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“THE LAST DODO: A WILDLY ENTERTAINING SAFARI THROUGH TIME”

There’s something inherently fascinating about the premise of The Last Dodo. A museum dedicated to preserving the final specimens of every extinct species in the universe—what could be more fittingly dangerous for the Last of the Time Lords to stumble into? Jacqueline Rayner takes this rich concept and spins it into a fast-paced, engaging adventure that blends mystery, ethical dilemmas, and a dash of prehistoric mayhem.

TEN AND MARTHA: A STRONG DUO AT THE HEART OF THE STORY

Rayner’s writing style is immensely readable, leaping off the page with energy and wit. She captures the dynamic between the Tenth Doctor and Martha well, giving them a classic investigator-style setup as they try to uncover the mystery of a missing specimen. Their banter and teamwork shine early on, but the story truly kicks off when Eve, the museum’s curator, realises that the Doctor is the last of his kind. She captures him, leaving Martha to fend for herself.

Unfortunately, this setup is resolved rather quickly, with Martha rescuing the Doctor and accidentally releasing every specimen in the museum, sending them back to their original locations—but in completely the wrong time periods. What follows is a wildly fun ride as the Doctor and Martha attempt to track down prehistoric creatures loose in the 21st century, leading to encounters with sabre-toothed cats and Megalosaurus.

Adding an extra layer of enjoyment, Rayner introduces a running gag where the Doctor gives Martha a digital Earth creature guide, allowing her to collect points for every species she encounters. Each chapter ends with a trivia entry about an extinct animal, making the book both entertaining and informative without ever feeling overly educational.

A TWISTY PLOT WITH A STRONG PRESERVATIONIST MESSAGE

The novel takes an intriguing turn when clones of the extinct animals start appearing, hinting at a much more sinister plot. The central conflict isn’t driven by an alien monster but by human ambition and greed, which gives the story a refreshing angle. The villains are not mindless creatures but rather people who believe they are doing the right thing—albeit with increasingly unhinged methods.

Eve, as the main antagonist, has an interesting role, but she isn’t given much space to develop until later in the book, when her full motivations and madness are revealed. Frank, her henchman, is the more traditionally desperate, trigger-happy sidekick. Eve’s team of animal collectors, the Earthers, start off as significant players but fade into the background after the first third, with only Tommy standing out.

Beyond its action and mystery elements, The Last Dodo raises thought-provoking questions about conservation, poaching, and the ethics of interfering with extinction. Should species that have naturally disappeared be preserved, or should nature be allowed to take its course? The book takes a strong preservationist stance, educating readers about various extinct species while balancing its message with an engaging plot.

A CLEVER NARRATIVE STRUCTURE AND A FINAL TWIST

One of the novel’s unique touches is its shifting narrative style. Parts of each chapter are narrated by Martha to an unknown listener, allowing her inner thoughts to be explored while occasionally going off on entertaining tangents. The switch between first- and third-person storytelling keeps the structure dynamic and engaging.

In the final stretch, the book unveils a small but significant alien influence—one that isn’t a malicious force but rather the last member of a species attempting to prevent others from suffering the same fate. Their solution? An overzealous android programmed to protect endangered species at any cost. It’s a clever twist that fits seamlessly into the novel’s themes.

CLASSIC WHO AND NEW WHO REFERENCES—AND A DODO NAMED DOROTHEA

Rayner peppers the book with nods to both Classic and New Doctor Who, ensuring there’s something for fans of all eras. Perhaps the most charming inclusion is the dodo that ends up accompanying the Doctor and Martha for part of the adventure. Naturally, the Doctor names it Dorothea.

📝VERDICT: 8/10

The Last Dodo is a highly entertaining Doctor Who novel that makes full use of its engaging premise, fast-paced plot, and strong character work. While the supporting cast could be fleshed out more, and some plot elements resolve a bit too quickly, the story remains gripping throughout. Rayner balances humour, action, and deeper themes effectively, crafting a tale that is both fun and thought-provoking. With prehistoric beasts running loose in modern-day Earth, an ethical dilemma at its core, and a museum reminiscent of The Space Museum, this is a great pick for fans of Doctor Who looking for an adventure with a twist.

RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:

• One of the species entries claims that the kakapo parrot in New Zealand went extinct in 2017. The book was published in 2007 and as of 2025, the species is still extant.