Doctor Who: The Zygon Invasion (Target Collection) by Peter Harness (book review)

‘The Zygon Invasion’ was two episodes in the TV ‘Doctor Who’ series and here it has been compressed into one novel. It follows on from ‘The Day Of The Doctor’. The truce that saw the Zygons living among humans in peace has been shattered and there will be war.

What I like about this story is that it gives a context to the Zygons. When they are placed in human society, they are carelessly treated. Some are lost on the way to a place of resettlement. They are naive about all things like money and everyday life but nobody is there to help them assimilate. They have to try to fit in while not revealing their true selves. This has profound effects which result in some horrific consequences. It is easy to see how real life has influenced this storyline.

Another aspect is the sundering of the Doctor and Clara which foreshadows the ultimate fate of Clara. The Zygon Clara takes over and it is only the willpower of real-Clara that breaks through to indicate to the Doctor what is happening. This brings back memories of Clara as a Dalek and the famous ‘eggs-stir-min-ate’.

There is a lot going on in this with the Doctor escaping a plane crash, Osgood (oh Osgood, we love you) and Clara incarcerated in her own head, a town called Truth And Consequences and UNIT, of course (we love you, Kate). I remember this as an excellent two-parter and the novel reflects both the dark side and the light of this adventure.

Sue Davies

November 2023

(pub: Target Books/BBC books, 2023. 176 page paperback. Price: £ 9.99 (UK). ISBN-13:‎ 978-1-78594-791-9)

check out website: www.penguin.co.uk/books/448244/doctor-who-the-zygon-invasion-target-collection-by-harness-peter/9781785947919