By Beth Axford

Bonnier Books, out 13 October

Both a guide to and quiz about your favourite Time Lord…

Time Ladies creator Beth Axford’s debut Doctor Who book is something of a love letter to the series, combining a commentary on six decades of time travelling with a quiz in various different forms. There’s the standard Q and A format, there are multiple choice questions, there are personality indicators, crosswords, word searches… everything in fact that you want to give a fan who’s learning about the show to provide them with information without shoving it down their throat.

Axford’s enjoyment of the show shines through, and there are times it has the feel of a friendly chat between her and the reader, guiding them in the Way of the Doctor (and the Master, the Daleks, and everything in-between). It’s not trying to compete with Jac Rayner’s huge Official Quiz Book from a few years back – this is covering the core bases, rather than getting into the “what was the name of the third extra from the left who’s got their face turned rather than look at Kate Stewart?” level of questioning – but for those who might turn their nose up at such a thing, the questions feel very similar to the level that was applied for the Doctor Who Mastermind special that came out just before the show returned in 2005 (and as one of the contestants I can remember the relief at ascertaining how they were being pitched). If you can get all of these right under pressure, you too could go for Mastermind…

It’s as up to date as you would want – no Power of the Doctor obviously, but Doctor Who: Redacted gets its own question and mention – and is aimed firmly at the TV show, with some recognition given to the extended universe of books, comics and audios. A dyed in the wool fan isn’t likely to learn anything from this, but that’s not who it’s aimed at: Axford, unlike some over the years, doesn’t forget that Doctor Who was created as a show for children and this would be an ideal present for the young fan in your life.

Verdict: An enjoyable romp through the history of Doctor Who. 8/10

Paul Simpson

Click here to order from Amazon.co.uk