Author: Marc Platt

Originally published: February 1992

Read: September-October 2025

Context: I was pretty quick with this one, I think I read some of this back in 92 but gave up on it, and in reading this now I can see why my teenage self didn’t stick it out, a little too abstract for me then. Now however I dont mind a bit of that, I ended up quite enjoying this one (took me a while to finish it though).

THE REVIEW

What I thought: well I can see why I wasn’t so keen on this one when I was younger. It is quite abstract in terms of concept, and coming off the back of the abstract/dream scape conclusion to the Timewyrm series I can see why this didn’t appeal. I am however a bit more able to handle the abstract now (at the ancient age of 47) so I kept going with this one and ended up enjoying it.

I was surprised how much ancient Gallifrey stuff was in this one, and knowing a bit of the whole VNA arc it was very interesting read about the Pytha, ancient time travel and the start of Rassilon’s journey to becoming the timelord god he pretty much becomes.

The Doctor plays a fairly small part in this story, with Ace far more front and centre. It took me a while to work out what was going on, who/what the process was etc but I stuck with it and it started to make more sense. An interesting idea, a TARDIS time ram/collision with an early time lord time travel ship, and the way the tardis tries to bring itself together throughout the story is pretty good fun. It was really cool when the 7th doctor finally turns up as himself and pulls the TARDIS back together, in a manner of speaking. Ace in this novel is very well written and you can see how clearly she is the first truly modern companion.

I am not exactly sure what is going on with the ‘arc’ of this trilogy, i.e. the silver cat, but i am looking forward to finding out. Back in the 1990’2 I didn’t read beyond this part of the trilogy so i have no clue what happens next, very much looking forward to Warhead next in my VNA reading adventures!

What I felt? Entertained and pleasantly surprised how much I ended up enjoying this one. Interesting story, one very cool moments in ancient Gallifrey..intrigued to see where this arc heads off next.

Rating:3.8 out of 5 massive slugs: Solid, bordering on really good at times, but somewhat confusing to start with.

What am I left thinking?

• What is the Silver cat and how is this all connected together?
• Will we return to ancient Gallifrey?
• Will the next story be a bit more grounded?

Memorable bits

• Timeram!
• The Pytha and Rassilon stand off
• Giant slugs and weird lobster/insect guards