The Fifteenth Doctor #01

'The Church on Ruby Road' (2024) from Target Books.

A nice little novelisation. Doesn't particularly add that much, aside from some good moments of hearing Ruby and The Doctor's thoughts, but it's a short and sweet ride of a story just like the Christmas special and a fun time revisiting it.

This was another really good novelisation of an episode I don't dislike but didn't really think that much of. As a Who debut for Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, she's got quite a natural writing talent that translates very well in this book. Though one thing that's a letdown which I forgot to mention in my review of the episode, I'm disappointed the book didn't explain just how the Doctor knew where to go to rescue Ruby as a baby. Countering that, I liked that Esmie connected the existence of the Goblins and their nature to the events of The Giggle which was what I said as an explanation for the show featuring more fantasy elements, how the walls of reality were damaged following the Toymaker's prolonged presence on reality. Overall it's a good read.

A solid retelling of the church on Ruby road and dare I say more in-depth on Ruby too

It is a novelization of The Church on Ruby Road. Which, to be fair, I didn't expect more than that. I like it about as much, but the episode relied a LOT on visuals, which is lost here.

B. Maybe A.