Lords of Uncreation
by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Orbit, 2023); audiobook read by Sophie Aldred (Tor, 2023)
A long book that for its first half promises little progression. Tchaikovsky does, however, repay the faith, escalating the military-political conflict (social commentary turned catharsis) and then plunging his characters deep into the void—and having them all contribute to the resolution.
Doctor Who: Quantum of Axos (Tenth Doctor, Classic Companions)
by Roy Gill (Big Finish, 2022)
The story isn’t particularly gripping but there’s a good dose of ‘new nostalgia’ in hearing the Tenth Doctor meet up with Ace (in modern times Dorothy McShane). Ace remains one of the best-developed Doctor Who companions and Sophie Aldred plays her beautifully.
Eyes of the Void
by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Tor, 2022); audiobook read by Sophie Aldred (Tor, 2022)
While undoubtedly advancing the trilogy as a whole, this second book lacks the punch of the first instalment. There are big developments and some new characters, but overall far too much focus on insipid, pitiable Idris. (O for a dash more Ollie…!)
Shards of Earth
by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Orbit, 2021); audiobook read by Sophie Aldred (Pan Macmillan, 2021)
A well-wrought fusion of space opera and high-concept SF. Tchaikovsky presents big ideas through the lives of small, relatable people, dialling up the action and thereby raising the stakes on both levels. Sophie Aldred’s audiobook reading evokes a zeitgeist of frontier-punk moxie.
The Barren Author, Series 1
by Paul Birch (Spiteful Puppet, 2021)
Freewheeling, frothy and irreverent. Richard O’Brien puts in a bravura performance as Baron Munchausen, Rudolf Erich Raspe’s famous teller of tall tales—updated here by way of Paul Birch’s outrageous script and unleashed upon the 21st Century. Sophie Aldred offers well-pitched support.
Doctor Who: Illegal Alien
by Mike Tucker & Robert Perry (BBC, 1997); audiobook read by Sophie Aldred (Bolinda, 2016)
Blandly written and at least twice as long as it needed to be. Great chunks of the story involve treading water, running around pointlessly, and building up characters (both major and minor) that turn out to be nothing more than gross stereotypes.
Doctor Who: At Childhood’s End
by Sophie Aldred (BBC, 2020); audiobook read by Sophie Aldred (BBC, 2020)
An unexpectedly proficient debut novel. The prose rarely sparkles but Aldred builds the story well, bridging the 30-year divide between Season 26 (dark manipulations) and Series 12 (sparkly rainbow TARDIS family). Her audiobook reading affords Ace’s journey a further layer of authenticity.
Doctor Who: A Death in the Family
by Steven Hall (Big Finish, 2010)
Something of a masterpiece. Hall’s script is exceedingly clever in its own right and perfectly captures the essence of the Seventh Doctor. It earns its big emotional moments and features brilliant performances by McCoy, Aldred, Philip Olivier, Maggie Stables and Ian Reddington.