Book Review: Doctor Who - The Ruby's Curse

River Song is a very iconic character in the vast, timey-wimey universe of Doctor Who. Her introduction back in 2008 during the Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead Series 4 two-parter was distinctly memorable as we were seeing the Doctor meet a companion from their future. She was witty, clever, courageous and she had this captivating mystery behind her because she knew the Doctor inside and out but he didn't know her. Fast forward to 2023 and the mystery of River Song has all but been solved with her character being regarded as one of the best companions in the modern era. With her story over with though, what opportunities are their to explore further adventures with River Song within this universe? Well, one such example comes from the lady who knows her best.

Titled The Ruby's Curse, this River Song adventure has the notable credit of having Alex Kingston herself as it's author in what is her very first publication. It actually makes quite a lot of sense to have the women who played this character be the author of one of her big adventures because honestly who knows the ins and outs of this character any better? Okay maybe Steven Moffat but my point is that Alex has lived through this character for plenty of years and knows her characteristics and timeline better than most; so she is clearly well equipped to handle a story about her right? Well in regards to getting the character down, yes she does though she does so with a few rough edges on the storytelling side.

The Ruby's Curse is a very layered story which follows Professor River Song as she is writing a Melody Malone story within the confines of her prison cell at the Stormcage Containment Facility. As she get's underway writing about a noir tale of conspiracy, death and theft she soon discovers a new inmate has been brought into the facility and placed near her cell. After enough discussion River soon learns there is a deadly world-destroying device linked to her new cell mate and she inadvertently gets embroiled in a deadly adventure to protect him and destroy this device before more sinister individuals can put their hands on it.

That is a very basic premise right? Don't let it deceive you though because this book is anything but simple. The narrative of this book is incredibly smart and well paced in all the right ways. Kingston not only shows she get's the character of River Song in just a few short pages but she absolutely nails the nature of her storytelling from the show in an expert manner. The format in which the story follows both the noir novel River herself is writing as we well as the actual in-world adventure she is forced to take part in combines seamlessly. There's such a well displayed balance in cohesion and structure leading through most of the book. and the way Kingston ties both of these parallel plots together works in a manner which is not just seemingly Doctor Who, but also River Song!

While I enjoyed the narrative structure for the most part though, it's hard not to feel it loses a bit of traction by the end of the books page count though. In the end there's a lot of moving parts to keep on top of and the story has to do a bit of exposition detailing and back-tracking in order to paint a clear picture for the reader. It's clearly necessary with how much the story juggles with by the end point but if this book had a bit more space to work with by it's end it probably wouldn't have felt as notable.

Something worth noting too is how much of a well toned story this feels like. Doctor Who is a family friendly show but River Song in herself is known for her often devious and sassy endeavours. The fact Kingston fully realises what makes River Song who she is is helped through the utilisation of mature concepts and writing. It adds a clear sense of weight into the events that proceed in this story.

I'd have to case here that Alex Kingston was not just born to play River Song but to also write for her. The Ruby's Curse is a fantastic journey into what is probably a typical day of everyone's favourite time-travelling sociopath. I loved how smart this story feels and Kingston has a really commendable skill set when it comes to writing. I'll be right there if she ever decides to write another escapade for River Song in the future.