The Slitheen Excursion

The Slitheen Excursion follows the Tenth Doctor on an adventure in ancient Greece, where he encounters June, a university student on an archaeological dig. The story combines elements of classical history with the science fiction universe of Doctor Who. The Doctor and June discover unusual happenings near Athens in 480 BCE, leading them to investigate mysterious creatures and unexplained phenomena. Their search brings them into contact with the Slitheen, a family of criminal aliens known for their schemes and deceptions. This standalone novel meshes historical details with alien technology as the Doctor works to protect Earth's timeline. The presence of June as a temporary companion adds a fresh perspective to the Doctor's usual approach to problem-solving. The narrative explores themes of historical preservation and the impact of interference on established events, while maintaining the characteristic blend of humor and tension found in Doctor Who stories.

Doctor Who fans on forums and review sites found The Slitheen Excursion to be a straightforward adventure story that captures the tone of the TV series. Readers appreciated how the book portrayed the Tenth Doctor's personality and mannerisms accurately. Readers liked: - Fast-paced action sequences - Historical ancient Greece setting - Humor matching the show's style - Strong characterization of June, the companion character Readers disliked: - Slow start in first few chapters - Too much focus on secondary characters - Some found the Slitheen less menacing than in the TV show Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (82 ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (12 ratings) Several reviewers noted this works better than other Slitheen stories. As one Goodreads reviewer wrote: "The Slitheen are actually threatening here rather than just comic relief." Some readers criticized the "padded middle section" but most agreed the ending delivers satisfying action.

The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham An alien invasion narrative focuses on mysterious creatures emerging from Earth's oceans to threaten humanity through calculated attacks and environmental manipulation.

The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson A multiverse traveler navigates between parallel Earths while uncovering conspiracies that threaten the stability of multiple dimensions.

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu Scientists and military forces attempt to understand and respond to contact from an alien civilization that plans to invade Earth.

The Fold by Peter Clines A secret government project involving teleportation technology leads to encounters with parallel dimensions and hostile entities.

The Humans by Matt Haig An extraterrestrial assumes the identity of a mathematics professor to complete a mission on Earth while learning about human nature and society.

🔮 The Slitheen, featured in this book's title, first appeared in the 2005 Doctor Who episode "Aliens of London" and became recurring villains in both Doctor Who and its spin-off series Sarah Jane Adventures. 📚 Simon Guerrier has written over 50 Doctor Who-related works, including books, audio dramas, and short stories, making him one of the most prolific contributors to the expanded universe. ⚡ Ancient Greece had a significant influence on Doctor Who throughout its history, with the show featuring Greek mythology in episodes like "The Myth Makers" (1965) and "Underworld" (1978). 🎭 The concept of aliens being mistaken for gods or mythological creatures is a recurring theme in Doctor Who, dating back to the classic series with stories like "The Dæmons" (1971). 🌟 The Tenth Doctor, portrayed by David Tennant, returned to the role in 2023 for the 60th anniversary specials, making him the longest-serving modern Doctor in terms of years associated with the role.