Title: Doctor Who: The Silent Stars Go By
Author: Dan Abnett
First published September 29, 2011
304 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781849902434 (ISBN10: 1849902437)
Rating: 3.95
Overview
The Maintainers have worked tirelessly for centuries to maintain their world and make it habitable. But as their crops fail, livestock becomes sick, and the temperature drops, their purpose seems impossible.
This year’s Winter Season Feast won’t be the usual celebration of hope and optimism – it’s a time of desperation and despair. Unexpected guests, the Doctor, Amy, and Rory arrive and discover a society on the brink of collapse.
Old rivalries resurface, tensions escalate, and people begin to die. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, the Doctor’s old enemies, the Ice Warriors, launch an invasion.
The battle for survival begins, but the Doctor senses that something even more sinister is at play. Can they uncover the truth before it’s too late?
Editoral Review
Doctor Who: The Silent Stars Go By by Dan Abnett is a science fiction novel first published on September 29, 2011. Abnett is a British author and comic book writer, known for his work on franchises such as Warhammer and Marvel Comics.
The Doctor Who franchise is a British television series that has been on the air since 1963, featuring a time-traveling alien called the Doctor who explores the universe with various companions. The Silent Stars Go By takes place on a planet named Hereafter in the distant future, where the Doctor and his companions Amy and Rory arrive to find a human colony facing a harsh winter and a deadly threat from an unknown enemy.
The Doctor and his friends soon discover that the colony is being attacked by a mysterious entity that can possess the bodies of the colonists, turning them into mindless drones. As the situation escalates, the Doctor must uncover the truth behind the entity’s origins and intentions, while dealing with the personal conflicts and secrets of the colonists.
The novel explores themes of identity, memory, and survival, as the characters are forced to confront their pasts and adapt to a hostile environment. Abnett’s writing style is effective in creating a sense of tension and urgency, as the plot unfolds with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged.
The characters are well-drawn, with their different personalities and motivations adding depth to the story. One of the strengths of the novel is its use of the Doctor Who universe, incorporating elements from the TV show such as the TARDIS and the sonic screwdriver in a way that feels organic and faithful to the source material.
The book also introduces new concepts and creatures that expand the lore of the franchise, offering fresh perspectives on familiar themes. However, the pacing of the novel can be uneven at times, with some sections feeling rushed or underdeveloped.
Some of the characters could also benefit from more fleshing out, as their arcs can feel predictable or stereotypical. Additionally, the ending may not satisfy all readers, as it leaves some questions unanswered and relies on a last-minute twist.
Overall, Doctor Who: The Silent Stars Go By is a solid entry in the Doctor Who franchise, offering an entertaining adventure that will satisfy fans of the show and newcomers alike. While it has its flaws, the novel succeeds in capturing the spirit and charm of the series, and provides engaging characters and storytelling.
I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys science fiction, time travel, and a bit of mystery. I give it a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, based on its imaginative world-building and engaging characters, with deductions for its uneven pacing and underdeveloped elements.
