DOCTOR WHO

Hastily written in order to fill a gap in the schedules, Millennium Shock is the sequel to Richards' Missing Adventure, System Shock.

Like the earlier novel, it features the Voracians, a hybrid of reptilian lifeform and computer system. Harry Sullivan is also back, slightly older than before, but still working for MI-5. Since the story's set between The Hand of Fear and The Deadly Assassin, the Doctor's travelling along, but a post TV series Sarah-Jane makes a brief approach. The extract of her Millennium Bug on pages 11-16 is obvious info-dumping, but still works well.

With the end of the century rapidly approaching, the Voracians are planning to exploit the change from 1999 to 2000 by ensuring that the world's technology fails on 1st January 2000.

Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of similarities to the earlier novel, with the Voracians' employing the same sort of tactics that the Cybermen did in The Invasion and the Nestenes did in Terror of the Autons.

Plot-wise this is a solidly enjoyable thriller without doing anything particularly special, which is perhaps understandable given the time in which it was written. However, Richards largely manages to keep all the plot strands ticking along nicely, along it's a shame that the paranoid George Gardner disappears for long time at one point.

As with the earlier book, the characterisation of the Doctor doesn't feel quite right. However, Harry Sullivan feels pretty much spot on once again. It's great to see this under-rated companion getting another chance to shine in the novels.

The rest of the characters are also pretty good, notably the aforementioned George Gardner. There's also some fun to be had identifying the real-life versions of the various politicians that Richards weaves into the narrative, as well as the continuity links with earlier books (which were subtle enough not to both me).

Perhaps not quite as good as the first book, but still a reasonably enjoyable thriller, even if it feels a little dated seven and a bit years on. back to the top

MILLENNIUM SHOCK

Written by JUSTIN RICHARDS

BBC BOOKS

PUBLISHED: MAY 1999

£4.99

RATING: 6/10

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