Imperial Moon (Doctor Who Series)

Rating:
Summary: Fifth Doctor in Boy's Own-style story
Review: 'Imperial Moon' is a Doctor Who story set in 1878, which features the British conquest of space by its first manned moon flights. Whether this is an alternate universe, someone tampering with history, or some other explanation is one of the nubs of the story.

Being set in 1878, Christopher Bulis has drawn from the literature of the time for the feel of the story. The ghosts of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, H. Rider Haggard and Arthur Conan Doyle appear to have been whispering in Mr. Bulis' ear. However, in advancing the story and bringing it to its conclusion, it is contemporary science fiction of Doctor Who that sets the tone.

The Doctor is in his fifth incarnation (portrayed on TV by Peter Davison) and is assisted by the less than trust-inspiring pairing of Turlough (who joined the TARDIS crew to kill the Doctor for the Black Guardian) and Kamelion (a former slave of the Master). Like in real life, Kamelion plays a relatively minor role (the Kamelion robot proved too problematic to use prominently in filming the series), so it largely falls to the Doctor and Turlough, and their astral mariner allies, to deal with the mysteriously populated jungle crater on the lunar surface.

The novel has obviously been well thought through by Mr. Bulis, who displays his influences proudly, and the moral dilemma of Turlough is well-portrayed and within the established scope of his character. The portrayal of the Victorian characters is good, and I especially enjoyed the inclusion of Queen Victoria and her gillie, John Brown, who open the book and... but that would be telling! Captain Richard Halliwell and Miss Emily Boyes-Dennison, who carry a moderate portion by themselves, appear to be included in part to show the impact of the "New Woman" on Victorian society.

I found it a good read, which I believe would benefit from close attention however having the advantage of not requiring it. It seemed well-suited to the Davison-era of Doctor Who, although perhaps earlier than it is set as it doesn't suffer from the efforts of the script editor of the season it was set in trying to make the show more "grim and gritty".

Rating:
Summary: Fifth Doctor in Boy's Own-style story
Review: 'Imperial Moon' is a Doctor Who story set in 1878, which features the British conquest of space by its first manned moon flights. Whether this is an alternate universe, someone tampering with history, or some other explanation is one of the nubs of the story.

Being set in 1878, Christopher Bulis has drawn from the literature of the time for the feel of the story. The ghosts of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, H. Rider Haggard and Arthur Conan Doyle appear to have been whispering in Mr. Bulis' ear. However, in advancing the story and bringing it to its conclusion, it is contemporary science fiction of Doctor Who that sets the tone.

The Doctor is in his fifth incarnation (portrayed on TV by Peter Davison) and is assisted by the less than trust-inspiring pairing of Turlough (who joined the TARDIS crew to kill the Doctor for the Black Guardian) and Kamelion (a former slave of the Master). Like in real life, Kamelion plays a relatively minor role (the Kamelion robot proved too problematic to use prominently in filming the series), so it largely falls to the Doctor and Turlough, and their astral mariner allies, to deal with the mysteriously populated jungle crater on the lunar surface.

The novel has obviously been well thought through by Mr. Bulis, who displays his influences proudly, and the moral dilemma of Turlough is well-portrayed and within the established scope of his character. The portrayal of the Victorian characters is good, and I especially enjoyed the inclusion of Queen Victoria and her gillie, John Brown, who open the book and... but that would be telling! Captain Richard Halliwell and Miss Emily Boyes-Dennison, who carry a moderate portion by themselves, appear to be included in part to show the impact of the "New Woman" on Victorian society.

I found it a good read, which I believe would benefit from close attention however having the advantage of not requiring it. It seemed well-suited to the Davison-era of Doctor Who, although perhaps earlier than it is set as it doesn't suffer from the efforts of the script editor of the season it was set in trying to make the show more "grim and gritty".

Rating:
Summary: If you like Flash Gordon...
Review: ...you'll like Imperial Moon. It might have the steampunk/Jules Verne trappings, but it reads like something out of a Flash Gordon serial. Cliffhangers, attractive alien princesses (a whole race of them, of course!), clanky robots, evil aliens, a man and a woman fighting in an arena of death, strange yet oddly-familiar alien landscapes.

In fact, the oddest part here is probably the Doctor and companions, who necessitate some rather odd add-ons to become part of the story. The whole "we have a diary of the expedition's future before we meet them" seems kinda like a waste. It's an interesting idea, mind you, but it doesn't really add much to the story except for the brief bit with Turlough trying to assure the "right" future from the diary comes about. Kamelion the shape-shifting robot is similarly wasted except for a brief bit.

The best part of the novel is probably the expedition and the events surrounding--it's not really much of a Doctor Who novel, although it probably couldn't be expected without a DW framing structure.

Generally, an okay novel. The Doctor doesn't have much character, but that's how many writers tend to write him. DW and steampunk fans will probably like it, although I suspect you'd have to be an afficianado of both to really get into it.

Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL BLEND OF GENRES...BUT...
Review: Christopher Bulis' "Imperial Moon" starts off as a lovely homage to Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Britain lands on the Moon in the year 1878. It is the Moon of early films and some early beliefs. Dense jungle and dangerous wildlife. Her Majesty's astral ships: Lynx, Draco and Cygnus carry their crews into the unknown and adventure.

Enter the fifth incarnation of the Doctor and his companion Turlough, who discover the moon landing when they cross over their own temporal wake. A never heard before alarm goes off within the TARDIS and the Doctor produces a small battered journal from a time safe. It is the account of the British moon landing.

This adventure in and of itself was a pleasant read. However, very much like the series of the time, the character of Kamelion was never used to his full potential. Kamelion has the ability to assume any form set forth by its controller, but I think rather than use his imagination to its fullest extent, Mr. Bulis conveniently left poor Kamelion onboard the TARDIS with nothing to do but make the prerequisite cameo in the beginning and end.

Also by this time in the series, the character of Turlough had long since been an accepted member of the TARDIS crew and wasn't nearly as cowardly or self-centered as he is made out to be in "Imperial Moon". Granted, the sequence where he "borrows" the journal of Captain Richard Haliwell in order to impress the Doctor by his leadership skills was a dead-on interpetation. It's just that some of the other Turlough sequences I found to be lacking. On the plus side for Turlough, there's even a possible love interest in the form of an alien named Lytalia. She is a member of the Phiadoran race. I think Turlough really wants to impress this woman I more than the Doctor. He's smitten.

This isn't really a spoiler I think, but... something I feel that needs to be addressed. I was having a fun time reading this novel until the Doctor resorts to using a blaster in a most un-Doctor-like way. But, that's not really fair, per se to the novel. The fifth incarnation had no hesitation picking up a blaster in the series, most notably in "Earthshock" and "Resurrection of the Daleks". Rather than having the villain(s) do themselves in as a result of their own nastiness, as was the case in almost every fourth incarnation adventure, the fifth incarnation goes "Rambo".... which doesn't mesh with the rest of this story. I could have done without this poorly scripted section. It was as if Mr. Bulis said, "Let's just end this now and tidy up loose ends."

Fifth Doctor novels I pick up without hesitation, as I enjoyed Peter Davison's tenure greatly. This installment, though, felt hurried at the end. It could have been an actual episode. One that I think would have fit nicely into the history of the series. However, it's missing the charm of the fifth Doctor. I agree with another reviewer that he was only a supporting character and not the star.

It's still a fun read. 3-1/2 stars .... it lost a 1/2 star due to some minor items. This certainly will not disappoint most Who fans.

Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL BLEND OF GENRES...BUT...
Review: Christopher Bulis' "Imperial Moon" starts off as a lovely homage to Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Britain lands on the Moon in the year 1878. It is the Moon of early films and some early beliefs. Dense jungle and dangerous wildlife. Her Majesty's astral ships: Lynx, Draco and Cygnus carry their crews into the unknown and adventure.

Enter the fifth incarnation of the Doctor and his companion Turlough, who discover the moon landing when they cross over their own temporal wake. A never heard before alarm goes off within the TARDIS and the Doctor produces a small battered journal from a time safe. It is the account of the British moon landing.

This adventure in and of itself was a pleasant read. However, very much like the series of the time, the character of Kamelion was never used to his full potential. Kamelion has the ability to assume any form set forth by its controller, but I think rather than use his imagination to its fullest extent, Mr. Bulis conveniently left poor Kamelion onboard the TARDIS with nothing to do but make the prerequisite cameo in the beginning and end.

Also by this time in the series, the character of Turlough had long since been an accepted member of the TARDIS crew and wasn't nearly as cowardly or self-centered as he is made out to be in "Imperial Moon". Granted, the sequence where he "borrows" the journal of Captain Richard Haliwell in order to impress the Doctor by his leadership skills was a dead-on interpetation. It's just that some of the other Turlough sequences I found to be lacking. On the plus side for Turlough, there's even a possible love interest in the form of an alien named Lytalia. She is a member of the Phiadoran race. I think Turlough really wants to impress this woman I more than the Doctor. He's smitten.

This isn't really a spoiler I think, but... something I feel that needs to be addressed. I was having a fun time reading this novel until the Doctor resorts to using a blaster in a most un-Doctor-like way. But, that's not really fair, per se to the novel. The fifth incarnation had no hesitation picking up a blaster in the series, most notably in "Earthshock" and "Resurrection of the Daleks". Rather than having the villain(s) do themselves in as a result of their own nastiness, as was the case in almost every fourth incarnation adventure, the fifth incarnation goes "Rambo".... which doesn't mesh with the rest of this story. I could have done without this poorly scripted section. It was as if Mr. Bulis said, "Let's just end this now and tidy up loose ends."

Fifth Doctor novels I pick up without hesitation, as I enjoyed Peter Davison's tenure greatly. This installment, though, felt hurried at the end. It could have been an actual episode. One that I think would have fit nicely into the history of the series. However, it's missing the charm of the fifth Doctor. I agree with another reviewer that he was only a supporting character and not the star.

It's still a fun read. 3-1/2 stars .... it lost a 1/2 star due to some minor items. This certainly will not disappoint most Who fans.

Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL BLEND OF GENRES...BUT...
Review: Christopher Bulis' "Imperial Moon" starts off as a lovely homage to Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Britain lands on the Moon in the year 1878. It is the Moon of early films and some early beliefs. Dense jungle and dangerous wildlife. Her Majesty's astral ships: Lynx, Draco and Cygnus carry their crews into the unknown and adventure.

Enter the fifth incarnation of the Doctor and his companion Turlough, who discover the moon landing when they cross over their own temporal wake. A never heard before alarm goes off within the TARDIS and the Doctor produces a small battered journal from a time safe. It is the account of the British moon landing.

This adventure in and of itself was a pleasant read. However, very much like the series of the time, the character of Kamelion was never used to his full potential. Kamelion has the ability to assume any form set forth by its controller, but I think rather than use his imagination to its fullest extent, Mr. Bulis conveniently left poor Kamelion onboard the TARDIS with nothing to do but make the prerequisite cameo in the beginning and end.

Also by this time in the series, the character of Turlough had long since been an accepted member of the TARDIS crew and wasn't nearly as cowardly or self-centered as he is made out to be in "Imperial Moon". Granted, the sequence where he "borrows" the journal of Captain Richard Haliwell in order to impress the Doctor by his leadership skills was a dead-on interpetation. It's just that some of the other Turlough sequences I found to be lacking. On the plus side for Turlough, there's even a possible love interest in the form of an alien named Lytalia. She is a member of the Phiadoran race. I think Turlough really wants to impress this woman I more than the Doctor. He's smitten.

This isn't really a spoiler I think, but... something I feel that needs to be addressed. I was having a fun time reading this novel until the Doctor resorts to using a blaster in a most un-Doctor-like way. But, that's not really fair, per se to the novel. The fifth incarnation had no hesitation picking up a blaster in the series, most notably in "Earthshock" and "Resurrection of the Daleks". Rather than having the villain(s) do themselves in as a result of their own nastiness, as was the case in almost every fourth incarnation adventure, the fifth incarnation goes "Rambo".... which doesn't mesh with the rest of this story. I could have done without this poorly scripted section. It was as if Mr. Bulis said, "Let's just end this now and tidy up loose ends."

Fifth Doctor novels I pick up without hesitation, as I enjoyed Peter Davison's tenure greatly. This installment, though, felt hurried at the end. It could have been an actual episode. One that I think would have fit nicely into the history of the series. However, it's missing the charm of the fifth Doctor. I agree with another reviewer that he was only a supporting character and not the star.

It's still a fun read. 3-1/2 stars .... it lost a 1/2 star due to some minor items. This certainly will not disappoint most Who fans.

Rating:
Summary: A secret trip to the moon?
Review: I liked the way the Doctor and Turlough found the Diary left by Captain Haliwell. I respected the way the Doctor decided not to read about what happened with him and Turlough in the Diary. I personally don't want to know about my future ahead of time. Another thing, the Phiadorians make very good femme fatales, especially when being possessed by the Vrall. I found that out when I read the end of the book. Next time Turlough could watch his back when meeting a pretty woman.

Rating:
Summary: Solid story with a semi-obvious ending
Review: The 5th Doctor, Turlough, and Kamelion (though he's 'off-screen' for most of the story) join up with a British space expedition to the moon--in the late 19th century. What are the British doing in space almost a century before Sputnik & Gemini? What is the secret of the tropical pocket they've discovered hidden on the dark side of the moon?

I'm a big steampunk fan (modern science incorporated into a Victorian setting), so I was inclined to like this story from the start. Along with the steampunk elements, there are traces of pulp science fiction reminiscent of the 1920's (beautiful alien women trapped in a fantastic jungle on the far side of the moon, for example) that make this a very fun read.

There are a few weak spots, however--certain conflicts are resolved too easily, the final twist is fairly obvious, and the whole thing wraps up far too neatly for my tastes. And, for those who care about such things, this is not a 5th Doctor story per se--it's a story with the 5th Doctor in it. On the plus side, this means that Turlough and some of the other supporting characters get some good development (though a couple who need it don't). Finally, a couple times events just happen for no good reason that I can see (one character dies of a heart attack fairly early--no real need to, except that it's important for that character to not be around at the end of the story).

Literary critiques aside, however, this is, all-in-all, a good, fun story, with a Doctor/Companion mix that's not too common in the novelizations.

Rating:
Summary: Solid story with a semi-obvious ending
Review: The 5th Doctor, Turlough, and Kamelion (though he's 'off-screen' for most of the story) join up with a British space expedition to the moon--in the late 19th century. What are the British doing in space almost a century before Sputnik & Gemini? What is the secret of the tropical pocket they've discovered hidden on the dark side of the moon?

I'm a big steampunk fan (modern science incorporated into a Victorian setting), so I was inclined to like this story from the start. Along with the steampunk elements, there are traces of pulp science fiction reminiscent of the 1920's (beautiful alien women trapped in a fantastic jungle on the far side of the moon, for example) that make this a very fun read.

There are a few weak spots, however--certain conflicts are resolved too easily, the final twist is fairly obvious, and the whole thing wraps up far too neatly for my tastes. And, for those who care about such things, this is not a 5th Doctor story per se--it's a story with the 5th Doctor in it. On the plus side, this means that Turlough and some of the other supporting characters get some good development (though a couple who need it don't). Finally, a couple times events just happen for no good reason that I can see (one character dies of a heart attack fairly early--no real need to, except that it's important for that character to not be around at the end of the story).

Literary critiques aside, however, this is, all-in-all, a good, fun story, with a Doctor/Companion mix that's not too common in the novelizations.