World Famous Comics: The Twilight Streets (Torchwood)
The Twilight Streets (Torchwood)
By: Gary Russell Publisher: Random House UK Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: Random House UK Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 256 Publication Date: March 27, 2008 Reading Level: Young Adult
Product Description: It's the start of a Cardiff autumn - the days are getting shorter, the dark evenings settling in. There's a part of Cardiff that no one goes to much. No crime, no murders, just... they stay away. A collection of old rundown houses and gloomy streets. Something's not quite right there, something is off-kilter. Except now, the Council are renovating the area. And a new company have been employed to do this. And look: they're going to organize street parties to show off the gentrified area. Clown and face-painters for the kids, street magicians for the adults. None of this is Torchwood's problem. Except that Tosh recognizes the man sponsoring the street parties when she's passing one day: Bills Manger!
Not impressed I've enjoyed the Doctor Who novels more than this, my first Torchwood novel. The quality of the writing leaves a lot to be desired - not very sophisticated. Much like a Doctor Who novel with a lot of references to sex added. I didn't find there to be character development - rather, the characters were presented in their typical forms.
Wibbly Wobbly, Timey Whimey This has got to be one of my favorite Torchwood stories. Gary Russell does a fantastic job getting the characters spot on.
The story opens with Captain Jack Harkness at a train station in Cardiff, looking for someone. Random, yes, but that's not the odd part. The odd part is that it's not 2008, oh no, but towards the end of WWII. I warn you now, this book will jump back and forth between past, present, and future and will get a bit confusing. Yet it is worth every moment of confusion, for Russell does a wonderful job at keeping up suspense while having the plot continue to develop. For you Janto fans out there, it has many cute, sweet, heartfelt, and domestic moments between the boys. This book also gives a little bit more insight into the mystery that is Bilis Manger, and further develops the mystery surrounding Jack. If you don't have this book you should buy it immediately.
Fast start, bad ending... The idea of using Bill Manger as the center of the story really hooked me and also diving somewhat into Jack's past also added fuel to the fires of my interest. The idea that there may be something waiting for Jack added some spice to the plot. And I liked how the other characters were used, giving their own side issues and views. But the ending, sorry to say, did feel weak. Not that it felt rushed as much as not really well thought out, not polished. Which is weird, because Gary Russell isn't new to the craft of words. As he has written Doctor Who novels and is a part of the Doctor Who production team you would think he had some inside knowledge about Torchwood he could use to beef it up. But no go. A weak chain in the, otherwise, fine collection of Torchwood books. So far.
A must read! If you are a Torchwood fan, and I assume you would be if you are viewing Torchwood books, then this book is for you! I felt this book is a great addition to the show and really gave some great character information and backgroud.
Amateurish The plot meandered through most of the book. The big "showdown" at the end didn't make a lot of sense. There is an original character that acts kind of like a hormonal fourteen year old. Every time he showed up I wanted to smack him. Actually, most of the characters acted like teenagers. The author knows the form that humor is supposed to follow but just can't quite get it right and the attempts end up feeling forced. The author also occasionally spells "Because" as "Cos" in the narrative. I would suggest staying away from this one and reading Slow Decay instead. *SPOILERS* The visions of the future were kind of neat, I thought. Bilis Manger is apparently just misunderstood. *rolls eyes* He needed to unleash that demon to kill everybody! It was for the good of the world! Stupid Jack, trying to stop people from dying.
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Trevor
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