BBC Worldwide Launches New Doctor Who eBook: Cyberman Monster File

BBC Worldwide Launches New ebook

Doctor Who: Cybermen Monster File Globally

Available Now

New York – July 2, 2014 – Created by the BBC and distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide, Doctor Who: Cybermen Monster File is the ultimate interactive history of one of the Doctor’s most famous foes. Every version of the Cybermen is brought to life using clips, photos and in-depth information. The interactive ebook also includes a brand new exclusive story written by Joseph Lidster entitled Cybermen: Status Update, which is narrated by Nicholas Briggs, who has been the voice of the Cybermen since Doctor Who’s relaunch in 2005. 

The Cybermen Monster File also features galleries and the real-life story behind the metal monsters. There are interactive sections on the world of the Cybermen, where everything from Handles to Cybermats and the CyberKing is investigated as well as quizzes about the Time Lord’s old enemies.

The ebook will be released on June 24 globally, and will retail at $9.99 across all platforms (including iTunes, Android stores, the Kindle Fire App and Google Play) in the U.S. BBC AMERICA’s highest rated series, Doctor Who, returns with a new season and a new Doctor in August.

The ebook will be available for free to licence fee payers in the UK only for 30 days, after which it will be available on iTunes, Android stores, the Kindle Fire App and Google Play priced £6.99.

Doctor Who - The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage 10th Doctor eBook Synopsis

The next chapter in the Puffin ebook series that is celebrating Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary has been announced and the author of the 10th Doctor story is Derek Landy who is known for writing Skulduggery Pleasant series. The ebook will be released for download on October 23rd and you can read the synopsis below.

When the TARDIS lands on a planet that looks identical to Earth, the Doctor and Martha are amazed to find it packed with fictional characters from her childhood. But who has the power to create an entire world out of books and why? The duo must solve the mystery before their story ends.

7th Doctor Takes On The Daleks In Malorie Blackman Doctor Who eBook

This months Doctor Who 50th Anniversary eBook features the Daleks along with the 7th Doctor and Ace.  It is written by Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman who is known for writing the books Pig  Heart Boy and Nought and Crosses.  You can read the synopsis below and the book is available for download on July 23rd.

When the TARDIS lands on Skaro, the Seventh Doctor and Ace are shocked to discover the planet has become the universal centre of learning, populated by a race of peace-loving Daleks. Ever suspicious of his arch enemies' motives, the Doctor learns of a threat that could literally tear the universe apart...

“‘I have always loved Doctor Who” says Blackman. “From the time I was a child and the Daleks used to make me run and hide behind the sofa, to Saturday morning pictures when I first saw the Doctor Who films featuring Peter Cushing, right up to the current Doctor with Matt Smith. So when I was asked to write a Doctor Who story featuring the Seventh Doctor, I didn't even need to pause to think about it. My answer was an immediate yes. I've always found Sylvester McCoy's Doctor fascinating because of the way his character developed from a bit of a clown to a Doctor with a more Machiavellian streak. In my story, the Doctor's actions are responsible for a universal catastrophe which forces him to face up to his own fears and prejudices."

Doctor Who - Something Borrowed Review (Mild Spoilers)

Doctor Who: 

Something Borrowed 

By Richelle Mead

The Doctor and Peri have arrived on the Planet Koturia to visit The Doctor’s friend Eviris whose son Jonos is going to be married.  As they arrive they notice the town is being attacked by little Pterodactylus which causes the Doctor to have a moment of déjà vu.  In fact once they stop the attack and meet Eviris at his humongous home The Doctor is a bit suspicious of Jonos bride who is in the woman section and off limits to men.  Peri is surprised that Koturia is modeled from Las Vegas and its main revenue is weddings.  Peri finds this part of the planet to be pretty cool and makes her feel at home.

The Doctor still bugged by his suspicion sends Peri off to investigate by telling Eviris that Peri needs to get cleaned up.  Peri is taken to the woman side by a servant girl named Wira.  Wira tells Peri all about the weddings and how the Koturians have a window to get married to be able to change their appearance once during the wedding.  Almost like Time Lords Peri thought. When all of a sudden the bride shows up and is surprised to see Peri. If Peri is there then he is here as the Bride is revealed to be the Rani and it’s up to The Doctor to stop her crazy scheme and to save Jonos from making a big mistake.

  

I really liked this story.  It had the feel of a Sixth Doctor story and it actually captured Colin Bakers Doctor to a t.  The author clearly painted a great picture of the Sixth Doctor and had all his mannerisms perfected.  While reading Something Borrowed I truly could hear Colin’s Doctor saying the dialog that was written in the eBook.

The story was pretty good too.  It was a fun story and having the Rani in it added to the fun as the bickering between Time Lords was fun to read.  What was different from previous books in this series is that this story was from Peri’s point of view.   It was good to get the companions perspective for once and I found this to be a pretty good idea as it made the story a little bit more interesting including Peri’s sarcastic remarks.  The inclusion of the Rani was a tad predictable as you more or less guess it was her from the get go.  This doesn’t detract from the story or overall enjoyment at all as it was fun to see how she would be discovered.

Something Borrowed is a pretty good Doctor Who story and works really well.  So if you are looking for a pretty entertaining Doctor Who short story then give Something Borrowed by Richelle Mead a try.

Grade A

Marcus Sedgwick on Doctor Who eBook "The Spear of Destiny

Doctor Who "A Big Hand for The Doctor" eBook Review

Doctor Who:
A Big Hand For The Doctor
By Eoin Colfer

The first of 11 Doctor Who eBooks to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who has been released. The story centers on the 1st Doctor and Susan before they met Ian and Barbara.   It takes place in 1900 London where The Doctor is looking to get a new hand. His old hand was chopped off by a Soul Pirate.  Apparently and old acquaintance of his has set up a shop and he specializes in attaching cloned body parts or other types of parts like an exoskeleton hand.   Then he gets a message from Susan that the Soul Pirates are up to no good and that he needs to hurry up and meet her. Well that is when the adventure begins.

A Big Hand for The Doctor was written by Eoin Colfer who is famous for his Artemis fowl series of young adult novels.  Since these eBooks are aimed at a younger audience having a young adult author write them is a pretty good idea as it won’t be bogged down with a lot of science fiction jargon or a complicated plot.  With that said Eoin Colfer does give us a very enjoyable story that is pretty easy to follow and is pretty easy to read.  He captured the feel of William Hartnell’s Doctor very well and I could see this fitting into that particular era.  Only thing is I wished it was a tad bit longer as I thought it was to short.  But since this is a series of stories that will be released in one volume later this year I can see why it was the length it was.

The only thing I had a problem with is the whole hand thing.  I just didn’t like that idea but knew why it was done, you will too once you get to the last chapter, but I still didn’t care for it.  It just didn’t seem right and not something that would have happened to The Doctor.  But in all A Big Hand For The Doctor was an enjoyable read and a fun one to read before bed or during a lazy afternoon.
Grade B+