Winner Takes All

"Just because it was the Doctor's time machine, that didn't mean she had to play entirely by his rules."

Writer: Jacqueline Rayner

Format: Novel

Released: 19th May 2005

Series: NSA 03

Featuring: Ninth Doctor, Rose, Mickey

Synopsis 

Rose and the Doctor return to present-day Earth, and become intrigued by the latest craze - the video game, Death to Mantodeans. Is it as harmless as it seems? And why are so many local people going on holiday and never returning?

Meanwhile, on another world, an alien war is raging. The Quevvils need to find a new means of attacking the ruthless Mantodeans. Searching the galaxy for cunning, warlike but gullible allies, they find the ideal soldiers - on Earth. 

Will Rose be able to save her family and friends from the alien threat? And can the Doctor play the game to the end - and win? 

Verdict 

Jacqueline Rayner has pulled off the best New Series Adventures novel yet (chronological release date) with the gem that is Winner Takes All. She effortlessly provided the Ninth Doctor and Rose with a quite brilliant concept and tied it in with modern society fantastically. The concept of a games console that was actually real was frightening and with the surge of modern technology and the height of gaming in 2005, it was definitely the right time and period for a story of its kind to take place. The relationship between the Ninth Doctor and Rose in this novel was at its greatest height so far. Still in their early days together in The Clockwise Man and The Monsters Inside, it wasn't so noticeable there. But here, it was in abundance. And it was wonderful. The Doctor actually talked to others of how great Rose was and how she was more than just his 'assistant'. I thought that was really nice, especially with it coming from the more sinister Ninth Doctor. The Quevvils were a gruesome species and despite their technological advancements, I liked how they couldn't physically enter the Mantodean stronghold so recruited the perfect slaves. Humans. I was particularly intrigued how the Quevvils developed the games console to comply with 'carriers'. The amount of work they must have put in to develop the game, link it to humans on Toop and set up the whole scratch card prize game in which they gained their victims. I really liked how Mickey played a prominent role in the story and saving the day. He didn't really join the whole save the day agenda until School Reunion with the Tenth Doctor so for him to be of great help to the Ninth Doctor instead. I liked the banter the Doctor shared with Mickey, particularly about the high score on Death to Mantodeans. Once all was revealed about the truth of the game the way the Doctor was horrified was brilliant. His anger and frustration at the fact that humans were being controlled. Darren Pye was a good, nasty character. He's basically the perfect character of a human being I despise. A typical, thick bully thinking he can get what he wants through violence. I loved how Rose stood up to him and actually challenged him physically! She was just wonderful throughout the novel. And somehow, in words, she became even more beautiful. Her dismay towards Darren for beating her mother, Jackie, was fantastic and I actually liked how she secretly relished in what she thought was his death on Toop. The description of the Quivvels reminded me somewhat of the Quarks and I like to think the two are robotic cousins. The references to The Unquiet Dead and Aliens of London were excellent and I adored the inclusion of the Bad Wolf season arc! You wouldn't think anything of it if you read in 2005 but now reading back the reference is lovely placed. Robert, who's thoughts were marvellous throughout the novel, was a terrific character. I loved how he immediately fell in love with Rose upon first sight. She is rather beautiful. The way the Doctor saved the day was very clever. Atomising the Quevvils in the middle of their teleportation just as they thought they'd defeated the Mantodeans and thwarted the stronghold. His controlling of Rose was beautifully depicted and the threat and danger of it was just excitingly good! Game over=death. It doesn't get more extreme than that! The closing scenes when Robert was reunited with his mother, who he apparently hated (don't we all at some point?) was a wonderful scene. Overall, a fantastic novel by a tremendous writer. A great read.

Rating: 9/10