The Secret in Vault 13

"If I ignored an ancient mystical prophecy written in flowers, what kind of Time Lord would that make me?"

Writer: David Solomons
Format: Novel
Released: November 2018
Series: BBC Children's #1

Featuring: Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz, Ryan, Graham

Synopsis

A sinister school where graduation means death...

A monstrous mystery lurking beneath a quiet London street...

A desperate plea for help delivered by - hang on... A potted plant?

The Doctor has been summoned. The galaxy is in terrible danger, and only a Time Lord can save it. But to do so, she must break in to an ancient vault on a remote and frozen world - from which nobody has ever returned alive...

Can the Doctor and her friends Yaz, Ryan and Graham uncover the shocking secret in Vault 13?

Verdict

The Secret in Vault 13 was a very good novel! I am not too sure why it was marketed as a children's novel as the writing really didn't seem too dissimilar to the NSA books but I guess the addition of illustrations at the start of each chapter catered for a younger audience. I thought the premise was decent despite obviously being a recycled format but it is one I very much enjoy! A quest for keys is great and with them being spread across time and space, the TARDIS could end up just about anywhere! I though the characterisation of the whole of Team TARDIS was excellent but it was particularly good for Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor. Her personality shone through on the page and was a real highlight of the novel. I was glad that Yaz was utilised to her full potential in this adventure as that is something that hasn't always occurred during this era of stories. The theme of gardens was surprisingly brilliant throughout and the secret held within Vault 13 was very intriguing. It turned out to be the Genesis Seed and could spark the creation of a new universe whilst replacing the current one. Nightshade, a deadly member of the Gardeners, believed now was that time and did all he could to get hold of the seed. The use of noughtweed was very intriguing especially considering not even the TARDIS was immune to its destructive effects. It could eat through any material in the universe and it showed. The first key being hidden within a school where graduation meant death was very good and I thought that whole concept was deeply concerning. Why would anyone in the earlier years want to succeed? It was baffling but very good. The second key being in present day London with a giant mole provided some humorous moments but I don't think anything was as funny as Ryan finding out that his and Graham's efforts to find the key were incredible compared to the third key actually being the TARDIS key! They'd had it all along. Yaz integrating with the TARDIS and seeing a younger Ryan was very good and I loved the idea of the chameleon circuit reverting back to full working order just long enough to get rid of the noughtweed. I thought the way the keys were actually obtained could have been a bit better and made clearer but the overall plot was really good. The history between the Gardeners and the Time Lords was very interesting and I loved how the Doctor bluffed her way to retrieving the Genesis Seed and ensuring that it was back in safe hands with the Attendant. Overall, a lovely little adventure!

Rating: 8/10