Doctor Who and the Claws of Axos

"The British had been invaded by a giant pumpkin from outer space."

Writer: Terrance Dicks

Format: Novel

Released: April 1977

Series: Target 10

Featuring: Third Doctor, Jo, Brigadier

Synopsis

"Axos calling Earth, Axos calling Earth...'

The creatures stood before them, beautiful golden humanoids, offering friendship and there priceless Axonite, in return for – what?

Only Doctor Who remains suspicious. What is the real reason for the Axons' sudden arrival on Earth? And why is the evil Master a passenger on their spaceship? He very soon finds out...

Verdict

Doctor Who and the Claws of Axos was a great novelisation! It has been far too long since I've delved into the Target range and as I aim to slowly increase my reading as I get to grips with life as a dad to a seventh month old, and this was a nice way to ease my way back in. I thought it started well and on a large scale with the approaching UFO and identifying all of the relevant organisations, and it was nice to have UNIT as one of those. Season 8 is a fun time for Doctor Who as the Doctor gets to grips with his exile and by this point Jo has established herself as the companion and the Brigadier is trusting of the Doctor as his scientific advisor. The Master is also always around and him garnering a reputation that caused a representative from Washington to be sent because of their concern was terrific. Filer made for a strong character, but I think what I enjoyed most about the novelisation was Chinn and how he was very prominent. I don't think it felt that way on television, at least not as much, but his manipulation of power and going above the Brigadier and getting the authorisation from the Minister was very fun. The arrival of Axos was very good and it was terrific for the Doctor to showcase his abilities to those sceptical of his lack of files and official existence in calculating where the UFO would land. The organic description of the ship was eery and whilst I think a little more description could have benefitted the differing types of Axons we encounter, it was still a great base for the alien menace in this story. The Master being a prisoner on board was fun and his introduction to the Doctor was a real highlight just when he hoped to escape. The concept of Axonite was good and it was clear that it wasn't going to be the complete offering of expanding humanity's resources it was set out to be. I liked how it was clear the Doctor wasn't on board with their offering, but Chinn was quick to want to give them whatever they wanted for it, and to ensure it was Britain's to export. The Axons needing 72 hours to get a widespread distribution of Axonite was a good timeline and the Master being the one to bring them to Earth as a way to get at the Doctor was fantastic. His infiltration of UNIT by hypnotising the lorry driver was good and his luck at the transportation of the TARDIS was good stuff. The Master's reaction to the state of the Doctor's TARDIS was brilliant and I loved how he compared it to a gas stove. The pace of the book was very good and exciting with some really great cliffhangers at the end of chapters. The concept of the Doctor and the Master teaming up was excellent and I loved how Jo sold it because she genuinely thought that he would go alongside him if it meant that he could leave Earth. It's worth remembering that this is still very early for Jo so the Doctor constantly wanting to escape Earth is a sore subject for him. When the Doctor duped everyone and bypassed the Master to set Axos into a time loop was a fun moment, and the TARDIS helping him and getting out was great. I just thought we needed a little more clarity on Axos abandoning their desire for time travel, even when they could already time jump, but the Doctor technically giving them what they wanted in the end was fitting after their deception. The Brigadier getting the warning out to everyone that Axonite wasn't all it set out to be was neat and convenient, but as a whole I thought this was a very strong read and I liked the scale of everything and the threats despite a contained setting. Overall, a very good book!

Rating: 8/10