Doctor Who: The Shadows of Avalon [Paperback]

Paul Cornell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Doctor Who (BBC Paperback) | Publication Date: February 2000

The Brigadier, mourning the loss of his wife Doris, is called to help find a nuclear weapon that's gone missing over the Wiltshire Downs. The Doctor is on his way there too, to pick up his companion Compassion, after her holiday on Earth. But when the Doctor's TARDIS explodes, he, the Brigadier, Compassion and Fitz are thrown into the other-dimensional world of Avalon. Magic faces down science, dragons duel with jet fighters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: BBC Pubns (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0563555882
• ISBN-13: 978-0563555889
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #840,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Regular fans won't want to miss this one!, February 10, 2000

By 

A. KAPLAN "Penelopecat" (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Doctor Who: The Shadows of Avalon (Paperback)

Popular Doctor Who author Paul Cornell makes a welcome return to the series with this volume, which also features the return of popular supporting character Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.

When the TARDIS is destroyed, the Doctor and his companions find themselves in the mythic land of Avalon, caught up in a war between the Celts and the Fair Folk. When a portal is opened up into our world, the British military becomes involved, and the story begins taking some very dark turns.

As usual, Paul Cornell's true skill lies in his ability to get to the hearts of his characters. This time around, the focus is on the Brigadier, grieving for his lost wife, convinced that life holds nothing more for him. Naturally, this despair affects everything and everyone around him, including his relationship with the Doctor, showing their friendship in a new, different, and sometimes upsetting light.

While this isn't Mr. Cornell's greatest Doctor Who story--there's a little too much running around and confusing battle sequences for my tastes--it's still a fun book. More importantly, big things are afoot. The end of this book took me completely by surprise, and should give this series a new focus and direction for the next year or so. Most licensed fiction is content to tread water, telling variations on the same story over and over again. With this book, Doctor Who really looks like it's trying to escape that fate.

While this novel wraps up a story arc that has been running for the last six months, this book gives enough information that new readers familiar with the Doctor Who series can jump right in. One thing is for sure: these characters don't end up in the same place they started, and Doctor Who fans won't want to miss this volume.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A New Beginning, February 25, 2001

By 

Richard J. Teta (Miramar, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doctor Who: The Shadows of Avalon (Paperback)

I've missed the Doctor. This is the first 8th Doctor adventure I bought. I was not disappointed. All of the Doctor Who elements are here. However,the fate of a planet doesn't hang in the balance.This time,the entire dimension of the Catuvalani is in jeopardy. The Doctor is stranded in Avalon after the destruction of his TARDIS. He fears Fitz and Compassion perished with it. It was good to see the Brigadier again. He gets involved while investigating the disappearance of a nuclear missile. I also liked the Gallifreyan agents.They are the fly in the ointment. The true nature of their mission was spectacular. It affects the life of the Doctor and his friends in a way I would have never expected. This book was not only a new beginning for the Doctor and his friends but me as well. It was the best place for me to start reading his adventures again. I don't think you'll be disappointed-enjoy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Read!, January 8, 2001

By 

Jeremy Griffiths - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doctor Who: The Shadows of Avalon (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Why? Well, it is well-paced, sheds new light on an old character and deals with some large events ably. Throw in some great bad guys, a shock or three and stir in a liberal dose of magic and you have a cracking book. Recommended!