Written by Paul Cornell

Originally released : October 1991

Read: April 2025

Context: Back to the VNA, I was very much looking forward to the conclusion of the Timewyrm series, a series of Who books that burn bright in my memory as they were reakky the start of my Who obession proper, I am after all a child of the wilderness years. I had some strong memories of this book in particular when I read this one originally, in particular some of the appearnces of the previous Doctors, the dream-scape setting and the odd moon/ye olde English village setting. I also could remember, at the time I remember struggling to really follow what was going on. I hoped that, some 35 ish years older I would be able to follow it this time around!!!

THE REVIEW

What I thought: this was a really great story, probably the strongest of the four stories and a very satisfying conclusion to the TimeWyrm adventure. In many ways this is a brutal story, the Timewyrm really goes for the Doctor and comes pretty close to winning, however thanks to Ace (and the plans of the Doctor going on underneath the Timewyrms plans) leads to a very satisfying, but costly, victory for the this TARDIS team.

Despite the crazy setting, a church on the moon/inside the doctor’s head, I can see how this would work on TV. Why the current Who TV team don’t mine this almost endless resource of amazing Who stories these adventures are is beyond me. Anyway, Paul Cornell has crafted an amazing story in its own right, alongside the tidying up the bigger story whilst also creating a very satisfying VNA that sets the scene for the future of the novel range. In many respects if you want to know what the VNA are capable of doing with the classic Dr Who format then you cant really go wrong with this one. Amazing book, brilliant use of (some) past Doctors to help this seventh incarnation defeat the TimeWrym, and amazing, dark, interesting and subtle insights into what makes the Doctor tick, and what haunts him as well. One of the best Who books I have read on this reading adventure, thus far.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Space helmets – only drops .5 of a helmet as if push comes to shove id say Dream type stories are not my fav, however this one is expertly handled, and is packed with amazing ideas, imagery and darkness…this is Dr Who going very dark…and I LOVE it!

What I felt: very satisfied indeed at the conclusion of my 4th VNA, over the moon at the journey I (re-)started in reading all the original who stories I could get my hands on….initial trepidation has been completly replaced with excitement and joy at the many many excellent stories that lay ahead of me, in no small part because of this book.

What am I left thinking?

• Will we ever see Saul again or visit C. Boniface again?
• Will these versions of the other Doctors, which live in 7’s head, ever be revisited in this way again?
• The ramifications of this story living on in other stories?

Memorable bits

• So many to choose from, the 1st doctor in his garden, the 3rd doctor at the mercy of Hemmings, to name but two.
• The highlight of highlights is the 5th doctor tied to the tree, the doctor’s conscience, chained by the 7th doctor so he can live with himself…brilliant.