Eden Rebellion

"Environment is a forgotten casualty of war."

Writer: Abi Falase

Format: Novel

Released: November 2024

Series: NSA 68

Featuring: Fifteenth Doctor, Ruby

Synopsis

On the crystalline planet of Yewa, the Gardens of Kubuntu are a true Eden, said to be the most peaceful destination in the universe. At least, until the Doctor and Ruby arrive.

Ancient rivalries between Yewa and its more prosperous sister world of Bia are being stirred by forces unknown, threatening to plunge its people into anarchy. With Ruby swept up in the fire of the Yewan rebellion, the Doctor finds dark secrets buried deep in the planet's ancient history – and his hopes for a lasting peace hanging by a thread. For sinister guardians stalk the Gardens of Kubuntu, while an impeccable enemy plots in the shadows – and in plain sight...

Verdict

Eden Rebellion was a very strong novel to continue the prose adventures of the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby! I'm not entirely sure why there was such a gap between the release of this book and the previous Ruby Red and Caged instalments a few months before close to the broadcast of the series, but it serves as a nice little bonus and some current era content ahead of the upcoming Christmas special. This felt very different to what we saw on screen with the planet of Yewa being rather unique. I liked that in the acknowledgments the author alluded to indigenous peoples being her inspiration for the story as that is certainly something that came through on the page. The conflict between the peoples of Yewa and Bia was a fascinating read and there was some seriously impressive world building going on at times. I actually think there was almost too much at times which is a shame as the history of the last two hundred years in particular was strife with interest and intrigue! I initially had a theory that the entire history was only two hundred years long, but alas I was proven wrong. I thought the truth was actually very good and I liked how the whole makeup of the species in being connected came into play. They didn't want to believe the events that caused the end of the Ijoa ceremonies that bound the species of Yewans and Bia together and so they didn't. They almost couldn't. It was really fun to experience through the Doctor and Ruby just how different this world was. Through consuming their liquids they were almost experience a recreational moment in literally feeling all of their emotions. Far more than five to go with them! That was good and I liked bow it almost had the Doctor forgetting to try and reunite with Ruby. Those distractions came into play very nicely at the end with the reveal of Fran and the emergence of Empire. I thought it was a strong villain and the connection it had going back two hundred years and blocking the prayer of the Bia and trying to take the Gardens of Kubuntu for itself was excellent. I thought the relationship between Mya and Nazari was really good and the little wink of the Doctor when explaining how their love would destroy Empire was fantastic. I can perfectly picture Ncuti Gatwa giving that nod to bring about the end, and it was a rather sudden and emphatic end for Empire as the light that emerged from the pair proclaiming their love together again after being kept and pushed apart consumed the Dark Wraith that was Empire. I thought the Wraiths throughout were strong elements in the story and they definitely injected an eery feel into the book which was very good. I thought the atmosphere throughout was quite dark despite all of the descriptions of a supposed Eden, and I think the book cover has something to do with that too. It's actually a really important element in setting the tone for the story. I was impressed with the characterisation of both the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby and it was probably the best of the three books released for the current era so far. Just simple things like babes and Rubes really does help the voice of the characters. The close relationship the Doctor and his companion was also presented very well. I do think the book perhaps went slightly long in the middle with more focus on the build than the action that would follow, but I did enjoy the tension as the day of the Ijoa loomed. The suggestion from Mya of calling it off was met with dismay but it made sense given the threat. The concept of the Yewans in essentially being their own ancestors is incredible and I love it with the crystalline going into the planet and that's how what they decay into! Shared DNA in abundance. The story of the beginnings of the Chimandra Galaxy was strong and I liked that things weren't all as they seemed with the twins. There were connections everywhere and that actually got in the way of the Doctor on more than one occasion. So many voices. But in the end, love prevailed as always. Ruby didn't quite get the holiday she was anticipating, but the Doctor making references to the likes of Orphan 55, Paradise Towers and Midnight at the end as examples of his attempted holidaying going wrong was a nice touch of continuity. As was the brief moment of him tapping into the Doctor of War. It's difficult to imagine this incarnation with that sentiment. Overall though, a really solid book! 

Rating: 8/10