Author: Jaqueline Raynor

Originally published: October 1994

Read: March 2025

Context: so back to the Virgin past doctor adventures. I haven’t read this one before and knew literally nothing about this one before I started it. I also have NEVER read a first doctor original adventure before (shocking I know), so lots of firsts with this read.

THE REVIEW

What I thought:

I started this, and was initially a little concerned, as I couldn’t get my head around the story at all, especially the very unusual aliens, their culture, and their very odd names initially put me off. It took a good 80 pages or so for me to get into this one. I am glad I stuck with it though as I ended up enjoying this one a lot, intriguing story with Ian and Barbara getting lots to do, and a some good stuff with the 1st Doctor as well. Brilliant way he solves the problem and stands up to the equally odd villains min the finale. Very much recommended.

What I felt?

Pleased to have enjoyed my first First doctor adventure and I am very much looking forward to the next one with old Bill Hartnell.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Daleks: grand stuff, which was surprisingly good after an initial rocky start I bloody loved the way this one resolved.

What am I left thinking?

• What the next 1st Doctor adventure is and I have everything crossed it is as good as this one.
• The virgin PDA’s are a really magical mystery tour for me having never read any of them before, looking forward getting to the next one. I am deliberately not looking beyond the next one.

Memorable bits

• The Venusians are mental but proper good Who Aliens, how an earth they could be done on TV is beyond me!
• Brilliant to get some time with Ian and Barbara and get a sense of some of their inner thoughts, their desire to get home and the level of distrust of the 1st Doctor still!
• The first doctor trying to fit a Venusian through the door of his TARDIS!
• Venusian lullaby!