Story: So this inside out planet, which is also shaped like a snail shell, is known as “the Artifact.” It is of great interest to many people, and there are always groups coming and going, studying, and otherwise theorizing on its origins. But, you see, all is not as it may seem inside this “Artifact,” as usual. One expedition living inside this planet has been killed, and another, arriving by spaceship, is sabotaged by – you guessed it – Unknown Forces! (There seem to be quite a few unknown forces in the Universe; please e-mail me if you come across any.) And so, just when all the weirdness begins, along comes the Doctor and company. Before any of them can tell what is going on, the TARDIS disappears (again!). Now we all know what is going to happen next: the separation. Yes, the Doctor goes off on his own to find the TARDIS, then gets this overwhelming feeling that he is being hunted. Bernice, who floats off by herself, befriends a once-human blob called Midnight that is confused about where he came from. And Ace…well, she seems to act more like the Doctor in this story. She uses reasoning instead of guns!
Review: Sadly, the true secret of this inside out planet is rather trite. I was hoping it wouldn’t turn out to be what I thought it would be, but I won’t say more to prevent me from getting egg all over my face…ahem. I suppose if you like long-winded descriptions of fantastical environments, and overused formulaic SF concepts, you’ll love “Parasite”. If you like Doctor Who, you’ll read this book anyway just to preserve continuity, and get you to the next book. Only a 5/10 by my scale, but don’t just listen to me – read it for yourself.
Year: 1994
Author: Jim Mortimore
Publisher: Virgin
Pages: 288