Doctor Who - the exception to the rule

I make no secret of my general disdain for books based on movies and television shows. With a whole world of amazing literature available why would you waste your time on tired rehashing of the same old plot, on books that rely too much on our familiarity with existing characters to the point that there is no personality in dialogue or actions. We've all read them, a hundred and fifty pages of nods back to a block-buster movie. They're never any good.

Except when they are.

I've read a number of Doctor who novels and they never disappoint. Sure, it helps to know the show at least a little. Most of these novels don't spend much time explaining the TARDIS, the sonic screwdriver, or who the Doctor or his many foes are. But, because the doctor travels throughout time and space, many of these books center on new characters, allowing basic explanations to be naturally incorporated into the plot and giving a chance for character development.

Most recently I read a collection of short stories centered on the 12th Doctor in the United States. Justin Richards' Doctor Who: the American Adventures is  fairly basic but highly entertaining collection of stories appropriate for even middle grade readers.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.