Doctor Who: The Sontaran Games by Jacqueline Rayner

Doctor Who: The Sontaran Games Reviews

• 
  Thibault Busschots

  The tenth doctor arrives at a training camp for young athletes preparing themselves for the Globe Games, basically a futuristic version of the Olympics. And he learns that there have been three mysterious deaths among the athletes. But the deaths are being covered up as no one wants to miss the chance to star in the Globe Games. The doctor quickly figures out that the Sontarans are organizing their own twisted and lethal version of the Games with the athletes. But why are they doing this? And how can the doctor put a stop to it?
  
  
  It’s a gripping little Doctor Who story that’s a bit reminiscent of the Hunger Games, Squid Game, ... Though it’s the kind of story that would benefit from some more character development, to really hit it home. And the story is simply a bit too short to really make us care about all the characters. Apart from that, it’s without a doubt a quick and entertaining read.
• 
  Jim C

  This book is based on the television show. It features The Tenth Doctor and is a quick read as it clocks in just under one hundred pages. In this one, The Doctor lands in on the Globe Games event. Basically, this is the Olympics. Just before the competition is about to start the Sontarans invade.
  
  The only positive thing I can say about this book is my timing on reading this. The Olympics just ended and it was a nice coincidence that I picked this up. Everything else was pretty generic. This could be said for the story, the main character, and the new characters. Nothing really stood out. I never got a sense that this was David Tennant's Doctor. I believe any Doctor would have worked. I can say the same about the antagonist. The Sontarans never stood out and any villain from this show could have worked. As for the story I did not care for it. I thought it was a little bit nonsensical and the eventual payoff doesn't come off as dramatic.
  
  I am not expecting pure science fiction when I read a tie-in novel from this universe. I especially don't expect it with a quick read book. I would like it to capture the essence of the show and this book did not do that. This was surprising as this author has written in this universe and has pulled it off. This one not so much.
• 
  Polly Batchelor

  "Time Lord, you are honoured. You are the first to compete
  in the Sontaran Games. Survive, and you will be given a greater honour. You will face the mighty
  Sontarans in combat."
  
  The Doctor arrives at BASE - an academy for athletes who are training for the next games, where he discovers a string of bodies where it seems that someone will do anything to get to the top. To avoid police and gaining unwanted attention other athletes have been covering up the murders. The Doctor begins to investigate only to discover the Sontarans.
  
  I enjoyed the book it was a quick read and Rayner writes in a quick pace too. I felt The Doctor wasn't characterised very well, it didn't seem like 10. I also didn't like how The Doctor would say he knew what to do and act like he knew the answers, but then would end up pondering to himself to figure out what to do.
• 
  Effie (she-her)

  Ο Doctor προσγειώνεται σε μια αθλητική ακαδημία γεμάτη εφήβους που θέλουν να συμμετάσχουν στα Globe Games, τη μεγαλύτερη αθλητική εκδήλωση του πλανήτη. Όμως, κάθε φορά που σβήνουν τα φώτα, ένας απ' τους αθλητές πεθαίνει. Είναι οι επίδοξοι κάτοχοι μεταλλίων τόσο ανταγωνιστικοί ώστε να αρχίσουν να σκοτώνουν ο ένας τον άλλο;
  
  Ταυτόχρονα ο Doctor πρέπει να αντιμετωπίσει την απειλή των Sontarans που εισβάλλουν στην ακαδημία θέλοντας να κατακτήσουν τον πλανήτη.
  
  Μια μικρή διασκεδαστική ιστορία του αγαπημένου μου Doctor ήταν ότι χρειαζομουν καθώς ανάρρωνα από την ίωση. Μπορώ να πω βέβαια ότι είχε περισσότερους θανάτους απ'ότι περίμενα...
• 
  Amanda

  I am a huuuuuge Doctor Who fan, and my favorite Doctor is definitely David Tennant's Doctor. That being said, if you are not already a Doctor Who fan, this book is probably not for you. You will be totally lost, because it references things that happened in the TV series fairly frequently.
  
  I was trying to pin this down to see if the Sontaran Games were more like the Olympic Games or the Hunger Games. Based on the name ("Globe Games"), the use of teenager athletes, and the specialization of each athlete, I concluded that this is more of an alien-infused Olympics. Basically, the Sontarans infiltrate "The Base" (the training facility in which the athletes reside and train), and after realizing their athletic prowess, force them to potentially "die for the glory of Sontar" by performing in the Sontaran Games. And of course, the Doctor must intervene to save them all.
  
  The only thing that would have made this book better is one of his companions (preferably Donna since she's my favorite), but alas, he makes this journey alone. But, in true Doctor style, he makes plenty of friends along the way, and there are some pretty decent characters in this novel.
  
  I certainly recommend this book to Doctor Who fans that would like a quick and enjoyable -- albeit a bit cheesy -- read. :)
• 
  Kirstie Ellen

  Being one of the quick reads The Sontaran Games takes about an hour to read, yet still manages to be really quite good. I gave it 3/5 because whilst it's good for it is, it wasn't incredible. Featuring David Tennant as the Doctor (and a very dead-on impersonation at that) we meet several athletes at an academy called BASE. They're basically training to becoming Olympians (on a very extreme scale). Meanwhile, the Sontarans invade the academy and The Doctor has to solve the murders that have, and are still happening.
  
  If you're looking for a very quick read and craving a Tennant top up (which is pretty much always if you're like me) then I recommend this book for you. It ends nicely, which a sweet message pressing the idea that no body is perfect - and thank god because often I find with these short books the ending is rushed. Despite being a mere 98 pages long it still manages a couple of plot twists, several goofy Tennant smiles and a gruesome who-y scene when a dismembered hand is found near the pool. *Shudders*. Not to mention several tragic (yet perhaps traditional?) heroes along the way.
  
  Supposedly a great temporary side-kick here, Emma - a swimmer - helps The Doctor work out this mystery as he bumbles through in his familiar silly attitude to serious matters. The climatic end of the story is brilliantly done too and come on, who doesn't find the potato-like Sontarans hilarious? Thumbs up the very accurate representation of Tennant and to a nice little quirky story.
• 
  Justinian Carstairs

  The Sontaran Games follows an absurdly silly concept, fails to serve its many characters justice, and fails to do anything serious and new with the Doctor or the Sontarans.
  
  None the less, this book is a quaint, fun and simple short story.
• 
  rj

  2.5
• 
  Megan

  The Sontaran Games is a Quick Reads book which is part of the
  'Quick Reads Initiative' to get kids in the UK to read more. This book is short, only 98 pages long.
  
  I decided to pick up this book because it features my favorite monster of the week, the Sontarans! Sadly Rayner doesn't quite get the Sontarans right. I'm glad she keeps with the Sontaran tradition of experimenting on their enemies but that's as far she goes. They way the Doctor and the teenaged athletes defeat the Sontarans was really lame.
  
  I thought the 10th Doctor was a bit out of character in this book. "Well, no," said the Doctor, and the students sighed. "But I am an ace private eye with a degree in detecting and a licence to sleuth. I'll work it out." (pg 34). And "But I know who you're looking for, now, Major Stinks."
  "The name is Stenx!" yelled Captain Skeed. "Stenx the Strong-hearted!"
  "That's what I said," agreed the Doctor. "Stinks the Strong-f-" He broke off... (pg 43). I don't feel like the Doctor (especially 10) would say stuff like that. I feel like the author just catered 10's dialogue for the younger audience, which is all well and good. But keeping him in character is good too.
  
  The ending is very deus ex machina as well.
  
  I wouldn't recommend this one, but if I had to I'd recommend it for the younger fans of Doctor Who out there. They're really the only ones who'd like this book, I think.
  
  
• 
  Alissa

  The tenth Doctor arrives at BASE on Earth, a fierce training facility for athletes hoping to compete in the Globe Games, and finds out that several deaths have occurred - and each has happened just when the lights went out. Worried that any police inquiries would spoil their chances of being chosen for the games, the young athletes have been covering up the deaths. At least there won't be anyone in the way while the Doctor investigates...except the Sontarans systematically taking over the BASE, who decide that as a punishment for hiding from them the Doctor and his new friends will take place in the first ever Sontaran Games, a dubious honor that could prove deadly to everyone involved.
  
  This is a short, easy, fun read. It feels like Dr. Who brain candy, just like the other Dr. Who Quickreads I've read thus far. If you're looking for something easy and fun and you love Dr. Who or even just sci fi give this one a try.
• 
  Megan

  The Sontaran Games takes the Doctor to an academy where people train for the Globe Games, which are similar to the Olympics. However, as usual, as soon as he arrives there's trouble that he had to stop and a mystery he has to solve.
  
  This was a fun and quick read. It's the first Doctor Who quick book I've read, but I will definitely be giving the other ones like it a try.
  
  Recommended if you love Doctor Who and are looking for something light to read really quickly.
• 
  Marie J

  It was not lacking in action, just that everything seemed rushed, from the beginning, to the Sontaran Games and the ending.
  
  The plot of this story would have most probably have bern better with a longer novel.
  
  Still, as a Doctor Who story, it did deliver. I just wished it had been longer and more well-paced.
• 
  Adam

  3.5, but Goodreads doesn't do halves.
  
  An entertaining read. It's nice to find a shorter story that doesn't feel rushed. The plot seemed to suit the length just fine. I found the writing to be a little simplistic in places, but given the point of the 'Quick Reads' series, it makes sense.
• 
  Ingibjörg Elefsen

  Okay I actually really liked this book! I could clearly see David Tennant do everything while reading and that was of course enjoyable because hey... who doesn't love him as the Doctor?
• 
  Giuli | Situación Caprichosa | Lizz ♡

  Ésta serie de libros es parte de la 'Quick Reads Initiative' que fue creada para que los niños del Reino Unido lean más.
  
  El Doctor aterriza en BASE (British Academy of Sporting Excellence) y se encuentra con una serie de asesinatos que decide investigar. Dos jóvenes atletas le explican rápidamente que cada muerte sucedió después de un corte de luz; por supuesto, el Doctor y su capacidad analítica descubre que no todo es tan simple como parece, y ahí es donde el caos comienza, cuando se encuentran con la presencia de soldados Sontaran. Ellos están buscando a un shape-changer (cambiaformas) y llegaron a la Tierra para recolectar información sobre los humanos, aprovechando la locación a la que llegaron para crear una especie de "Juegos del Hambre" con los atletas cautivos.
  Mientras intenta mantener a todos a salvo, el Doctor tiene que descubrir la verdad detrás de todas las pistas que llegan a sus ojos.
  
  Creo que la autora acertó en la característica Sontaran de analizar y experimentar con sus enemigos y su espíritu de guerra y convicción con su palabra y su honor. Esos detalles le dan realismo al libro y hacen que podamos cerrar los ojos y verlos como si estuviesen en la pantalla.
  Es un libro bastante oscuro. El mundo de DW está plagado de muertes, pero considerando que es un campo repleto de estudiantes me resultó algo chocante verlos morir como si fuesen moscas insignificantes.
  Me gustó la ausencia de companion (para los que no conocen el mundo de DW, el Doctor generalmente tiene un acompañante en sus aventuras) porque eso hace que él tenga que trabajar más por sí mismo, empleando su capacidad analítica y su velocidad mental al máximo, a pesar de contar con la ayuda de los estudiantes de BASE. Emma cumple esa función brevemente, pero esa parte la dejaré a criterio de quienes quieran leer el libro. Como diría River Song, ¡SPOILERS!
  
  ¿La verdadera finalidad del libro? A mi forma de ver, y considerando que está escrito para público "juvenil" es la de motivar el trabajo en equipo, borrando las fronteras humanas que la competitividad genera día tras día. Me parece un bello mensaje, y la forma en la cual el Doctor es el medio para llevarlo a cabo.
  
  Un fanático empedernido de DW lo encontrará aburrido, hasta quizás erróneo en cuanto a su caracterización de 10th y de los Sontaran en general.
  Para los nuevos fanáticos o aquellos que estén interiorizándose en la serie, es ideal. Un inglés simple, sin demasiadas complicaciones dentro de la lectura.
  Me encantará leerle estos libros a mis hijos/sobrinos/primos en un futuro.
  Y para finalizar, déjenme decirles lo MUCHO que extraño a Tennant como el Doctor.
  Seguramente leeré otros de estos relatos cortos para no sufrirlo tanto.
• 
  John Loyd

  The Doctor materializes in a building where the lights are out momentarily. He finds Emma and then Sid. They are in a BASE (British Academy of Sporting Excellence) camp. They are all athletes, Sid throws the javelin, Emma's sport was evident, she was in a swim suit. A few questions from the Doctor and he finds out that three athletes have died. An examination shows they were electrocuted.
  
  A short time later they see some Sontarans. The Doctor explains to his new acquaintances how dangerous the Sontarans are. They are probably here because the Earth is a strategic planet between them and the Rutans. The Sontarans are looking for something and round up the students. They ask the students who they are and when they find out they are athletes, they set up some tests to see if they'd be a help, and oh, by the way, if you fail the test you die.
  
  Marketed as a Quick Read, it really is quick. The Doctor is forced to be more athletic than we usually see him. The swimmer Emma kind of takes the part that would normally be the Doctor's companion. The resolution is what you expect of Doctor Who. Fun read.
• 
  Helen Hnin

  I didn't expect this story to turn out this way.
  
  Jacqueline Rayner really knows how to write a good short story. The mystery was served on the first page and it was followed with a bang. There's a crisis and a place full of people that needed the Doctor's help. And almost none of the characters were being insufferable idiots. (Which is a very common trope in Doctor Who)
  
  Just when I thought the story was finished, I realized there's still a knot that hasn't been untied yet. The ending was perfect with a hint of tragedy. (That was very much Tenth Doctor's style.)
  
  I think I'd read it again when I'm in the mood. Just to enjoy the story.
• 
  Edward Buckton

  Obviously there isn't that much you can fit into a TV tie-in quick read, but I was pleasantly surprised by some of the little treats Rayner slipped in here. Here, Rayner follows the Moffat school of thought, wherein the Doctor is a character who jumps first, and works out how he'll survive during the fall; it's refreshing to see a Doctor who is "trying" rather than necessarily succeeding.
  
  Though the book can't move past its simplicity and lack of depth, the Tenth Doctor is nonetheless given a good handful of clever and charming moments, and by the end I had quite enjoyed myself.
• 
  Ella (book.monkey)

  this is the first Doctor Who book I've read, I really enjoyed the Class ones I've read so when I found this in the library I thought why not. I did enjoy it and I like that it didn't last forever like some books can, it did feel like a little episode playing in my head. I also love the Sotaran's as bad guys, they are funny and still make me think of potato's.
• 
  Daniel Kukwa

  This is about on par with the other books in the "Quick Reads" series; there's only so much space for intense storytelling and character development, so the end result is a straightforward rollicking read. But if I could, I'd raise this rating to 3.5 stars, for the excellent & unexpectedly ambiguous ending. A little stab of intense character goodness as a rewarding climax.
• 
  Rain

  This book was not bad, but pretty short (Yes, I know that this is the intention).
  It was a nice little story with an unexpected plottwist but it didn't really have the time to explore the characters and setting.
  I'd recommend this to people who want to take a first step into the direction of Doctor Who novels but aren't looking for a thrilling read.
• 
  Theta

  This is a quick read book set presumably after the events of Series 4 in the show. This was fast paced, with both familiar and new characters, and the ending surprised me, in a good way! It's always nice to see The Doctor learn lessons too, with this one being that he can't always save everyone, despite his best efforts.
• 
  Emilija

  I didn't particularly like this novella; Ten was characterised well, but the plot and the other characters were rather loose. The plot itself was rather surreal, even for Doctor Who. Sontarans coming to Earth and forcing teenagers to participate in a version of the Olympic Games.
• 
  Kieran McAndrew

  A Sontaran invasion at a Global Games training camp leaves the Doctor racing to outwit the fearsome warriors.
  
  Rayner writes the Doctor well and the story is well thought out and in keeping with the series.
• 
  Shawn

  A fun 'episode' featuring the 10th doctor while he is between companions.
• 
  Ainslie

  ok. it was a quick read
• 
  Ian

  This and other Jacqueline Rayner books reviewed here:
  
  https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com...
• 
  Lilly

  When I put this book down I didn't want to pick it up again because I was that bored.