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RealWorld

Fear of the Dark was the fifty-eighth BBC Past Doctor Adventures novel. It featured the Fifth Doctor, Tegan Jovanka and Nyssa. This was only the second occurrence of this lineup (the first in the PDA range was Zeta Major, published in 1998). This was author Trevor 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

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 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

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

to be added

Fear of the Dark Preview

Comic preview from DWM 325. Illustration by Mike Collins.

Characters

References

  • Nyssa doesn't know what either elephants or peashooters are.

Alcohol

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

Astronomical objects

Corporations

The Doctor

  • 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

History

  • 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

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

Planets

  • There is a reference to Betelgeuse, Kaltros Prime, Earth Colony E5150, and Denox.

Robots

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

Ships

Toys

Solar systems

  • The Karula Koza system transmits hyper waves round it.
  • The Consortium had interests in the Antares system.

Species

Universities

Weapons

Notes

Doctor Who Fear of the Dark 50th

The 2013 cover.

  • A comic preview of this novel was printed in DWM 325.
  • This novel was reprinted with a brand new cover on 7 March 2013 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who.

Continuity

External links

prose stub
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