Torchwood: Almost Perfect by James Goss
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.50 You Save: $6.49 (54%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Torchwood: Almost Perfect
Book Review: The Almost Perfect Torchwood Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
I want to marry this book. It's not only a good read in and of itself, but it's fun and quirky just like the show itself. A lot of tie-in novels for TV shows and movies, while they might be well-written, don't seem to capture the spirit of the source material or of the fanbase, but Almost Perfect does both. I get the feeling that James Goss is actually a fan of Torchwood, and I love that he seemed to have so much fun writing this book. This is the first tie-in book I've contemplated buying two copies of - one to keep and one as a loaner for friends. I hope to see more TW novels from Goss.Book Review: Almost Perfect is quite perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
The book was fantastic and engaging and as much as I wanted to slap Gwen all I could do was laugh at her.Book Review: Interesting plot, good read!
Summary: 4 Stars
This book, to put it bluntly, is gayer than Christmas. I found this delightful, of course, but lesser fans (of the not so horrible fangirl variety as myself) might find themselves dizzy after being repeatedly bludgeoned by James Goss' not so secret gay agenda. (Protip: When the terrible alien plot involves marching in the Pride Parade, you do need to stop and ask yourself just how very much your suspension of disbelief can stretch. Mine, where Torchwood is involved, stretches to encompass the whole South Canada Sea, so I laughed, shrugged, and carried on.)
All in all, this book is an excellent read. It's on par with The Twilight Streets, from the fantastic Gary Russell, in terms of characterization and plot. James Goss uses internet networking sites - Facebook, namely - as plot device and brings the ever-popular fandom's 'Five Times' fanfiction to life in print. It's obvious from the way the book reads that James Goss is a fan of Torchwood, which makes the book all the better, written by a fan for the fans.
One supposes that a review also has to touch on the fact that Ianto Jones spends the entirety of the book, save for a chapter-long flashback scene, with (as the character puts it) "a surprising lack of cock." Goss uses this plot device - the old science fiction stand-by of a supposed body swap, taking a male character out of his element by changing his sex - with expert grace. From Ianto's perspective, one can really imagine what it's like for a man who spontaneously wakes up as a woman, complete with hormonal changes and the scary prospect of being stuck. The author explores this strange situation in typical Torchwood fashion, without lingering on the strange and unusual, but also giving the character an edge of humanity as he deals with it.
That said, I'd definitely recommend this book to fellow Torchwood fans. It's an accurate representation of the characters as portrayed on television, a wonderful companion novel, and great read. James Goss shines brilliant and does the show great justice. :)
Book Review: Almost perfect indeed!
Summary: 4 Stars
OMG. Captain Jack being himself, Ianto Jones transformed into the `perfect' woman, Captain Jack, lots of gay sex, and (did I mention?) Captain Jack. If you're even a casual watcher of Torchwood, then you have to pick this book up! I stumbled across it in a bookstore one weekend, then ignored everyone and everything around me as I devoured most of it on the train ride home.
As the book begins, we learn that Ianto Jones has awakened with a gap in his memory, no clothes, and the body of a `perfect' woman. Thanks to the alien device responsible (no spoiler here - this is Torchwood, after all), he is physically perfect. Mentally and emotionally, however, he is still the same shy, awkward, loveable young man he's always been. He has to learn how to walk, how to dress, how to talk, and how to respond to the opposite sex. His struggles and grudging acceptance of the situation are beautifully handled, complete with generous doses of humour and sweetness.
Meanwhile, single men are disappearing from speed-dating nights all over town, victim of another `perfect' woman. How she became so perfect, and what's happening to her unfortunate dates, is all inextricably linked to Ianto's situation - if only he could remember his last night as a man.
On top of all this, the solution to all of Cardiff's problems involves Captain Jack literally diving into the gay community, which itself has become strangely `perfect' over the past year. I won't go into too much detail here, but the scenes at the gay dance club are absolutely priceless. The ending gets a little dark, but Torchwood is all about the interplay between light and dark, good and evil, hope and despair.
Well-written and thoroughly entertaining, this is not only a book that lives up to its promise, it's a book that lives up to its inspiration. James Goss completely captures the tone and spirit of the TV show, and I cannot wait to see what he does next. Absolutely recommended!
Book Review: Better than I thought
Summary: 4 Stars
This was more interesting than I originally thought. The story line itself was intriguing though there were several points, as the story went on, that should have been clearly stated than just assumed. This happened in the last chapter as well and was extremely confusing. The character, Ianto, seemed to be completely fitting and though many have said he was seen as a little too emotional, I thought it was quite refreshing.
And while this isn't so much as a review for the book itself, I missed the dynamic of Owen and Tosh being active. This is definately something that should have happened while Owen was around.
Essentially: Well written, but a few loose ends should have been tidied up and/or stated more clearly.
For all the Janto fans: while there were glimpses of the couple there wasn't as much as you'd think.