Stories set at the Dawn of Time

Timeless:

A BBC Books entry which shows us some of the very earliest point in time and space, featuring the Eighth Doctor, Fitz, Trix and Anji. 

Not a novel, though, to read without reading the rest of the arc involving Sabbath and the Council of Eight.

Gods and Monsters:

The Seventh Doctor, Ace and audio companions Hex Schofield, Lysandra Aristedes and Sally Morgan find themselves at the dawn of time and facing the return of Fenric. 

As the conclusion of a long-running arc across the Big Finish Seventh Doctor audio stories – involving alternative TARDISes, the Elder Gods and the fate of Hex – it may not be the place you want to start but it is a great story and worth working your way up to.

The Dark Planet:

On a distant planet near the beginning of the universe, the First Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki encounter two incredibly alien species. 

This is from Big Finish’s Lost Stories range and is an excellent recreation of Season 2’s experimental stories in the style of The Web Planet or The Space Museum.

Deep Time:

Another BBC book, this time from the ‘new series’ range and featuring the Twelfth Doctor and Clara, this story sees them investigating the mystery of the Phaeron and, as with a few stories in this list, actually concludes a short series of interconnected books with the umbrella title of The Glamour Chronicles.

A Death in the Family:

Another story which can’t really be experienced in isolation as it draws threads to a close from both the Seventh Doctor audio story arc involving Hex but also the Sixth Doctor stories involving the inimitable Dr Evelyn Smythe.

It’s a hugely emotional story featuring one of Big Finish’s best villains – the Word Lord – and is highly recommended, but only if you have a good grounding in the stories of Evelyn and Hex.

Legion of the Lost:

The War Doctor finds himself far back in Gallifrey’s history dealing with a terrible weapon.

The Edge of Destruction: 

In only the series’ third ever story, the First Doctor, Susan, Ian and Barbara discover the TARDIS is plummeting back towards the dawn of the universe. 

Our first indication that the TARDIS is more than just a machine is given in this two-episode story.

Empire of the Racnoss:

The second volume of Classic Doctors – New Monsters sees the Fifth Doctor dragged back to Gallifrey’s ancient past to face the Racnoss.