A psychic distress call leads the Doctor and Belinda to a dying sentient bioship, Adama, whose telepathic screams threaten the lives of a stranded colony and attract dangerous forces seeking a powerful stolen technology. As they navigate suspicious survivors, bounty hunters, and imperial agents, the story explores themes of empathy, responsibility, and the evolving bond between the Doctor and his companion.

Reader Review Summary

Set during the Fifteenth Doctor's era, this novel follows the Doctor and his companion Belinda Chandra as they respond to a powerful psychic distress call that nearly overwhelms the TARDIS. Their search leads them to a distant planet where they encounter Adama, a sentient, telepathic bioship that is dying, and a group of colonists descended from the ship's original crew. The planet is also the site of a long-lost treasure, advanced technology stolen from the Gangnax Imperium, which now threatens to draw in bounty hunters and military forces. As Adama's psychic screams grow increasingly dangerous, the Doctor and Belinda must navigate suspicious colonists, external threats, and the ethical dilemma of saving both the bioship and the people around it before catastrophe strikes.

Readers appreciated the deeper exploration of Belinda's character, noting that the novel provides insight into her motivations, background as a nurse, and evolving relationship with the Doctor—elements that some felt were lacking in the television series. Specific scenes, such as Belinda choosing to dance to recharge herself and her insistence on bringing a medical kit, were highlighted as effective character moments. The Doctor's empathy, particularly in his interactions with Psi and his general kindness, was also praised. The eerie setting, the premise of a dying bioship, and the book's ability to fill in gaps between televised episodes were cited as strengths, as was the subtle inclusion of ongoing series plot threads, like the reference to Mrs. Flood.

Some readers found the story to be standard or middling, describing it as a typical Doctor Who adventure that does not fully capitalize on the potential of the franchise. Criticisms included the Doctor's characterization, with some feeling that the Fifteenth Doctor comes across as generic in this novel. The plot, while serviceable, was seen by some as unremarkable or forgettable, and the antagonists—an imperial force seeking to reclaim stolen technology—were considered lacking in nuance. There was also a sense that, beyond the early chapters, the narrative did not offer much that was new or particularly noteworthy.

The book was published on May 29, 2025, and is part of the Doctor Who tie-in novel range, written by Hannah Fergesen. It is set between the episodes 'Lux' and 'The Interstellar Song Contest' and does not reference events from the end of the most recent TV season. The novel has received 46 ratings and 8 full reviews, with an average rating of 3.78 out of 5. Some readers received advance copies at MCM London Comic Con, and the book is noted for its connections to the wider narrative arc of the current Doctor Who series.