Dragons' Wrath

Book review by Paul Scoones

Bernice, Irving Braxiatel and an archaeological mystery in which historical fact has been distorted for political gain - the ingredients that made Richards' first novel Theatre of War such a great book are revived here, and although perhaps for being the second time around, the result isn't quite as satisfying, Dragons' Wrath is still a good read.

This novel could almost have been a Doctor Who adventure - some of the earlier New Adventures featured the Doctor in a shadowy, background role, and Richards' character Braxiatel performs much the same part here. Indeed it is possibly not entirely coincidental that he is a Time Lord, although of course Virgin are now forbidden to identify him as such.

Advance reports on the Doctor-less New Adventures described Bernice as taking on 'Indiana Jones in space' style adventures. This label hasn't exactly fitted the series so far, although Dragons' Wrath is perhaps the one exception. [3/5]