2008-04-07 Upon Reflection...

"Martha In The Mirror", as a short novel/book (Only 244 pages) makes for a quick read. Which isn't that bad.

Justin Richard's depiction of the Doctor and Martha are spot on and move the plot along at a suitable pace. He really seems to capture the essence of their relationship together and shows this through the comedic banter between them. Clearly utilizing the fact that the reader knows who the Doctor and Martha are and have experienced their adventures before.
The at times 'Bouncy' story plays on some simple themes; The need and fear of War & Peace, the differences in cultures and the struggle of the young coming to turns with loss. But perhaps bogging down one over the other, as i felt the plight of the young girl Jana was more memorable because of the mystery surrounding her and her heartwarming resolution.
The use of the mirror as a dramatic device, often over-utilized in Sci-fi/Horror genres, seems to take a back seat to the actions of the supporting characters. Who in themselves seem under-described and lacking detail compared to other works in the Doctor Who series. But the mixture of description and narrative seems just right to let the imagination of the reader fill in the blanks. A lot of the important back story is covered when the Doctor finds and reads a diary written by another character, allowing the reader to form a fuller mental picture.
The few moments where the story takes on more confusing twists, is where Richards tries to describe the 'Mirror World". Having to re-read several sections myself, like this, to be sure as to who and whose reflection is doing what, was slightly distracting but really didn't detract from the page turner it turned into.
All in All, 'Martha In The Mirror' was a wonderful way to spend a long weekend, in-between cups of tea and other distractions.
In my opinion, as I was expecting a story of doppelgangers and ,the albeit cliche, 'Evil twins' (Another Sci-fi classic), This was a pleasant surprise to be pleasantly surprised.
If this was 100 pages longer, by adding more descriptive detail and extending the basic plot of the peace conference, this might not have been such an enjoyable read.