Story: 15 years after the events of “Warlock”, all around the world, there are seemingly telekenetic/telepathic children being spied on by some mysterious Agency who are out to use these kids for, of course, evil and nefarious schemes of World conquest / domination / power / destruction / control, etc. The Doctor, being the sly chess player that he is, has figured everything out ahead of time, and has placed his operatives in key positions to allow events to come to a well-orchestrated conclusion.
Review: This book is third in a trilogy of books about much the same characters. “Cat’s Cradle: Warhead”, “Warlock”, and “Warchild” being the third. The first one I can’t remember due to adolescence-induced short term memory loss. The second book was good (you can read my review here). And this final book was, for lack of a better word, good. I do have to say, it’s not very Who-ish. The events in this story could happen just as well without the Doctor & company, but the added bonus of their presence is much appreciated.
I know most of my reviews about the New Adventures have strikingly similar content, but this isn’t down to me, it’s the fault of the authors. The character of the Seventh Doctor has, I fear, run its course. How long can we deal with a guilt-ridden, future manipulating, chess playing, spoon playing, know-it-all?! There are few books that take him and use him to his fullest extent. I thought the character of the Doctor was supposed to dominate? Instead, he sinks into spells of silent depression, or silent contemplation, or vanishes from the pages completely! So, with only thirteen New Adventures left, I can see the end approaching. And with 140 books left for me to read (and hopefully, review) I know it’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for.
Anyway…there are quite a few semi-suggestive scenes in this book, though of late I’m not at all surprised by anything I read in a Doctor Who book. Once you can get your head round the idea of sex, swearing, and drugs on one page, and the Doctor on the very same page, then you’re halfway there. So, despite my rambling rant, and seemingly endless criticism, I did like this book quite a bit. I give it an 8 out of 10. I was going to give it more, but in re-reading my review as I typed it out, I managed to sway my vote. Oh well, at least all the ****ing swearing in these NA’s hasn’t permiated my ****ing reviews. Not ****ing yet anyway.
Year: 1995
Author: Andrew Cartmel
Publisher: Virgin
Pages: 272