📝8/10

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

MY SCATTERED AND TOTALLY IRRELEVANT NOTES:

In the fourth volume of The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield, Benny continues her journey through the Unbound Universe alongside the Unbound Doctor.

The story kicks off with an electrifying montage of the Doctor resuming his role as President of the Universe, only to be summoned back into action by Benny. Meanwhile, Benny returns to her roots as an archaeologist, seeking an Apocalypse Clock that could hold the key to saving the universe.

A major highlight of the narrative is the dynamic between Benny’s relentless optimism and determination to find a quick fix, and the Doctor’s dry cynicism, shaped by exhaustion and overwork. This interplay adds depth and humor, sustaining much of the story’s appeal.

While the plot itself is straightforward, it gradually unravels the mysteries surrounding Benny’s excavation site, revealing hidden dangers that keep the tension high. The atmosphere—filled with ominous skulls and spectral figures haunting the living—evokes the eerie charm of The Stones of Blood.

The ghostly voices, eerie breathing, and unsettling hallucinations are genuinely chilling, reminiscent of the techniques used in Mummy on the Orient Express. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t fully capitalize on these strengths, instead placing more emphasis on the friction between Benny and the Doctor. The subplot involving a tribal cult feels somewhat extraneous and underdeveloped.

The final act shifts gears into an Indiana Jones-style tomb-raiding adventure, injecting fresh excitement. However, the resolution feels rushed, wrapping up the tension a bit too neatly.

Overall, The City and the Clock delivers a mix of thrills, character-driven conflict, and atmospheric chills, though it misses some opportunities to fully exploit its darker elements.