| THE ELEVENTH TIGER by David A McIntee |
| Story ? Synopsis: China, 1865. The TARDIS materialises in a temple, the Doctor convinced that he has brought Ian & Barbara home. But they realise he hasn't. They find a place to eat, but Ian is viciously attakced by a mob. It seems there is a Chesterton in the area who is not well liked. The Doctor sends Barbara and Vicki back to the TARDIS for medicines to help heal Ian's broken bones. The Doctor is challenged to a duel, which he accepts. He wins the duel, and his opponent is later killed for failing to kill the Doctor. A power from space has possessed three monks with the spirits of the First Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, and his two adjutants, Zhao and Gao. Qin kidnaps Barbara, with Ian forced to shoot his double to save her. He does so, but the Doctor has discovered that his double is not Ian, but a relative. The Doctor plots the place where Qin plans to take over, and manages to transport a few of the Ten Tigers, and some of the British army. By introducing water into Qin's camp, the alien connection is shorted. |
| Review:- Back in time, to quite a turbulent year globally, and a tale of old China, mistaken identity, and reincarnations. McIntee has written 11 DW books prior to this, and has now managed a tale for each of the 8 Doctors. It is a testament to versatility that he has done this, as only a very few (Chris Bulis, possibly Terrance Dicks) have also done so. In a way, I think this completes a very loose trilogy, also encompassing The Shadow of Weng-Chiang and Bullet Time. Perhaps with China and the Far East being used so little by other writers, it allows McIntee the freedom to do what he pleases with it, knowing he won't be treading on any toes. But what of the story? Well, nominally about Wong Fei-Hung (about whom I confess I know very little indeed), it turns more into a tale of the First Emperor, he of the famous terracotta army. I realise that this could show what little knowledge I have. Ah well, in for a penny... I was also wholly ignorant of the Ten Tigers, which is interesting, as I didn't learn much more from this book. But then, I guess that's not Dave's fault. The Doctor gets plenty to do, which is admirable, and he comes across well enough. What with watching a crop of new videos with William Hartnell, I couldn't have had a better time to read a new story with his portrayal in. Barbara doesn't really get too much to do, nor does Vicki, although they both come out of it well. Ian has the major subplot, as he has a doppelganger nearby who is not well-liked, allowing him to get beaten up good and proper. This is well handled, except for the fact that anyone who reads acknowledgments and such might easily see the name on the last page which rather gives away the game. Although that might be deliberate, I don't know. Still, it is silly that all assume that it is another version of Ian, and not, say, a distant relative. The local characters are all well-drawn, and the villains suitably nasty. It has been suggested that the alien power that causes all the trouble is (or will become) an old enemy of the Doctor's, but I didn't pick up any clues, and it doesn't matter anyway. [Further consultation suggests that it's the Mandragora Helix.] I recommend this book, as a jolly good read. |
| Disclaimer: I own a copy. |