Doctor Who: Day of the Vashta Nerada
by Matt Fitton (Big Finish, 2017)
Conceptually, there’s a lot to like about bringing New Series monsters (and now even the Time War) to Classic Who. The story itself, however, is so bog-standard a rehash of earlier plotlines that it plays out like a badly degraded VHS transfer.
Doctor Who: The Enigma Dimension
by Nicholas Briggs (Big Finish, 2017)
John Hurt and Jacqueline Pearce in a story with big ideas. What can go wrong? Answer: the Daleks—Doctor Who’s greatest folly—gone inexplicably viral. Fine acting notwithstanding, the Time War boils down to yet another tiresome harangue by demented pepper pots.
Doctor Who: The Lady of Obsidian
by Andrew Smith (Big Finish, 2017)
Leela’s return—pairing Louise Jameson with John Hurt—is a highlight of the Time War, both nostalgically and for the manner in which Andrew Smith brings her back. Unfortunately, there’s too much else going on. The story rattles helter-skelter around the moment.
Doctor Who: Engines of War
by George Mann (BBC Books, 2014)
This readable (if unproofread), epically themed yet superficial bridging novel evokes something of the classic series four-parters. For all the promise the Time War offers, John Hurt’s so-called War Doctor for the most part could (and should) have been Paul McGann’s Eighth.