Doctor Who and the Time Warrior (novelisation)

 was a novelisation based on the 1973 television serial The Time Warrior.

1978 edition
His spaceship crippled in an inter-stellar battle, the Sontaran warrior, Linx, is forced to crash-land on earth. He arrives in the Middle Ages, a time too primitive to provide the technology he needs to repair his ship. Allying himself with the local robber chief, Linx uses his powers to `borrow' scientists and equipment from twentieth-century earth.

Doctor Who tracks down the missing scientists and journeys into the past to save them. But can he defeat the ruthless Linx and his savage human allies before the course of human history is changed forever?

Chapter titles

 * Prologue
 * 1) Irongron's Star
 * 2) Linx's Bargain
 * 3) Sarah's Bluff
 * 4) Irongron's Captive
 * 5) The Doctor Disappears
 * 6) A Shock for Sarah
 * 7) Prisoner in the Past
 * 8) The Robot Knight
 * 9) Linx's Slaves
 * 10) Irongron's Wizard
 * 11) The Rescue
 * 12) The Doctor's Magic
 * 13) Counter Attack
 * 14) The Robot's Return
 * 15) Shooting Gallery
 * 16) Return to Danger
 * 17) Linx's Departure

Deviations from televised story

 * An opening sequence of a space battle between the Sontarans and Rutans is added.
 * Cut scenes with Hal the Archer and the messenger boy are reinstated.
 * Sarah's first trip in the TARDIS is depicted.

Writing and publishing notes

 * Robert Holmes submitted three pages towards 'his' novelisation of the story, before handing it over to Terrance Dicks (who used the notes as a prologue), to finish.

British publication history
First publication:
 * Hardback
 * W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK


 * Paperback
 * Target

Re-issues:
 * 1993 Virgin Publishing with a new cover by Alister Pearson priced £3.50 (UK)

Audiobook
This Target Book was released on 13 November 2008 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Jeremy Bulloch.

The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power.