Publisher: Self-Published

Written By: Darren Edden

RRP: £8.99 (Paperback)

Reviewed by: Sebastian J. Brook

Review Posted: 21st March 2020

If there was a book we could review that was current with what's going on in the world right now, then Darren Edden's 'The Mirror Of Our Creation' is that book! The story is set in the UK (so nice to have a UK-based story, by the way) in a dystopian future - a future that is at threat from a mysterious influenza-type virus that's wreaking havoc on peoples lives and financial markets - sound familiar?

Ok, maybe the dystopian future part isn't quite what's happening right now, but we are possibly closer that we have ever been to imagining that future, and The Mirror Of Our Creation, in part, is a Nostradamus-like foreshadowing of what could be.

For an author, you couldn't hope for a more poignant and well-timed release for your book - this is a relatively new title, having been released less than a year ago, but from every page you turn it's like a mirror world reflection of our own - and that's before you get stuck into the real meat of the story. Drones, attacks in London, British hospitals packed out with patients... It's all here!

We actually had a cold chill down our back as we read the following line:

"The UK Health Service is starting to creak under the increased pressure of the influenza virus as it continues to spread further throughout the country."

Edden's ability to immerse the reader in his world is testament to his skill in describing the scenes and the characters to a point where they are rich and fully rounded - not just a pencil sketch. You can't help but feel that bit closer to the action, and because of this it's hard to book the book down as you're itching to find out what happens next.

Without giving too much away, it was from Chapter Nineteen that there is a change in tone, direction and location. We head to Jupiter where the character's encounter other intelligent life, in a completely refreshing and ingenious way that feels rejuvenating in the Science Fiction genre.

The Mirror Of Our Creation is split up into three main sections; Part One: The Signal, Part Two: The Contact & Part Three: The Return. A tidy way of storytelling, and coupled with the various 'Newsfeed' sub-chapters throughout (as well as the detailed descriptions mentioned earlier), you feel more part of the story than the normal distanced perspective of a reader.

There are several poignant moments throughout; some because of what’s happening in the real world right now, but some because of the journey taken in the story. One particular moment springs to mind later on, involving a cup of coffee - the juxtaposition of the moment compared with what has just happened...well...without spoiling it, you will know what we mean, where it is and just how poignant it is when you read it!

Again, not wanting to give too much away, but the end is left open for a sequel - one that we hope will come very soon, as Edden and his seemingly prophetic skills, could come in handy in the months and possibly years to come...

A truly captivating story that fans of Science Fiction with hold on to with great relish!

+  The Mirror Of Our Creation is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk!
+  Follow @DarrenEdden on Twitter.

Every month DWO like to take a little side-step from the Doctor Who universe to help spotlight an up and coming author who we feel shares something in common with the greater whoniverse. This month is the turn of Joe Basile; author of 'The Last Qumranian'.

"Time travel has been used to stop the birth of Christ, altering the timeline of human history.

Lukas is the last Qumranian, an ancient sect sworn to secrecy and to protect the prophecies that bind the worlds together. When they develop a powerful technology that can control time, their discovery attracts unwanted attention.

When the Unclean -- a militant force powered by dark magic -- attack the hidden Qumranian compound under what once was the Dead Sea, Lukas barely escapes. But at what cost? With his life intact, he finds himself a prisoner in an alternate timeline not his own.

Alone in a foreign landscape ravaged by wars, advanced by technology, oppressed by a corporation partnered with a ruthless religious group slaughtering any who oppose them in the streets, sinister supernatural forces, and an artifact that literally can -- and has -- changed human history, Lukas must not only struggle to stay alive, but locate the only thing that can prevent the Unclean and the powers that control them from destroying the world.

Will Lukas manage to retrieve the artifact before more damage is done to the timeline of history, or will he be too late, forever lost in a nightmarish alternate reality?"

5 Question with... Joe Basile (Author)

1) When did you first get into writing, and did you have any influences / favourite authors?

I love writing!!! :) I wrote my first screenplay with some help from friends 16 years ago, which subsequently became this book...The Last Qumranian. Yay!

I have written sermons for 20 years and shorter stories, but this story has been my passion, and I had no idea how much I would LOVE writing it! A true joy! 

Edgar Rice Burroughs is my favorite author of all time! No rules. Dreamed so big, and his heroes were soooo noble and good that I wished I were them.

2) What was it like to get your first book published and to have a tangible copy?

A trip! Most people asked what it feels like, but I said it is a little weird, but that is the vehicle. The destination is people reading it and being swept away in an adventure. That’s my goal. Punished is the vehicle.

3) Can you tell us a bit about The Last Qumranian? What inspired you and who was responsible for that awesome cover?

Matthew Thrush commissioned an AMAZING artist and I LOVE IT! 

I just couldn’t fathom the idea of time travel and no one wanting to use to stop the birth of Christ! Seemed obvious to me. And then I dreamed about what that world would look like. I Set it in Israel, a secret society not affected by the birth of a Christ, and a hero with the strength and training to take on an army of evil with supernatural demonic powers, and a mission to get his time travel machine back to set things right. 

4) Are you a fan of Doctor Who, and if so, what was your earliest memory of the show? Do you have a particular favourite episode?

I LOVE Dr Who! My earliest memory of the show is watching it in black and white. But I became HUGE FAN during the David Tennant Era! LOVE Matt Smith too!!!

They risk soooo much and are able to weave it all together so creatively and satisfactorily. Time Travel stories are a recipe for disaster in lesser hands, but Dr Who crushes it!!! IMO, from one time travel dreamer to another.

5) Finally, if you could take a round trip in the TARDIS, anywhere in time and space, where would you go and why?

First of all, I really want to try and figure out how big it actually is on the inside! The resurrection of Christ! I want to be in that room. Put my fingers the holes in his hands and feet. I have faith, but I would LOVE to see it with my own eyes too!! Amazing!!!

+  BUY The Last Qumranian via Odyssey Books!
+  Facebook: facebook.com/JoeBasileAuthor
+  Twitter: twitter.com/jesustattoos

[Source: DWO]

Publisher: Rude Cat LLC

Written By: Randy Smith

RRP: £15.99 / $17.99 (Paperback)

Reviewed by: Sebastian J. Brook

Review Posted: 24th November 2019

Something that Doctor Who and Star Trek has taught us is that Science Fiction doesn't always remain a fiction. Whilst Randy Smith's The Raffle may be nestled in a SciFi / Cyberpunk genre, the story itself is set in a dystopian future, just a few years from now (2026-2027), and serves more as a speculative glimpse into what could be.

There's an alternative history where on July 4th 2016, a multi-angle terror attack changed America forever; so much so that it is now known as the New United States. Our central character, Ramsey, has been separated from his wife and daughter for 10 years, and without trying to spoil anything, The Raffle sees his once-in-a-lifetie chance to be reunited with them.

Talk about prophetic; The Raffle predicted the election of Donald Trump, and there are many more instances within where the reader cannot help but feel spooked by the near-future clairvoyance in which author Randy Smith is worryingly good at.

If we could describe the series in a few words it's The Handmaids Tale meets The Matrix meets The Hunger Games. That being said, it's still very much its own thing and you will be swept along for the ride - a ride that is shocking, unpredictable and so addictive that you just want to keep reading and reading.

The Raffle was initially released as four separate novellas, and one can only imagine the torture as a reader as they got to the end of each book, desperately waiting to find out what happens to Ramsey next. Fortunately, this version brings all four novellas together, so you can tackle the saga in one sitting. The fourth part is considerably longer than the others and reads more like a full-on novel, and feels like a natural evolution of both the story and the author.

Perhaps, rather soberingly, The Raffle is the authors mouthpiece for the state of a country he so blatantly loves, and what could happen. Anyone that can predict the election of Trump NEEDS to be heard; The Raffle doesn't only serve as a fantastic piece of fiction, but a worryingly believable projection into where we are going if we don't change our ways.

After four distinct parts, there is still plenty more life in the series, and with an open ending, we really hope that Ramsey's journey continues!

+  The Raffle is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk!
+  Follow @TheRaffle2027 on Twitter.

Publisher: Self Published

Written By: J.H. Barron

RRP: £7.99 (Paperback)

Reviewed by: Sebastian J. Brook

Review Posted: 4th November 2019

It’s Sarah Penworthy’s sixteenth birthday! The sun is shining, the school bell is ringing, she’s got a birthday party to prepare and there’s that boy she really wants to ask out on a date... But all of Sarah’s plans are shattered when a strange silver ball comes crashing through her bedroom window.

Right from the off, J.H. Barron's 'Sarah: The Empress Of The Galaxy' calls out to Doctor Who fans. The main character's parents are called Ian and Barbara, there's a character called Alpha Centauri (although this one is quite different from the one we know in Doctor Who), and there's even a robot called 'Robot Holmes' - surely a nod to the much-loved Doctor Who script editor of the 1970's!

Peppered with tongue-in-cheek references to cult movies and tv (Doctor Who, Star Wars, Star Trek and Sapphire And Steel - to name just a few), oh - and even one for Kate Bush fans, this is a science fiction adventure that has a lot of fun along the way, and despite the genre, is surprisingly rooted in real moments, emotions and decisions.

Sarah, the central character, is 16 years old, and we get a very real glimpse of what it's like to be a girl of her age, and the struggles she faces in her day-to-day life. Barron makes the reader feel her frustration of the monotony of her life, and we too want more for her. It is also rather interesting the way that Barron plays things when Sarah finally does get an opportunity to mix thing up; despite wanting something new, she shows apprehension at the exciting path before her. This was an unpredictable, yet totally believable way of playing the situation.

One of our favourite bits in the whole book was the following exchange between Sarah and Robot Holmes:

“You are to accompany me to the Starship Hound of Love.”

“I can’t do that!” she said.

The robot hovered closer to Sarah’s face, its one great eye piercing into hers. “Do not worry, my Lady,” it assured her, “the teleportation beam is accurate to a degree of ninety-eight percent. The chances of molecular disintegration are very slim indeed.”

“No, no, no!” Sarah blabbed hastily. “You don’t understand— I can’t go anywhere like that! It’s my birthday and I’m going out tonight!”

Barron's use of description for places and people are terrific; there's a particular moment later in the book when Sarah arrives at Voxxen, and Barron's detailing really adds flesh to the world as you feel the almost claustrophobic atmosphere as they venture deeper into the bowels of Voxxen.

There are thrills, twists, turns and enough exciting changes in pace and setting to keep your interest throughout. We were genuinely sad to reach the end of the book and it most certainly left us wanting more.

Without spoiling too much, there's a rather sobering epilogue that addresses the consequences of Sarah's story, and with an ending that unquestionably paves the way for a sequel, we cannot wait to see what adventures Sarah gets up to next.

+  Sarah: The Empress Of The Galaxy is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk!
+  Follow @JH_Barron on Twitter.

Publisher: September Publishing

Written By: Marshall Julius

RRP: £12.99 (Paperback)

Reviewed by: Sebastian J. Brook

Review Posted: 23rd October 2019

Question: When is a quiz book not just any old quiz book?
Answer: When said quiz book is written by master of all things fandom, Marshall Julius.

Vintage Geek is quite literally the ultimate quiz book for fans of classic tv, film and comics, from 2000AD to Walt's Wonderful World Of Disney, Marshall has chosen topics you can tell he is passionate about.

The Doctor Who section, for example, sees Marshall focusing on arguably one of the most popular tenures of the shows history; the Tom Baker years, rather than it's wider 56+ year history. Likewise, with the James Bond section, he chooses to focus on the Roger Moore years.

Vintage Geek is split up into 2 main sections; the questions and the answers. Marshall starts off each section by introducing the topic and what it meant to him, making it feel like a journey through his love for each of the shows and movies - such a wonderfully fresh and personal take on the quiz book format.

Along the way there are questions from celebrity guest stars (some true crackers, too), and there's a real mix of questions that will have even the most die-hard fans questioning their encyclopaedic knowledge.

Marshall has included something for everyone in Vintage Geek; Star Wars, Star Trek, James Bond, Doctor Who, Jurassic Park, The Simpsons and Marvel (to name just a few) all get their own sections - each filled with 50 questions to test your fandom credentials.

Then we get to the answers, and this is where Marshall really brings home the goods. If you think you're going to get just the answer, think again (this is Marshall we're talking about!) - many of the answers are filled with detailed information and trivia, such as actors names, serial numbers and years.

We would be remiss not to acknowledge Mike Reiss' (Simpsons writer) hilarious foreword, followed by Marshall's own touching introduction that makes the reader feel an overwhelming sense of inclusion and 'its-ok-to-be-nerdy-ness'. One particular line really stood out to us, however, and it really is incredibly apt, poignant, and most of all, true:

"I've always felt that to completely grow up, to turn your back on the things that once meant the most to you, would be the most terrible betrayal of the child you once were."

Due to Marshall's immense fandom knowledge, and after educating us with quite a few fact-filled gaps in our own knowledge (that even surprised us), we genuinely felt like better fans after reading Vintage Geek! Go get a copy and add it to your life NOW!

+  Vintage Geek is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk!
+  Follow @MarshallJulius on Twitter.

To celebrate the return of Doctor Who in early 2020, BBC Books will publish Star Tales; a unique collection of name-dropping historical adventures inspired by Jodie Whittaker’s first series as the Doctor.

The Doctor is many things – curious, funny, brave, protective of her friends... and a shameless name-dropper. While she and her companions battled aliens and travelled across the universe, the Doctor hinted at a host of previous, untold adventures with the great and the good: we discovered she got her sunglasses from Pythagoras (or was it Audrey Hepburn?); lent a mobile phone to Elvis; had an encounter with Amelia Earhart where she discovered that a pencil-thin spider web can stop a plane; had a 'wet weekend' with Harry Houdini, learning how to escape from chains underwater; and more.

In this collection of new stories, Star Tales takes you on a rip-roaring ride through history, from 500BC to the swinging 60s, going deeper into the Doctor's notorious name-dropping and revealing the truth behind these anecdotes.

The book will feature 6 brand new stories, detailing the Doctor's untold adventures with famous figures in history - Audrey Hepburn, Elvis Presley, Harry Houdini, Amelia Earhart, Albert Einstein and Pythagoras, written by Steve Cole, Jenny T Colgan, Jo Cotterill, Paul Magrs, Trevor Baxendale and Mike Tucker.

For those who can’t wait until 5th December, two chapters will be available for download as e-shorts a month prior to publication. 

+  Doctor Who: Star Tales is released on 5th December 2019, priced £12.99.
+  PREORDER this title at Amazon.co.uk!
 

[Source: Penguin Random House]

Publisher: Spaceboy Books LLC

Written By: M. Drewery

RRP: £10.68 (Paperback) / £2.14 (Kindle)

Reviewed by: Sebastian J. Brook

Review Posted: 5th June 2019

We're not usually fans of apocalyptic stories; they're not exactly light reading and the running theme tends to feel a little worn by the time you've reached the (literal) end. That wasn't the case for M. Drewery's 'Stolen Futures', however - in fact, never have we read a story within this genre that had so much heart and soul.

"Callum Tasker isn’t special. He isn’t a genius, or a star athlete. He’s not unique. But he, along with 257 other ordinary kids from around the globe, has been assigned to a spaceship that will flee an alien attack on the Earth. Callum will leave everything behind; his family, his friends, his country, to give humanity a new beginning on a new home world."

The opening chapter throws you right into the action, but balanced with all this action is a tender and heart-breaking story of a boy being ripped from his family. Every scene is painted with such rich colour through description and emotion, that you feel a connection to Callum very early on. It is genuine, lump-in-throat reading, before you are hurtled off into a rip-roaring adventure that doesn't stop for one minute. At its heart, this story is about growing up, making important decisions and, of course, saving humankind!

Together with a continuous switch-up in the narrative, as well as some intelligent use of the author's sci/tech knowledge, Stolen Futures never fails to keep your attention. Just when you think you need to put the book down to continue with your real life tasks, it pulls you back in and makes you want to keep reading.

It is clear that the author is a science fiction fan, and whilst there are moments that will have you thinking of scenes from some of your favourites like Star Wars or even Doctor Who, make no mistake that this is very much its own thing - it's dripping in confidence and drive.

We don't want to spoil the ending, but what we can say is that the future looks very bright more more stories in the Stolen Futures universe (or should that be multiverse)? :)

M. Drewery has crafted a thoroughly fantastic story that is screaming out for a movie or tv series! Cannot wait to see what's next from this author!

+  Stolen Futures is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk!
+  Follow M. Drewery on Twitter.

Publisher: Amazon Media EU

Written By: Jude Austin

RRP: £2.37 (Kindle)

Reviewed by: Sebastian J. Brook

Review Posted: 9th March 2019

The SciFi/Thriller genre is chock-full of tales of a dystopian future, heaped on with a bucket load of aliens and apocalyptic doom, but Jude Austin's 'Project Tau' takes the genre in a refreshingly different - and scarily realistic direction.

Leaving behind the dystopian angle, Austin instead gives us a future that is totally believable; where human cloning is at an advanced stage.

When a frat stunt initiation goes horribly wrong, our lead character Kalin Taylor finds himself in a world of trouble. He is offered a way of his problems in exchange for him taking part in a few 'experiments'. A decision that will have dire ramifications for Kalin, and the world itself...

There are moments when you feel like you have been truly catapulted into the future, but then Austin pulls you back and reinforces the foundation of reality:

"Is this going to hurt?" Kalin said edgily. The scientist (Renfield, he'd said his name was) gave him a rather patronizing smile that set the normally passive Kalin's fists itching, and shook his head. "Of course not. You'll be given a general."

Just that line; "given a general", instantly connects you to something you would hear in a modern day hospital. Such a tiny point to mention, but its utter simplicity and nonchalance ends up being an incredibly clever tool that makes the reader fully immersed in this story.

There were some moments that were hard to read; without giving too much away, a certain 'modification' and a shock end to a chapter leaves the reader feeling a little nauseous. This actually gets even worse during the next chapter, but, again, it's totally down to the realism in which the author paints the world and the scenes within.

At its heart, Project Tau is a morality tale that leads the reader to a stark realisation of where we're headed and what we cannot allow to happen. It makes us assess what it really means to be human, and that you don't HAVE to be human, to BE human (if that makes any sense). By the time you finish reading Project Tau, you genuinely feel glad to be back in the present.

The door is left open at the end for more adventures in Austin's world, and with writing like this, we are very much looking forward to what happens next.

+  Project Tau is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk!
+  Follow Jude Austin on Twitter.

BBC Books have sent DWO the cover and details for the hardback edition of the classic series adventure; 'Revelation Of The Daleks' - the first time the story has been released in book form!

After the success of the new-era Target novelisations in 2018, which included books by Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat, BBC Books are proud to announce the publication of Resurrection of the Daleks and Revelation of the Daleks, novelisations of two iconic Doctor Who adventures by Eric Saward, one of the show’s longest serving script editors.

Written by Saward himself, these novels are the only two classic-era Doctor Who adventures yet to be novelised, and their publication more than three decades after their first TV transmission will fill a long-held gap in fans’ collections the world over.

Product Synopsis:

"Beware the hands that heal... The Doctor and Peri land on the planet Necros to visit the funerary home Tranquil Repose – where the dead are interred and the near-dead placed in suspended animation until such time as their conditions can be cured.

But the Great Healer of Tranquil Repose is far from benign. Under his command, Daleks guard the catacombs where sickening experiments are conducted on human bodies. The new life he offers the dying comes at a terrible cost – and the Doctor and Peri are being lured into a trap that will change them forever."

+  Revelation Of The Daleks is released on 14th November 2019, priced £12.99 (Hardback).
+  PREORDER this title on Amazon.co.uk! 

[Source: BBC Books]

BBC Books have sent DWO the cover and details for the hardback edition of the classic series adventure; 'Resurrection Of The Daleks' - the first time the story has been released in book form!

After the success of the new-era Target novelisations in 2018, which included books by Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat, BBC Books are proud to announce the publication of Resurrection of the Daleks and Revelation of the Daleks, novelisations of two iconic Doctor Who adventures by Eric Saward, one of the show’s longest serving script editors.

Written by Saward himself, these novels are the only two classic-era Doctor Who adventures yet to be novelised, and their publication more than three decades after their first TV transmission will fill a long-held gap in fans’ collections the world over.

Product Synopsis:

"The universe is at war. Action takes courage... The TARDIS is ensnared in a time corridor, catapulting it into derelict docklands on 20th century Earth. The Doctor and his companions, Tegan and Turlough, stumble on a warehouse harbouring fugitives from the future at the far end of the corridor – and are soon under attack from a Dalek assault force.

The Doctor’s oldest enemies have set in motion an intricate and sinister plot to resurrect their race from the ashes of an interstellar war. For the Daleks’ plans to succeed, they must set free their creator, Davros, from a galactic prison – and force the Doctor to help them achieve total control over time and space. But the embittered Davros has ideas of his own..."

+  Resurrection Of The Daleks is released on 18th July 2019, priced £12.99 (Hardback).
+  PREORDER this title on Amazon.co.uk! 

[Source: BBC Books]

Publisher: World Castle Publishing

Written By: Colin Sinclair

RRP: £17.99 (Hardback) / £9.05 (Paperback) / £3.01 (Kindle)

Release Date: 23rd June 2018

Reviewed by: Sebastian J. Brook

Review Posted: 14th January 2019

Every month we get sent a large number of books to review - so many, in fact, that we can't get through them all. We've actually become a little guilty of judging a book by its cover, but in Colin Sinclair's case, we're glad we did... his book 'Elji And The Galrass' has a striking cover that instantly called to us, and what lay within was nothing short of a pure joy to read.

"Elji, a boy from a village outside the city of Mehem discovers a "Galrass" a tool usually wielded only by those who understand its power. Perhaps it was left for him to find or perhaps it was just a random happening?

The Galrass embroils him in a struggle he never expected to be part of or even imagined existed. Dregar, a being from a different planet and galaxy ‘feels’ the boys interruption of the universal essence and takes him under his wing and so his journey begins.

Friendships are made and lost and many lives must be put in danger to usher the civilization into its rightful place among the Universal essence. Will Elji fulfill his potential and help save his world or will it fall into darkness?"

Elji And The Galrass is epic fantasy adventure at its best, and really takes the reader on a breathtaking journey - not only through its richly detailed locations, but for the characters within. On top of all that, there are some important messages and morals for the reader to take home, and Sinclair seamlessly embroiders his good nature and true heart throughout this tale.

There is an incredible attention to detail, from floral fountains to fire pits, Sinclair evokes sights, sounds and smells in such clarity that he not only ensnares your imagination, but your senses too. In fact, I've never read a book that has been able to do this quite so effectively, before.

The topography of the book is also to be marvelled; one minute you are peering out the shutters of a room, overlooking bustling streets, and the next you are navigating a mountain range, or a desert. Again, this further adds to the feeling of having travelled far and wide, and when you're done reading, you almost feel out of breath.

Elji And The Galrass was easy to read thanks to its short chapters and attention-grabbing storyline. It never felt weary, and you almost always end up reading more than you planned to.

I eagerly await the sequel, and will be pestering the author until its release. Fantastic!

+  Elji And The Galrass is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk!
+  Follow Colin Sinclair on Twitter.

Publisher: Self Published

Written By: Mark J.G. Fahey

RRP: £8.00 (Paperback) / £7.19 (Kindle) / $11.95 (Paperback) / $9.15 (Kindle)

Release Date: 25th January 2016

Reviewed by: Sebastian J. Brook

Review Posted: 11th January 2019

Imagine if Halley's Comet wasn't really a comet...but an intergalactic Casino! In that one sentence you get a taste of the bonkers but brilliant mind of Mark J.G. Fahey!

Set in 1986 (a time period experiencing renewed exposure in current pop culture) Halley's Casino follows the adventure of Nebula (Neb) Yorker; a 26-year old stargazer who's life is about to be turned upside down as the comet he has been waiting for turns out to be something very different indeed...

Thus heralds the beginning of a whirlwind adventure, with a clever use of time travel and well-researched historical side-steps.

If you're a fan of Douglas Adams' work, then Fahey is rooted very close to Adams' sense of humour and sheer inventiveness with rich, crazy storylines and characters. Humour is laced throughout the story, and it's better for it - not just the odd laugh, but well-paced, timed and intelligently placed humour.

There are some particularly long chapters in Halley's Casino - in most cases the reader would be flicking forward to see a suitable pause point, but such is Fahey's writing and momentum, that time seems to literally stand still whilst you're reading it.

With cult references a-plenty, including Star Trek and...yes...even Doctor Who, there are many, many moments within that will have you knowingly smiling or chuckling away at them.

Fahey has crafted a rich and vibrant story and we genuinely cannot wait to read the sequel!

+  Halley's Casino is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.com!
+  Follow Mark J.G. Fahey on Twitter.

Publisher: BHC Press

Written By: Gary Morgenstein

RRP: £14.95 (Paperback) / £4.52 (Kindle) / $18.95 (Paperback) / $5.96 (Kindle)

Release Date: 29th March 2018

Reviewed by: Richard Wright

Review Posted: 1st July 2018

Book reading has been, and always will be one of humanities greatest pastimes, with countless themes, genres and styles to suit anyone. Like most things, however, there reaches a point where certain genres get saturated, and it takes the next 'big thing' to buck the trend and take things in a new direction.

Enter Gary Morgenstein with 'A Mound Over Hell' - a Science Fiction / sports genre crossover the likes of which we've never seen (or heard of - or READ), before.

If you're a die-hard SciFi nut, and sport isn't your thing (an vice versa), you'll still find solace in Morgenstein's writing.

Things kick off at a bracing pace in the year 2098 of a dystopian Earth, after World World III. It's the last ever season of baseball - a sport which has become associated with terrorism. Our central character (Baseball historian, Puppy Nedick) wakes up to "find a hologram named Greta dancing on his chest" - there's something ludicrously amazing about that line, and in Morgenstein's humour, which is peppered perfectly throughout the novel.

Radical islam has almost destroyed America as we know it, and a new world has been borne out of love. But could the very game of baseball itself usher in world peace, or could it be the cause of a new war to end all wars?

I genuinely haven't read a book so refreshingly different, well-paced, surprising and completely and utterly unique. It is incredibly pleasing to learn that this is part of a planned series for Morgenstein's 'Dark Depths' saga, and the second part cannot come quickly enough!

Highly recommended!

+  A Mound Over Hell is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.com!
+  Follow Gary Morgenstein on Twitter.

Publisher: BBC Books

Written By: Douglas Adams & James Goss

RRP: £16.99 (Hardback)

Release Date: 18th January 2018

Reviewed by: Richard Binnington

Rediscover the lost Doctor Who adventure by Douglas Adams. 

Intergalactic war? That’s just not cricket … or is it? 

The Doctor promised Romana the end of the universe, so she’s less than impressed when what she gets is a cricket match. But then the award ceremony is interrupted by eleven figures in white uniforms and peaked skull helmets, wielding bat-shaped weapons that fire lethal bolts of light into the screaming crowd. The Krikkitmen are back. 

Millions of years ago, the people of Krikkit learned they were not alone in the universe, and promptly launched a xenophobic crusade to wipe out all other life-forms. After a long and bloody conflict, the Time Lords imprisoned Krikkit within an envelope of Slow Time, a prison that could only be opened with the Wicket Gate key, a device that resembles – to human eyes, at least – an oversized set of cricket stumps…

From Earth to Gallifrey, from Bethselamin to Devalin, from Krikkit to Mareeve II to the far edge of infinity, the Doctor and Romana are tugged into a pan-galactic conga with fate as they rush to stop the Krikkitmen gaining all five pieces of the key. If they fail, the entire cosmos faces a fiery retribution that will leave nothing but ashes…

Romana thought she was having a bad day when The Doctor decided to take her to the cricket. But that was nothing when the most deadly robots in the universe turned up. The Doctor and Romana romp around the universe racing to collect all the pieces of the Wicket Gate key in order to stop the Krikkitmen freeing their home planet, Krikkit, enveloped in a slow time field by the Time Lords, after a devastating conflict. The entire universe is at stake, with the Krikkitmen aiming to destroy everything and everyone as they step up to the bat. Oh and did I mention the most incredibly dangerous weapon in the universe is rolling around looking very much like a Cricket ball from planet earth? With Time Lords, Tea and ‘regrettable acts between the swimming pool and the car park’, this adventure in time and space is magnificently crafted, which will no doubt fill you to the brim on a nostalgia hype.

The most tantalising part of the book is how evident the voice of the writer's is. I found it seamlessly Douglas Adams but with James Goss’ exceptional skill to tell the story through a combined humour and wit which permeates throughout. Whether it is detailing the quiet hobbies of Time Lords back on Gallifrey (including their favourite, ever-loving quest for a lovely cup of tea) or The Doctor checking if he's talking to the right K9 and not the one he left with Leela, who is running about on the planet somewhere.

Doctor Who And The Krikkitmen is a fantastic celebration of one of the best writers Doctor Who has ever had, and has brought his spirit back to life. It’s rooted full of mythology from the history of the series, which makes it even more enjoyable - particularly, The Doctor spending a large amount of time back in The Matrix.

Unusually, this book had its own set of ‘Special Features’ just like what we’re used to from the brilliant DVD range. Goss details how ‘The Krikkitmen’ came to be, alongside the original 32 page treatment written by Adams, which contains a version of the story with a different companion, Sarah Jane! Originally cited as ‘Jane’ within the treatment, Goss tried out a version with her and discovered that it would make more sense for Romana, as played by Lalla Ward, to feature, due to its connections with Shada. It includes these first few chapters, which is immensely interesting to see how much changed by swapping out the companion.

Overall, it's a fantastic romp in the style of, what some consider, the best era of Doctor Who. A thoroughly enjoyable read, full of attention to detail, and, quite simply, a lost classic on screen. On finishing, it left me wanting more and I immediately popped City of Death in my DVD player for a seamless experience. This addition to the range of Fourth Doctor novelisations (Shada By Gareth Roberts, City Of Death by James Goss, & The Pirate Planet by James Goss) continues to delve into the details of how magical a writer Douglas Adams was. Even the chapter titles have humorous elements to them, my favourite: Chapter 42: The Meaning of Life. If you’re in need of a new Fourth Doctor fix, get out there and read this now!

+  Doctor Who And The Krikkitmen is Out Now, priced £16.99.
+  BUY this title on Amazon.co.uk!
+  Follow Doctor Who Online (@DrWhoOnline) on Twitter.

 

Publisher: BBC Books

Written By: Cavan Scott, Jacqueline Rayner, Paul Magrs, James Goss, Peter Anghelides & Richard Dinnick

RRP: £9.99 (Hardback)

Release Date: 22nd February 2018

Reviewed by: Richard Binnington

Know your frenemy.

‘I’ve had adventures too. My whole life doesn’t revolve around you, you know.’

When she's not busy amassing armies of Cybermen, or manipulating the Doctor and his companions, Missy has plenty of time to kill (literally). In this all new collection of stories about the renegade Time Lord we all love to hate, you'll discover just some of the mad and malevolent activities Missy gets up to while she isn't distracted by the Doctor.

So please try to keep up.

Since her first appearance in the series, Missy has become one of the most anticipated and well loved characters from the Capaldi era. Piggybacking from friend to foe for The Doctor, you never know what to expect with her, and with these short stories, it continues to build that wonder. The Missy Chronicles combines a plethora of writing talent to give us more on her backstory and how she came to be the master, reborn.

This book consists of 6 short, but thrilling stories which open up the doors to various off-screen adventures. Set in the past, present and future, you don't know what to expect next from the loveable rogue. There's even the return of the Tissue Compression Eliminator in a couple of the stories, which I loved immensely.
 

Dismemberment By James Goss is a look into the psyche of Missy and how you should not cross her, or maybe you won't make it home in time for tea.
 

Lords and Masters By Cavan Scott is a wonderful parallel to say, The Key To Time, in which The Timelords have sent Missy out on a mission, much like The Doctor, but will she stick to the task, or does she have a more ruthless plan up her sleeve.
 

Teddy Sparkles Must Die! By Paul Magrs has Missy in place as a nanny to a set of children in the early 20’s. Seemingly looking out for the children, something more mysterious is in play and it involves a magical bear called Teddy Sparkles. Absolutely mad but superb.
 

The Liar, The Glitch And The Warzone By Peter Anghelides is a wonderfully written adventure featuring Missy trapped between two timezones and shows what lengths she is willing to go to in order to survive. This short really left me wanting more.
 

Girl Power! By Jacqueline Raynor is a perfect example of why we need more by Raynor in the Doctor Who Universe. Written from the perspective of Missy using the internet, this is the most experimental short story of the collection and is full of charm. If you have ever wondered what Missy, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie and Boudica in a online chat room would be like, wonder no more.
 

Alit In Underland By Richard Dinnick, was my favourite of all the stories. It returns to the events of World Enough And Time and follows Missy and The Master out on a reconnaissance task. I love the dialogue between these two and would happily read a mini-series based on the pair, alone.
 

This whole book is a triumph to the character and shows a clear example how characters from within the Doctor Who universe can stand on their own two feet. I would really enjoy getting some more off screen adventures of Missy / The Master in book form - hours of entertainment! Missy’s voice and mannerisms have been captured perfectly by all 6 writers who have grasped this complex character so easily.
 

A highly recommended read for anyone who loves the new series stories and could do with a little burst of evil in their life, every now and then. The Missy Chronicles is released just in time for International Women’s Day, so grab your copy as soon as you can. Make sure you “ say something nice…”

+  The Missy Chronicles is Out Now, priced £9.99.
+  PURCHASE this title on Amazon.co.uk!
+  Follow Doctor Who Online (@DrWhoOnline) on Twitter.

 

BBC Books / Penguin have confirmed the synopsis' and covers for the new series Doctor Who Target novelisations, due out in April.

In addition to the four, new series adventures, a fifth title, (The 4th Doctor adventure) 'City Of Death', will be released at the same time. City Of Death was one of only five stories from the original series (1963-1989), not to have been novelised for the Target book range.

Synopsis for each title are below, and the covers are in the right-hand column, with the exception of 'Twice Upon A Time' and 'City Of Death' which we will be adding very shortly. The covers for the range have been designed by Anthony Dry, in the style of Chris Achilleos, who provided the covers for the original Target range.

Audiobook releases of the titles will be released in June.

Rose
By Russell T. Davies

“Nice to meet you, Rose. Run for your life!”

In a lair somewhere beneath central London, a malevolent alien intelligence is plotting the end of humanity. Shop window dummies that can move – and kill – are taking up key positions, ready to strike.

Rose Tyler, an ordinary Londoner, is working her shift in a department store, unaware that this is the most important day of her life. She’s about to meet the only man who understands the true nature of the threat facing Earth, a stranger who will open her eyes to all the wonder and terror of the universe – a traveller in time and space known as the Doctor.

+  Rose is released on 5th April 2018, priced £6.99.
+  PURCHASE this title on Amazon.co.uk!

The Christmas Invasion
By Jenny T. Colgan

Earth is under attack by power-hungry aliens. This is no time for the Doctor to be out of action.

When a British space probe is intercepted by a sinister alien vessel on the eve of Christmas, it marks the beginning of an audacious invasion of the Earth by the Sycorax – horrifying marauders from beyond the stars. Within hours, a third of humanity stands on the brink of death with not a single shot fired.

Our planet needs a champion – but the Doctor is not fit for service. He’s just regenerated, delirious in a new body and a dressing gown. Forced into his battered shoes is his friend, Rose Tyler, a girl from a London council estate. Will she save the world from this nightmare before Christmas – or see it destroyed?

+  The Christmas Invasion is released on 5th April 2018, priced £6.99.
+  PURCHASE this title on Amazon.co.uk!

The Day Of The Doctor
By Steven Moffat

When the entire universe is at stake, three different Doctors will unite to save it.

The Tenth Doctor is hunting shape-shifting Zygons in Elizabethan England. The Eleventh is investigating a rift in space-time in the present day. And one other – the man they used to be but never speak of – is fighting the Daleks in the darkest days of the Time War. Driven by demons and despair, this battle-scarred Doctor is set to take a devastating decision that will threaten the survival of the entire universe… a decision that not even a Time Lord can take alone.

On this day, the Doctor’s different incarnations will come together to save the Earth… to save the universe… and to save his soul.

+  The Day Of The Doctor is released on 5th April 2018, priced £6.99.
+  PURCHASE this title on Amazon.co.uk!

Twice Upon A Time
By Paul Cornell

Still reeling from his encounter with the Cybermen, the First Doctor stumbles through the bitter Antarctic wind, resisting the approaching regeneration with all his strength. But as he fights his way through the snowdrifts, he comes across the familiar shape of a blue police box, and a mysterious figure who introduces himself as the Doctor…

Thrown together at their most vulnerable moments, the two Doctors must discover why the snowflakes are suspended in the sky, why a First World War Captain has been lifted from his time stream moments before his death, and who is the mysterious Glass Woman who knows their true name. The Doctor is reunited with Bill, but is she all she seems? And can he hold out against the coming regeneration?

+  Twice Upon A Time is released on 5th April 2018, priced £6.99.
+  PURCHASE this title on Amazon.co.uk!

City Of Death
By James Goss

The key to Earth's destruction lies buried in its past.

Visiting Paris in 1979, the Doctor and Romana’s hopes for a holiday are soon shattered by armed thugs, a suave and dangerous Count, a plot to steal the Mona Lisa and a world-threatening experiment with time.

Teaming up with a British detective, the Time Lords discover that a ruthless alien plot hatched in Earth’s pre-history has reached its final stage. If Scaroth, last of the Jagaroth, cannot be stopped then the human race is history, along with all life on Earth…

+  City Of Death is released on 5th April 2018, priced £6.99.
+  PURCHASE this title on Amazon.co.uk!

[Sources: BBC Books; Amazon.co.uk]

Publisher: BBC Books

Written By: Cavan Scott & Mark Wright

RRP: £14.99 (Paperback)

Release Date: 11th January 2018

Reviewed by: Richard Binnington

Test your knowledge of the last Time Lord and the worlds he’s visited in Who-ology, an unforgettable journey through over 50 years of Doctor Who.

Packed with facts, figures and stories from the show’s galactic run, this unique tour of space and time takes you from Totters Lane to Heaven itself, taking in guides to UNIT call signs, details of the inner workings of sonic screwdrivers, and a reliability chart covering every element of the TARDIS. 

Now fully updated to cover everything through to the 12th Doctor's final episode, and with tables, charts and illustrations dotted throughout, as well as fascinating lists and exhaustive detail, you won’t believe the wonders that await.

As Doctor Who fans, it's a fact that we spend 77% of our lives rewatching episodes of our favourite Time Lord. Well, actually, you’ve got me there - that’s a false fact. But this brand new, updated edition of WHO-OLOGY- The Official Miscellany is bursting with well-researched, fun and interesting facts, you may never have even thought of; I mean, it would be rude not to have it in your collection.

The book itself is broken up into eight main sections:

The 55 Year Diary: A Doctor Who Timeline. These 24 pages delve into key dates of the shows history, summarising it in short, interesting passages. It’s amazing to see how much really has happened in the past 55 years, a favourite of mine: 21 March 1970, The theme tune ‘sting’ to emphasise the cliffhanger ending to each episode is used for the first time at the suggestion of Michael Ferguson.

Everyone’s Favourite Timelord: The Many Lives and Changing Faces of The Doctor. Filled with Biographies of the actors to play The Doctor, our heroes height and even a collection of all the alternative names used throughout time - (There's 75, I counted!).

The Doctor’s Best Friends: Companions & Other Allies. With the actors birthdays, reasons for leaving The Doctor and a multitude of sections devoted to UNIT. For me, the section of this chapter that stands out the most is The Lives and Times of Nicholas Courtney. Similar to the 55 year diary, this details all the Doctor Who related events to our beloved Brigadier, who is still very much missed.

A Carnival Of Monsters. Have you ever wanted an A-Z of The Daleks? A Sontaran Roll Call? Or Even a list of familiar voices that helped to make the plethora of monsters send a chill down your spine? Well this part of the book is fantastic and dives into the history of, what I think, makes the show so special.

Lots of planets have a north: A rough guide to Earth and other worlds. How many countries has The Doctor actually visited on Earth? A wonderful infographic provides us with the answer of 32, but you will have to get the book to find out where. The detailed list of Planets attacked by The Daleks is brilliantly researched, there's 4 pages of them, who would have thought?!

A Kettle and a piece of string: Technology in Doctor Who. Whether you’re looking for 14 facts about the Whomobile or how many different things the Sonic Screwdriver has been used for, this section of the book has it. Scrambling Scribble Monsters, an essential reason of why we need the Sonic Screwdriver in the real world!

Relative Dimensions: Doctor Who & Pop Culture. Outside of the fandom, our beloved show has attracted a lot of attention and become a cult icon. This section delves into music, TV and connections to famous books such as The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. A key section for random knowledge you can dispel at dinner parties.

And last but not least, The Matrix: Behind The Scenes. Ever wondered what stories name check themselves in the episode? Or how about a list of the most prolific directors in the show? A fun informative section that is a great addition to have all in one handy place.

Cavan Scott & Mark Wright have provided us with this wonderful series bible, full of fun facts and key moments in Doctor Who history. This book is the ultimate gift for any Doctor Who fan. Full to the brim of 55 years of information on our favourite Time Lord, organised perfectly into 355 pages. The ultimate guide to study before attending a Doctor Who Pub Quiz, ooh would you look at that, that timed nicely, I’m off to one tonight.

A real treat and a joy to see the 13th Doctor joining the historical line up. The beauty of this official miscellany is that it caters to all fans, whether you're an Eccleston-er, a Baker Boy or even a member of the Colin Club - each Doctor gets their fair share at the bat.



+  Who-ology - The Official Miscellany: Regenerated Edition is Out Now.
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk for just £10.53!
+  Follow Cavan Scott (@CavanScott) on Twitter.
+  Follow Mark Wright (@MWrightWriter) on Twitter. 
+  Follow Doctor Who Online (@DrWhoOnline) on Twitter.

 

Publisher: Independently Published

Written By: Marc W. Johnson

RRP: £9.95 (Paperback) / £9.99 (Kindle) / $12.99 (Paperback) / $7.99 (Kindle)

Release Date: 14th October 2017

Reviewed by: Richard Binnington

Review Posted: 5th February 2018

Legacy follows the story of Rebecca ‘Rose’ Healy, whose life seems to all be falling perfectly into place. But little does she know it's about to take an incredibly dark, life-changing turn. When a secret is unearthed from deep within her family, she must take up the reigns left behind by her late father, who was killed in a vicious attack by a werewolf in front of her very eyes. Rose does not know who she can trust; rumours of a spy within the group of hunters kick her into action to track the traitor that has slowly destroyed her perfect little life. The book finished with an intense confrontation, that the less said of it, the better the ending.

This story really doesn't hold back in any department and is most definitely not for children. With tonnes of extreme violence, this gruesome tale deals its audience a very descriptive experience that puts a fantastic, adult twist onto a classic cult fairytale. Within the first chapter, its straight in with the blood, guts and gore - lovely!

The underlying tale comes across as a thoroughly enjoyable modern day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. It’s an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, pushing Rose to her limit, and for the audience, a real struggle to put down. This is the sort of book you would read by candlelight on a cold winter's night accompanied by a pot of tea - the ideal setting of course, but it also translates to being very readable on the morning tube, taking its reader into the world of the supernatural.

This is the second publication from Johnson, the first being a collection of dark short stories and poetry. But this first fiction feature is a triumph in incredibly visual storytelling. Each description detailed to give the audience a truly vivid image of the vicious scenes in question. One of the most engaging parts of this story is how it constantly throws twists and turns, leaving you to ponder for more. I found it an intense read and it left me squirming and, quiet literally, has the hairs on the back of my neck spiking up on several occasions; what a brilliant experience!

Legacy is a chilling and thrilling read which is sure to make you cringe in horror as the story unfolds. I highly recommend it for a multitude of audiences. Whether you enjoy a good old horror story or if you’re a fan of the more fantastical, this book will cater to your thrill-seeking needs.

I look forward to seeing more work emerge from Marc W. Johnson and I can only hope it is as exciting as this read. This review has been tough to write as I really don’t want to spoil the story for anyone. Just pick it up, get reading and get enthralled by it!

+  Legacy is Out Now.
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.com!
+  Follow Marc W. Johnson on Twitter.

Publisher: MyIdentifiers.com

Written By: Gary C. Mele Jr

RRP: £7.64 (Paperback) / $9.99 (Paperback) / $1.38 (Kindle)

Release Date: 10th October 2017

Reviewed by: Richard Binnington

Review Posted: 2nd February 2018

Leadership, Heaven and hell; a Cybersentient hero is the story of how the human race must go to the most extreme methods in order to survive. The Earth, our home, has ceased to revolve causing half the planet to plunge into a devoid new ice age, with the other to burn in the scorching heat of the sun. Refugees of our planet stream out into the safety of the great unknown, space.

After 20 years, resources are depleting and a method is required to survive without the requirements of a human body, an upgrade. This is the story of Samuel, and his cousin Eve, as he approaches his segue into a Cybersentient, the next step for the human race. The process is not simple or safe and not everyone makes it through. The threat of being hijacked by ‘demons’ in the middle of the process is very high and a risk which they have lost many inhabitants too. With leader Byallanon seemingly up to something, anarchy begins to develop within the ranks and something must be done to stop the destruction of the Cybersentient race.

One of the most persistent themes within the book is that of the importance of family and the bond it holds. This story is driven by the relationship between Samuel and Eve and their closeness really ties the story together. The picturesque descriptions of the Cybersentients and their individual designs are incredibly vivid and provide a strong image for yourself whilst reading. Samuel’s journey shows him progress from an angst-filled young man to a confident individual, ready to take a stand. Eve’s charm and wit is a strong presence within creating a duo of characters in which you want to follow their adventure.

The first published book from Gary C.Mele Jr give us an insight to the human condition and what we are prepared to do for future generations to survive. With aspects feeling like a mirror being turned on ourselves, Mele has crafted a story that really engages the audience to think about what we are doing to our planet and what could inevitably come next. Mele has drawn on many current events and has called this “My Sci-Fi answer to Trump.” The tone of the story reminded me of so many various franchises rolled into one creating an exciting read. So if you’re interested in a story with the essence of Doctor Who / Pacific Rim / Star Trek / Transformers, this is the book for you.

This book flowed wonderfully and the pages flew past. Without realising, I was 330 pages in and it was sadly over. With a sequel in the works, this is a must read for any sci-fi fan especially at the bargain price of 99p on Amazon Kindle.

+  Leadership, Heaven And Hell is Out Now.
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.com!
+  Follow Gary C. Mele Jr on Twitter.

T

Owing to the increasing popularity of our very own DWO Minecraft Doctor Who Server, and to tie-in with the release of the new Official Minecraft Guides, DWO have teamed up with Egmont UK to offer 5 sets of the four books, in an exciting new competition!

To enter, simply head over to the DWO Competitions page and click on the link for the Minecraft book guides, and you could win one of 5 sets of the following 4 books:

Minecraft Guide To Creative

Learn the finer points of architecture, art and other creative disciplines with the official Minecraft Guide to Creative, and put theory into practice to build incredible constructions in Minecraft. Find out how to combine colours and textures to create different themes, devise intricate plans for complex builds, and discover secret hacks to use blocks in clever ways.

Minecraft Guide To Exploration

The mysterious world of Minecraft is just waiting to be explored. But danger lurks around every corner and survival can prove difficult for even the bravest adventurer. The official Minecraft Guide to Exploration will help you to survive and thrive. You’ll learn how to find resources, craft equipment and protect yourself from hostile mobs. Discover which biomes to avoid when starting out, how to build a mob-proof shelter and where to look for naturally-generated structures laden with loot. 

Minecraft Guide To Redstone

Learn the art of redstone and become a master engineer with the Minecraft Guide to Redstone, and put theory into practice to construct intricate contraptions in Minecraft.  Pick up the basics of the redstone components and their uses, discover how to make working circuits, and create incredibly complex builds using your new skills.

Minecraft Guide To The Nether And The End

Now that you've mastered the Overworld, the time has come to brave the perilous Nether and End dimensions. But survival will be even more difficult here and you'll need to up your game if you want to make it back to the Overworld in one piece.   The official Minecraft Guide to the Nether and the End will help you survive as you navigate new terrain, discover new hostile mobs and attempt to collect unique materials. Learn how to kill fire-resistant mobs in the Nether and repurpose Nether fortresses, then master the art of defeating the ender dragon and explore the outer islands of the End dimension. 

The Doctor Who Online Minecraft Server is the largest Doctor Who themed Minecraft server in the world. It offers Doctor Who themed worlds, games, roleplay, survival, and creative building. It is also home to the largest collection of Doctor Who Minecraft creations in existence - made by thousands of fans from across the globe! It also has the immensely popular TARDIS Plugin, which allows players to create a working TARDIS in Minecraft! 

DWO Minecraft is a family-friendly server, and all activities and events are suitable for all ages - from a first time Minecrafter to a 900 year old Time Lord, there is something for everyone!

Check out the DWO Minecraft Server Trailer in the player, below:
[youtube:gL5Vi2Aua_E]
+  Join the DWO Minecraft server at: www.dwominecraft.com.

[Sources: DWO; Egmont UK]

Publisher: Amberley Books

Written By: Paul Berry

RRP: £14.99 (Paperback)

Release Date: May 2017

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 9th June 2017

Part of being a Doctor Who fan is about collecting the merchandise associated with our favourite show; be it an action figure, a DVD, a CD, or a rare collectors piece. During the show’s rich 50+ year history, Doctor Who has created more pieces of merchandise than any other British TV programme, and the new ‘Doctor Who Memorabilia’ book by Paul Berry chronicles a surprising amount of it!

Since the show returned to our screens in 2005, the floodgates opened to a whole new wave of merchandise, but for this particular book, Berry has wisely focused on the classic series and everything right up to the 2005 series.

Split up into easy to navigate chapters, Berry kicks off with the various Doctor Who books that have been released over the years - as far back as 1964 with ‘The Dalek Book’ and as far ahed to the BBC Eighth Doctor and Past Doctor novels. It’s worth noting at this point how vibrant the pictures are (full colour of course), and it’s so good to come across a piece of merchandise that jogs a memory from your youth. Who could forget the Target books, or the annuals, and not forgetting The Doctor Who Monster Book!

+  Doctor Who Memorabilia is Out Now, priced £14.99.
+  Buy this book from Amberley Books for just £13.49!
+  Follow Amberley Books on Twitter.

First appearing on our screens over fifty years ago, Doctor Who has not only been a television phenomenon, it has spawned more merchandise than any other British TV programme in history. Literally thousands of products have been produced since the series launch in 1963, with many of these items now being collectible and highly sort after by fans of the programme.

Doctor Who has featured on virtually every conceivable product, from books and records to toys and games, breakfast cereal promotions to full-size prop replicas. The series merchandising has enjoyed many peaks and troughs from the heady days of Dalekmania in the 1960s to a drought in the early ’70s, the rise of the collectible in the ’80s to the nostalgia driven days of the ’90s and then a huge resurgence following the Doctor’s return to television in the twenty-first century.

Whether you're looking for a full-size Cyberman or a pair of Dalek slippers, a Tom Baker scarf or a pinball machine, Doctor Who has produced something for every type of collector.

Sit back and revel in nostalgia as we take a look at some of the more notable and unusual items that have been produced over the last half century.

+  Doctor Who Memorabilia is Out Now, priced £14.99!
+  BUY NOW from Amberley Books for just £13.49! 

[Source: Amberley Books]

Publisher: Amazon Media

Written By: Andrew Hastie

RRP: £9.99 (Paperback) / £2.99 (Kindle)

Release Date: January 2015

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 12th May 2017

DWO regularly receives a wide range of products to review; some Doctor Who related and some indirectly related to the Doctor Who universe. Whilst Andrew Hastie's The Infinity Engines series isn't a Doctor Who title, we couldn't help but feel that there were several strands that connected to the whoniverse, and the first book in the series 'Anachronist' is one many who fans will love and find it hard to put down.

Anachronist is the perfect blend of History and Science Fiction with intelligent plot devices, rich characters and more time travel than you can shake a stick at. In fact, this is a story that will give any Doctor Who fan that warm, Mr Kipling-esque feeling of familiarity. The first chapter even feels like a pre-titles sequence set-up that literally launches you right into the action. There's a slight feeling of John Green in Hastie's style, and at its heart (and much like a John Green title) this is a coming of age story.

The time travel element is set up pretty quickly, and without giving to much away, Josh (the main character), quickly finds himself in the past in historical Prussia in 1944. Hastie's ability to weave in actual historical elements, whilst carving out his own unique story is seamless and refreshing, and you go to so many places and points in time that the book never tires or stagnates.

Anachronist has something for everyone, and for those of you who are a sucker for a romance, Hastie has that covered for you, too! Nothing is shoe-horned in for effect, everything has its place and a meaning and the reader genuinely cares for Josh and the people he meets along the way.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, and you will be climbing the walls desperate for a resolution. We just wish we could time travel into the future to read it!

+  Anachronist: A Time Travel Adventure is Out Now, priced £9.99 / $12.99.
+  Buy this book on Amazon!
+  Follow Infinity Engines on Twitter.

Sydney Newman: Innovator, designer, director, and producer. In April it will be 100 years since Doctor Who's creator was born, but where exactly did the idea come from? How much of it came from him before Bunny Webber's famous memo which established the idea did the rounds?

In 2013, the BBC aired An Adventure In Time and Space; a dramatic reconstruction of the early days of Doctor Who, and Sydney was played by the excellent Brian Cox. It was a great portrayal of the man, and other founding members such as Verity Lambert, Waris Hussein, and Mervyn Pinfield, and was well received in Doctor Who's 50th year.

But in the very beginning it was touch-and-go for the real show, and Sydney's role was as an over-seer and advisor to Verity and her team in 1963.

Looking back after all of this time, and understanding Sydney wasn't entirely happy with how the series started off until it became a success, its easy to forget his role. Him creating such a phenomenon was no surprise, although people would have thought it unlikely of a children's show. He had already changed drama in Britain, and people's perception of culture with theArmchair Theatre series he produced as head of drama at ABC, before he moved into the same role at the BBC in 1962. The series showed for the first time people on the fringes of society such as unmarried mothers, drug-addicts, and the homeless, and regional accents were used. Plays like No Trams To Lime Street, and Cathy Come Home showed the face of changing Britain as it looked towards the future which didn't look very bright.

And the future is what Doctor Who was all about, although its original premise was to educate and teach children about history and science. One week an adventure would be set in the past, and the next it would be in the future, and that is where the ratings were at.

Sydney had always love science-fiction, but the basic idea for Doctor Who had been with him for at least ten years before it made it onto the screen.

His biography The Man Who Thought Outside The Box: The Life And Times Of Doctor Who Creator Sydney Newman, reveals lots of information about the worlds best-loved science-fiction show, and the man who created it. It is a must for all Doctor Who fans.

It is available to preorder now from digitalentropy@hotmail.com for £11.99 and will be released on April 22nd 2017.

+ Find out more at the Digital Entropy website: digitalentropy.co.uk 

[Source: Ryan Danes]

Puffin Books (a division of Penguin Random House Children’s Books UK), BBC Worldwide and Sanrio Global Ltd are delighted to announce a new partnership.  

Doctor Who meets The World of Hargreaves brings to life Doctor Who characters in the distinctive story-telling and illustrative style of Roger Hargreaves.

Puffin Books, will publish these stories in the UK.  Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House is master publisher and will release twelve titles, one for each Doctor. 

These storybook mash-ups, written and illustrated by Adam Hargreaves, combine the iconic storytelling of Doctor Who with the whimsical humor and design made famous by his father, Roger Hargreaves. The first four books will be available in Spring 2017.

Francesca Dow, MD of Penguin Random House Children’s Books, said:

“As the global publisher of Doctor Who and champions of books which push creative boundaries, we are delighted to be publishing such unique and fun stories. We're confident and excited they will appeal to the thousands of Doctor Who and Mr Men fans around the world”

Jan Paterson, Head of Book and Audio Publishing, BBC Worldwide commented:

“We are thrilled to be teaming up with Sanrio on this fantastic project and think that fans will love these creative incarnations of the Doctor reimagined in the ‘Hargreaves’ style. We’re always looking for innovative ways to engage our fans so this is the perfect partnership for us.”

Alastair McHarrie, Licensing Director of Sanrio Global Ltd added:

“There is a wealth of unofficial fan-created content online. We wanted to give something back to these supporters so we’ve created the first official Hargreaves mash-up. Who better to partner with than another classic British property, Doctor Who. We couldn’t be more excited.”

Francesco Sedita, President and Publisher of Price Stern Sloan, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, added:

“It is such a special moment for us to unite these two great properties. Our books bring Hargreaves’ wonderful, fun style to the mysterious, magical world of Doctor Who. I know we're going to delight fans of all ages!”

+  Follow @PuffinBooks on Twitter!
+  Follow @DrWhoOnline on Twitter!

[Source: Penguin Random House]

 

BBC Books / Penguin have confirmed three new tie-in titles for Doctor Who spin-off show, Class, which will be released in October.

Joyride
By Guy Adams

One of three thrilling tie-in novels for Class, the new BBC Three series created and written by bestselling author Patrick Ness. Official Synopsis Coming Soon... 

+  Joyride is released on 27th October 2016, priced £7.99.
+  PURCHASE this title on Amazon.co.uk!

The Stone House
By A.K. Benedict

One of three thrilling tie-in novels for Class, the new BBC Three series created and written by bestselling author Patrick Ness. Official Synopsis Coming Soon...

+  The Stone House is released on 27th October 2016, priced £7.99.
+  PURCHASE this title on Amazon.co.uk!

What She Does Next Will Astound You
By James Goss

One of three thrilling tie-in novels for Class, the new BBC Three series created and written by bestselling author Patrick Ness. Official Synopsis Coming Soon... 

+  What She Does Next Will Astound You is released on 27th October 2016, priced £7.99.
+  PURCHASE this title on Amazon.co.uk!

[Sources: BBC Books]

DWO are thrilled to exclusively unveil the cover for The Official Doctor Who Annual 2017.

Puffin Books were kind enough to give us the exclusive and you can view the cover to the right hand side. Below is the official product synopsis for the title:

Join the Doctor for brand-new adventures on board the TARDIS in this year's Doctor Who Annual. With secrets from the latest series, fact files on the latest terrifying monsters, exciting comic strips, stories, puzzles and activities, it's the perfect read for any fan of the brilliant BBC show Doctor Who.

+  The Official Doctor Who Annual 2017 is released on 6th October 2016, priced £7.99
+  PREORDER The Official Doctor Who Annual 2017 from Amazon.co.uk for £7.99.

+  Follow @PuffinBooks on Twitter!

+  Follow @DrWhoOnline on Twitter!
+  Follow @DrWhoOnline on Instagram!

[Sources: DWO; Puffin Books]

 

Our friends over at Puffin Books have been kind enough to give DWO the exclusive cover reveal for The Official Doctor Who Annual 2017!

The book, which is released on 6th October, is full of activities, puzzles and secrets from the most recent series. Make sure you come back here at 6pm Tomorrow for the cover reveal, which will be simultaneously revealed on the DWO News page, Twitter feed and Instagram account!
 

In the meantime, below is the official product synopsis:
 

Join the Doctor for brand-new adventures on board the TARDIS in this year's Doctor Who Annual. With secrets from the latest series, fact files on the latest terrifying monsters, exciting comic strips, stories, puzzles and activities, it's the perfect read for any fan of the brilliant BBC show Doctor Who.

+  PREORDER The Official Doctor Who Annual 2017 from Amazon.co.uk for £7.99.

+  Follow @PuffinBooks on Twitter!

+  Follow @DrWhoOnline on Twitter!
+  Follow @DrWhoOnline on Instagram!

[Sources: DWO; Puffin Books]

 

As fans of science fiction, we're often introduced to a wide range of related books, dvds and audios, and every now and again, one comes along that blows us away! If you haven't heard of him already, Kev Heritage is an author whom we were introduced to about a year ago, and his books are engaging, gripping and of huge interest if you happen to be a Doctor Who fan (which, if you're reading this, we rather suspect you are) :)

Heritage's first book Blue Into The Rip, focuses on Blue - a teenager who is 'ripped' hundreds of years into the future. Blue is enlisted in the space corps where he gradually learns the truth about his past.

We caught up with Kev to discuss his books, his love for scifi and - perhaps more importantly - if he was a fan of Doctor Who!

What got you into writing and were there any authors who have influenced or inspired you?

The headline is… I think way too much. So much so that it can become a little crippling when trying to deal with the real world. 

I have an over-active imagination, which means that given the time and the inclination (and without something to keep my mind occupied) I can convince myself of pretty much anything - and it all makes perfect sense! As you can imagine, overthinking in this way can be quite a serious flaw to a happy productive life. 

Writing is a perfect heat-sink for all of that extra thought-time I seem to need. Instead of worrying about imagined illnesses, plane crashes, bills, social situations and the strange green mold growing under my bed, I use my thinking time to come up with the next cool idea, solving plot problems and trying to make sense out of the nonsense of my first draft. 

Writing, was and is, always a way to escape from myself and to think about the other people—the characters in my books—who, thankfully, lead a far more interesting life.

I suppose, even now, I’m a little bit disappointed with real life as it never lives up to the fantasy world buzzing around inside my head. But the way I can get closest to making that real is by writing. No matter how annoying, frustrating or sometimes depressing, life can be, writing always delivers. I can escape into those worlds and live inside of them for a while. For me, it’s a magical experience.

Don’t misunderstand, my life is not mostly annoying, frustrating or depressing, but perhaps in the way people like to disappear inside a soap, a movie or a book, I like to enter worlds of my own making… whilst trying my best to not sound pretentious!

The authors who inspired me? I’m sort of inspired by everything I manage to read till the last page (I do give up on a lot of stuff half-way through). But at age ten to twelve I discovered Robert E. Howard, Philip K. Dick, Heinlein, Vonnegut, Asimov, Clarke, Tolkien, Frank Herbert—the list goes on. I was astounded by the imagination behind these novels. They contained worlds undreamed of.

When it comes to writing though, inspiration and creativity are a small part of the process. The hard part is slogging through to the end.

Just reading the opening blurb from the first in your ‘Into The Rip’ series, our interest was genuinely piqued! It’s one of those descriptions that you simply can’t let slide without wanting to delve in and find out more. We have a number of our visitors who love to write and I’m sure they’d love to know how you pulled all the elements of the story together? Did the time travel element come first, or did you have a clear idea of the main character before adding in the variables?

The novel is certainly a thrill ride. Blue is a misfit with a ‘gob on him’—as we say in Derby where I’m from. He’s arrogant, cocky—a typical mixed up teen. Except that it’s not just his emotions that are mixed up, but also his genetics. He is an artificially created human living in the past with mysterious hippy parents. And nothing is as it seems. He gets ripped forward in time and well… you need to read the story to find out what happens to him. And A LOT happens to Blue and his new friends. So go buy the book!

But I digress…. Blue into the Rip came about after I was flipping through a notebook (years old) to see if I’d had any good ideas (I hadn’t), but scribbled at the top of one page were the peculiar words: Blue Into The Rip. I have no idea what I was thinking when I wrote that phrase, yet it stuck in my mind. I started to wonder what it could mean. Blue became a character name and The Rip some kind of tear in the fabric of time and space. The story sort of jumped out from there.

At the outset, all I knew was that Blue would be transported to the future, meet some cadets, visit a flooded London, live under the remains of the Amazon Rainforest and visit a spacestation with the story ending with him floating over the Rings of Saturn (although I had no idea why, I just thought it’d be cool) and that was it.

That…and a terrific twist!

And as soon as I discovered Blue was the result of genetic experimentation, the back story leapt fully formed into my mind and I knew it would take more than one novel to tell that story, so the series was born. 

But as I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, each story is a standalone mystery.

I’m very proud of Blue Into The Rip– but the finished novel bears very little resemblance to the absolute mess of the first draft.

Writers are either pantsters (writing by the seat of their pants) or plotters. I’m a pantster all the way. I have no firm ideas about plot or characters. I put pen to paper (or fingertips to plastic) and we’re off! I let the characters guide me. I write down whatever they want to do, or act like, or say. No constraints. I have no idea who the ‘goodies’ or the ‘baddies’ are until they reveal themselves to me. When I’m about two thirds in, I restructure, work out an ending and fill in the gaps. This gets me to my first draft.

The Ying Yang of my process: first absolute chaos, then enforced order.

I cannot write any other way. Believe me, I’ve tried, but any kind of planning kills my writing. I wish it were not like this because I can spend weeks stuck in plot cul-de-sacs with no idea how to continue. But I wake up one day and blam!—there’s the answer…Mostly.

The next drafts are pure hard work. Subbing. Refining. Plotting. Adding better concepts and ideas. Pruning. I keep going until my gut feeling that ‘the novel needs more work’ goes away. I often ‘finish’ but become consumed with niggling doubts. My subconscious doing its job. I push on again until it sort of becomes something I almost, conceivably, maybe think is sort of perhaps okay. Possibly.

Learn more about the first book in the series, Blue Into The Rip: http://www.kevheritage.com/blue-into-the-rip/

What Science Fiction books, movies or TV shows are essential to you and what would your favourite be from each of those categories?

Red Dwarf has helped me through many a crisis. There was a time around 2003/4 where the series were released every month or so as DVDs with documentaries and cast commentaries. It didn’t save my life, but it got me through a very difficult time. I have a lot of love for that show and still watch occasional episodes and force them on friends. I hold it with the same level of affection I have for Doctor Who.

As for favourites... that’s not my thing at all. It’s impossible to decide. Out of all the formats though, books are the best. Sure, I love a good sci-fi movie, particularly Aliens, but books always win out. Imagination is a great tool and reading exercises my imagination like nothing else. 

What is your earliest memory of Doctor Who and do you have a particular favourite episode?

For me it was the original music. Outer-worldly and terrifying. I’m not sure that’s appreciated today, but the intro to Doctor Who was ground-breaking in many ways. It’s an astonishing composition. To my kiddie ears, it was like nothing I’d ever heard before and symbolised terror and excitement. That and the sound of the TARDIS materialising (with its brakes on as we now know!).

I can’t remember any particular scene. I know the Daleks scared the living sh*t out of me and I used to watch from behind the sofa. Literally. And then there were the Cybermen. There was one incarnation where they wore black balaclavas with a sort of sown-in metallic mouth. They’d open and close their mouths, but their words didn’t sync up with their mouth movements. For some reason, I remember that very clearly. It was utterly horrifying. 

There are too many moments from the original shows but here’s a few of my favourite stories…

The Ark in Space (This scared me silly. Watched it recently… wasn’t as scared this time around. But it’s a cracking story.)
The Robots of Death
Caves of Androzani
The Time Warrior
Terror of the Autons

From the New:

A Christmas Carol (I love, love, love this).
The Girl in the Fireplace (This is so excellently paced and the ending has real pathos)
The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances
Blink
The Lodger

If you could take a round trip in the TARDIS, anywhere in time and space, where would you go and why?

I’d like to go back and find the person who created the very first bacon, egg and brown sauce sandwich and shake him or her by the hand. 

After that... it would have to be go and meet the most extraordinary person who ever lived. Isaac Newton. He came up with the concept of gravity. That has to be just about the most amazing idea any human has ever had (after bacon sandwiches and tea of course). The guy was a genius and quite bonkers. If you don’t know much about him, you need to go find out.

+  Coming Soon... we catch up with Kev regarding his latest book VATIC! 

+  Blue Into The Rip is available as a paperback for £8.99 or eBook for £1.99.
+  ORDER 'Blue Into The Rip' from Amazon.co.uk!
+  Website: http://kevheritage.com
+  Twitter: @KevHeritage: http://www.twitter.com/KevHeritage
+  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KevheritageAuthor/  
+  LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kevheritage
+  Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/KevHeritage
+  Goodreads: http://www.pinterest.com/KevHeritage
+  Join Kev for news & free stuff: http://kevheritage.com/join/

[Source: DWO]

Publisher: Hasslein Books

Written By: Brian J. Robb & Paul Simpson

RRP: £13.03 (UK) / $19.99

Release Date: January 2015

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 5th December 2015

Whilst we now live in a time where there are countless Doctor Who guides available to buy in our local bookshops, few have dared tackle the format in such a brave, unique and refreshing way like Brian J. Robb and Paul Simpson have. Who Beyond 50 presents us with a chronological guide to the series, laid out over 5 sections and split up into 50 individual essays. 

Right from the very first essay (Visual Vortex Meets Musical Mysteries) you are catapulted back in time to the airing of that very first episode, with Hartnell's title sequence being described in the most evocative and affectionate way. Arguably many of the topics themselves have been covered before, but there's something about Who Beyond 50 that makes you feel like youre reading them for the first time through new eyes. Where many guides simply touch on aspects, themes and areas of interest, Who Beyond 50 delves further, leaving the reader feeling like they have a fuller and more rounded picture.

As well as covering all the Doctors and their tenure on the show, Companions, Monsters, Producers and poignant moments in the shows long history are also given the spotlight. Those of you interested in the Missing Episodes saga, for example, can be assured of a well-researched and well-presented guide - taking us right up to the recent discovery of The Web Of Fear & The Enemy Of The World in 2013.

Doctor Who fandom itself also gets a look-in, and Chapter 31: When Fandom Attacks, is particularly worth a read - even including super-fan; Ian Levine's inclusion in the John Nathan-Turner era of the show in the 1980's. Oh, and that period that we have all come to know as 'The Wilderness Years' is also covered in particularly broad detail, chronicling the TV Movie, as well as the online adventures of The Doctor, and the Books and Audios that helped keep the show alive in the 1990's.

Whilst a large portion of the book is dedicated to the classic series, the new series is referenced throughout wherever there are relevant comparisons and interesting points of note. Section 5 is completely dedicated to 'New Who' charting Russell T. Davies rise and the events that lead to his appointment as show runner, right through to the revival, and detailing all the modern-era Doctors to date.

Kudos to the structuring of the book, too; it's incredibly easy to follow, and it means you don't have to read from start to finish, allowing the reader to cherry pick sections or eras of the show and its history.

We heartily recommend Who Beyond 50 - not just because of the tremendous amount of love, respect and sheer detail that has gone into the book, but because it truly deserves a place in any fans collection - a title you will be reaching for more often than you think!

+  Who Beyond 50 is Out Now, priced £13.03 / $19.99.
+  Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com 
+  Follow Hasslein Books on Twitter.