This one is a pretty strong Ninth Doctor adventure that tackles more modern technology and intertwines it well with a sinister alien plot. I have to say that this novel really does a good job capturing the dialogue and feel of Series 1  - which only leads me to ask: why isn't Jac Rayner writing on the show? If you have to grab one Nine novel, this is a strong contender. Also has a great audiobook read by Camille Coduri.

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

“Winner Takes All: A Video Game Invasion with a Dose of RTD-Era Nostalgia”

Jaqueline Rayner’s Winner Takes All, the third entry in the New Series Adventures line, captures the spirit of the RTD era with remarkable accuracy. From the outset, the novel immerses you in a world of contemporary drama and extraterrestrial intrigue, with Nine and Rose’s lively banter, Jackie’s irrepressible charm, and Mickey’s bumbling loyalty all feeling like they’ve stepped right out of Series 1.

Rayner’s style is effortlessly readable, blending domestic realism with sci-fi absurdity in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. Unlike the previous novels, which struggled to nail the tone of the revival series, Winner Takes All feels like a missing episode, complete with moments of humour, tension, and heart.

The plot revolves around the Queevils, a race of small, spiky aliens who orchestrate an invasion of Earth via an addictive video game that unwittingly turns players into pawns in their war. It’s a delightfully 2000s concept, reminiscent of both Douglas Adams’ wit and Ernest Cline’s Armada. While the critique of video game culture now feels dated, it’s delivered with enough charm to remain engaging.

The final act stands out for its intricate tension, forcing the Doctor into a juggling act of controlling Rose through the game, guiding Mickey, and managing the larger crisis. Each character plays a crucial role in resolving the conflict, giving the climax a satisfying sense of teamwork and ingenuity.

The Queevils themselves are memorable, with a mix of silliness and menace that wouldn’t feel out of place in an RTD-era episode. However, their enemies, the Mantodeans, lack the same impact and fail to become a truly compelling threat.

The human cast is more hit-and-miss. Darren Pye, a petty school bully turned troublemaker, is entertainingly obnoxious but one-dimensional. Robert, a dreamer obsessed with escapist fantasies, feels like a misstep—his story attempts to mirror RTD’s focus on ordinary lives caught in extraordinary events but never quite lands emotionally.

The novel also cleverly ties into the Bad Wolf arc of Series 1 with subtle nods that fans will appreciate, further cementing its place as an authentic slice of Doctor Who history.

📝Verdict: 7/10

Winner Takes All succeeds where its predecessors faltered, delivering a smart, funny, and engaging tale that perfectly captures the RTD era’s blend of domestic drama and intergalactic hijinks. While some elements falter, the overall execution and strong characterisation make this a standout entry.

4.5/5

This book is the highlight of the Nine and Rose NSAs.

Interesting story that gives a real feel that the characters are having to struggle to sort anything out, and quite darker and serious in places than I particularly expected from the new series books.

Along with several other books in the series, this made me preferentially look out for stories by Jacqueline Rayner.

NEW SERIES ADVENTURES: BOOK 3 (Ninth Doctor: Book 3)

The main concept of Winner Takes All centres around an alien species, the Quevvils, deciding to use a video game to get the humans to help them defeat their enemies, the Mantodeans.

I wasn’t very excited to read this book and thought it had only a mildly interesting premise. Indeed, I found the first sections of the book incredibly boring.

And then came the revelation that the game’s players were actually controlling real people. This leads into some great scenes, and instantly changed the book for me.

The introduction of some excellent human drama adds to the enjoyability, and the book instantly gripped me. While before I viewed reading it a chore, I ended up being unable to stop, always ready for another chapter.

While the Robert interludes came off as quite annoying, I realised that was because the character was meant to be annoying. Characterisation is something Jacqueline Rayner excels at here.

The climax was thrilling, and I found it incredibly tense, even though I knew Rose would survive.

The character of Darren Pye, and the horrible things he does, are very well written.

The only fault in this novel is that I might have ended up ditching it after the dull opening. Thank Rassilon I didn’t!