The novel is set at an interesting point in the Pertwee era, between the seventh and eighth seasons. While Season Seven had a very gritty, militaristic atmosphere, Season Eight saw the inception of the beloved "Pertwee family", with the departure of Liz Shaw and the introduction of Jo Grant, the Master and Mike Yates. "The Eye of the Giant" marks a sort of transition point between the two (as, I suspect, "Scales of Injustice" will, three books down the line) by giving Mike Yates -- still a sergeant -- a proper introductory adventure with the Doctor.

As with Bulis' previous novels, it is the story which predominates in "Eye". This is why "Shadowmind" failed so badly, and why "Sorcerer" was so much fun. "Eye", fortunately, follows the latter, as Bulis whips up an excellent plot which fits right in with the more eclectic storylines of Season Seven, as opposed to the increasingly traditional (some might say cliched) plots of the latter Pertwee era. The Third Doctor, Liz and eventually Mike Yates find themselves crossing a time bridge to the lost island of Salutua in 1934, where they get caught up in the intrigues of a Hollywood film crew, who have ostensibly come to Salutua to do some test shooting for a forthcoming film. But there is not one but two alien presences on Salutua, and certain members of the film crew are hoping to twist their technology to their own designs. Meanwhile, back in the modern day, the Brigadier has his hands full as the world is beseiged by the intrusions of another reality -- a reality which is increasingly gaining precedence over the one we know.

The main body of the book -- as the time travellers seek to unearth Salutua's secrets and resolve the conflict between the alien Brook and the Semquess -- is excellent. Although a little straightforward, it is filled with enough action and suspense to keep the book running at a rollicking pace. Despite the large number of characters Bulis has to handle -- apart from the Doctor, Liz, Lethbridge-Stewart, Mike and Benton there's the entire film crew plus the UNIT soldiers -- he does so quite well, and even more insignificant characters are given at least some personality, and rise above mere cypherdom. The key players are better still; film producer Grover, his wife Nancy, and the desperate scientist Sternberg are all well-portrayed, with distinctive and well-rounded personalities. Grover's daughter, Amelia, is less successful, coming across as just too saccharine-sweet to be believable, and her missing arm seems too convenient a set piece. The alien, Brook, is also expertly depicted. Particularly enjoyable are the passages written from his perspective, as he looks upon our "alien" world.

It is only after this part of the book is over -- the film crew is safely away from the doomed Salutua and the Doctor and company return home -- that things go downhill a bit. The rest of the book is occupied by the Doctor's attempts to set the timelines right, since Nancy Grover has taken advantage of her adventure on Salutua to become a veritable deity in the eyes of the world, with the help of a Semquess chemical. Indeed, the Doctor has to fix the timelines not once but twice, as solving one problem gives rise to another. All this is uncomfortably like the second half of "Millennial Rites", and not given nearly enough time to develop. Consequently, it feels tacked on and superfluous, leaving the reader to wish that Bulis would just hurry and clue things up. The ultimate resolution involving Amelia, in particular, feels like a rushed and contrived attempt to tie everything together, and is rather unsatisfying.

That said, the latter portion of the book isn't really all that bad. The description of the world under Nancy's rule is quite effective, and really deserved more time; it could easily have formed a novel unto itself, and offers many interesting ideas, such as the Grold/human hybrids. It's just a shame that Bulis had to stuff it all into about seventy pages, not nearly enough.

The characterization of the regulars ranges from able to excellent. The Doctor and Liz fall into familiar patterns, and Benton just seems kind of vapid, but the Brigadier (who is really doing well in the Missing Adventures) and in particular Mike Yates are superbly captured. With Sergeant Yates we get to experience his first adventure with the Doctor, as initial reticence quickly gives way to a kind of laid-back excitement which fits in well with the character as he would appear in Season Eight.

All in all, "The Eye Of The Giant" is another successful book from the pen of Christopher Bulis, let down only a bit by the final few chapters. Exciting, suspenseful, and intelligently written, it rivals "Dancing The Code" as the best Pertwee MA released thus far.

8/10.

Back to Reviews From The Land Of Fiction