Torchwood Book Reviews
Here follows non-spoilery reviews for the lastest three Torchwood novels, just my humble opinions on them. Yes, I realise I read all three in three days but I have no life. :P
Into The Silence
by Sarah Pinborough
Let's get the sexist moment out the way first shall we and point out the fact that this is the first Torchwood novel by a woman, and I have to say, she does our gender proud. After James Moran recently saying that people were shocked that women were genuinely into sci-fi - and in fact I think I'm safe in saying that in the Torchwood fandom, woman outweigh the men - it's nice to see a woman getting her teeth - not literally, you dirty minded people - into Jack, Gwen & Ianto.
This is a novel that delves into the darker parts of Torchwood and the human psyche with the use of the extraterrestrial. The loneliness of the human race explored, even when they're surrounded by people, is a harrowing thing to read about and hits all the characters the way we would expect it to, striking a chord with both Jack, Gwen and Ianto through one form or other. It's very clear that Torchwood are still in mourning over their lost team members and as a result they seem a lot closer. Pinborough paints some very poignant scenes between Jack, Gwen and Ianto, showing that they are still human themselves and still struggling to hold things together even while they try to keep the rest of Cardiff safe.
The character of DI Tom Cutler brings a harrowing edge to the effects Torchwood has on the civilian population and not just within the confines of Cardiff. What happened at Torchwood One is still creating ripple effects in the world, something that Jack is still trying to correct in his own hash-bash way. The only issue I have with the appearance of DI Cutler and his damaged self is the exclusion of PC Andy Davidson. The police feature quite heavily in the novel and I found myself wondering why Andy wasn't busy annoying Gwen or poking his nose in at various intervals. I just have to satisfy myself with the notion that Andy was busy sunning himself somewhere.
This is not in any way an uplifting novel, but it does read like one of the more poignant episodes of Torchwood that strikes a chord in our hearts. Ianto steps up to the title of 'bait' very well and we see a side beneath his reserved facade that many authors seem to neglect - Ianto can be just as strong as Jack when he wants to be, and like Jack has a few secrets still hidden up his sleeves.
If this novel were a song, it would be a ballad, a lament for the human race as such. While people are being killed all over Cardiff for their Nightingale voices Torchwood are left to struggle on as usual in the wake of tragedy with only each other to lean on.
Bay of the Dead
by Mark Morris
Zombies. In Cardiff. Two chapters into the novel and you're still looking for any sign of our heroes, getting more and more nervous as you're introduced to a barrage of characters that will eventually become zombie food.
The plot of the novel is driven along nicely by Zombies interfering - although Ianto dislikes the use of the Zed word - as it seems to be a race to get across town, to apparently nowhere, and survival of the fittest for all of our intrepid heroes. The Zombie attacks were described in vivid detail, and had me cringing but for all the action the plot boasts, by the time I got to the end of the novel and the real reason for Zombies invading Cardiff was revealed, I rather thought it was not only a bit of a let down, but a bit of a cop-out. It's clear that Morris holds an enthusiasm for Zombies, but like a lot of Zombie horror flicks the plot just seems to peter out at the end as all the zombies disappear with a half arsed explanation, leaving our heroes looking like victims of an apocalypse that is questionable in its existence.
At the start of the novel Morris doesn't seem to have a solid grasp on the characters and it's a painfully slow start that finally builds momentum as the novel continues. Thankfully Morris manages to get the measure of his characters eventually although it is clear he is uncomfortable with the relationship of Jack and Ianto since they only ever seem to refer to each other as 'friends'. I may be biased, but I don't really think Jack and Ianto are in that amount of denial over their 'relationship'. There are moments between the two where we see the relationship shine, and as usual it seems to be very one sided - Ianto's puppy dog eyes out in full force even when he's saving Jack from teenage Zombie's wearing Girl's Aloud t-shirts.
Rhys as a character seems to shine in this novel, becoming very much a part of team Torchwood, and possibly a premonition of what's to come in Children of Earth if the trailers are anything to go by. He's quick witted and smart to go with - most of which is obtained from Dawn of the Dead - supporting Gwen the whole way through the novel out of love and stepping up to the plate when the outlook is bleak. In fact towards the end of the novel we see all of our characters having their moments to shine, Morris clearly a big fan of the minor characters as even PC Andy Davidson has a big role to play and steps into the shoes of the hero very well.
For all I seem to be down on this particular novel there are moments of it that I genuinely enjoyed, laughed at and outright cringed in disgust, but I'm afraid to me it's just another Zombie flick made in novel form with a rather lame ending.
The House That Jack Built
by Guy Adams
What can I say about this book, apart from the fact I think I want to marry Guy Adams - either that or stalk him and pick his brain about writing until the cows come home. This was by far the best book out of the three new ones to grace the shelves for many reasons, not least of all the memorable writing. For those of us that are fanatical enough - or have Ianto's eidetic memory, the secrets of which are revealed in the novel - will be able to pick up throwbacks to previous books. Mentions are made in passing to not just Into the Silence and Bay of the Dead, but there are also brief nods to Skypoint, Almost Perfect as well as Pack Animals - pick up on them and you are almost certainly as sad as I, but the characters seem to remember them with vivid clarity.
Adams has managed in book form what the show promotes on the screen, the right mix of humour and seriousness that makes Torchwood what we, the fans, love. He has a firm grasp on our favourite characters too, Ianto's quick wit is present, Gwen's caring concern and ballsy confrontational attitude in the face of another Jack Harkness plan, and as usual Jack's past comes back to wreck havoc with Torchwood will he faces it down with a look of steely determination, refusing to crumble in front of his team.
For those of us that are Janto fans we see glimpses of the relationship between the two of them, as very much something that is fluid on Jack's part and can never be something permanent, whereas Ianto is unequivocally head over heels with our illustrious Captain, something that even Gwen has picked up on. We see a brief glimpse of Gwen and Rhys going about their daily lives, before Rhys is shoved onto the sofa and forgotten about for the rest of the novel. But from those brief glimpses Adams portrays the struggling relationship of Gwen and Rhys and the ever-present interference of Torchwood, and reminds us why we, and Gwen, love that loyal Welshman.
As far as plot goes, there's enough techno-babble to excite the geek within us and the story is fast paced enough that I certainly couldn't put the book down. Scenes flip between characters, leaving us with minor cliff hangers that make you turn the pages so fast you'll have paper cuts by the time you reach the last chapter. Adams also adds in the character of Alexander Martin, previously seen in Bay of the Dead, which is a humorous, and also extremely helpful, addition to the novel. Another from Jack's past who we never truly find out about, but keeps us entertained and blurs the lines between the black and white of the human race that Torchwood is so competent at.
The House That Jack Built is a novel that is very much at the heart of the show, and boasts all the reasons why I, and no doubt so many fans, love Torchwood. Definitely something that builds on the foundation of Torchwood with all the added building blocks to make this a brilliant read.
Into The Silence
by Sarah Pinborough
Let's get the sexist moment out the way first shall we and point out the fact that this is the first Torchwood novel by a woman, and I have to say, she does our gender proud. After James Moran recently saying that people were shocked that women were genuinely into sci-fi - and in fact I think I'm safe in saying that in the Torchwood fandom, woman outweigh the men - it's nice to see a woman getting her teeth - not literally, you dirty minded people - into Jack, Gwen & Ianto.
This is a novel that delves into the darker parts of Torchwood and the human psyche with the use of the extraterrestrial. The loneliness of the human race explored, even when they're surrounded by people, is a harrowing thing to read about and hits all the characters the way we would expect it to, striking a chord with both Jack, Gwen and Ianto through one form or other. It's very clear that Torchwood are still in mourning over their lost team members and as a result they seem a lot closer. Pinborough paints some very poignant scenes between Jack, Gwen and Ianto, showing that they are still human themselves and still struggling to hold things together even while they try to keep the rest of Cardiff safe.
The character of DI Tom Cutler brings a harrowing edge to the effects Torchwood has on the civilian population and not just within the confines of Cardiff. What happened at Torchwood One is still creating ripple effects in the world, something that Jack is still trying to correct in his own hash-bash way. The only issue I have with the appearance of DI Cutler and his damaged self is the exclusion of PC Andy Davidson. The police feature quite heavily in the novel and I found myself wondering why Andy wasn't busy annoying Gwen or poking his nose in at various intervals. I just have to satisfy myself with the notion that Andy was busy sunning himself somewhere.
This is not in any way an uplifting novel, but it does read like one of the more poignant episodes of Torchwood that strikes a chord in our hearts. Ianto steps up to the title of 'bait' very well and we see a side beneath his reserved facade that many authors seem to neglect - Ianto can be just as strong as Jack when he wants to be, and like Jack has a few secrets still hidden up his sleeves.
If this novel were a song, it would be a ballad, a lament for the human race as such. While people are being killed all over Cardiff for their Nightingale voices Torchwood are left to struggle on as usual in the wake of tragedy with only each other to lean on.
Bay of the Dead
by Mark Morris
Zombies. In Cardiff. Two chapters into the novel and you're still looking for any sign of our heroes, getting more and more nervous as you're introduced to a barrage of characters that will eventually become zombie food.
The plot of the novel is driven along nicely by Zombies interfering - although Ianto dislikes the use of the Zed word - as it seems to be a race to get across town, to apparently nowhere, and survival of the fittest for all of our intrepid heroes. The Zombie attacks were described in vivid detail, and had me cringing but for all the action the plot boasts, by the time I got to the end of the novel and the real reason for Zombies invading Cardiff was revealed, I rather thought it was not only a bit of a let down, but a bit of a cop-out. It's clear that Morris holds an enthusiasm for Zombies, but like a lot of Zombie horror flicks the plot just seems to peter out at the end as all the zombies disappear with a half arsed explanation, leaving our heroes looking like victims of an apocalypse that is questionable in its existence.
At the start of the novel Morris doesn't seem to have a solid grasp on the characters and it's a painfully slow start that finally builds momentum as the novel continues. Thankfully Morris manages to get the measure of his characters eventually although it is clear he is uncomfortable with the relationship of Jack and Ianto since they only ever seem to refer to each other as 'friends'. I may be biased, but I don't really think Jack and Ianto are in that amount of denial over their 'relationship'. There are moments between the two where we see the relationship shine, and as usual it seems to be very one sided - Ianto's puppy dog eyes out in full force even when he's saving Jack from teenage Zombie's wearing Girl's Aloud t-shirts.
Rhys as a character seems to shine in this novel, becoming very much a part of team Torchwood, and possibly a premonition of what's to come in Children of Earth if the trailers are anything to go by. He's quick witted and smart to go with - most of which is obtained from Dawn of the Dead - supporting Gwen the whole way through the novel out of love and stepping up to the plate when the outlook is bleak. In fact towards the end of the novel we see all of our characters having their moments to shine, Morris clearly a big fan of the minor characters as even PC Andy Davidson has a big role to play and steps into the shoes of the hero very well.
For all I seem to be down on this particular novel there are moments of it that I genuinely enjoyed, laughed at and outright cringed in disgust, but I'm afraid to me it's just another Zombie flick made in novel form with a rather lame ending.
The House That Jack Built
by Guy Adams
What can I say about this book, apart from the fact I think I want to marry Guy Adams - either that or stalk him and pick his brain about writing until the cows come home. This was by far the best book out of the three new ones to grace the shelves for many reasons, not least of all the memorable writing. For those of us that are fanatical enough - or have Ianto's eidetic memory, the secrets of which are revealed in the novel - will be able to pick up throwbacks to previous books. Mentions are made in passing to not just Into the Silence and Bay of the Dead, but there are also brief nods to Skypoint, Almost Perfect as well as Pack Animals - pick up on them and you are almost certainly as sad as I, but the characters seem to remember them with vivid clarity.
Adams has managed in book form what the show promotes on the screen, the right mix of humour and seriousness that makes Torchwood what we, the fans, love. He has a firm grasp on our favourite characters too, Ianto's quick wit is present, Gwen's caring concern and ballsy confrontational attitude in the face of another Jack Harkness plan, and as usual Jack's past comes back to wreck havoc with Torchwood will he faces it down with a look of steely determination, refusing to crumble in front of his team.
For those of us that are Janto fans we see glimpses of the relationship between the two of them, as very much something that is fluid on Jack's part and can never be something permanent, whereas Ianto is unequivocally head over heels with our illustrious Captain, something that even Gwen has picked up on. We see a brief glimpse of Gwen and Rhys going about their daily lives, before Rhys is shoved onto the sofa and forgotten about for the rest of the novel. But from those brief glimpses Adams portrays the struggling relationship of Gwen and Rhys and the ever-present interference of Torchwood, and reminds us why we, and Gwen, love that loyal Welshman.
As far as plot goes, there's enough techno-babble to excite the geek within us and the story is fast paced enough that I certainly couldn't put the book down. Scenes flip between characters, leaving us with minor cliff hangers that make you turn the pages so fast you'll have paper cuts by the time you reach the last chapter. Adams also adds in the character of Alexander Martin, previously seen in Bay of the Dead, which is a humorous, and also extremely helpful, addition to the novel. Another from Jack's past who we never truly find out about, but keeps us entertained and blurs the lines between the black and white of the human race that Torchwood is so competent at.
The House That Jack Built is a novel that is very much at the heart of the show, and boasts all the reasons why I, and no doubt so many fans, love Torchwood. Definitely something that builds on the foundation of Torchwood with all the added building blocks to make this a brilliant read.