The Crystal Bucephalus by Craig Hinton
Reviewed by David RobinsonBroadsword issue oneLink to The Crystal BucephalusIn the time near the end of the tenth millennium the massive galactic Union is collapsing. The Crystal Bucephalus is the place where people come to make decisions about the future, in the past.When the Doctor realises that he may have inadvertently funded mankind’s best attempt at building a TARDIS he thinks he has a problem on his hands. But that is nothing compared to the thick plot of intergalactic conspiracy that he finds himself the scapegoat for.The religious institution of the Lazarus Intent verses the ruthless crime lords of the Elective, only one of them can win. If only the Doctor could take time out from running his restaurant, then he could do something about making sure the right side wins.Throw in a personal fight for glory and money and you have a very captivating book.Craig Hinton cleverly intertwines the requirements for both new readers to Doctor Who and the more seasoned reader. He provides links to the televised Who that people, who know a little about Doctor Who, would notice and find amusing. Readers not familiar with Doctor Who would not feel left out, or get the sensation that they had missed something.For example, when Tegan is in the mid 1980’s at McDonald’s on Oxford street, London: “‘Thank you for your outstanding service,’ Tegan peered at the girl’s badge, ‘Dorothy.’”.I must admit this is the first MA I have read and I was initially afraid that these new stories would not do there respective Doctor’s credit. The Crystal Bucephalus however is in every way a Peter (Davison) story. If the MA continue with this level of sophistication then the series will become worthy of Doctor Who.Kamelion is in this book.He is an essential character to the story. He is dealt with very well, and his personality is developed to an extent where it is possible to pity Kamelion. After reading The Crystal Bucephalus you begin to understand Kamelion’s character in televised Who, and the dilemma he faced.Lastly Craig Hinton neatly smooths the link between The King’s Demons and The Five Doctors, and it neatly explains the new console design, but I’m not going to tell you.