" can actually exchange a few words.
Rating:
Summary: The Doctor finally looks in on Susan...sort of
Review: I was delighted to read that the Doctor finally decided to look in on Susan, and was therefore dissappointed that they never actually meet. There is only one brief scene where they barely make eye contact. The point of conflicting continuity is raised by some, but that has always been one of the endearing qualities of Doctor Who. Like the Doctor himself, it never abides by the rules. And who really cares as long as the story works? There is a nice bit of story linking that explains how the Master became the decaying wreck he was in The Deadly Assassin. As for the ending, I hope it leaves open the possibility of bumping into Susan somewhere in future. Maybe she and her "Grandfather" can actually exchange a few words.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Peel, You're Needed...to write more, please!
Review: I'm not sure why in major fan circles this novel is getting ripped to shreds. John Peel is truely an "old-school" Who writer who is at his best when writing the Daleks. Many are upset by the so-called breaking of established continuity. Those same people forget that if it wasn't for change and establishing new "chapters" in "Who's" long history, it never would have survived for as long as it has. This is definately one of the most exciting novels in the line. It was wonderful to see Susan and David again, as well! Mr. Peel truly draws you in and doesn't let you rest until the back cover is closed. He manages to tie up a few loose ends along the way (In a much more convincing and interesting way that in The Eight Doctors!) A+++ Mr. Peel, keep them coming!
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Peel, You're Needed...to write more, please!
Review: I'm not sure why in major fan circles this novel is getting ripped to shreds. John Peel is truely an "old-school" Who writer who is at his best when writing the Daleks. Many are upset by the so-called breaking of established continuity. Those same people forget that if it wasn't for change and establishing new "chapters" in "Who's" long history, it never would have survived for as long as it has. This is definately one of the most exciting novels in the line. It was wonderful to see Susan and David again, as well! Mr. Peel truly draws you in and doesn't let you rest until the back cover is closed. He manages to tie up a few loose ends along the way (In a much more convincing and interesting way that in The Eight Doctors!) A+++ Mr. Peel, keep them coming!
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Good
Review: I've always been slow to get into the Eighth Doctor series of books. It's one of those you'd need to read the previous one to get the story of the one you're reading. And that can get to be expensive. But I was pleasantly surprised when I read Legacy of the Daleks. The writing and characterization were so good in the novel it almost felt like(and I wish it was) a television episode. With the talent of the talent the writers who have contributed in this series, it almost makes me wish that the good Doctor would return to the television. Despite the weak plot of the 1996 television movie, Paul McGann was excellent in the role. Fans will be more than surprised with who the character Estro turns out to be. If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend you do. It is a worthy read.
Rating:
Summary: First Dalek book I ever REALLY liked!
Review: I've read other John Peel books and like anyone else, some I like better than others but I've never disliked anything the man writes. He's outdone himself here. What a good book! Keeps you interested and never gets boring or bogs down. Well done, John!The Doctor FINALLY decided to check on Susan, his granddaughter, while looking for Sam - but problems crop up. Susan, for her part, has seemingly adopted Earth and humans as her home now that she has married a human. But problems crop up. The characterazations are perfect and you care about or hate the proper people throughout. There is one character that does a total 180 about-face which I had a little problem with because normally people don't change. But, for the sake of the story I shelved my disbelief. Other than that, it is great. A good read, and you don't really need to know the history of the Doctor to enjoy this story. It would be a good book to recommend when introducing a newbie to DW. I just wish I could give this book 4 1/2 stars. The only reason I couldn't give it five stars was because of the Barlow character, but that's my problem.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than WAR OF THE DALEKS, but still not very good
Review: LEGACY OF THE DALEKS is a better written book than WAR OF THE DALEKS. The Daleks appear to be much more of a threat, the Doctor acts with greater intelligence, and the continuity references are slightly less annoying and confusing. Unfortunately, it's still not a very good book. The beginning of the story has a lot going for it. Set thirty years after the end of the Dalek invasion, we see Earth gradually putting itself back together after years of occupation, death camps and war. There's a strange mix of technologies and customs as modern tools and weapons are used alongside cultural throwbacks from centuries ago. England has again become a land of bickering Lords; knights roam the countryside doing good deeds. Of course, since this is the 22nd Century, the knights are armed with futuristic weapons and machine guns in addition to their more traditional accompaniments. There is some interesting development at the start where we see some of the power struggles that are going on as the factions of surviving humans battle it out for dominance. Resources are scarce. The production and selling of energy is a major factor in how much power and influence one has. So far, so good. It's the moment in which the Daleks first appear that the story starts falling apart for me. Up until this point the book had the potential for a lot of interesting political and military maneuvering as the different Lords vie for control. But once the Daleks show up, that goes out the window and all we are left with are some long, pointless battle-sequences and Daleks issuing reports to each other. The interest that had been built up surrounding the remaining humans and their plight is quashed and we're left with extended battles and overblown scheming from shallow villains. As in WAR the characterizations are extremely poor. The Doctor appears more like the eighth than in WAR, but he has frequent lapses into his third and fourth personas. The secondary characters are almost universally poor. These aren't people - they're vessels for the plot (what there is of it) who have no reason for existing other than to say things that drive the story forward. There's no consistency about them either; they say or do whatever is needed of them at the time regardless of how much it jars with their previously established character. At no point did I feel that I was reading about human beings. The poor characterizations would not have been as inexcusable had there been an absorbing plot going on around them. Unfortunately, this book is pretty much a complete runaround with very little in it to inspire interest. The Doctor and company run around, get locked up, escape, get threatened by men with guns, escape again, run around, etc. There is not much substance here. All in all, it would probably be better to skip this book. Although it takes place in the middle of the Sam Is Missing story-arc, the related threads are only at the beginning and end of the book. You won't miss anything important or entertaining if you decide to read something else.
Rating:
Summary: Better than WAR OF THE DALEKS, but still not very good
Review: LEGACY OF THE DALEKS is a better written book than WAR OF THE DALEKS. The Daleks appear to be much more of a threat, the Doctor acts with greater intelligence, and the continuity references are slightly less annoying and confusing. Unfortunately, it's still not a very good book. The beginning of the story has a lot going for it. Set thirty years after the end of the Dalek invasion, we see Earth gradually putting itself back together after years of occupation, death camps and war. There's a strange mix of technologies and customs as modern tools and weapons are used alongside cultural throwbacks from centuries ago. England has again become a land of bickering Lords; knights roam the countryside doing good deeds. Of course, since this is the 22nd Century, the knights are armed with futuristic weapons and machine guns in addition to their more traditional accompaniments. There is some interesting development at the start where we see some of the power struggles that are going on as the factions of surviving humans battle it out for dominance. Resources are scarce. The production and selling of energy is a major factor in how much power and influence one has. So far, so good. It's the moment in which the Daleks first appear that the story starts falling apart for me. Up until this point the book had the potential for a lot of interesting political and military maneuvering as the different Lords vie for control. But once the Daleks show up, that goes out the window and all we are left with are some long, pointless battle-sequences and Daleks issuing reports to each other. The interest that had been built up surrounding the remaining humans and their plight is quashed and we're left with extended battles and overblown scheming from shallow villains. As in WAR the characterizations are extremely poor. The Doctor appears more like the eighth than in WAR, but he has frequent lapses into his third and fourth personas. The secondary characters are almost universally poor. These aren't people - they're vessels for the plot (what there is of it) who have no reason for existing other than to say things that drive the story forward. There's no consistency about them either; they say or do whatever is needed of them at the time regardless of how much it jars with their previously established character. At no point did I feel that I was reading about human beings. The poor characterizations would not have been as inexcusable had there been an absorbing plot going on around them. Unfortunately, this book is pretty much a complete runaround with very little in it to inspire interest. The Doctor and company run around, get locked up, escape, get threatened by men with guns, escape again, run around, etc. There is not much substance here. All in all, it would probably be better to skip this book. Although it takes place in the middle of the Sam Is Missing story-arc, the related threads are only at the beginning and end of the book. You won't miss anything important or entertaining if you decide to read something else.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story! Enjoyed every page of it.
Review: Peel truly knows how to write Dr. Who and the Daleks. This is a well written, fun ride with some interesting twists and turns. ENJOY!
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