Christopher H. Bidmead

Doctor Who fans know that the TARDIS takes the shape of a British police box because of a broken chameleon circuit; it’s supposed to be able to take any shape, but the circuit got stuck in its most recognizable form. Determined to fix the problem, the Fourth Doctor and Adric go to Logopolis, a planet with astounding powers of mathematical calculation, to get the chameleon circuit fixed. But then the Master has to show up…

This is notable as the story that introduces Tegan and features the Fourth Doctor’s regeneration into the Fifth Doctor. It’s a delightfully weird story filled with scientific and mathematical technobabble. The novelization was pretty good, although perhaps lacking a final proofread (“pouring over documents”, “led” being spelled “lead”, etc.). Recommended for fans of the show.… (mere)

The Fourth Doctor has just regenerated into the Fifth, but unfortunately this regeneration doesn’t seem to be taking. He needs peace, calm, simplicity…these things can be found on the un-complex planet of Castrovalva. But the Master is not about to let the Doctor get away that easily. Will the Doctor survive, with or without the assistance of Nyssa, Tegan, and Adric?

This is a novelization of the TV story of the same name, and I think it helps to have seen the story, especially at the end. The effects get pretty trippy in the show, and it would be more of a challenge to imagine in print if you hadn’t seen it. Nyssa and Tegan get to do a fair bit in this story, and the plot may be predictable but is still good fun. The novelization is reasonably done and will tick the Doctor Who box for you if that’s what you’re after.… (mere)