The Highest Science (The New Adventures of Doctor Who) [Paperback]

Gareth Roberts (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: London Bridge (Mm) (March 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0426203771
• ISBN-13: 978-0426203773
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,718,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A highly enjoyable book, October 21, 2003

By 

Shane Welch "Serge Ortega" (Canberra City, ACT Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Highest Science (The New Adventures of Doctor Who) (Paperback)

An intriguing plot - assorted groups of humans and Chelonians get transported, seemingly at random to an alien planet (Sakkrat?), in a future time. The Doctor, and his (relatively new) companion Bernice Summerfield arrive on the same planet, attempting to discover the source of time disturbances (Fortean Flickers). At the same time, another group of humans arrive in a space ship, searching for the fabled 'Highest Science'.

The Chelonians are probably Virgin's greatest creation (apart from Benny of course). They work extremely well as an alien race. The author gives us an excellent insight into their culture, their thoughts. 'Flower Arranging' or 'War'? - Gareth Roberts actually manages to bring such a career choice off with his portrayal of the Chelonians. "Chelonians don't kill Chelonians!" Yeah, sure, and Minbari never lie and Klingons are honourable!

The Doctor is portrayed as a clownish character, reminescent of Sylvester's first season. As he is being crushed to death, he states, 'This is ridiculous, I'm the only one wearing a tie', and after being dropped from a height, and landing on his feet he claims 'I had to land on my feet as I wasn't wearing a crash helmet'.

Bernice seems more a cross between the Bernice to come and the Ace of old. Ace's violent tendencies were sometimes prevalent. Generally a good portrayal though, laying a solid foundation for the more rounded character to come.

Has the loose end ever been tied up? The 8-12s and Chelonians were left stuck in a time bubble. OK, maybe the Doctor doesn't always have the answers, but it did diminish the impact of the book somewhat to leave them stuck like that.

A highly enjoyable book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Introducing the Chelonians, May 5, 2001

By 

"grrreg" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Highest Science (The New Adventures of Doctor Who) (Paperback)

Investigating a Fortean Flicker, a rare space-time hazard with potentially disastrous side effects, the Doctor and Benny find themselves on the planet Sakkrat, a planet long thought vanished, which had produced the Highest Science, the exact nature of which is shrouded in legend. But they are not alone on the planet: some temporally displaced commuters, a troop of Chelonians, and the galaxy's most renowned criminal and his gang have arrived through one method or another, and conflict is looming...

'The Highest Science' is a fun adventure story, with humorous trappings wrapped around a serious core. The displaced groups have very different cultures, and their interactions with the Doctor and Benny are interesting to watch. And then there are the plot twists...

For readers of Doctor Who books published by Virgin, this one does a very important thing: it introduces the Chelonians, a race of cybernetically enhanced giant hermaphroditic turtle (no, I'm not joking). Hugely threatening and bizarrely humorous by turns, this race are a masterful creation who turn up in several more novels. Quite frankly, they're worth the price of admission alone.

This is Gareth Roberts first novel, and a very accomplished one it is too. He is a writer with a fine touch, and if you enjoy this book, be sure to look for his others.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the better NA's, July 4, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Highest Science (The New Adventures of Doctor Who) (Paperback)

This was, for me, probably the most enjoyable New Adventure to come out. Easily the book most faithful to McCoy's Doctor, it maintains a perfect balance between humor and pathos and was the only book I read that made me wish it could have been made as an episode