The Doctor and Clara arrive at a planet, visits a city and the people thinks the Doctor is the ambassador from another country that is planning war on them. They have technology in the city that doesn't work properly since the people have forgotten what the gadgets do. Apparently somewhere along the way everyone just forgot how it worked and the new generations just use the things without any real knowledge about it. Then another man shows up, is he the real ambassador, and will the Doctor and Clara stop the war? And what has the Holy Grail to do with it all?

I think my biggest problem with this book is that if feels like the Doctor is hardly in it. That and that it's so short that it lacks depth. It's super easy to read, and that's the bloody problem. It's so easy to read because nothing is every really explained or described. No real explanations for why Conrad wanted to invade the country, just oh they have it coming since they are not a mighty power anymore. And the Quest for the Holy Grail knights that showed up felt like a sidetrack that really just wasn't that necessary and not even that interesting to read about. And, the final explanation for them was like "a bit meh". And, then we get the explanation for what the technology do. And, I still don't understand why no-one thought about for instance write it down to explain to future generations what it is for and the cost to use it and frankly I don't even understand why it was forgotten it the first place.

Also, I not sure I like Clara, I don't dislike her, but I don't love her either. Right now is she also a bit meh for me as a companion. I have yet seen more than the first eps of Doctor who with the Twelfth Doctor, but I like him, he just doesn't do much in this book. 

So, if you're looking for a quick read, but don't need any really deep book? Then this one is for you. 

Thanks to Random House Crown and Edelweiss for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[I received a copy of this novel through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.]

An entertaining, if a little fast and simplistic read.

Although the plot wasn’t extremely complex (in that it was fairly straightforward, without many twists and turns), this novel nonetheless had its own depths. I liked the somber ambiance permeating it, the feeling of longing tinged with regret for days long gone, the despair reigning in Varuz more than the land’s own rulers could ever do. The strange narration (sometimes 3rd person, sometimes 1st person) was, well, strange, indeed; on the other hand, in some way, it fitted the mood. As if the narrator had patched up afterwards the events in which other people were involved, then put everything together to try and tell a story he needed to tell, out of nostalgic feelings in a crumbling world.

I liked the echoes, too, clearly linked to the Arthurian mythos: not only through the Grail’s quest, yet also etched within the relationships uniting some of the characters. Aurelian, the misguided ruler. Guena, his clever wife. Bernhardt, ever Guenas’ faithful servant, who would like to be more. Mikhail, rightful heir but shunned. I’d keep thinking “Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Mordred” here. However, these echoes unfurled a little differently, which was a good thing, as a complete retelling of the legend wouldn’t have been so interesting if it had been done just for that sake.

Where I was less satisfied was in some aspects of the world: I wish there had been more information about the technology in Varuz: its inhabitants used it without understanding it, and there was more to it, only nothing was really explained, and in the end it was left to vague warnings. In some cases, it wouldn’t be a problem, but here, the whole “medieval society” clashed a little with electricity and light sabers, and I think a better integration of these two extremes would have been welcome—at least for me.

Also, the Doctor wasn’t very present, and while Clara’s characterisation was okayish, it wasn’t much more than that. The “secondary characters” felt more present.

It paves the way for more, in any case. This is a trilogy, and more revelations are to come, I hope, about the mysterious, dangerous and elusive Glamour. I definitely want to see more of the beautiful ravage it can inflict on many worlds and people.

2.5 to 3 stars.

(I received and ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.)

On sale September 8, 2015 (coordinated with the premiere of season 9)

Published by Broadway Books

The Twelfth Doctor and Clara arrive in the kingdom of Varuz, on an unnamed planet, ostensibly on a whim during one of their day trips so Clara can see a “proper castle.” They do indeed get to see a castle, but one very past its prime. Varuz is in decline, the castle cracking and crumbling around its few inhabitants, with only the remnants of the power it once commanded still visible in electric lights and laser-based weaponry that no one really understands. Clara and the Doctor are initially mistaken for ambassadors, as is a third stranger who arrives closely on their heels. Varuz once ruled a vast empire, but reached too far and is now dreading the inevitable invasion from a stronger force across the mountains. The Duke of Varuz refuses to surrender, but a plot to broker peace with the enemy behind his back is brewing within the court, and Clara is pulled into its machinations, resulting in exile with the other mysterious “ambassador.” Things get even more complicated when Lancelot and his knights turn up looking for the Holy Grail…

Una McCormack is a well-respected author of multiple Star Trek tie-in novels, as well as a previous Doctor Who adventure, The King’s Dragon--which is actually one of my favorite Who novels. Royal Blood retreads some similar elements, with both novels set in a medieval-like world, and both relying on complex political intrigue tangled up with extraterrestrial interlopers (other than the Doctor). Both novels also focus more on the issues of the native world than the alien threat, which is refreshing in contrast to a lot of other Who stories.

But there are differences that also set Blood apart. The narrative is split between the first and third person, and the story is divided between multiple plotlines, especially once the Doctor and Clara are separated early on. In fact, the Doctor is mostly secondary to the overall story, providing guidance and observation, but actually not participating directly very often and leaving most of the action up to Clara and the people of Varuz (Varuzians?). I can’t speak for all of them, but generally Who novels tend to stick to one type of perspective (first or third) and lean on the Doctor’s knowledge a little too much, so this was a nice change of pace. Despite standing a little out of the spotlight, the Doctor in his twelfth incarnation was characterized well, with his “big eyebrows” and knack for being alternately rude and wise. Clara was her usual spunky self, and there were a couple of well-done Veruz characters as well.

There were a couple of weak points, mostly due to a key character being overlooked by the Doctor (highly unlikely, in the context) and a somewhat perfunctory ending. The alternating narratives were one of the strengths of the book, building suspense and interest with the contrast, so it was unfortunate that much of the suspense was undermined by a lackluster “reveal” in the last act.

Royal Blood appears to be the beginning of a new direction—or perhaps just an experiment—for Who novels, as it is part of a short run series called The Glamour Chronicles. It looks like the Chronicles will be a trilogy, rounded out by Deep Time by Trevor Baxendale and Big Bang Generation by Gary Russell. The novels featuring the Twelfth Doctor have thus far been released in batches of three, so it makes sense to release three interrelated novels at once; how strong their ties are to each other or what the effects will be on future Who novels will remain to be seen. There has also been some speculation as to whether they will connect to the technology of The Glamour Chase (also by Gary Russell, 2010) and Ghosts of India (Mark Morris, 2008), but so far I can’t say, as I haven’t read them. Yet.

Overall: 5 Who stars

• The Doctor and Clara are both characterized well
• The plot is strong, if a little scattered, and the structure makes it more interesting
• The threat comes more from internal than external sources, so the “aliens” are a bit tangential and the “Grail” story is less a part of the story and more a set-up for the other two books in the series
• Most of the (named) secondary characters were well done and gave the story the necessary depth to make us care about the fate of Varuz

(Cross-posted at Goodreads: Doctor Who: Royal Blood review)