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“The Art of Destruction: A Missed Opportunity for a Golden Adventure”

The Art of Destruction ventures into an unusual and underexplored setting for Doctor Who, taking place in 22nd-century Chad. The story’s backdrop—the Tarsus volcano, a vital hub for Earth’s food production in a future where the planet grapples with famine—offers a fresh perspective. Its exploration of themes such as Western exploitation of Africa and the moral implications of genetic manipulation holds significant promise, making it a story with a potentially powerful message.

The novel opens intriguingly, introducing gold-like magma that transforms living beings into shifting, deadly statues. These living golems, paired with the intelligent and art-obsessed Valnaxi race, provide a unique blend of mythological and science fiction elements. The antagonist, Jaxamilian Faltato, is an alien artist whose dark ambitions serve as a fascinating and layered counterpoint to the Doctor’s values.

However, much of this potential remains unrealised. Despite the story’s African setting, the plot spends most of its time in generic caverns, failing to take full advantage of Chad’s rich cultural and environmental possibilities. This missed opportunity leaves the setting feeling disconnected from the themes the story seeks to address.

The pacing, too, becomes a problem, as the narrative struggles to maintain momentum after its initial setup. Lifeless action sequences and an over-reliance on exposition make the story feel repetitive and drawn out. The supporting cast does little to compensate; beyond the Doctor and Rose, the characters are largely forgettable, offering no significant engagement or emotional resonance.

Perhaps the most frustrating flaw is the uninspired writing style, which fails to evoke vivid imagery or bring the story’s unique elements to life. While the premise of living magma and artistic alien villains should feel dynamic and memorable, the execution leaves it all feeling flat and unremarkable.

📝Verdict: 4/10

Ultimately, The Art of Destruction stands as a story with a great deal of promise but little follow-through. Its themes of exploitation and innovation gone awry are timely and meaningful, yet they’re not enough to overcome the plodding pacing, missed opportunities, and uninspired prose.