A topic to discuss the short story anthology, The Target Storybook.
In my opinion, it’s a mixed bag, with some great stories, a few mediocre ones, and then another one that I loathe.
4 Likes
Oh lovely! I was thinking of creating a Thread of this calling it “Turning the Tides - the Target Storybook Thread” 
Anyway since this thread exist I might as well add my Opinion about the Stories, which I have read:
Gatecrashers: Love it! JOY WILKINSON MY BELOVED DOES IT AGAIN! She is so brilliant writing for 13. A really fun Story, I really like the Worldbuilding and it’s just a really fun Story!
Journey out of Terror: A solid little Story, I really like how it plays with its Setting, it’s a first Doctor Story so of course I am gonna be excited about it. Not as good as the previous one, yet still very fun! The Dialogue is definitely the Highlight here, Guerrier as always does the 60s Characters so well!
Save Yourself: What is that?? A Season 6B Story that I enjoyed??? Me?? But yeah this one is great, and it uses the Concept of Season 6B so well. Seeing 2 and the War Chief interact is great and seeing the Tragedy here makes me more likely to be open to that Idea. I am still far away from being a Fan, but still excellent!
The Clean Air Act: Kinda meh on it, it’s not bad at all but kinda standard fare really, solid enough but probably a bit more unremarkable compared to the first three.
Punting: Really fun! A fun Addition to the Five Doctors and a really lovely creative Way to go about! It has Romana so it’s a double plus for me, really enjoyed that one!
6 Likes
The only story from this book I’ve read has been Citation Needed which was really good.
I should get around to reading the rest at some point. I’ve heard Fitz is in one of them!
5 Likes
Yes, it’s a great story!
Yes, he is in We Can’t Stop What’s Coming, which is essentially a mini EDA.
5 Likes
Mini Eda?! MINI?!?! WHY NOT A FULL 200 PAGES EDA?? BBC BOOK MAKE 8 BOOKS AGAIN AND MAKE THEM SUFF- I mean have silly adventures with Fitz 
6 Likes
It’s decent. Not all of the stories are good. It’s not something I’d actively reach for when I want something to read.
1 Like
Having now recently finished another Batch of Stories, I might as well return to my past Post:
The Dark River: You know what? It was really okay, I don’t have much else to say, had a few Things that I liked here and there but nothing that made me feel any way one way or the other.
Interstitial Insecurity: Really enjoyed this one on the other Hand. BIG FINISH REFERENCE LET’S GOOOOO. I thought it worked really well, especially with Context and it slots in very well. Very enjoyable.
The Slyther of Shoreditch: Again don’t have much to say on this one, but quite enjoyed it.
We Can’t Stop What’s Coming: EDA COMPANIONS MY BELOVED. HII FITZ WELCOME BACK I MISSED YOU <3. My EDA Bias aside, this was just lovely, as somebody who really is enjoying the Ride of reading EDA Books, I will crave any new Material with Companions like Fitz or Trix. Just a lovely sweet one, nothing much else to say besides 8 Fans stay winning 
Decoy: Solid War Doctor Story, not much to say, I liked it a good chunk but it doesn’t rank as highly as many other Stories from this Collection.
Grounded: Was surprised by it a Clive Finch Story, not that I am complaining, just kinda surprised. Not sure if I was fully sold on it, really don’t have many Thoughts on that, if I am being honest.
And to finish it all off..
I read Turning the Tides…
It wasn’t very good. Don’t read it, just skip it, everybody!!
4 Likes
No, don’t skip The Turning of the Tide, everyone must go through the pain I went through
3 Likes
It is not that bad. There are far worse stories in the Whoniverse!
3 Likes
Any examples?
Find Lilith?
5 Likes
Oh, no doubts, but I think Turning the Tides does something even worse: It’s very boring (in my Eyes)! And sometimes boring can be much worse than something being just bad (in my Opinion)!
Oh yeah
1 Like
Wait The Turning of the Tide isn’t a masterpiece? 
2 Likes
All of K-9? 
4 Likes
I’ve only read two stories in this set, “Grounded” and “Interstitial Insecurity”, but of course I have to hype up the one written by my husband. I think it would lend itself well to a live action (short episode) format, or an animation at the very least.
2 Likes
Always been curious about buying this but never knew much about it
1 Like
I really enjoyed that one.
Colin writee very lovely prose
3 Likes
You should get it just for The Turning of the Tide /j
It is a really nice anthology.
The short stories, all written by people involved with Doctor Who in some way, are a mix of sequels, prequels, and gap-fillers.
It’s just a very fun mix of stories.
3 Likes
Yes, one usually has to ensure they have a dictionary on standby when reading his writing! I love it though. He teaches me a lot.
2 Likes