Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Genre: Science Fiction, Media Tie-in, Adventure, Time Travel

Book Review:
Gerry Davis's novelization of ''The Tenth Planet'' is a must-read for Doctor Who fans. It captures a pivotal moment in the show's history: the first appearance of the Cybermen and the first regeneration of the Doctor.

The story begins with the Doctor (the First Doctor, played by William Hartnell) and his companions Ben and Polly arriving at the South Pole. They find themselves at a secret international space tracking station, where scientists are monitoring an incoming object. It's a planet—a tenth planet in the solar system, never before seen.

This planet, Mondas, is the original home of the Cybermen. These beings were once humanoid, but they have replaced their organic parts with cybernetic components. They are cold, logical, and utterly without emotion. And they have come to Earth to ''save'' humanity by converting them into Cybermen.

The novel captures the tension of the original serial. The isolated Antarctic setting creates an atmosphere of claustrophobia and dread. The Cybermen are genuinely terrifying—implacable, inhuman, and unstoppable.

But the novel's most significant moment comes at the end. The Doctor, exhausted by his ordeal, collapses in the TARDIS. His body begins to change. His face shifts, his appearance transforms. He is regenerating—a concept that would become central to Doctor Who for decades to come.

Davis's prose is clear and engaging, making this a quick and enjoyable read. He expands on the television story, adding depth to the characters and the situation. For fans of classic Doctor Who, this is a treasure.

''The Tenth Planet'' is a landmark in Doctor Who history, and this novelization does it justice. Recommended for Whovians and anyone interested in the history of science fiction television.