Vampire Science [Paperback]

What if the Doctor Who television movie was picked up as an ongoing series? What would it have looked like? What would be the tone? These are clearly thoughts that went through Jonathan Blum's and Kate Orman's heads as they wrote VAMPIRE SCIENCE.

Blum and Orman manage to capture the slick feel of the telemovie so well it seems effortless; you can almost see Paul McGann and company flying down the streets of San Francisco (via Vancouver) as the vampire menace rears its ugly head.

Blum and Orman manage to capture the new Doctor's mannerisms and personality excellently, and their story manages to both take on the same tone as the telemovie, while at the same time expanding the scope and blowing the "budget" through the roof. VAMPIRE SCIENCE is one of the few early Eighth Doctor novels that really feels like an entity in its own right, not a "generic Doctor" story with the serial numbers filed off.

A clever plot, great characterization, and excellent prose; this is a wonderful addition to the Doctor Who mythos. Very well done.

This is the 2nd book in the new Dr. Who series by BBC books and only the third novel to feature the 8th Doctor. Finally, the books are on the right track with their portrayal of this new Doctor for the '90's. Authors Orman and Blum manage to not only capture the personality as presented by actor Paul McGann in the TV Movie, but expand on it in lots of clever ways. The Doctor's penchant for little magic tricks; whimsical changes of subject and driving a VW around San Fransisco are great extensions of the character. It's hard to believe that there are only 90 minutes of film on which to base this character as they have made him so 3-dimensional. Unfortunately, his new companion, Sam, dosen't fare as well. She comes off as a "clone" of Ace, a companion of the 7th Doctor's. The "one-off" compainion of Caroline works better in this story than Sam. The story itself is very successful in capturing the "Doctor Who for the '90's" spirit that the TV Movie exuded by setting the vampires in the "goth" nightclub scene that is rampant in most major cities these days. The vampires themselves are well rounded characters and fit into the mythos of Anne Rice quite nicely. There is also a lot of humor laced throughout. I loved the vampire snail story! An attempt is made to throw in the "traditional Dr. Who monster" near the climax, but it wasn't really needed as the story's strength comes from the fact that it bucks tradition. I'd like to see more in the sereies like this.

Saddly, its the Mel-factor again. Remember how annoying it was when Mel (the sixth & seventh Doctor's companion)was just plunked into the TV serie's plot-line. Wasn't that annoying! Well, get ready because here we go again. After the fluff and non-introduction that the new companion got in Terrance Dick's infantile novel, I'm sure you're thinking that Sam will be introduced in the next novel. Surprise!!! Insted, we get treated to a introduction that sounds like this..."The Doctor and I have been traveling for sometime now". And speaking of the new Doctor that we are all so eager to get to know...don't get your hopes up. He is hardly the central character of this book. What is with all these "secondary" characters that eat up most of the plot? I use the term "plot" very loosely. It is infact a story that has the characters running from one location to the other (and back again)pointlessly. The first two outings in the new BBC line of Dr Who novels are five star yawns. Do yourself a favor and watch an episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" because in the end that is what this book is more akin to. Sorry Kate.