Publisher: Silverback Books

Written By: A.T. Duguay

RRP: £11.61 / $16.17 (Paperback) | £1.71 / $2.33 (Kindle)

Reviewed by: Sebastian J. Brook

Beginning a new fantasy novel is always exciting; especially if the front cover is as striking as A.T. Duguay's 'The Guardian' - book 1 in his 'Soulstone' series. Somehow it ramps up the anticipation as you pick out elements from the cover and wonder how they will play out in the story.

Right from the off, our protagonist Gauthak, and his Night Jay (of which we discover, he has the ability to 'enter' to scan the path ahead), are hurled into the action, having just jumped off a waterfall to escape his giant pursuers. There is a sense of urgency and danger that is palpable to the reader, and you cannot help feeling it lurks around every corner. We then follow Gauthak on his journey to the city of New Alannah, where he soon lands himself in a spot of trouble...

As we delve further, we learn more about Gauthak's history and abilities, as well as discovering more about his own kind - the Northmen. For those who like magic in their fantasy stories, Duguay has you covered, but it's in a way more believable way. There's even a bit of romance thrown in for good measure too, and, again, it's done in such a realistic, meaningful way.

There's a great turning point in the plot, too - one you won't see coming, and it gives fresh focus to our character and the direction of the story. Kudos to the author for his skill here as everything in The Guardian seems to have such purpose and meaning. You don't feel like there's any padding and there is no character that feels like dead weight.

There is a mastery of description in Duguay's work; an almost poetic blend of rich detail through landscapes, colours, sights and sounds. This breathes life into his Medieval-esque world, which jumps off the pages of the book in the most vivid way.

The third-person style, together with the setting was almost reminiscent of the old school Fighting Fantasy books, and that sense of danger we mentioned earlier, further lends itself to this comparison. As such, there's a wonderful sense of familiarity, whilst obviously on a completely fresh and uncharted path.

As this is part of a trilogy, we hope it's not spoiling things by saying the story ends on a cliffhanger, of sorts. Whilst the reader feels content with the ending, there's a great springboard for the next book, and we know personally that we won't be content until we've read it :)

A final note we wanting to pick up on was in the book's acknowledgments at the end; in it, the author bravely explains his process in writing the book and the stress, depression and anxiety he suffered from. He cites his fears of change, risk, desires and for being himself. Having read the book, we genuinely believe he has triumphed in the very act of producing The Guardian. It is a testament to his hard work and persistence, in spite of those fears.

+  The Guardian is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.com!
+  Follow @ATDuguay (A.T. Duguay) on Twitter.
+  Follow @SebastianJBrook (Sebastian J. Brook) on Twitter.
+  Follow @DrWhoOnline (Doctor Who Online) on Twitter.  

To coincide with the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who, Google have dedicated their homepage to a brand new Google Doodle, featuring an addictive Doctor Who, multi-level game.

The game, which was designed by Matthew Cruickshank, features all 11 Doctors as well as Daleks and Cybermen.

Speaking to The Guardian, Cruickshank said:

"It's the first game that I've designed, but it's the technicians and programmers that actually make the game. I just art direct, create the assets, set the visual tone, design the characters, and then do pieces of animation.

It was about four months ago that an employee here who's a massive Doctor Who fan added it to our list of potential doodles. We looked through it and realised that this was something special, a chance to really celebrate a national institution.

The thing is that he's a Time Lord, a time traveller, so I really wanted to get the feeling across that you could travel to different eras. I definitely didn't want you to just play one level and that is it, I love the idea of the Doctor being able zoom around the universe."

See some screenshots from all 5 levels below (just don't look at our time):

+  Read the full story behind the doodle on The Guardian website.

[Sources: Google; The Guardian]

In September 2011, BBC Three controller Zai Bennett cancelled the Doctor Who Confidential programme as a cost-cutting measure. Confidential was a programme that went behind the scenes of the making of the BBC's flagship drama, Doctor Who. It also covered various events in the series for broadcast on BBC One, and provided a full disc of extras for the DVD and Blu-Ray box set releases.

A highlight of the last series was the 'Script To Screen' segment in which schools were encouraged to enter a competition to write a script that would be filmed and broadcast on Confidential - the mini-episode would even star Matt Smith.

After the cancellation, a huge campaign to save the show was initiated by fans of the show leading to a petition with fifty-five-thousand signatures and support from various members of the industry, including the writer Neil Gaiman.

A group of Doctor Who Podcasters decided to write and record a song about the cancellation. The collective eventually became known as 'No Touch Pod'.

Tony Gallichan from the Flashing Blade and DWO WhoCast podcasts wrote the tune and some of the lyrics, aided by Karen Dunn from the Staggering Stories podcast. Then a good number of podcasters from around the world recorded their own take on the song. These were then assembled and the music track recorded by producer Chris Adams.

It must be stressed that the song is not intended as a serious protest record. It is a bit of fun, a gentle parody of the 'Doctor In Distress' record from nineteen eighty five. Several 'Who Celebs' have contributed to the song, including the writers Nev Fountain and Stephen Gallagher, and the 'Voice Of Axos', Bernard Holley.

However, whilst light hearted, it does make the point that Confidential is a source of inspiration to both children and adults. It shows them how their imaginations, which have been fired by Doctor Who, can be harnessed to create, to write, to produce music, film and literature. Indeed, the people both behind and onb the song have all felt that inspiration from the shows.

[youtube:iIHZSGOkbzY]

The petition to save Confidential has been presented to the BBC Trust and can be found here: http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/savedwc

The song, avaliable in several versions, as well as the video, can be found here: http://www.netconjurer.co.uk/confidential/

[Source: DWPA]

The campaign to save Doctor Who Confidential, which was recently axed by the BBC is doing exceptionally well with over 50,000+ fans having now signed the online petition!

As of 2:00pm today, the petition has achieved 51,539 signatures and at the end of the day a total count will be sent to the BBC Trust.

Did you know, if the campaign achieves just 49,000+ more signatures, the matter has to be discussed by UK parliament. Hopefully those involved at axing the show will see sense before then, but in the meantime a huge thanks needs to go out to the @SaveDWC team as well as each and every fan who has signed the petition.

Get involved and help Save Doctor Who Confidential!:

+  Send a complaint to the BBC regarding the cancellation of Doctor Who Confidential!

+  Sign the online petition, which currently has over 15,000+ signatures!

+  Follow the @SaveDWC Twitter account!

[Source: DWO]

Yesterday was a dark day for Doctor Who fans, as news came in about the cancellation of Doctor Who companion series, Doctor Who Confidential.

Since that news, all corners of the internet have come together to show their support by signing online petitions, tweeting and emailing their concerns to the BBC.

Some of the older fans are particularly passionate to this campaign due to poignant memories of the cancellation of Doctor Who back in 1989, and with even more fans of the show now, the question remains if enough support can actually save the companion show?

Details have emerged today that the BBC have received over 1,100 complaints regarding Doctor Who Confidential's cancellation, with confimation being posted on the show's official Facebook page.

This Saturday will be the last episode of Doctor Who Confidential for the forseeable future, but you can do your part to show your support for the show using any one (or all) of the options below:

+  Send a complaint to the BBC regarding the cancellation of Doctor Who Confidential!

+  Sign the online petition, which currently has over 15,000+ signatures!

+  Follow the @SaveDWC Twitter account!

There is no guarantee that any of the above will ensure the safety of the show, but any show of support is a step in the right direction. With enough fans on board, who knows what could happen?!

[Source: DWO]

The BBC is to axe Doctor Who Confidential, the BBC3 spin-off from its sci-fi drama, as part of the corporation's ongoing cuts programme.

Doctor Who Confidential, which features behind-the-scenes footage from the making of Doctor Who as well as interviews with the cast and crew, has aired in an early evening slot on BBC3 since 2005, when the corporation revived the main series with Christopher Eccleston as the ninth Time Lord.

However, with the corporation facing budget cuts of up to 20% across its output as part of its Delivering Quality First initiative, BBC controller Zai Bennett has chosen to axe the show at the end of its current series.

Bennett is understood to be pursuing a strategy of focusing investment on original commissions in post-watershed time slots. Since taking over, he has decommissioned shows including Ideal, Hotter Than My Daughter, Coming of Age and long-running sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.

Speaking last month at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, Bennett said: "It's about focusing my budget on 9pm and 10.30pm; those are the time slots that count. Budgets are tight, so we have to be sensible with the money we have."

Mark Thompson, the BBC director general, will unveil the corporation's cost-cutting strategy – the outcome of the DQF process – on 6th October. It is thought to include proposals to exploit greater "synergies" between BBC1 and BBC3, with the digital channel acting as a "nursery slope" for its terrestrial cousin. BBC3 will also fill a greater proportion of its 7pm to 9pm slots with repeats of BBC1 shows.

A spokeswoman for the BBC said: "Doctor Who Confidential has been a great show for BBC3 over the years but our priority now is to build on original British commissions, unique to the channel."

DWO have been contactd by a fan who has started a campaign via Twitter to save the show, you can follow @SaveDWC here.

+  Follow DWO on Twitter!

[Source: The Guardian]

I know, I know...we only just got done with Series 4 of Torchwood, right? Well, if a certain 10-second teaser at the end of the Australian airing of Torchwood: Miracle Day is anything to be believed by, fans can expect to see more Jack as soon as January 2012.

The 10-second promo (which you can view at the end of this news item), which features the familiar Torchwood 'T' in the background, flashed up with the tagline 'Jack will be back - January 2012'.

Now, let's refresh ourselves with a certain interview with Russell T. Davies from a 26th June 2011 edition of The Guaradian, where he had the following to say regarding more Torchwood:

"It's hugely exciting and I've got to do this again. I've got one more story that I can tell – just one more that has Gwen right at the centre of it – that would be fantastic. So I'm my own worst enemy."

Maybe there will be new Torchwood in January, but with just 4 months to go, surely they're cutting things a little close? Either way, looking at the ratings worldwide for Miracle Day, an official announcement cannot be far off...can it?

[youtube:jOYO9GZiD44]

UPDATE - 9:50am - Sunday 11th September: It now looks like the teaser is simply to promote a planned series of repeats. More news as we get it.

UPDATE - 1:00pm - Tuesday 13th September: BBC Australia have now added the teaser to their Torchwood dedicated site, citing that 'Jack will be back - keep checking back for updates'.

[Sources: BBC Australia; The Guardian]