Something Borrowed

"Can you even imagine a lifetime shackled to that woman?"

Writer: Richelle Mead

Format: Novella

Released: November 2014

Series: 12 Doctors, 12 Stories: 06

Featuring: Sixth Doctor, Peri

Synopsis 

The Doctor and Peri attend a wedding on the planet Koturia and discover the return of a formidable old foe, whose genius matches the Doctor's. Can he outwit this villain, save Peri and stop the wedding in time?

Verdict 

Something Borrowed was an absolutely superb novella from the 12 Doctors, 12 Stories collection and it might just be the best from the set so far! However, The Nameless City and The Spear of Destiny might have something to say about that. In saying that, The Roots of Evil can also be thrown into the hat when discussing which is best from the collection. We've had the Master featured in two novellas,  the Fourth Doctor facing the consequences of the Eleventh Doctor's actions and we've had the First Doctor lose his hand! To add to the collection, of which I've now reached the halfway point, we now get an encounter with the Rani! Before even reading I just felt by looking at Richelle Mead that I would enjoy her story. I seem to really like female writers when it comes to prose and she didn't disappoint at all. I'd love to see what she is capable of in a full length novel! I think she'd be sublime. The pace of the story was magnificent and I just loved some of the ideas. I mean, we had an alien civilisation based on Las Vegas! How incredible is that? A wonderful idea. But where weddings in the gambling capital are considered tacky and associated with a bit too much to drink, weddings on Koturia were considered quite the showcase. Peri's reaction to seeing the civilisation based upon a city she's visited in her homeland was wonderful. Speaking of Peri, I loved the style from Mead in having this story narrated by the companion. It was an interesting concept and not one I've seen done before from a main character. I despised the narration in The Blood Cell but that wasn't a main character. During this little read it was lovely to see things from Peri's point of view and if there's going to be narration from a main character, I think it's right that it's the companion and definitely right for it to appear in a story format like this. I'm not convinced Richelle would have gotten away with it in a feature length novel, though I wouldn't be against seeing her give it a go! The references to The Twin Dilemma and The Mark of the Rani were very good, with the latter story definitely expected to be mentioned. The Rani instantly recognised Peri and she knew that also meant the Doctor was with her. Her thoughts on the appearance of the Sixth Doctor's current incarnation was brilliant and I just loved the audacity of the Doctor says he keeps on improving with regeneration! I thought that was terrifically typical of this incarnation of the Doctor. This story had a strong feel of being in Season 22, a favourite of mine despite its criticism, so I really liked the relationship between the Doctor and Peri. They're just magnificent together. Wira was a good character and I liked the story of her unrequited love with Jonos. Once it was discovered that the Ranj was actually his bride to be, the ending was nicely predictable. The Doctor visiting to catch up with his old friend Evris was nice and I liked the regeneration reference. It seemed the Doctor had changed his appearance since their last meeting. The plan of the Rani was extremely intriguing in that she was hoping to control regeneration and hope that it wouldn't be random. I'm sure the Master would have joined if he found out that one of his future selves would be female, though I think Missy is rather pleased with herself once the regeneration has commenced. The wedding ceremony was quite unique with the intriguing Process to occur to Jonos. Due to the love and with the help of the exclusive stones, Jonos would completely change his appearance and would even have some level of control in choosing his appearance. However, as the Rani didn't love Jonos back, the transformation circuit allowing the process to take place was not complete and Jonos stayed in the form he was. The Rani admitted her defeat and the Doctor cleverly threatened her with the crystal containing all of her research, which had actually been erased, to get what he wanted. However, the Rani escaped in her TARDIS which was disguised in the cathedral and the Doctor seemed to have a very Attack of the Cybermen feel in longing for a chameleon circuit. Overall though, a marvellous little read! This collection has been fantastic in the first half and long may it continue! 

Rating: 9/10