recs: eighth doctor adventures (EDAs)

[whochick]

Okay, so mswyrr amongst others, has asked me to whittle down the impressive list of 74 EDAs to something more manageable. I've read them all, own them all, and largely loved them all - but they're not inexpensive or easy to find these days

Comments

[lixa_turner]

This is really good. I disagree with you on a few points, though -

Tha Taint: Okay, the plot is awful, even by Doctor Who standards. But it introduces Fitz, and he's all lovely and innocent and fluffy and then the Doctor messes him up. Or maybe it's the other way round... I love this book because it shows just how much Fitz's character changes as he gets to know the Doctor more.

Dominion: I love this! There are so many nice little character moments and actions (you can probably guess which one in particular I'm thinking about). It has a decent plot, as well, and the angst is nicely balanced out.

Autumn Mist: I quite like this one, too, because there's a good twist in it.

The Domino Effect: *bounces up and down* How can you not adore this one? All you want to do is smoosh Fitz and love him better. The plot is a bit terrible, and, I admit, almot laughingly bad in places, but Fitz! And the TARDIS!

[whochick]

But The Taint is meant to be a horror book and it's just not scary! Compare it to Deadstone Memorial for freak out factor ... DM wins hands down. I know it's Fitz's first story but I just couldn't forgive it the yawn factor concealed within such a scary cover.

It's been so long since I've read Dominion I can't remember which moment in particular you're referencing ... If you're worried about spoiling others, comment on some other random post of mine, lol.

Well, it's true what you say about Domino Effect - poor old Fitz! It was a pretty brutal read, now that you mention it. However, the story as a whole just seemed to have so many small annoying traits that I couldn't recommend it as a whole. Anji is just thick as two planks in this story and the ending? I mean ... what??

As for Autumn Mist I picked the twist really early on and it kind of spoiled it for me ;)

Of all the ones you've prodded me about, I think Domnion is probably the one I'd be most likely to revise my opinion of.

[wishfulaces]

But skimming The Taint at least! Because it does show Fitz off in all his screwed-up-ness, and I think you need *some* set-up before you go into Revolution Man and the dynamics there between Fitz, Sam, and the Doctor.

I'm also surprised you didn't rec History 101 and Timeless, so I'm curious about why you didn't like them. I think they're both great for characterizations particularly of Anji and Fitz.

[whochick]

Okay, so I'm starting to think I just read The Taint so long ago that I've forgotten how important it was. Do you really think it's crucial to Fitz? I thought that over the rest of the books he's featured in, there's probably enough references to his past to fill in the blanks, even if it means it feels like flashbacks??

History 101 was a tricky one. I adored Anji and Fitz in this one, but the pacing just dragged like a drunk, limping cat. Also, I thought the Doctor didn't really have a lot to say that wasn't being said by other characters ... didn't you find that?

Timeless was interesting to begin with but totally lost me when certain characters make an easy get away after incidental characters apparently lose all sense of villany!!! Lol.

[fishface44]

I am adding the list to memories, since I am sorry to say I have not read any of the books! I do think you should add your stories to the list! :)

[whochick]

Lol! I appreciate the thought but considering this is an EDA rec list, people would probably find that pretty misleading ;)

If you're not much fussed with actual story arcs and just want gorgeous depictions of the Doctor, I'd go for Vampire Science, Seeing I, The Year of Intelligent Tigers, City of the Dead and Deadstone Memorial.

[asherescher]

I'm midway through this sublist here. They've been loads of fun. Thank you so much for posting the recs.

[whochick]

You're welcome, I'm glad you're enjoying them :)

[mad_march_hare]

Just out of curiosity, why did you rec "The Scarlet Empress" and "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" (both bloody brilliant), but not "The Blue Angel"? Say what you will about the Obverse (and I won't say much, due to spoilers), it's still a fascinating twist on the "what-if?" concept. And there's "Star Trek" in it as well!

Also, I do confess to having loved "The Slow Empire." The ending was a bit naff, but de la Rocas' characterization and the inventive storytelling really sold it for me. And it has Pratchett-esque endnotes!

[whochick]

Yuh, I hear what you're saying, The Blue Angel is a lot of fun and the Trekkie references are gold. Plus the lines that get Compassion fuming - "And who did you say you were, dear? Contrition or something, wasn't it?"

I guess it just came down to TBA versus other EDAs I enjoyed more. There was just something a little uninspiring ... I can't quite pin it down. That being said, I bought it, read it and don't remember it as unpleasant, which is more than can be said for some EDAs, lol!

The Slow Empire just sent my imagination into overdrive. The ending was ... well ... less said and all that. But I forgave the ending because it wasn't all that bad and the rest of it was so bloody good :)

[whochick]

Really glad to hear that so far our opinions have been similar. It bodes well for any future EDA reading of yours based on this list, lol!

There really are some wonderful Eight stories out there. If you're struggling to find an early one and aren't too fussed about spoilers, just pick up anything by Orman/Blum, Orman or Rose.

[roseveare]

The Crooked World is my top EDA. Cracktastic beyond belief. Nobody should miss it out.

Likewise The Taint is a decent enough entry and important for understanding Fitz, so I wouldn't advise anyone to skip it.

[Editing again] That said, just noticed this and am so relieved that someone else thinks The Tomorrow WIndows really isn't worth the effort that all is forgiven...!

[drox]

...so relieved that someone else thinks The Tomorrow Windows really isn't worth the effort...

Tomorrow Windows is the only EDA that I've ever started and not finished. It was that bad. IMHO.

And I even managed to finish War of the Daleks. Which is, if anything, even worse than tTW. I soldiered on though, expecting it to get better. It didn't.

So w/ tTW I didn't bother.

[whochick]

Tomorrow Windows was pretty awful, I agree. Everyone seems so convinced that The Taint should be read that I'm going to revise my opinion and edit the list.

This is what feedback is all about, eh?

*grin*