Book info

• Title Doctor Who: Winner Takes All
• Author Jacqueline Rayner
• Year 2005
• Genre Science Fiction

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?

Thoughts

There’s a good mystery at the heart of this sci-fi story, and one that has a good message at the heart of it - be wary of expecting something for nothing, and also spend less time on video games. But it’s also about family and trust and giving second chances, and lots of other things.

It’s always fun when Rose comes home and her mum gets involved in the adventure, and I love Mickey being a reluctant hero all the time - such an awkward love triangle going on there. A good adventure with a sensible ending, and plenty of scope for the Doctor and Rose to go on and do more, as we know they do!

Rating: 4 / 5