This is up there with the best 5th Doctor stories ever made. Which is funny because it’s another story that puts the Doctor and company into probably the most traumatic adventures they could have. Which is hilarious considering the placement of this story is straight after Tegan wanting to come back. How Tegan didn’t flat out quit here is just insane.

Tangent aside, this is another very depressing and dark story. Lots of bloody and gruesome deaths. The main draw to this story is the excellent characterization of the 5th Doctor. This is a Doctor at his most frantic and stressed. The Doctor at one point actually tries to kill himself just so he doesn’t have to face the Dark in death. It’s all so messed up but it’s really engaging. Speaking of the Dark… it was a really good threat as this force of nature throughout the story while these bloodsucker creatures are running about. I say WAS because at the end of the story has the Dark take form and gets relegated as a generic, mustache-twirling villain who wants to destroy the universe. Yeah the ending kinda loses steam a little but that doesn’t change the really messed up yet gripping journey.

Despite the weak ending, I do recommend getting this book. It’s an adventure that pushes what can be done with this Doctor and his era.