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{{Infobox Novel|
{{title dab away}}
novel name= The Sands of Time |
{{real world}}
image= [[Image:Ma-22.jpg|250px]] |
{{ImageLinkNovel}}
series=[[Doctor Who]] -<br/>[[Virgin Missing Adventures]] |
{{Infobox Story SMW
number= 22 |
|image        = <gallery>Ma-22.jpg|1996 edition
doctor=[[Fifth Doctor]] |
The Sands of Time ebook cover.jpg|2004 edition
companions= [[Nyssa]], [[Tegan]] |
Dw sands of time 600.jpg|2014 edition
enemy= [[Nephthys]] |
</gallery>
year=  
|series      = [[Virgin Missing Adventures]]
<ul><li>[[Nepthys' Pyramid]]: Four Thousand Years Ago</li>
|range        = Virgin Missing Adventures
<li>[[Nepthys' Pyramid]]: [[September]], [[1896]]</li>
|number in range = 22
<li>[[Nepthys' Pyramid]]: [[1996]]</li>
|number      = 22
<li>[[Cranleigh Hall]], [[Oxfordshire]]: [[1926]]</li>
|doctor       = Fifth Doctor
<li>The [[British Museum]], [[London]]: [[1896]]</li>
|companions   = [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]], [[Nyssa]]
<li>The [[British Museum]], [[London]]: [[1996]]</li>
|featuring    = [[Ann Talbot|Ann]]
<li>The [[Great Pyramid]], [[Egypt]]: [[1996]]</li>
|enemy        = [[Nephthys]], [[Sadan Rassul]]
<li>[[James Norris|James Norris's]] House: [[1996]]</li>
|setting      = {{il|[[London]] [[9 November|9]]-[[10 November]] [[1896]]|[[Egypt]], [[September]] [[1896]]|[[Kenilworth Hall]], [[November]] [[1996]]}}
<li>[[Kenilworth House]]: November, [[1896]]</li>
|writer      = Justin Richards
<li>[[Kenilworth House]]: [[1996]]</li></ul> |
|cover        = [[Alister Pearson]]
writer= [[Justin Richards]] |
|publisher   = Virgin Books
publisher= [[Virgin Books]] |
|release date = 16 May 1996
release date= [[May]], [[1996]] |
|format       = Paperback Book; 19 Chapters, 256 Pages
format= Paperback Book, ? Pages |
|isbn         = ISBN 0-426-20472-7
isbn= ISBN 0-426-20472-7|
|prev        = The Eye of the Giant (novel)
previous story=[[The Eye of the Giant]]|
|next        = Killing Ground (novel)
next story= [[Killing Ground]] }}
}}{{store variant data|var=2004 ebook|release date=2004}}{{prose stub}}
'''''The Sands of Time''''' was the twenty-second novel in the [[Virgin Missing Adventures]] series. It was written by [[Justin Richards]] and featured the [[Fifth Doctor]], [[Nyssa]] and [[Tegan Jovanka]].


==Publisher's Summary==
== Publisher's summary ==
''''If [[Sutekh]] had escaped, no power in the universe could have stopped him wreaking havoc and destruction. This time, it’s worse.''''
=== 1996 Virgin Books edition ===
:"If [[Sutekh]] had escaped, no power in the [[universe]] could have stopped him wreaking havoc and destruction. This time, it's worse."


Arriving in [[Victorian]] [[London]], [[Fifth Doctor|the Doctor]], [[Nyssa]] and [[Tegan]] run straight into trouble: Nyssa is kidnapped in the [[British Museum]] by [[Egyptian]] religous fanatics; the Doctor and Tegan are greeted by a stranger who knows more about them than he should and invited to a very strange party.  
Arriving in [[Victorian]] [[London]], the [[Fifth Doctor]], [[Nyssa]] and [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]] run straight into trouble: Nyssa is kidnapped in the [[British Museum]] by [[Egypt]]ian [[religious]] [[fanatic]]s; the Doctor and Tegan are greeted by a stranger who knows more about them than he should and invited to a very strange [[party]].


Why are rooms already booked for the Doctor at the [[Savoy]]? How can [[Lord Kenilworth]]’s butler [[Atkins]] be in [[Egypt]] and London at the same time? What is the history of the ancient mummy to be unwrapped at Kenilworth’s house? And what has all this got to do with Nyssa?  
Why are rooms already booked for the Doctor at the [[Savoy Hotel|Savoy]]? How can Lord [[Kenilworth]]'s [[butler]] [[Atkins (The Sands of Time)|Atkins]] be in [[Egypt]] and London at the same time? What is the history of the ancient [[mummy]] to be unwrapped at [[Kenilworth's house]]? And what has all this got to do with Nyssa?


The Doctor’s quest for answers leads him across continents and time as an ancient Egyptian prophecy threatens [[1990s]] England. While the Doctor attempts to unravel the plans of the mysterious [[Sadan Rassul]], mummies stalk the night and an ancient terror stirs in its tomb.
The Doctor's quest for answers leads him across [[continent]]s and [[time]] as an ancient Egyptian [[prophecy]] threatens [[1990s]] England. While the Doctor attempts to unravel the plans of the mysterious [[Sadan Rassul]], mummies stalk the night and an ancient terror stirs in its tomb.


==Characters==
=== 2014 BBC Books edition ===
*[[Fifth Doctor|The Doctor]]
The Doctor is in Victorian London with Nyssa and Tegan — a city shrouded in mystery. When Nyssa is kidnapped in the British Museum, the Doctor and Tegan have to unlock the answers to a series of ancient questions.
*[[Tegan Jovanka]]
*[[Nyssa]]
*Lady [[Ann Cranleigh]]


==References==
Their quest leads them across continents and time as an ancient Egyptian prophecy threatens future England. To save Nyssa, the Doctor must foil the plans of the mysterious Sadan Rassul. But as mummies stalk the night, an ancient terror stirs in its tomb.
*Further history of the [[Osirans]], first encountered in ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]'', is provided.
*The Doctor makes a passing reference to [[Scaroth]], the antagonist of ''[[City of Death]]'', and his involvement in the construction of the Pyramids of Giza.
*[[Adric]]'s death is discussed several times by Tegan and the Doctor, specifically why the Doctor can't use the TARDIS to save him, and the emotional impact it has had on them.


==Notes==
== Plot ==
*The phenomenon of the [[Web of Time]], and the Doctor's inability to change history despite his limitless ability to travel in time, is central to the novel, and is discussed several times by the Doctor and Tegan. The Doctor does mention that he has seen history changed, but that it requires "fantastic power" and is often disastrous.
''to be added''


*Despite this, Tegan attempts to change history in a minor way. However, events end up not being changed at all - something that doesn't surprise the Doctor at all.
== Characters ==
* [[Fifth Doctor]]
* [[Tegan Jovanka]]
* [[Nyssa]]
* [[Ann Talbot|Lady Ann Cranleigh]]
* [[Kenilworth|Lord Kenilworth]]
* [[Atkins (The Sands of Time)|Atkins]]
* [[Sadan Rassul]]
* [[Nephthys]]
* [[Aubrey Prior]]
* [[James Norris]]
* [[Vanessa Prior]]
* [[Nicholas Simons]]
* [[Shabti]]
* [[Napoléon Bonaparte]]


==Continuity==
== Worldbuilding ==
*This is a sequel to [[DW]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]''.
=== Individuals ===
*The Doctor and co first met Ann Cranleigh in [[DW]]: ''[[Black Orchid (TV story)|Black Orchid]]''.
* Nephthys is released when the [[canopic jar]] containing her reasoning is broken while robbers are plundering her [[pyramid]].
* [[Marcus Scarman]] arrives for dinner at Lord Kenilworth's in [[1896]].


==Timeline==
== Notes ==
*The Sands of Time occurs after: [[PDA]]: ''[[Zeta Major]]''
* This novel continues many of the themes in the television story ''[[Pyramids of Mars (TV story)|Pyramids of Mars]]'' and functions as both a prequel and a sequel.
*The Sands of Time occurs before: [[ST]]: ''[[Soul Mate]]''
* The story was released as an e-book on the BBC website in 2004, with the book remaining on the website until 2010. It contained illustrations by [[Peter McKinstry]] and added an alternate ending to the story. The alternate ending was added into the story by having a character called [[the Chronicler]] run a simulation of the events of the ending of the novel "if things had gone differently".
* This novel was reprinted and released as an ebook by [[BBC Books]] on [[6 March (releases)|6 March]] [[2014 (releases)|2014]] as ''The Monster Collection Edition''.
* The phenomenon of the [[Web of Time]] and the Doctor's inability to change history despite his limitless ability to travel in time is central to the novel. It is discussed several times by the Doctor and Tegan. The Doctor does mention that he has seen history changed, but that it requires "fantastic power" and is often disastrous.
* Despite this, Tegan attempts to change history in a minor way. However, events end up not being changed at all — something that doesn't surprise the Doctor.
* Further history of the [[Osiran]]s is detailed in this story.
* This story is set between ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'' and ''[[Snakedance (TV story)|Snakedance]]''.


==External Links==
== Continuity ==
* [http://www.drwhoguide.com/who_ma22.htm The Doctor Who Reference Guide detailed synopsis of '''The Sands of Time''']
* The Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan first met [[Ann Talbot|Lady Ann Cranleigh (neé Talbot)]] in [[Cranleigh Hall]] in [[Oxfordshire]] on [[11 June]] [[1925]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Black Orchid (TV story)|Black Orchid]]'')
*{{whoniverse|MA22.php|The Sands of Time}}
* Tegan mentions that she lost her sense of adventure in [[Amsterdam]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'')
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/ebooks/sandsoftime/index.shtml Official BBC eBook of '''The Sands of Time''']
* The Doctor refers to [[Scaroth]] having been manipulated by the Osirans. ([[TV]]: ''[[City of Death (TV story)|City of Death]]'')
* He also mentions the [[Zero Room]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'')
* Tegan sketches the dig site in Egypt. ([[TV]]: ''[[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|Four to Doomsday]]'')
* The death of [[Adric]] is discussed several times by Tegan and the Doctor, specifically why the Doctor cannot use the TARDIS to save him and the emotional impact it has had on them. ([[TV]]: ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]]'')


[[Category:Fifth Doctor novels|Sands of Time]]
== Illustrations ==
[[Category:1996 novels|Sands of Time]]
The BBC e-book of ''The Sands of Time'' contained several illustrations by [[Peter McKinstry]].
[[Category:E-books|Sands of Time]]
 
[[Category:Virgin Missing Adventure Novels|Sands of Time]]
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
[[Category:Stories set in 1996|Sands of Time]]
File:Sands of Time Prologue.jpg|<div style="font-size:80%;line-height:100%">"She was hardly more than a girl, her eyes betraying her fear as she shivered in the warm rain. The Priests stood either side of her holding her arms out from her body. Their heads were lowered - perhaps in shame, perhaps in an effort to keep them dry."</div>
[[Category:Stories set in 1926|Sands of Time]]
File:Sands of Time Chapter 2.jpg|<div style="font-size:80%;line-height:100%">"Nyssa was being drawn closer, into the kaleidoscope of light. She clasped her hands tightly over her shoulders as the blackness closed around her and Rassul's laughter faded into the hazy darkness."</div>
[[Category:Stories set in 1896|Sands of Time]]
File:Sands of Time Chapter 4.jpg|<div style="font-size:80%;line-height:100%">"The tree quivered and shook as a heavy object washed up against it, jamming hard in the mud. In a moment it was quiet again. Just the river, the breeze, the reeds and the tree. And the solid blue box of the TARDIS stuck fast in the muddy bank of the ancient river Nile."</div>
[[Category:Stories set in London|Sands of Time]]
File:Sands of Time Chapter 5.jpg|<div style="font-size:80%;line-height:100%">The excavation was a huge pit in the desert, at the base of a sandy mound. On the side of the pit below the mound, the wall of sand was interrupted by the shining black marble of the pyramid side."</div>
[[Category:Stories set in Egypt|Sands of Time]]
File:Sands of Time Chapter 6.jpg|<div style="font-size:80%;line-height:100%">"Each of the figures was seven feet tall. Heavy legs moving the body stiffly forward with a rolling motion that transferred the weight of the mummy from one leg to the other as the figure twisted its way forwards towards the central dais."</div>
File:Sands of Time Chapter 7.jpg|<div style="font-size:80%;line-height:100%">"Simons lifted his hands slowly to her neck and sher closed her eyes, lifting her head towards his. She tried not to flinch when the stench grew stronger as he leaned forward, pushing her back on to the bed."</div>
File:Sands of Time Chapter 10.jpg|<div style="font-size:80%;line-height:100%">"Her hand was on the light switch when she saw the rows of specimen jars. She was already in the process of turning out the light as she began to realise what the shapes floating inside the discoloured fluids might be."</div>
File:Sands of Time Chapter 11.jpg|<div style="font-size:80%;line-height:100%">"'Exactly.' the Doctor smiled. 'Now then...' He twisted round trying to get his bearings, licking his index finger and holding it up. Then he stared out across the desert sands in the opposite direction to the crater. 'That way, I think.'"</div>
File:Sands of Time Chapter 12.jpg|<div style="font-size:80%;line-height:100%">"Norris gaped at the mummy in amazement. Then he raised the shotgun to his shoulder and fired. One of the barrels spat flame and the mummy lurched back under the impact. The bandages on the upper body tore and smoked as the lead shot ripped through."</div>
File:Sands of Time Chapter 15.jpg|<div style="font-size:80%;line-height:100%">"A drunk stirred in the gutter as one of the massive figures stepped over him. He stared in fuzzy horror at the shape moving above him, then dragged himself to his feet and fled noisily in the opposite direction."</div>
File:Sands of Time Alternate Ending.jpg|<div style="font-size:80%;line-height:100%">"The Chronicler peered into the glowing embers of reality. Deep within the holosphere, a single quantum choice played itself out for him. He was at one with the world he watched, oblivious to the great hallway in which he worked."</div>
</gallery>
 
== Additional cover images ==
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
The Sands of Time ebook cover.jpg|The [[Target Books]]-style cover for the ebook
Dw sands of time 600.jpg|2014 editon. Cover by [[Two Associates]].
</gallery>
 
== Editions published outside Britain ==
* Published in Germany by Cross Cult in 2021 as a paperback edition.
 
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
GermanSandsOfTime.jpg|German edition
</gallery>
 
== External links ==
{{dwrefguide|who_ma22.htm|The Sands of Time}}
* {{whoniverse|ma22|The Sands of Time}}
* [http://mysite.science.uottawa.ca/rsmith43/cloister/sand.htm The Cloister Library: '''The Sands of Time''']
 
{{MA}}
{{TitleSort}}
 
[[Category:Fifth Doctor novels]]
[[Category:1996 novels]]
[[Category:E-books]]
[[Category:MA novels]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1996]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1926]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1896]]
[[Category:Stories set in Camden]]
[[Category:Novels set in Egypt]]
[[Category:Stories set in Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Stories set in the distant past]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1798]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1821]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1975]]
[[Category:Osiran stories]]

Latest revision as of 20:44, 24 March 2024

RealWorld.png

prose stub

The Sands of Time was the twenty-second novel in the Virgin Missing Adventures series. It was written by Justin Richards and featured the Fifth Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan Jovanka.

Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

1996 Virgin Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

"If Sutekh had escaped, no power in the universe could have stopped him wreaking havoc and destruction. This time, it's worse."

Arriving in Victorian London, the Fifth Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan run straight into trouble: Nyssa is kidnapped in the British Museum by Egyptian religious fanatics; the Doctor and Tegan are greeted by a stranger who knows more about them than he should and invited to a very strange party.

Why are rooms already booked for the Doctor at the Savoy? How can Lord Kenilworth's butler Atkins be in Egypt and London at the same time? What is the history of the ancient mummy to be unwrapped at Kenilworth's house? And what has all this got to do with Nyssa?

The Doctor's quest for answers leads him across continents and time as an ancient Egyptian prophecy threatens 1990s England. While the Doctor attempts to unravel the plans of the mysterious Sadan Rassul, mummies stalk the night and an ancient terror stirs in its tomb.

2014 BBC Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor is in Victorian London with Nyssa and Tegan — a city shrouded in mystery. When Nyssa is kidnapped in the British Museum, the Doctor and Tegan have to unlock the answers to a series of ancient questions.

Their quest leads them across continents and time as an ancient Egyptian prophecy threatens future England. To save Nyssa, the Doctor must foil the plans of the mysterious Sadan Rassul. But as mummies stalk the night, an ancient terror stirs in its tomb.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Nephthys is released when the canopic jar containing her reasoning is broken while robbers are plundering her pyramid.
  • Marcus Scarman arrives for dinner at Lord Kenilworth's in 1896.

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • This novel continues many of the themes in the television story Pyramids of Mars and functions as both a prequel and a sequel.
  • The story was released as an e-book on the BBC website in 2004, with the book remaining on the website until 2010. It contained illustrations by Peter McKinstry and added an alternate ending to the story. The alternate ending was added into the story by having a character called the Chronicler run a simulation of the events of the ending of the novel "if things had gone differently".
  • This novel was reprinted and released as an ebook by BBC Books on 6 March 2014 as The Monster Collection Edition.
  • The phenomenon of the Web of Time and the Doctor's inability to change history despite his limitless ability to travel in time is central to the novel. It is discussed several times by the Doctor and Tegan. The Doctor does mention that he has seen history changed, but that it requires "fantastic power" and is often disastrous.
  • Despite this, Tegan attempts to change history in a minor way. However, events end up not being changed at all — something that doesn't surprise the Doctor.
  • Further history of the Osirans is detailed in this story.
  • This story is set between Arc of Infinity and Snakedance.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

Illustrations[[edit] | [edit source]]

The BBC e-book of The Sands of Time contained several illustrations by Peter McKinstry.

  • "She was hardly more than a girl, her eyes betraying her fear as she shivered in the warm rain. The Priests stood either side of her holding her arms out from her body. Their heads were lowered - perhaps in shame, perhaps in an effort to keep them dry."
    "She was hardly more than a girl, her eyes betraying her fear as she shivered in the warm rain. The Priests stood either side of her holding her arms out from her body. Their heads were lowered - perhaps in shame, perhaps in an effort to keep them dry."
  • "Nyssa was being drawn closer, into the kaleidoscope of light. She clasped her hands tightly over her shoulders as the blackness closed around her and Rassul's laughter faded into the hazy darkness."
    "Nyssa was being drawn closer, into the kaleidoscope of light. She clasped her hands tightly over her shoulders as the blackness closed around her and Rassul's laughter faded into the hazy darkness."
  • "The tree quivered and shook as a heavy object washed up against it, jamming hard in the mud. In a moment it was quiet again. Just the river, the breeze, the reeds and the tree. And the solid blue box of the TARDIS stuck fast in the muddy bank of the ancient river Nile."
    "The tree quivered and shook as a heavy object washed up against it, jamming hard in the mud. In a moment it was quiet again. Just the river, the breeze, the reeds and the tree. And the solid blue box of the TARDIS stuck fast in the muddy bank of the ancient river Nile."
  • The excavation was a huge pit in the desert, at the base of a sandy mound. On the side of the pit below the mound, the wall of sand was interrupted by the shining black marble of the pyramid side."
    The excavation was a huge pit in the desert, at the base of a sandy mound. On the side of the pit below the mound, the wall of sand was interrupted by the shining black marble of the pyramid side."
  • "Each of the figures was seven feet tall. Heavy legs moving the body stiffly forward with a rolling motion that transferred the weight of the mummy from one leg to the other as the figure twisted its way forwards towards the central dais."
    "Each of the figures was seven feet tall. Heavy legs moving the body stiffly forward with a rolling motion that transferred the weight of the mummy from one leg to the other as the figure twisted its way forwards towards the central dais."
  • "Simons lifted his hands slowly to her neck and sher closed her eyes, lifting her head towards his. She tried not to flinch when the stench grew stronger as he leaned forward, pushing her back on to the bed."
    "Simons lifted his hands slowly to her neck and sher closed her eyes, lifting her head towards his. She tried not to flinch when the stench grew stronger as he leaned forward, pushing her back on to the bed."
  • "Her hand was on the light switch when she saw the rows of specimen jars. She was already in the process of turning out the light as she began to realise what the shapes floating inside the discoloured fluids might be."
    "Her hand was on the light switch when she saw the rows of specimen jars. She was already in the process of turning out the light as she began to realise what the shapes floating inside the discoloured fluids might be."
  • "'Exactly.' the Doctor smiled. 'Now then...' He twisted round trying to get his bearings, licking his index finger and holding it up. Then he stared out across the desert sands in the opposite direction to the crater. 'That way, I think.'"
    "'Exactly.' the Doctor smiled. 'Now then...' He twisted round trying to get his bearings, licking his index finger and holding it up. Then he stared out across the desert sands in the opposite direction to the crater. 'That way, I think.'"
  • "Norris gaped at the mummy in amazement. Then he raised the shotgun to his shoulder and fired. One of the barrels spat flame and the mummy lurched back under the impact. The bandages on the upper body tore and smoked as the lead shot ripped through."
    "Norris gaped at the mummy in amazement. Then he raised the shotgun to his shoulder and fired. One of the barrels spat flame and the mummy lurched back under the impact. The bandages on the upper body tore and smoked as the lead shot ripped through."
  • "A drunk stirred in the gutter as one of the massive figures stepped over him. He stared in fuzzy horror at the shape moving above him, then dragged himself to his feet and fled noisily in the opposite direction."
    "A drunk stirred in the gutter as one of the massive figures stepped over him. He stared in fuzzy horror at the shape moving above him, then dragged himself to his feet and fled noisily in the opposite direction."
  • "The Chronicler peered into the glowing embers of reality. Deep within the holosphere, a single quantum choice played itself out for him. He was at one with the world he watched, oblivious to the great hallway in which he worked."
    "The Chronicler peered into the glowing embers of reality. Deep within the holosphere, a single quantum choice played itself out for him. He was at one with the world he watched, oblivious to the great hallway in which he worked."

Additional cover images[[edit] | [edit source]]

Editions published outside Britain[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Published in Germany by Cross Cult in 2021 as a paperback edition.
  • German edition

    German edition

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

v • e
Virgin Missing Adventures
First Doctor
Susan, Ian, Barbara
Ian, Barbara
Ian, Barbara, Vicki
Vicki, Steven
Dodo
Second Doctor
Ben, Polly
Jamie, Victoria
Jamie, Zoe
Third Doctor
Liz, UNIT
Jo, UNIT
Jo, Yates
Sarah, Jeremy,
The Brig
Fourth Doctor
Sarah, Harry
Sarah
Romana I, K9
Romana II, K9
Fifth Doctor
Adric, Nyssa, Tegan
Nyssa, Tegan
Tegan, Turlough, Kamelion
Turlough
Sixth Doctor
Peri
Grant
Mel
Seventh Doctor
Chris, Roz
Other
Victoria, Sarah, The Brig
Second, Third, Seventh Doctors
with Dodo and UNIT
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