Torchwood: Something in the Water...

[fajrdrako]

Today I read the novel Torchwood: Something in the Water by Trevor Baxendale. Unlike most of the other Torchwood novels, there is only one plot, a fairly stratightforward one: Cardiff is menaced by a Water Hag, spearhead of a watery alien invasion. It's quite creepy, nicely written in a smart and simple style.

The characterization of the Torchwood team is good - with the possible exception of Jack, who is fairly grim most of the time here. But there's nothing personal. Though it seems to be set in the timeframe of the first part of series 2, there's no hint that Jack and Ianto are lovers. Gwen mentions Rhys once, maybe twice. Basically, it's a Water Hag story.

Unlike with Another Life, I didn't keep feeling the urge to quote things. Two exceptions, the first from p. 34, a description of Jack from a man who used to know him:

He was a glory-hunting maniac and the kindest man I ever knew. Saved my life twice in '73, and then left me for a chorus girl from Boston.'

The other passage is from page 178, at a point where Jack is trying to kill an alien who won't stay dead:

'Here we go again,' said Jack. '...Y'know, I kind of prefer it when the dead stay dead.'

'Pot. Kettle. Black,' Owen said.

'Yeah,' agreed Jack with a shrug. 'The difference is, I do it with style.'

Comments

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Have you heard the ones that are on CD

Yes - these days, I go through more audiobooks than regular ones. I wish I knew what was up with the third audio, the one that suddenly got delayed and almost "disappeared," but of the two that came out, Hidden has a poor plot (but Naoko is an excellent book reader, it's a damned shame she won't be doing more) but I rather liked Everyone Says Hello.

Mind you, I like the Sarah Jane audios even better... not the Big Finishes (sorry BF!) but the two SJA audios read by Lis.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

. I wish I knew what was up with the third audio, the one that suddenly got delayed and almost "disappeared,"

Do you think we'll ever hear it?

Hidden has a poor plot

That's too bad. I like the title! I have the CD, but haven't listened to it.

but Naoko is an excellent book reader

I'm not surprised. She certainly has a lovely voice.

the two SJA audios read by Lis.

I didn't know about those - must look for them.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I'm starting to doubt we will ever get that last one, but I still don't know why it suddenly disappeared.

There are two SJA audios read by Lis - The Thirteenth Stone and The Glittering Storm. Storm's better, but they're both fun. Check my SJA tag; I've got reviews.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'll look at your reviews. Sounds like just the thing!

I've now seen "Genesis of the Daleks" and I really liked Sarah Jane in that. And I love The Sarah Jane Adventures - can't get enough.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I think I like the SJA just a tiny bit more than Doctor Who.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think I like the SJA just a tiny bit more than Doctor Who.

For me, it depends on the episode. I love the Doctor and I love Sarah Jane and I wouldn't mind seeing more of them together.