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

“The Highest Science: Turtles, Trains, and Trouble on Sakkrat”

Gareth Roberts' The Highest Science is a captivating entry in the Virgin New Adventures range, blending humour, intrigue, and a menagerie of characters and storylines. At its core, the novel introduces the Chelonians, warlike, human-hating reptiles, as they obliterate a human colony—only to vanish in a mysterious flash of blue light. From this gripping opening, Roberts crafts a multifaceted tale featuring stranded hippie musicians, a centuries-long space voyage, a vanished 1990s London train, and the enigmatic planet Sakkrat, home to the mythical "Highest Science."

The Seventh Doctor is at his manipulative best here, delightfully preoccupied with gadgets, outsmarting enemies with wit and guile, and maintaining control over a chaotic situation. Benny’s sharp wit, curiosity, and penchant for trouble make her an excellent foil for the Doctor. Her encounters with the hippie musicians are less engaging but provide a vehicle for the novel’s clear stance against drugs and their destructive effects.

Sheldukher, an unhinged and sadistic intergalactic criminal, is the novel’s standout antagonist, fully living up to his reputation as a man who delights in pain and chaos. His threats are never idle, and his brutality adds real stakes to the story.

The Chelonians, meanwhile, are a triumph of alien world-building. Far more than turtle-like warriors, they have a richly detailed culture, biology, and internal conflicts that make them compelling. Commander Fakrid and his successor Jinxa exemplify the Chelonians’ militaristic ethos, with Jinxa’s leadership descending into dangerous fanaticism.

Roberts weaves the various storylines together effectively, though the initial jumping between perspectives can feel disjointed. The train passengers from 1990s London, while tied to a clever twist, ultimately add little to the narrative and could have been omitted. The climactic revelations about Sakkrat’s ghostly inhabitants as deus ex machina figures detract from the tension, undermining the story’s stakes.

The Doctor’s tense escape from Sheldukher’s self-destructing ship is a standout sequence that would translate brilliantly to television. The eerie, ruined city of Sakkrat also delivers an unsettling atmosphere, even if its mystical elements feel underutilised.

📝Verdict: 8/10

The Highest Science is at its best when focused on the Chelonians and Sheldukher, who bring excitement and depth to the story. While some subplots feel underdeveloped and the ending slightly rushed, Roberts’ witty prose and engaging characterisation of the Doctor and Benny make this a memorable read. The novel balances classic Who tropes with fresh ideas, making it a standout in the Virgin New Adventures series.

Random Observations:

• The final sequence inside the city is a bit like the similar trek through traps and dangers the Doctor undertakes in Pyramids of Mars or Death to the Daleks.
• Gareth Roberts co-wrote the 2009 TV story Planet of the Dead, which draws inspiration from this story. The Chelonians were originally going to appear in that story.