Doctor Who boasts an impressive array of tie-in books. Emily Cook’s 15th Doctor novel Fear Death by Water was released this year, as did Spectral Scream and The Moon Cruise, by Hannah Fergesen and Esmie Jikiemie-Pearson, respectively. Additionally, Paul Magrs‘ Doctor Who: Dracula! and Jack Heath’s Doctor Who: Frankenstein and the Patchwork Man dropped in 2025. In a similar vein, Scifipulse thought we’d list five of our favourite Doctor Who books. This is not an exhaustive checklist. It’s just five books I enjoyed and want to share my love of. That being said, watch out for power cuts and Vashta Nerada, and let’s count down 5 Doctor Who books we think are really neat!
The Coming of The Terraphiles by Michael Moorcock
This was a strange, haunting novel. Over and above that, it was brilliant. The 11th Doctor (Matt Smith) and Amy Pond ( Karen Gillan) must win the fabled Arrow of Law in a tournament to prevent the universe’s destruction. I enjoyed the Terraphiles’ wry satire of historians and historical “fact” (being reenactors from billions of years in the future who make a weird mashup of 20th/21st century culture). Moreover, there was some nice Terry Pratchett-esque humour throughout that sent up upper class British people. Frank/Freddie Force and his Antimatter Men were fascinating villains into the bargain. The book’s climax; where the comic relief character turns out to be the hero, moved me in a way that few books ever have. The man who created Elric of Melnibone and Jerry Cornelius put forth a truly stellar adventure in his one foray into the Whoniverse.
The Drosten’s Curse by A. L. Kennedy
The 4th Doctor (Tom Baker) visits a golf hotel where time and reality are out of whack. Indeed, the resort is under the control of an ancient alien force that feeds on people’s memories. The Drosten’s Curse is notable for having an enemy that really feels insurmountable. While the revived series often presents the Doctor as unstoppable; this novel created some great tension via its vast and seemingly inevitable antagonist. With a charming love story between Bryony; the hotel receptionist the Doctor meets, and a hapless alien bounty hunter. This book really captures the darkness beneath the world’s surface; that Classic Doctor Who did so well. With a surprisingly sweet and gentle ending.
Beltempest by Jim Mortimore
One of the darkest Eighth Doctor Adventures novels, Beltempest saw the 8th Doctor (Paul McGann) and Sam arrive on a collapsing planet. Further, Sam joins a death cult. Who entice her into their fold with the promise of being able to save people via controlling life and death. In a scene eerily reminiscent of Night of the Doctor; the 8th Doctor all but accepts that there is nothing he can do to help the people around him. As an arriving military force attempts to aid the survivors but makes things worse. His argument with Sam, who by the story’s end has achieved a state beyond life and death, is jarring and poignant. Particularly affecting is the Doctor’s aside “Oh Sam. All you ever wanted to be was a grown up.”
The Boy Who Kicked Pigs by Tom Baker
Tom Baker’s 1999 short novel is a glorious, insane, warped offering worthy of the late great Sir Terry Pratchett. Its main character, Robert, is delightfully amoral. In a world of plucky young heroes who consistently choose right over wrong, it was just fun to have a character who was absolutely terrible. Bonus points for the way that those around Robert thought he was absolutely wonderful. Which mirrors adults’ real life misjudgement of people and situations. This book was adapted into a stage production by the theatre group Kill the Beast in 2012.
Anachrophobia by Jonathan Morris
Another 8th Doctor novel, Anachrophobia has 8, Anji and Fitz land on a war torn planet. Whose soldiers possess technology that can accelerate or decelerate time. Similar to the 15th Doctor episode The Well (which we reviewed) Anachrophobia features many vintage Doctor Who tropes. A base under siege, a mysterious sickness and the futility of war. Special mention must go to the clock faced creatures that the base personnel transform into. It was beautifully unnerving to see the clock faced people’s city at the end of the book. Commenting also on bureaucracy for bureaucracy’s sake. Capped off by a great wham moment where a recurring villain reveals himself to have masterminded everything, in true Doctor Who style.
Which Doctor Who books are your favourites? Do you agree with my list? Please leave a comment and remember; you want weapons? We’re in a library! Books! Best weapons in the world! Arm yourselves with knowledge.
