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Doctor Who: New Series Adventures #6
Doctor Who: The Stealers of Dreams
In the far future, the Doctor, Rose, and Captain Jack find a world on which fiction has been outlawed. A world where it's a crime to tell stories, a crime to lie, a crime to hope, and a crime to dream. But now somebody is challenging the status quo. A pirate TV station urges people to fight back, and the Doctor wants to help - until he sees how easily dreams can turn into nightmares. With one of his companions stalked by shadows and the other committed to an asylum, the Doctor is forced to admit that fiction can be dangerous after all. Though perhaps it is not as deadly as the truth...
254 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
35 people are currently reading
2482 people want to read
About the author
Steve Lyons
186 books107 followersSteve Lyons is a science fiction writer, best known for writing television tie-ins of Doctor Who for BBC Books, and previously, Virgin. The earliest of these was Conundrum in 1994, and his most recent was 2005's The Stealers of Dreams. He has also written material for Star Trek tie-ins, as well as original work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
September 7, 2021
The last Ninth Doctor novel for the NSA’s is also another strong entry in the series, this last batch of three books have been a great way to experience more stories with this short lived TARDIS team.
A nice premise of a far future where fiction has been outlawed is a strong and fascinating idea that could quite easily have been explored further.
I do have a massive soft spot for this era and would love more novels featuring Eccleston’s incarnation of The Doctor.
A nice premise of a far future where fiction has been outlawed is a strong and fascinating idea that could quite easily have been explored further.
I do have a massive soft spot for this era and would love more novels featuring Eccleston’s incarnation of The Doctor.
September 11, 2018
"nothing in doctor who could be any more mindfucky than lungbarrow"
steve lyons:
(actually this wasn't as insane as lungbarrow - you can't really beat sentient furniture, a house hiding in the mountains for six centuries, weird vision-inducing cobwebs, ace's entire story arc, and... i could go on)
steve lyons:
(actually this wasn't as insane as lungbarrow - you can't really beat sentient furniture, a house hiding in the mountains for six centuries, weird vision-inducing cobwebs, ace's entire story arc, and... i could go on)
December 7, 2021
This is the second book I’ve read with Nine and Rose, the first being Only Human. While that one still remains my favorite this was very good. For these novels being catered towards a younger audience I still found myself trying just as hard to figure out what this world was really about. The author did an amazing job at portraying our favorite Tardis team!
October 11, 2016
Buddy read with the lovely Natalia :) <3 safe to say that I absolutely loved this one, the idea of dream thieves terrified me; and as I read this I could see it being played out as an episode. Very canon to 9, Rose and Jack, all of whom I adore. Loved reading the lines in their voices. A favourite Doctor Who novelisation.
May 23, 2023
5 🌟
Nice to see another adventure with the Doctor, Rose, and Jack.
Nice to see another adventure with the Doctor, Rose, and Jack.
December 13, 2018
This is a book based on the television series with the ninth Doctor as the main character. Rose and Captain Jack are his companions. In this one, we visit a planet where any type of fiction has been outlawed. This includes written forms, visual entertainment, and even dreams. What happens to a society where its members have no imagination?
My rating might be a little biased because the ninth Doctor is my favorite. Add in Captain Jack and this was naturally going to be a well liked novel for me. Part of the reason I enjoyed this book is that I could imagine how I would feel if my reading material was taken from me. Therefore, I had no problem identifying with this book. The reason why this world enacted this type of law worked well with this universe as it came down to a scientific reason which is a staple for Doctor Who. As for the characters, the author portrayed them correctly. This was Chris Eccleston's Doctor and well as the other two actors. I had no problem imagining this book as part of the television series because of the character's portrayal and a nice little reference to the season arc.
I am a fan of media tie-in books but some of them can be cringe worthy. Not this one. It put me back into the season story of my favorite Doctor and I enjoyed getting to go on an adventure ride with him one more time.
My rating might be a little biased because the ninth Doctor is my favorite. Add in Captain Jack and this was naturally going to be a well liked novel for me. Part of the reason I enjoyed this book is that I could imagine how I would feel if my reading material was taken from me. Therefore, I had no problem identifying with this book. The reason why this world enacted this type of law worked well with this universe as it came down to a scientific reason which is a staple for Doctor Who. As for the characters, the author portrayed them correctly. This was Chris Eccleston's Doctor and well as the other two actors. I had no problem imagining this book as part of the television series because of the character's portrayal and a nice little reference to the season arc.
I am a fan of media tie-in books but some of them can be cringe worthy. Not this one. It put me back into the season story of my favorite Doctor and I enjoyed getting to go on an adventure ride with him one more time.
November 23, 2022
Such a great concept for a book, fantasy is outlawed in all its forms. Even the newscasts are presented in such a way that disallows dangerous speculation. Liked the adverts, for toothpaste probably not the best but it's cheap lol. There's an underground faction who share their ideas and risk brain surgery, if caught. I won't spoil it. But Steve Lyons has made a thought-provoking novel that I highly recommend.
April 29, 2020
my favourite chaotic trio in a twisty, slightly horrific story, what more could you ask for?
August 15, 2021
hard to rate. everything was thought-through so well and you could not really stop reading. but the plot made me literally question too much. i like books that make me feel better after reading a few pages, this sadly did not.
March 16, 2025
Best tardis team my beloved
September 24, 2025
Doctor Who: The Stealers of Dreams by Steve Lyons is an intriguing and thought-provoking adventure featuring the Ninth Doctor, Rose Tyler, and Captain Jack Harkness. The novel dives into the concept of a world where fiction, imagination, and even dreams are banned a premise that feels both dystopian and eerily relevant in our own world of censorship debates. It’s one of the last outings for Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor in the New Series Adventures, so fans of his era will find plenty to appreciate.
The story takes place on Colony World 4378976. Delta-Four, a planet where fiction is outlawed and creativity is suppressed for the supposed good of society. The trio arrives and quickly gets swept up in uncovering the truth behind the colony’s strange laws and the sinister consequences of suppressing imagination. The Doctor, true to his TV counterpart, is sharp, defiant, and determined to challenge the status quo, while Rose and Jack each get their own moments to shine, exploring different threads of the story. Jack’s attempts to lure a dissident leader through tall tales in pubs are particularly entertaining, and Rose’s struggle with “fantasy-crazy” hallucinations is both eerie and touching. The narrative splits their perspectives nicely, giving all three characters room to breathe.
Lyons nails the personalities of the main trio. The Doctor’s moral outrage and quick wit feel authentic, and Rose’s compassion and curiosity are spot-on. Jack’s characterization is a little more divisive some readers felt he leaned too heavily on his comedic, flirtatious side, while others appreciated his resourcefulness. Where the book truly shines, though, is in its portrayal of original characters like Hal Gryden, the mysterious dissident, and Domnic, a teenage comic strip artist whose illegal fiction adds nuance to the story. Their struggles within this oppressive society make the stakes feel personal and grounded.
The worldbuilding is surprisingly rich for a short novel. Lyons paints a picture of a stagnant society where even lying is outlawed, and 24-hour news cycles report mundane events like parking space discoveries. The scientific explanation behind the ban on fiction microorganisms in the planet’s atmosphere that overstimulate the brain’s imagination adds a fascinating sci-fi twist, though the pseudo-science might make you raise an eyebrow. The dystopian setting feels claustrophobic, and the oppressive atmosphere ramps up as the story progresses.
However, the book isn’t without its flaws. The pacing is uneven, with the first half dragging as the characters wander and investigate, though the second half picks up with more action and tension. Some of the twists feel predictable, but they’re executed well enough to still be satisfying. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a solid, entertaining read that balances its themes with a fast-paced plot.
The Stealers of Dreams is a clever and engaging story that captures the spirit of the Ninth Doctor’s era, blending dystopian themes with moments of humor and heart. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a thought-provoking adventure that fans of the Doctor, Rose, and Jack will enjoy.
The story takes place on Colony World 4378976. Delta-Four, a planet where fiction is outlawed and creativity is suppressed for the supposed good of society. The trio arrives and quickly gets swept up in uncovering the truth behind the colony’s strange laws and the sinister consequences of suppressing imagination. The Doctor, true to his TV counterpart, is sharp, defiant, and determined to challenge the status quo, while Rose and Jack each get their own moments to shine, exploring different threads of the story. Jack’s attempts to lure a dissident leader through tall tales in pubs are particularly entertaining, and Rose’s struggle with “fantasy-crazy” hallucinations is both eerie and touching. The narrative splits their perspectives nicely, giving all three characters room to breathe.
Lyons nails the personalities of the main trio. The Doctor’s moral outrage and quick wit feel authentic, and Rose’s compassion and curiosity are spot-on. Jack’s characterization is a little more divisive some readers felt he leaned too heavily on his comedic, flirtatious side, while others appreciated his resourcefulness. Where the book truly shines, though, is in its portrayal of original characters like Hal Gryden, the mysterious dissident, and Domnic, a teenage comic strip artist whose illegal fiction adds nuance to the story. Their struggles within this oppressive society make the stakes feel personal and grounded.
The worldbuilding is surprisingly rich for a short novel. Lyons paints a picture of a stagnant society where even lying is outlawed, and 24-hour news cycles report mundane events like parking space discoveries. The scientific explanation behind the ban on fiction microorganisms in the planet’s atmosphere that overstimulate the brain’s imagination adds a fascinating sci-fi twist, though the pseudo-science might make you raise an eyebrow. The dystopian setting feels claustrophobic, and the oppressive atmosphere ramps up as the story progresses.
However, the book isn’t without its flaws. The pacing is uneven, with the first half dragging as the characters wander and investigate, though the second half picks up with more action and tension. Some of the twists feel predictable, but they’re executed well enough to still be satisfying. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a solid, entertaining read that balances its themes with a fast-paced plot.
The Stealers of Dreams is a clever and engaging story that captures the spirit of the Ninth Doctor’s era, blending dystopian themes with moments of humor and heart. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a thought-provoking adventure that fans of the Doctor, Rose, and Jack will enjoy.
February 24, 2025
2020 52 Book Challenge - 2) A Hard Cover
I thought this was actually a pretty decent Doctor Who novel. I enjoyed getting to read more about Captain Jack, and there wasn't a lot of interaction between the Doctor and Rose, so it was quite nice to see them going off on their own and being independent of each other.
The plot was a little predictable, but I still enjoyed it.
I thought this was actually a pretty decent Doctor Who novel. I enjoyed getting to read more about Captain Jack, and there wasn't a lot of interaction between the Doctor and Rose, so it was quite nice to see them going off on their own and being independent of each other.
The plot was a little predictable, but I still enjoyed it.
March 27, 2017
Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd
This is a particularly interesting review for me to do because my experience with this novel shifted back and forth between reading a physical edition and listening to an audiobook. I will say upfront that I am not a huge fan of audiobooks, feeling like they detract quite a bit from my personal reading experience. The quality of the audio, the style of the narrator, whether those aspects are good or not, audiobooks and I have never gotten along especially well. That being said, when I found this one, I decided, why not give it a go—and to be honest, I ended up relatively pleased with my choice.
In this novel, the Doctor, Rose, and Jack find themselves entering a world where fiction and fantasy has been made illegal. There are no writers or novels, and those who are caught engaging in the creation of stories—or something as simple as dreaming—are imprisoned in “The Big White House”, where they are meant to be “rehabilitated”. In this society, being found to be “fiction crazy” is as bad if not worse than the act of murder. However, an underground society of dreamers is rising up, taking to the airwaves on a pirated radio station and attempting to bring fiction back to the people. When the trio accidently get split up, they become deeply involved in the dangerous workings of this truth-obsessed city.
Out of all the Doctor Who novels I’ve read so far, this ended up being one of my favorites. The plot is not an incredibly new or unique topic in fiction, but it’s nevertheless always an interesting one. And of course, Lyons puts his own unique flair on this familiar concept. As a writer and reader, I find it both fascinating and terrifying to imagine what the world would be like if we were not allowed to create and fantasize. This theme is inherently captivating, and Lyons has formed it into a fast-paced novel. With plenty of suspense and mystery, as well as a twist ending I personally did not see coming, this is quite an enjoyable read.
I thought that Lyons did a rather solid job of portraying the ninth Doctor, Rose, and Jack. The three go their separate ways early on, so the majority of the narration switches between each person’s exploits every chapter or so. Jack was a particularly strong character in this story, and I really enjoyed his parts. Occasionally, the narrative felt a bit jumpy and jumbled because it switched around so frequently between each storyline, but this did not affect my experience too drastically.
The additional characters were also well crafted and fit nicely into the world they belonged to. We get to see people on either side of this society—those who enforce the eradication of fantasy and those who secretly defy the law. Their interactions with the main trio and their individual views added some great dimension to the plot. I liked that whether obsessed with truth or fiction, their interpretations of life were so limited and so dependent on clichés. It shows how desperately we need a proper balance of each in our lives.
The audiobook I listened to for part of my reading experience was the unabridged audio, narrated by Camille Coduri. This is not one of the slightly abridged ones, acted out by one of the cast members, though I would like to give one of those a try some day as they seem like they would be fun. When it came to this particular book, I actually did not mind the narration for once. I admit, I’m still not sold on audiobooks in general, but my experience with this novel was overall a positive one.
Coduri has a fairly pleasant voice to listen to, and her delivery—though quite unique and slightly unusual, in my opinion—was something I found to be very enjoyable. I feel as though her style might not be something that is everyone’s cup of tea, but it worked well enough for me. She gave each character a distinctive voice and did a respectable job of portraying the appropriate emotion in each scene. One of the major pitfalls of an audiobook can be adding too much or too little voice acting into the narration. Coduri’s performance was very three-dimensional, her acting complementing the story as a whole rather than distracting from it.
I’ve said before that I tend to hold novels from this series to a different standard than most. They are not inherently poor quality novels by any means—they feature a lot of strong writing and storytelling. However, they are much more along the lines of fun reads than great literature. That being said, this was one of the better ones, both in content and quality. The plot was intriguing and that, along with the portrayal of the characters, stayed very true to the beloved television show. It was a great addition to the series and I would highly recommend this novel to all Doctor Who fans out there.
This is a particularly interesting review for me to do because my experience with this novel shifted back and forth between reading a physical edition and listening to an audiobook. I will say upfront that I am not a huge fan of audiobooks, feeling like they detract quite a bit from my personal reading experience. The quality of the audio, the style of the narrator, whether those aspects are good or not, audiobooks and I have never gotten along especially well. That being said, when I found this one, I decided, why not give it a go—and to be honest, I ended up relatively pleased with my choice.
In this novel, the Doctor, Rose, and Jack find themselves entering a world where fiction and fantasy has been made illegal. There are no writers or novels, and those who are caught engaging in the creation of stories—or something as simple as dreaming—are imprisoned in “The Big White House”, where they are meant to be “rehabilitated”. In this society, being found to be “fiction crazy” is as bad if not worse than the act of murder. However, an underground society of dreamers is rising up, taking to the airwaves on a pirated radio station and attempting to bring fiction back to the people. When the trio accidently get split up, they become deeply involved in the dangerous workings of this truth-obsessed city.
Out of all the Doctor Who novels I’ve read so far, this ended up being one of my favorites. The plot is not an incredibly new or unique topic in fiction, but it’s nevertheless always an interesting one. And of course, Lyons puts his own unique flair on this familiar concept. As a writer and reader, I find it both fascinating and terrifying to imagine what the world would be like if we were not allowed to create and fantasize. This theme is inherently captivating, and Lyons has formed it into a fast-paced novel. With plenty of suspense and mystery, as well as a twist ending I personally did not see coming, this is quite an enjoyable read.
I thought that Lyons did a rather solid job of portraying the ninth Doctor, Rose, and Jack. The three go their separate ways early on, so the majority of the narration switches between each person’s exploits every chapter or so. Jack was a particularly strong character in this story, and I really enjoyed his parts. Occasionally, the narrative felt a bit jumpy and jumbled because it switched around so frequently between each storyline, but this did not affect my experience too drastically.
The additional characters were also well crafted and fit nicely into the world they belonged to. We get to see people on either side of this society—those who enforce the eradication of fantasy and those who secretly defy the law. Their interactions with the main trio and their individual views added some great dimension to the plot. I liked that whether obsessed with truth or fiction, their interpretations of life were so limited and so dependent on clichés. It shows how desperately we need a proper balance of each in our lives.
The audiobook I listened to for part of my reading experience was the unabridged audio, narrated by Camille Coduri. This is not one of the slightly abridged ones, acted out by one of the cast members, though I would like to give one of those a try some day as they seem like they would be fun. When it came to this particular book, I actually did not mind the narration for once. I admit, I’m still not sold on audiobooks in general, but my experience with this novel was overall a positive one.
Coduri has a fairly pleasant voice to listen to, and her delivery—though quite unique and slightly unusual, in my opinion—was something I found to be very enjoyable. I feel as though her style might not be something that is everyone’s cup of tea, but it worked well enough for me. She gave each character a distinctive voice and did a respectable job of portraying the appropriate emotion in each scene. One of the major pitfalls of an audiobook can be adding too much or too little voice acting into the narration. Coduri’s performance was very three-dimensional, her acting complementing the story as a whole rather than distracting from it.
I’ve said before that I tend to hold novels from this series to a different standard than most. They are not inherently poor quality novels by any means—they feature a lot of strong writing and storytelling. However, they are much more along the lines of fun reads than great literature. That being said, this was one of the better ones, both in content and quality. The plot was intriguing and that, along with the portrayal of the characters, stayed very true to the beloved television show. It was a great addition to the series and I would highly recommend this novel to all Doctor Who fans out there.
May 16, 2021
So that's it! i've finally read all 6 of the 9th doctor books. And I have to say, i'd glad it ended on a good note.
I was a little skeptical going into this one as the author was the one who wrote "The Witch Hunters" which is my most disliked 1st doctor book to date, but thank goodness, I was pleasantly surprised with this one.
Unlike Only human, All 3 of the characters are useful and actually do stuff. It's definitely one of those "they get split up and have their own adventures" book, but really, that's okay, as all three of their stories were relevant to the plot and helped end the conflict in their own way. And it also divides them evenly. Each of the three really got their own third. So if you want to see a book where the Doctor, Rose, AND Jack get a chance to shine, this is it.
I also liked how there was no real "Big baddie" or "monster of the week". It was more of a situational thing. For comparison, it felt a lot like the "Are you my mummy?" storyline from the Eccleston era.
I think the only issue i had with this book was that the doctor was not in it enough. Since SO much time was given to Jack and Rose, it left the Doc out a bit in the cold sometimes, as well as the fact that it wasn't the BEST 9th doctor characterization. I mean, you could TELL it was Eccleston, but he didn't have as many funny quips or dialogue moments as he has in others.
Still though, the book was good enough that I could really overlook it.
In order from worst to best, this is my list for 9th doctor books
6th: Monsters Inside
5th: Winner Takes All
4th: Only Human
3rd: Deviant Strain
2nd: Clockwise Man
1st: Stealer of Dreams.
I'm really going back in forth in my brain to decide whether stealer or clockwise man is better, but i'm gonna go with Stealer as I had a better initial reaction to the story rather than Clockwise. But both these 2 are worth a read. The rest you can skip.
If you want a good book where they're on earth, Clockwise. Outer space? Stealer.
All in all, a fun, non-body count doctor novel. 4 out of 5.
I was a little skeptical going into this one as the author was the one who wrote "The Witch Hunters" which is my most disliked 1st doctor book to date, but thank goodness, I was pleasantly surprised with this one.
Unlike Only human, All 3 of the characters are useful and actually do stuff. It's definitely one of those "they get split up and have their own adventures" book, but really, that's okay, as all three of their stories were relevant to the plot and helped end the conflict in their own way. And it also divides them evenly. Each of the three really got their own third. So if you want to see a book where the Doctor, Rose, AND Jack get a chance to shine, this is it.
I also liked how there was no real "Big baddie" or "monster of the week". It was more of a situational thing. For comparison, it felt a lot like the "Are you my mummy?" storyline from the Eccleston era.
I think the only issue i had with this book was that the doctor was not in it enough. Since SO much time was given to Jack and Rose, it left the Doc out a bit in the cold sometimes, as well as the fact that it wasn't the BEST 9th doctor characterization. I mean, you could TELL it was Eccleston, but he didn't have as many funny quips or dialogue moments as he has in others.
Still though, the book was good enough that I could really overlook it.
In order from worst to best, this is my list for 9th doctor books
6th: Monsters Inside
5th: Winner Takes All
4th: Only Human
3rd: Deviant Strain
2nd: Clockwise Man
1st: Stealer of Dreams.
I'm really going back in forth in my brain to decide whether stealer or clockwise man is better, but i'm gonna go with Stealer as I had a better initial reaction to the story rather than Clockwise. But both these 2 are worth a read. The rest you can skip.
If you want a good book where they're on earth, Clockwise. Outer space? Stealer.
All in all, a fun, non-body count doctor novel. 4 out of 5.
September 15, 2017
This was so fucked up I loved every second of it, oh my god. Also I missed ninth and jack and rose SO MUCH it actually hurts to let them go again. idk I'm just so emotional over them, they mean so much to me and words will never be able to explain how _home_ they feel to me
July 8, 2011
Sometimes, a girl needs a good old-fashioned escapist time. Some people buy romance novels; I buy Doctor Who novels. And you know what? I wouldn't mind re-reading this one, so there.
December 22, 2024
“There’s something alluring about monsters, about things that hide at the foot of your bed and go bump in the night. If there weren’t, we wouldn’t dream about them. We want to experience that thrill, taste that fear.”
—
“Monsters don’t go hiding in cupboards. No, scratch that. In the Doctor’s world, they probably did.”
—
“Isn’t it funny how on TV you only see the police when they’re arresting dangerous criminals. You never see them pushing people down the stairs and then shooting them dead because they don’t like the look of their face and then munching on a donut like we all know they do all the time.”
Doctor Who doesn’t often do dystopia, but in this book Steve Lyons goes all the way. On this planet, fiction is outlawed and the Doctor and company are trying to fix it. I really love this premise, and for the most part it’s executed very well. The plot is exciting and engaging, the characters are very well-developed, and it’s overall just fascinating.
We get to know this world through the people it has effected, three people specifically: a police officer upholding the oppression, a common person who simply wants to enjoy fiction, and the leader of the fiction rebellion, as it were. Rose, Jack, and the Doctor, who are all very realistically and wonderfully, each meet a character who has some knowledge or insight about the world (the three stated above), and that’s how the worldbuilding is done. It’s especially nice since the three TARDIS crew characters are already established — Lyons doesn’t need to focus on their development, so he doesn’t. He uses our knowledge of them to further the character and plot development of the new story beats. This is a fantastic way to get to know the world.
Even Waller, the police officer, has believable motives, and we learn that she once not only dabbled in fantasy, but that she created her career as a cop from a fantasy. That humanizing only serves to fuel the tragedy of the oppressive society when you consider how brainwashed the average person is and how even in an imagined scenario, some people still insist upon upholding the law of oppression. This also makes the perspective of the other two focal characters much more sympathetic.
The Doctor doesn’t get development of his main character arc in this novel, but we do get to see his passionate side. It’s really nice to see the 9th Doctor get fired up about fiction and eventually become the stand-in figurehead of the fiction rebellion, it really speaks to his love of humanity in a way we didn’t often see.
There is one problem I had with this book, though: the micro-organisms causing people to go “fantasy crazy,” as they call it. That just makes it seem like the state (for lack of a better word) was right in issuing anti-fiction laws. Lyons still makes a point about how the laws are unjust anyway, considering that fiction isn’t the issue, it’s the micro-organisms, but it still seems like he wanted to have his cake and eat it too. How easy would it have been for the hallucinations to be a ploy by the state to keep people in line? That would make more sense, tie in with the themes better, and fit into the narrative in a sleeker way.
This would be a believable episode of Doctor Who, right down to the cop-out plot twist (the micro-organisms) at the end. It’s a little cheesy, but it has a ton of heart on top of great worldbuilding and side-character development, neither of which is guaranteed in a Doctor Who episode. This is in the top tier of stories for the 9th Doctor and I’m very glad I read it.
—
“Monsters don’t go hiding in cupboards. No, scratch that. In the Doctor’s world, they probably did.”
—
“Isn’t it funny how on TV you only see the police when they’re arresting dangerous criminals. You never see them pushing people down the stairs and then shooting them dead because they don’t like the look of their face and then munching on a donut like we all know they do all the time.”
Doctor Who doesn’t often do dystopia, but in this book Steve Lyons goes all the way. On this planet, fiction is outlawed and the Doctor and company are trying to fix it. I really love this premise, and for the most part it’s executed very well. The plot is exciting and engaging, the characters are very well-developed, and it’s overall just fascinating.
We get to know this world through the people it has effected, three people specifically: a police officer upholding the oppression, a common person who simply wants to enjoy fiction, and the leader of the fiction rebellion, as it were. Rose, Jack, and the Doctor, who are all very realistically and wonderfully, each meet a character who has some knowledge or insight about the world (the three stated above), and that’s how the worldbuilding is done. It’s especially nice since the three TARDIS crew characters are already established — Lyons doesn’t need to focus on their development, so he doesn’t. He uses our knowledge of them to further the character and plot development of the new story beats. This is a fantastic way to get to know the world.
Even Waller, the police officer, has believable motives, and we learn that she once not only dabbled in fantasy, but that she created her career as a cop from a fantasy. That humanizing only serves to fuel the tragedy of the oppressive society when you consider how brainwashed the average person is and how even in an imagined scenario, some people still insist upon upholding the law of oppression. This also makes the perspective of the other two focal characters much more sympathetic.
The Doctor doesn’t get development of his main character arc in this novel, but we do get to see his passionate side. It’s really nice to see the 9th Doctor get fired up about fiction and eventually become the stand-in figurehead of the fiction rebellion, it really speaks to his love of humanity in a way we didn’t often see.
There is one problem I had with this book, though: the micro-organisms causing people to go “fantasy crazy,” as they call it. That just makes it seem like the state (for lack of a better word) was right in issuing anti-fiction laws. Lyons still makes a point about how the laws are unjust anyway, considering that fiction isn’t the issue, it’s the micro-organisms, but it still seems like he wanted to have his cake and eat it too. How easy would it have been for the hallucinations to be a ploy by the state to keep people in line? That would make more sense, tie in with the themes better, and fit into the narrative in a sleeker way.
This would be a believable episode of Doctor Who, right down to the cop-out plot twist (the micro-organisms) at the end. It’s a little cheesy, but it has a ton of heart on top of great worldbuilding and side-character development, neither of which is guaranteed in a Doctor Who episode. This is in the top tier of stories for the 9th Doctor and I’m very glad I read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2021
In the far future, the Doctor, Rose, and Captain Jack find a world on which fiction has been outlawed. A world where it's a crime to tell stories, a crime to lie, a crime to hope, and a crime to dream. But now somebody is challenging the status quo.
This to me had the ringings of (1984 & fahrenheit 451) where free speech and the mere thought of imagination is squished and surgically removed from the brain. The trio find them on a colony world where any form of fiction even a simple lie is punishable by institution where you are treated for hysteria and if you can't be treated the part of your brain that is responsible for imagination will be removed. The whole concept fascinated me, as someone whose biggest hobby is reading books for a living the fear of losing all fiction scared and disturbed me. This book got dark and very deep, and i fell into it completely and i finished it within two sittings because i just needed to understand why fiction was band on this new colony world. The Doctor goes off investigating, Rose befriends a nerd *who are criminals in this world by the way* who loves D&D, and Jack insights a revolution with the apparent *fiction crazy* which was just a highlight of the story. This was another book that would of made a perfect tv episode, I enjoyed my time and a great ending to 9s collection of books, and knowing that this will be the end of his adventures is kinda sad, I will miss him.
5/5 Stars GoodReads ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟
100/100 thought bubbles 💭💬
This to me had the ringings of (1984 & fahrenheit 451) where free speech and the mere thought of imagination is squished and surgically removed from the brain. The trio find them on a colony world where any form of fiction even a simple lie is punishable by institution where you are treated for hysteria and if you can't be treated the part of your brain that is responsible for imagination will be removed. The whole concept fascinated me, as someone whose biggest hobby is reading books for a living the fear of losing all fiction scared and disturbed me. This book got dark and very deep, and i fell into it completely and i finished it within two sittings because i just needed to understand why fiction was band on this new colony world. The Doctor goes off investigating, Rose befriends a nerd *who are criminals in this world by the way* who loves D&D, and Jack insights a revolution with the apparent *fiction crazy* which was just a highlight of the story. This was another book that would of made a perfect tv episode, I enjoyed my time and a great ending to 9s collection of books, and knowing that this will be the end of his adventures is kinda sad, I will miss him.
5/5 Stars GoodReads ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟
100/100 thought bubbles 💭💬
December 9, 2019
Another good little adventure in the Dr Who universe.
What a horrible little world, where you're not allowed to dream or imagine or pretend ... everything is completely grounded in reality and if you persist in believing in untruths, you get lobotomized!
The story has been done before, but I liked the neat little twist at the end as to why it was happening. And the bigger twist about the Policewoman was awesome - that I didn't see coming. I thought it had some funny moments too - the TV shows and news items, Rose's interactions with the imaginary Doctor, anything to do with Jack! Yes, the plot seemed a little strained at times, as if the author had got muddled and was working his way through it on the page, but overall a nice little read.
What a horrible little world, where you're not allowed to dream or imagine or pretend ... everything is completely grounded in reality and if you persist in believing in untruths, you get lobotomized!
The story has been done before, but I liked the neat little twist at the end as to why it was happening. And the bigger twist about the Policewoman was awesome - that I didn't see coming. I thought it had some funny moments too - the TV shows and news items, Rose's interactions with the imaginary Doctor, anything to do with Jack! Yes, the plot seemed a little strained at times, as if the author had got muddled and was working his way through it on the page, but overall a nice little read.
April 8, 2023
This was my first 9th Doctor novel, and it was just fine. It was very middling and forgettable. That's not to say that it was bad, but nothing really stood out to me either on the positive or the negative end. Jack and Rose are present and very capable of handling themselves. The trio is split for most of the book and come together near the very end. The plot centers around an Earth colony in the future that doesn't allow its inhabitants to read/watch/listen to/create lies or any type of fantasy. Their world is boring, straight forward, and without any creativity, lest the inhabitants go 'fantasy crazy'. It's a different concept, but dragged out a bit too long before the 'why' reveal. There's no real sense of urgency like in other Who novels, so that's a plus if you're just coming off of a heavy story and are looking for something light, and the stakes aren't world-ending. Lyons did a good job of writing Rose, Jack and 9, and I had no problem envisioning the scenes playing out like an episode. Bonus: if you listen to the audiobook, Camille Caduri (Jackie Tyler) narrates, so that's a treat. I also liked the bit of the twist that was revealed at the end- it caught me off guard and surprised me. So overall? Ok, decent, scratches certain itches, but not completely.
March 20, 2024
slightly ridiculous worldbuilding i feel like but it was still interesting as a concept - a world in which engaging with fiction makes you unable to differentiate between reality and fantasy, so everyone is obsessed with being 100% truthful and factual All The Time. also nine/rose/jack friendshippolycule yay!!
January 9, 2024
a fun little adventure with nine, rose and jack in a world without imagination - it was a very enjoyable read!
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October 3, 2024that was insane
May 5, 2014
Первая книга с Девятым! Хотелось бы разделить свою любовь к Доктору на 12 равных частей, но ведь все равно кто-то останется за бортом. Девятый – не мой первый Доктор. Появившись на краткий срок, он бесславно сгинул задолго до того, как смог полюбиться; оставим это на совести Экклстона. А еще это моя первая книга с до-Торчвудским Джеком, приятное разнообразие после океана обаяния видавшей все на свете фиксированной точки во времени и пространстве.
Читает книгу Камилл Кодури (мама Роуз) – божечки, она в аудио такая же смешная, как на экране :) По мне так она справилась со всеми персонажами на ура, а Джек у нее получился просто восхитительным.
К сюжету претензий практически нет. Доктор, Роуз и Джек попадают на странную планетку, где запрещено использовать воображение. Вообразив даже малейшую безобидность, можно сойти с ума, стать fantasy-crazy, после чего тебя запакуют и отправят в местную психушку – Большой Белый Дом. Пощелкаешь каналы телевизора – там сплошь и рядом документальное кино, новости да реалити-шоу. Все население соблюдает законы, которые не меняются годами, правительство распущено, за порядком следит вездесущая полиция. Троица путешественников прибывает как раз в тот момент, когда напряжение достигает апогея из-за постоянных облав на незаконные «кружки по интересам», где люди рисуют и обмениваются комиксами, а также благодаря растущей популярности пиратского канала Static, демонстрирующего сай-фай постановки и призывающего поднять революцию. И как идейный вдохновитель Static неуловим для детекторов полиции, так и безумие тихонько шуршит в переулках человеческого восприятия.
Практически с самого начала герои расходятся каждый по своей тропке, чтобы в итоге сойтись в одной точке. Роуз вербует восторженного фантазера и видит зомби, Джек рассказывает басни в пабах и встречает человека, стоящего за трансляцией Static, а Доктор цепляется за карабин полицейской, дабы своими глазами увидеть, что за чертовщина происходит со всем населением. Твист предсказуем, он бесстыдно повторяется из раза в раз, но в этом есть своя прелесть – когда не можешь понять, где реальность, а где твое разыгравшееся воображение.
Джек порадовал. Я почти забыла, что когда-то он был бесшабашным няшкой с непробиваемо бравурной харизмой :) К Роуз я всегда испытывала двойственные чувства, поэтому не сильно расстроилась, когда та наконец выпала из обоймы. Девятый не похож на себя, это было ожидаемо.
Собственно, на первый взгляд все выглядит отлично. Раздражителем стала концовка в духе «побегать, пострелять», скомканное объяснение происходящего и последующих событий. Ладно, Джеку дали поиграться с карабином и побегать по этажам, на Роуз надели противогаз, Доктору позволили вещать на своей волне, но как после всего этого ребята запрыгнули в ТАРДИС и улетели, ведь пять минут назад их объявили преступниками номер один? Да и само решение проблемы сформулировать тяжело. Так ли был необходим планете Доктор?
annikeh.net
Читает книгу Камилл Кодури (мама Роуз) – божечки, она в аудио такая же смешная, как на экране :) По мне так она справилась со всеми персонажами на ура, а Джек у нее получился просто восхитительным.
К сюжету претензий практически нет. Доктор, Роуз и Джек попадают на странную планетку, где запрещено использовать воображение. Вообразив даже малейшую безобидность, можно сойти с ума, стать fantasy-crazy, после чего тебя запакуют и отправят в местную психушку – Большой Белый Дом. Пощелкаешь каналы телевизора – там сплошь и рядом документальное кино, новости да реалити-шоу. Все население соблюдает законы, которые не меняются годами, правительство распущено, за порядком следит вездесущая полиция. Троица путешественников прибывает как раз в тот момент, когда напряжение достигает апогея из-за постоянных облав на незаконные «кружки по интересам», где люди рисуют и обмениваются комиксами, а также благодаря растущей популярности пиратского канала Static, демонстрирующего сай-фай постановки и призывающего поднять революцию. И как идейный вдохновитель Static неуловим для детекторов полиции, так и безумие тихонько шуршит в переулках человеческого восприятия.
Практически с самого начала герои расходятся каждый по своей тропке, чтобы в итоге сойтись в одной точке. Роуз вербует восторженного фантазера и видит зомби, Джек рассказывает басни в пабах и встречает человека, стоящего за трансляцией Static, а Доктор цепляется за карабин полицейской, дабы своими глазами увидеть, что за чертовщина происходит со всем населением. Твист предсказуем, он бесстыдно повторяется из раза в раз, но в этом есть своя прелесть – когда не можешь понять, где реальность, а где твое разыгравшееся воображение.
Джек порадовал. Я почти забыла, что когда-то он был бесшабашным няшкой с непробиваемо бравурной харизмой :) К Роуз я всегда испытывала двойственные чувства, поэтому не сильно расстроилась, когда та наконец выпала из обоймы. Девятый не похож на себя, это было ожидаемо.
Собственно, на первый взгляд все выглядит отлично. Раздражителем стала концовка в духе «побегать, пострелять», скомканное объяснение происходящего и последующих событий. Ладно, Джеку дали поиграться с карабином и побегать по этажам, на Роуз надели противогаз, Доктору позволили вещать на своей волне, но как после всего этого ребята запрыгнули в ТАРДИС и улетели, ведь пять минут назад их объявили преступниками номер один? Да и само решение проблемы сформулировать тяжело. Так ли был необходим планете Доктор?
annikeh.net
January 25, 2018
Recently I have been having a bit of a Series 1 marathon and it’s been ever so good just as I remember. I then fancied reading one of the 9th Doctor books and the book that I chose to read was of course The Stealers of Dreams.
I’ll say this from the get go, I really, really enjoyed this book! Steve Lyons is a popular author amongst fans so I had speculated that this was going to be a good’n and thankfully my pre judgment was accurate. This book has so many positives from me that just completely outweighs the negatives.
Firstly, the characterisation of the three regulars was absolutely spot on. They all felt like they’re usual selves. The supporting characters (Those mainly being Dominic, Inspector Waller and Cal Tyko) were nicely written and they’re involvement in the book kept me interested throughout.
Secondly, the pacing of the book is one of its main merits. There were very few moments that didn’t feel padded or too drawn out which made the book not to much of a slog like Rags for example. The action scenes were good and the stakes that were raised were gripping and often quite intense.
Finally, if there was one main problem I had to give them it would be that I felt like the Doctor wasn’t in it a lot but that problem I can only class as a small nitpick.
Overall The Stealers of Dreams is an amazing novel and highly recommended if you’re a fan of Series 1 and definitely if you’re a fan of Steve Lyons’s previous books.
9/10
I’ll say this from the get go, I really, really enjoyed this book! Steve Lyons is a popular author amongst fans so I had speculated that this was going to be a good’n and thankfully my pre judgment was accurate. This book has so many positives from me that just completely outweighs the negatives.
Firstly, the characterisation of the three regulars was absolutely spot on. They all felt like they’re usual selves. The supporting characters (Those mainly being Dominic, Inspector Waller and Cal Tyko) were nicely written and they’re involvement in the book kept me interested throughout.
Secondly, the pacing of the book is one of its main merits. There were very few moments that didn’t feel padded or too drawn out which made the book not to much of a slog like Rags for example. The action scenes were good and the stakes that were raised were gripping and often quite intense.
Finally, if there was one main problem I had to give them it would be that I felt like the Doctor wasn’t in it a lot but that problem I can only class as a small nitpick.
Overall The Stealers of Dreams is an amazing novel and highly recommended if you’re a fan of Series 1 and definitely if you’re a fan of Steve Lyons’s previous books.
9/10
March 9, 2007
Okay, first off: JACK IS AWESOME IN THIS. He's all CAPABLE and GUN-TOTIN' and just, well, Jack. So there's that.
The down side is that the story is really kind of... well, it feels like they've got all this plot, they've got the concept and everything, and it's all well thought-out, but when it comes to actually writing about it, he's just not bothered to think THAT part through. The way the people talk about fiction and reality and stuff, it's so cliched, it's like they're only talking so you can see that omg fiction is bad lol :) and I wasn't convinced for a moment.
Plus, and this isn't unique to this one, Rose is a total Mary Sue. There's a geek (SEE WHAT I MEAN? That's the official term for people who INDULGE IN DREAMS AND SWAP COMIC BOOKS AND STUFF, geek :|) who's practically in love with her, rhapsodizing about her golden locks and courage and whatnot.
I always feel a bit let-down by the lack of emotional depth in these books, but I expect to, so I can't complain about that. It's not bad bad, especially in the last third when it gets quite interesting and FAST PACED. It's a bit of a drag up until there, though.
The down side is that the story is really kind of... well, it feels like they've got all this plot, they've got the concept and everything, and it's all well thought-out, but when it comes to actually writing about it, he's just not bothered to think THAT part through. The way the people talk about fiction and reality and stuff, it's so cliched, it's like they're only talking so you can see that omg fiction is bad lol :) and I wasn't convinced for a moment.
Plus, and this isn't unique to this one, Rose is a total Mary Sue. There's a geek (SEE WHAT I MEAN? That's the official term for people who INDULGE IN DREAMS AND SWAP COMIC BOOKS AND STUFF, geek :|) who's practically in love with her, rhapsodizing about her golden locks and courage and whatnot.
I always feel a bit let-down by the lack of emotional depth in these books, but I expect to, so I can't complain about that. It's not bad bad, especially in the last third when it gets quite interesting and FAST PACED. It's a bit of a drag up until there, though.
August 7, 2009
This is my favourite of the Doctor Who novels that I have read to date (And not only because it has my favourite doctor in it).
The premise is good, even if it has been done before. In a world where people are not allowed to make things up i.e. tell stories a revolution of dreamers are rising. Stories are been told and the police are finding it more and more difficult to track them down and imprison them in "The Big White House". In a world where everything you apprently see is real how do you tell when you are having a fanatasy?
The plot is fast, if a little muddled, but fans of the series, especially the faster paces stories that have a mystery thrown in, should love this. People outside of the fandom may find the story a bit cliched and slightly predictable. However the ending is FANTASTIC and a twist, that really I should have seen coming, was suprising.
A note should be made that these are made to be family friendly and that means that children are one of the target audiences so mature readers may find it below their levels. I like to suspend my age sometimes thought and Doctor Who, whether on film or in print, allows me to do that.
The premise is good, even if it has been done before. In a world where people are not allowed to make things up i.e. tell stories a revolution of dreamers are rising. Stories are been told and the police are finding it more and more difficult to track them down and imprison them in "The Big White House". In a world where everything you apprently see is real how do you tell when you are having a fanatasy?
The plot is fast, if a little muddled, but fans of the series, especially the faster paces stories that have a mystery thrown in, should love this. People outside of the fandom may find the story a bit cliched and slightly predictable. However the ending is FANTASTIC and a twist, that really I should have seen coming, was suprising.
A note should be made that these are made to be family friendly and that means that children are one of the target audiences so mature readers may find it below their levels. I like to suspend my age sometimes thought and Doctor Who, whether on film or in print, allows me to do that.
July 22, 2025
This installment was written by a new writer. This one explored a world in which fiction is illegal, starring the Doctor, Rose Tyler, and Captain Jack Harkness. The concept was interesting. I don't think I read anything like that before. However, I felt that the overall story was not as interesting as I would have liked. While reading, I waited for it to be over and considered DNFing it. Besides that critique, it did feel like an episode of Doctor Who, though it would have been better to watch it on screen as an episode rather than to read it as a novel.
Note: Using new rating system starting 2025.
January 23, 2017
Aside from a few plot holes, this is a pretty decent read. By plot holes, I mean the 'child' in the asylum who really shouldn't have been there because it said in the book that children weren't considered crazy for dreaming. That's really not the best example but I've already forgotten the rest. I should really make a note of these things. I thought the reference to the Face of Boe was worrying/hilarious. Not the best one I've read, but not bad either. An interesting concept, for sure, if deeper than the book allows.
November 30, 2018
I really loved it!
At first is seemed just a bit of a far reach, a world with no fiction and no lies, you're not allowed to imagine or dream, just a bit too much to accept, even for Doctor Who...
But it was very very good!
I was horrified and surprised and sympathetic!
You couldn't tell what's real and what's not, and that's really messes you up, I can't even imagine how Rose felt when she realised he wasn't really there at all!
So good it should have been a two part episode in the series.
At first is seemed just a bit of a far reach, a world with no fiction and no lies, you're not allowed to imagine or dream, just a bit too much to accept, even for Doctor Who...
But it was very very good!
I was horrified and surprised and sympathetic!
You couldn't tell what's real and what's not, and that's really messes you up, I can't even imagine how Rose felt when she realised he wasn't really there at all!
So good it should have been a two part episode in the series.
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