Fear of the Dark (novel): Difference between revisions

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{{title|''{{PAGENAME}}''}}
{{Infobox Story SMW
{{Infobox Novel|
|image        = <gallery>
novel name= Fear of the Dark |
Fear of the Dark.jpg|2003 edition
image= [[File:Fear_of_the_Dark.jpg|250px]] |
Doctor Who Fear of the Dark 50th.jpg|2013 edition
series=[[BBC Past Doctor Adventures]] |
</gallery>
number= 58 |
|series       = [[BBC Past Doctor Adventures]]
doctor= [[Fifth Doctor]] |
|number       = 57
companions= [[Tegan Jovanka]], [[Nyssa]] |
|doctor       = Fifth Doctor
enemy= The Bloodhunter, The [[Dark]] |
|companions   = [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]], [[Nyssa]]
year= [[2382]] |
|enemy       = [[Bloodhunter]], [[The Dark (Fear of the Dark)|the Dark]]
writer= [[Trevor Baxendale]] |
|setting      = [[Akoshemon's moon]], [[2382]]
publisher= [[BBC Books]] |
|writer       = Trevor Baxendale
release date= [[January]], [[2003]] |
|publisher   = BBC Books
format= Paperback Book, ? Pages |
|release date = 6 January 2003
isbn= ISBN 0-563-53865-1 |
|format       = Paperback Book; 25 Chapters, 288 Pages (Original Release)
previous story=[[Heritage (novel)|Heritage]]|
|isbn         = ISBN 0-563-53865-1
next story=[[Blue Box]]}}
|prev        = Heritage (novel)
|next        = Blue Box (novel)
}}{{prose stub}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the fifty-seventh novel in the [[BBC Past Doctor Adventures]] series. It was written by [[Trevor Baxendale]], released [[6 January (releases)|6 January]] [[2003 (releases)|2003]] and featured the [[Fifth Doctor]], [[Nyssa]] and [[Tegan Jovanka]].
 
This was only the second occurrence of this lineup (the first in the PDA range was ''[[Zeta Major (novel)|Zeta Major]]'', published in 1998). This was Baxendale's only contribution to the PDA range, but he has written several novels for other Doctors in novel and audio ranges.


== Publisher's summary ==
== Publisher's summary ==
'''On the very edge of the galaxy lies Akoshemon: a putrefied world of legendary evil.'''
=== 2003 BBC Books edition ===
''On the very edge of the galaxy lies [[Akoshemon]]: a putrefied world of legendary evil.''
 
In the year [[2382]] archaeologists land on [[Akoshemon's moon|Akoshemon's only moon]], searching for evidence of the planet's infamous past. But when [[Fifth Doctor|the Doctor]], [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]] and [[Nyssa]] are drawn into the lunar caverns they find more than a team of academics — and help uncover much more than ancient history.
 
Something is lying in wait, deep inside the [[labyrinth]] of caves: something that remembers the spiral of war, pestilence and deprivation that ruined Akoshemon. Something that rejoiced in every kind of horror and destruction.


In the year 2382 archaeologists land on Akoshemon’s only moon, searching for evidence of the planet’s infamous past. But when the Doctor, Tegan and Nyssa are drawn into the lunar caverns they find more than a team of academics -- and help uncover much more than ancient history.
An age-old terror is about to be reborn. But what is the hideous secret of the [[Bloodhunter]]? And why does Nyssa feel that her thoughts are no longer her own? Forced to confront his own worst fears, even the Doctor will be pushed to breaking point — and beyond.


Something is lying in wait, deep inside the labyrinth of caves: something that remembers the spiral of war, pestilence and deprivation that ruined Akoshemon. Something that rejoiced in every kind of horror and destruction.
=== 2013 BBC Books edition ===
On a [[moon]] of the ruined [[planet]] [[Akoshemon]], an age-old terror is about to be reborn. Something that remembers the spiral of war, pestilence and deprivation — and rejoices in it. The [[Fifth Doctor]] joins a team of archaeologists searching for evidence of the planet's infamous past, and uncovers more than just ancient history. Forced to confront his own worst fears, even the Doctor will be pushed to breaking point — and beyond.


An age-old terror is about to be reborn. But what is the hideous secret of the Bloodhunter? And why does Nyssa feel that her thoughts are no longer her own? Forced to confront his own worst fears, even the Doctor will be pushed to breaking point -- and beyond.
== Plot ==
''to be added''


[[File:Fear_of_the_Dark_Preview.jpg|thumb|250px|Comic preview from [[DWM 325]]. Illustration by [[Mike Collins]].]]
[[File:Fear_of_the_Dark_Preview.jpg|thumb|Comic preview from [[DWM 325]]. Illustration by [[Mike Collins]].]]
== Characters ==
== Characters ==
* [[Fifth Doctor|The Doctor]]
* [[Fifth Doctor]]
* [[Tegan Jovanka]]
* [[Tegan Jovanka]]
* [[Nyssa]]
* [[Nyssa]]
* [[Jyl Stoker]]
* [[Vega Jaal]]
* [[Bunny Cheung]]
* [[Del Crook]]
* [[Jen Garondel]]
* [[Jim Boyd]]
* Captain [[Lawrence (Fear of the Dark)|Lawrence]]
* [[Nik (Fear of the Dark)|Nik]]
* [[Ravus Oldeman]]
* [[Silas Cadwell]]


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
* [[Cadwell]]'s gun fires bits of [[dwarf star alloy]].
* Nyssa doesn't know what either [[elephant]]s or [[peashooter]]s are.
* The [[Akoshemon system]] is located on the very edge of the [[Milky Way]].
 
=== Alcohol ===
* [[Kalazak brandy]] is exceptionally strong, giving you a burning sensation upon drinking it. [[Ogron]]s drink it in abundance.
 
=== Astronomical objects ===
* The [[Akoshemon system]] is located on the very edge of [[Mutter's Spiral]].
 
=== Corporations ===
* Jyl Stoker mentions that her independent mining crew are rivals to the bigger mining corporations such as the [[Interplanetary Mining Corporation]] and [[the Consortium]].
 
=== The Doctor ===
* The Doctor mentions his encounters with the [[Dalek]]s, the [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cybermen]] and is sure that the [[Black Guardian]] will catch up with him one day.
* The Doctor says that he has a gift for [[language]]s and given time should be able to decipher the [[hieroglyph]]s around the crypt housing the remains of [[The Dark (Fear of the Dark)|the Dark]].
* The Doctor has a [[cricket ball]] signed by [[Mike Gatting]].
* When the Doctor is under the influence of the Dark, he sees a nightmare image of himself regenerating time and time again on a blood soaked altar, and sees himself regenerate into his [[Sixth Doctor|Sixth]] and [[Seventh Doctor|Seventh]] incarnations.
 
=== Galactic law ===
* [[Galactic Law]] states that consecrated [[planet]]s, [[moon]]s and [[asteroid]]s cannot be subject to mining operations.
 
=== History ===
* Silus Cadwell says that "some people believe that, before our own [[universe]], there were strange forces: [[god]]s if you like, from before our time".
 
=== Minerals ===
* [[Prozium]] is a valuable mineral, although not as highly prized as [[lexium]].
 
=== Planets ===
* There is a reference to [[Kaltros Prime]], [[Earth Colony E5150]], and [[Denox]].
 
=== Robots ===
* [[Mechanoid]]s are no longer used by [[2382]], and have been put out of use for a while.
 
=== Ships ===
* The ''[[Adamantium]]'' responded to the [[subspace]] distress call sent by [[Bunny Cheung]].
 
=== Toys ===
* [[Earth reptile]] dolls are available to children.
 
=== Solar systems ===
* The [[Karula Koza]] system transmits hyper waves round it.
* [[The Consortium]] had interests in the [[Antares system]].
* [[Lawrence (Fear of the Dark)|Lawrence]] contrasts the "[[Betelgeuse (star)|Betelgeuse]] run" with trips to "uncharted stars".
 
=== Species ===
* Vega Jaal is a [[Vegan (The Monster of Peladon)|Vegan]].
 
=== Universities ===
* The [[University of Tyr]] specialises in temporal compression research.
* The [[Human Sciences Academy]] is located on [[Mars]].
 
=== Weapons ===
* Silas Cadwell's gun fires bits of [[dwarf star alloy]].


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
''to be added''
* A comic preview of this novel was printed in [[DWM 325]].
* The year this novel is set in is inconsistent:
** [[Jim Boyd]] gives the year as [[2382]]. This is supported by the back cover and Tegan referring to the time period as 400 years after [[1982]].
** A computer display is dated "[[2319]].01.12.", only 63 years before 2382. However, Tegan refers to this as being "over one hundred and fifty years ago." The Doctor later says that [[Ravus Oldeman]] has been in stasis "for over one hundred and sixty years." [[Jyl Stoker]], Nyssa, and Oldeman use "one hundred and sixty years" at points in the novel.
** Tegan thinks that Oldeman "may have been pushing two hundred and thirty" after being in stasis, putting his age as a minimum of 70 when he entered stasis. Oldeman he claimed to be "young and fit" before he entered stasis.
** The Doctor says Oldeman is "extremely fit for two hundred and sixty-five." This would make Ravus Oldeman a minimum of ~105 years old when he went into stasis. The Doctor later says Oldeman is "pushing three hundred years old."
* This novel was reprinted with a brand new cover on [[7 March (releases)|7 March]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]] to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ''[[Doctor Who]]''.


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* Tegan is having dreams of snakes. This is most likely a precursor to [[DW]]: ''[[Snakedance]]''.
* Tegan is having dreams of snakes. ([[TV]]: ''[[Snakedance (TV story)|Snakedance]]'')
* The Doctor and Tegan discuss their visit to [[Deva Loka]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]'')
* The Doctor, Tegan and Nyssa all refer to [[Adric]]'s death in [[2526]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]]'')
* The Doctor mentions playing [[cricket]] at [[Cranleigh Hall]] in [[Buckinghamshire]] on [[11 June]] [[1925]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Black Orchid (TV story)|Black Orchid]]'')
* Tegan refers to her cousin [[Colin Frazer]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'')
* The Doctor recalls visiting caves on [[Solos]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mutants (TV story)|The Mutants]]'') and [[Voga]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen (TV story)|Revenge of the Cybermen]]'')
* Nyssa is familiar with the [[Fault locator]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]])'', ([[TV]]: ''[[The Edge of Destruction (TV story)|The Edge of Destruction]])''
* The Doctor is concerned that the [[Time Lord]]s, especially [[Maxil]], interfered with his TARDIS when he was last on [[Gallifrey]]; ([[TV]]: ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'') it was later revealed that his suspicions were right. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[No Place Like Home (audio story)|No Place Like Home]]'')


== Timeline ==
== Additional cover images ==
* ''Fear of the Dark ''occurs after: [[BFA]]: ''[[Omega (audio story)|Omega]]''
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
* ''Fear of the Dark ''occurs before: [[VD]]: ''[[Lackaday Express]]''
Doctor_Who_Fear_of_the_Dark_50th.jpg|2013 edition. Cover by [[Two Associates]].
</gallery>


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{dwrefguide|whobbk58.htm|Fear of the Dark}}
* {{Penguin|1093760/doctor-who--fear-of-the-dark/}}
* {{whoniverse|PD58.php|Fear of the Dark}}
{{dwrefguide|whobbk58.htm|Fear of the Dark}}
 
* {{whoniverse|pd58|Fear of the Dark}}
* [http://mysite.science.uottawa.ca/rsmith43/cloister/feard.htm The Cloister Library: '''Fear of the Dark''']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050406224044/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/drwho/2004/01/01/13684.shtml Interview: Trevor Baxendale]
{{PDA}}
{{PDA}}
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[[Category:Fifth Doctor novels]]
[[Category:Fifth Doctor novels]]
[[Category:2003 novels]]
[[Category:2003 novels]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 24th century]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2382]]
[[Category:Novels set in Mutter's Spiral]]
[[Category:50th Anniversary Collection PDA reprints]]

Latest revision as of 22:00, 14 January 2024

RealWorld.png

prose stub

Fear of the Dark was the fifty-seventh novel in the BBC Past Doctor Adventures series. It was written by Trevor Baxendale, released 6 January 2003 and featured the Fifth Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan Jovanka.

This was only the second occurrence of this lineup (the first in the PDA range was Zeta Major, published in 1998). This was Baxendale's only contribution to the PDA range, but he has written several novels for other Doctors in novel and audio ranges.

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

2003 BBC Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

On the very edge of the galaxy lies Akoshemon: a putrefied world of legendary evil.

In the year 2382 archaeologists land on Akoshemon's only moon, searching for evidence of the planet's infamous past. But when the Doctor, Tegan and Nyssa are drawn into the lunar caverns they find more than a team of academics — and help uncover much more than ancient history.

Something is lying in wait, deep inside the labyrinth of caves: something that remembers the spiral of war, pestilence and deprivation that ruined Akoshemon. Something that rejoiced in every kind of horror and destruction.

An age-old terror is about to be reborn. But what is the hideous secret of the Bloodhunter? And why does Nyssa feel that her thoughts are no longer her own? Forced to confront his own worst fears, even the Doctor will be pushed to breaking point — and beyond.

2013 BBC Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

On a moon of the ruined planet Akoshemon, an age-old terror is about to be reborn. Something that remembers the spiral of war, pestilence and deprivation — and rejoices in it. The Fifth Doctor joins a team of archaeologists searching for evidence of the planet's infamous past, and uncovers more than just ancient history. Forced to confront his own worst fears, even the Doctor will be pushed to breaking point — and beyond.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Comic preview from DWM 325. Illustration by Mike Collins.

Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Alcohol[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Kalazak brandy is exceptionally strong, giving you a burning sensation upon drinking it. Ogrons drink it in abundance.

Astronomical objects[[edit] | [edit source]]

Corporations[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor mentions his encounters with the Daleks, the Cybermen and is sure that the Black Guardian will catch up with him one day.
  • The Doctor says that he has a gift for languages and given time should be able to decipher the hieroglyphs around the crypt housing the remains of the Dark.
  • The Doctor has a cricket ball signed by Mike Gatting.
  • When the Doctor is under the influence of the Dark, he sees a nightmare image of himself regenerating time and time again on a blood soaked altar, and sees himself regenerate into his Sixth and Seventh incarnations.

Galactic law[[edit] | [edit source]]

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Silus Cadwell says that "some people believe that, before our own universe, there were strange forces: gods if you like, from before our time".

Minerals[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Prozium is a valuable mineral, although not as highly prized as lexium.

Planets[[edit] | [edit source]]

Robots[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Mechanoids are no longer used by 2382, and have been put out of use for a while.

Ships[[edit] | [edit source]]

Toys[[edit] | [edit source]]

Solar systems[[edit] | [edit source]]

Species[[edit] | [edit source]]

Universities[[edit] | [edit source]]

Weapons[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • A comic preview of this novel was printed in DWM 325.
  • The year this novel is set in is inconsistent:
    • Jim Boyd gives the year as 2382. This is supported by the back cover and Tegan referring to the time period as 400 years after 1982.
    • A computer display is dated "2319.01.12.", only 63 years before 2382. However, Tegan refers to this as being "over one hundred and fifty years ago." The Doctor later says that Ravus Oldeman has been in stasis "for over one hundred and sixty years." Jyl Stoker, Nyssa, and Oldeman use "one hundred and sixty years" at points in the novel.
    • Tegan thinks that Oldeman "may have been pushing two hundred and thirty" after being in stasis, putting his age as a minimum of 70 when he entered stasis. Oldeman he claimed to be "young and fit" before he entered stasis.
    • The Doctor says Oldeman is "extremely fit for two hundred and sixty-five." This would make Ravus Oldeman a minimum of ~105 years old when he went into stasis. The Doctor later says Oldeman is "pushing three hundred years old."
  • This novel was reprinted with a brand new cover on 7 March 2013 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

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