It's starting to look as if it is just impossible for anyone to write a good Third Doctor story.

Humor, characterization and plot were all over the place in this one.

The Master had some good moments and plot turns, though. I almost gave it an additional star for those. ( )

Very much like watching an episode of Doctor Who. In fact it has a lot of the cliches of previous stories: mind controlled zombies, some ancient unknown terrifying alien the Doctor had encountered before (but not in the series), the Master, the Doctor and his companion separated and two simultaneous stories going on from there which are reunited before the end. There is some major background added about the Doctor and the Master. I am not sure it is going to be recognized as canon. There are some nods to the newer series and an attempt to make things relative to modern times even though the story takes place during the Pertwee Doctor.

I enjoyed it, but it was not too original or earth shattering. ( )

A mysterious incident on a North Sea drilling platform requires the assistance of the Doctor, Jo, and UNIT. Their investigation leads them to deal with time ruptures and tiny silver beings known as the Sild, who attach themselves to unsuspecting bipeds (and quadrupeds; they’re not that choosy) and manoeuvre their hosts to help them achieve their aim of universal domination. Part of this plan includes the Master, but strangely, people seem to be forgetting who he is…

This was a good book but felt rather long to me. I am perhaps spoiled by full-cast audio dramas; it felt tiring to have to listen to a single voice for such a long time, especially when the voice was an older man impersonating a younger Scottish woman. I would have suggested bringing in an extra narrator to read the female roles (the said Scottish woman, Edwina McCrimmon, and Jo Grant). Beevers’ strength was, naturally, the Master’s voice, because he has played the Master in previous audio dramas. I could picture Roger Delgado in my head whenever the Master spoke.

As for the story, overall it was good, and it definitely picked up in the last third — this may be because I finally had enough brainpower to appreciate it! The second year of the pandemic has worsened my brain fog, I think. I may have to try to find this in print to give it another go. ( )

I attended a book signing for this work, at Toppings, a delightful independent bookstore in Bath, that hosts many events of this nature.

Reynolds turned out to be a very down-to-earth, friendly and approachable bloke, though not a great (nor terrible) live reader. He talked about how he came to write this book, his Who-fan status and various other topics. He also answered many audience questions before signing our books - drawing a Tardis in them, too!

THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN CURTAILED IN PROTEST AT GOODREADS' CENSORSHIP POLICY

See the complete review here:
http://arbieroo.booklikes.com/post/496166/doctor-who-harvest-of-time-alastair-re...

Oh look; I only talk about the author here - all the book stuff is over with the competition!

Established mainstream SF writer Reynolds, best known for his era-spanning space sagas, takes on the most Earth-bound incarnation of The Doctor in this fast paced enjoyable tale. The first half of the story does a great job of evoking the time and spirit of John Pertwee’s era as the Third Doctor, in particular in the way it captures the family spirit of the UNIT team. The later part of the story moves more into familiar Reynolds territory with some interesting ideas around the effects of time-travel. But where it really shines is in the portrayal of the relationship between the Doctor and the Master (who from a certain perspective could be viewed as the hero of this tale), covering many aspects of their intertwined destinies from childhood into possible far futures. ( )