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APRIL 2011

Filler filler filler filler

Hunter’s Moon is a good, solid adventure tale. It introduces a new alien species, the Tor-odons - generally well-built, silver-skinned humanoids who have a patriarchal interstellar civilisation. Refreshingly, these aliens are neither one-note goodies nor faceless baddies; rather, they have a range of characters and moral codes - though, admittedly, a lot of them are pretty unpleasant. There are both lawbreakers and lawmakers here. Representing the better end of Torodon society is Kobal Zalu, a former soldier turned police chief, and an old friend of the Doctor (who, incidentally, seems to be revealing more and more old acqu-aintances these days). The novel has an impressively wide cast of characters, not only the Torodons, but humans as well. Early chapters alternate between Zalu’s jurisdiction on a vast space platform on the Outer Rim, and rather less interesting locations on Earth, which do, however, introduce disenchanted ex-copper Harry Mossop, who ultimately proves to be one of the book’s more significant characters.

When Harry accidentally uncovers a people trafficking operation, he ends up in over his head in what is revealed to be a vast galactic kidnapping ring. Not only he, but his wife and teenage daughter, are abducted along with a whole truckload of other humans, and taken to Gorgoror, a former prison colony. Gorgoror, the hunter’s moon of the title, has since been used by a Torodon criminal syndicate as a base for staging illegal, yet tolerated, human hunts. Wealthy Torodons pay through the silver nose to hunt these prey, and as long as no Torodon nationals are killed, the law tends not to bother them. Not only that, but the moon has been stocked with vicious beasts from all manner of planets - there’s even an Aggedor there!

The hunters are a nasty bunch, all told, particularly the leader of the ring, Lord Krauzzen, and his right hand man, the horribly stitched-up cyborg war veteran Zarbotan. The Doctor has to convince them he’s the galaxy’s greatest hunter when events necessitate his joining the hunt. It’s just about believable that he manages this, but it does take some swallowing. Still, he acquits himself well down on Gorgoror, and, although he’s a bit too concerned with preserving the alien animals for his own good, he’s capable of being quite a bastard when he needs to be.

Still, he wouldn’t have had to go there at all, had it not been for Rory. For once, it’s Rory who’s the head-strong, impulsive one here, getting into a high-stakes craps game with a Torodon crim. Out of his depth against the rotten cheat, he ends up wagering the TARDIS; and when he can’t open it, he’s taken as collateral, along with Pond. While she’s put into servitude on Krauzzen’s ship, Rory is forced to take part in the hunt - as a target. Once on the moon, however, he’s pretty impressive, holding his own against the myriad threats and teaming up with Harry to keep as many people alive as possible.

Hunter’s Moon is not the most original or inventive tale the range has ever served up, but after its faltering start, it develops into a fast, enjoyable adventure with plenty of incident, some hissable villains, a few heroes to root for, and even the odd nasty moment.