The Pinnacle blurb (which I saw on tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Doctor_Who_and_the_Masque_of_Mandragora_(novelisation)) is extraordinary.
IN 1492, DOCTOR WHO CAME OUT OF THE BLUE
I don’t think that’s a pun on anything, I’m not even sure the rhyme is anything but a coincidence. It also feels odd to specify that the Doctor's arrival in 1492 is somehow especially mysterious considering the format of the series basically involves him literally appearing out of thin air for the start of every story.
The story's set
during the corrupt reign of the powerful Medicis
who are never mentioned in the story and not remotely relevant to anything in it.
Doctor Who, angry because he was forced to land on Earth by the incredible Mandragora Helix, walks right into a Machiavellian plot
I’m not sure he even realises that’s what’s happened until quite a bit later and ‘angry’ definitely isn't the first reaction he goes to when he does. I’m also not sure Federico's plot can be described exactly as Machiavellian, what with it just involving knocking off people until he's got the strongest remaining claim to the throne (though its aim is power by immoral means, so maybe Machiavellian covers it).
Intent on righting all wrongs
He isn't.
Doctor Who studies their political manoeuvres
He doesn't.
the Mandragora energy ball, an alien, but all-powerful intelligence
‘Energy ball’ isn’t the most exciting description, is it? And is it suggesting that being ‘alien’ is usually considered a guarantee that you’re not ‘all-powerful’, unlike… humans?, which is why it’s so surprising Mandragora is despite being alien?
will Doctor Who provide a true Renaissance man?
What? For who? Certainly not for Sarah, even though she does have her eye on one.
Doctor Who is a mysterious, zany, and very mature Time Lord
'Very mature'? And why do they think anyone unfamiliar enough with Doctor Who to need an introduction to the character will find the fact he's a Time Lord helpful?
And since when the bloody hell has he had anything resembling a
desperate desire to bring law and order to the galaxy
which is not just inaccurate, but makes him sound dull too.
Anyway, for a look at something that does actually bear some resemblance to Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora, the page is up here.
Comments