The Stone Rose

Review: Jacqueline Rayner's new book

One of a batch of three new hardback novels from BBC Books, we sent copies of Jacqueline Rayner's Doctor Who: The Stone Rose to the Bramley Book Buddies group in Bramley Primary School, Leeds.

Here, the members of the reading group (Jade, Bethany, Emily, Shannon, Beth, Katie and Victoria) give us their thoughts about this new adventure.

What was it about?

Mickey discovers a 2,000 year-old statue of Rose in a museum, so he shows it to her and the Doctor. Rose and the Doctor travel back in time to ancient Rome. Rose makes a new friend in a girl who can see into the future, and soon the horrible secret behind the Stone Rose is revealed...

What was the setting?

All the girls liked the fact it was set in Ancient Rome and found that interesting. Most of them felt they understood the storyline well - reading at age 9 years and above.

What were the characters like?

Victoria especially felt that the Doctor sounds just like he does on the TV, while Jade and Bethany felt Rose was sarcastic but cool. They liked that about her. The other characters were mysterious and well-written, according to the group.

What were the group's favourite bits?

All the children liked the part where the familiar characters first saw the statue in the museum, but Jade liked it where Rose stepped in the "Roman poo" and Katie and Victoria enjoyed it when Rose fainted - it was "dramatic."

What was the group's least favourite bit?

According to Shannon, Emily and Beth there were no boring bits at all! Jade, Katie, Bethany and Victoria would have liked there to be more suspense when GENIE appeared on the scene.

Scores out of 10

Katie, Bethany and Beth scored it at 10; Emily and Jade scored it at 9, and Victoria and Katie scored it at 8.

With thanks to the Bramley Book Buddies and their teacher Yvonne Wolstenholme.

Send us your comment now. We'll publish the best on this page.

liverpool rocks
i learnt the book by heart from cover tho cover, and did an english project on it...I got top marks!! all my mates reads the book, and all 5 of us loved it, there was never a boring bit!! so 100/100 from liverpool!

B. Harvey
only one word for it... FANTASTIC! I think the book was brilliant, gripping, I couldn't put it down (slightly confusing with the GENIE but FANTASTIC!) The part with the Doctor in the arena - scary. I loved it. Well done Jacqueline Rayner! It would be an awsome doctor who episode! Well done

Liam Hickey
I have been a Doctor Who fan for 4 years and I will continue to keep on watching the programme and collect the books etc. I would say that the stone Rose is allright for learning stuff but no action. I like explosions, killing, Sci- Fi. But when I read the first few lines I thought oh no this is going to be boring and what do you know it was. You don't need to be a Prophet to know that but in a overall score I would give it a 4\10.

Jack
A good 8 out of 10 Good story but could have been a bit scarier Colloseum bit v.v.good

Patrice Breanne Alexander
I really liked it! Although I am kinda burt out on the Roman Ages, but it was refreshing to think of the Doctor in that time. If I had to rate it 1 to 10, I would say 8 out of 10. Fantastic!

B. Harvey
I think it was the best book so far. Clever and fantastic plot! Exciting, funny, moving and deffinatly gripping thats what Doctor Who is all about!

Ciara
I agree with Steve Smith Jacqueline Rayner writes the best books ever and just has to be asked to write for the show!!!

Abbie O'D
This being the first Doctor Who book I've ever read, it was FANTASTIC!!! The best book EVER! The only thing was the Doctor dressed up as a roman but usually he is in his pinstripe suit. hmmm...

Rach 13
BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!! As good as the other ones and it would easily make a episode. (if you got back Billie!)

finlay leslie
I loved the book one of the best so far. As soon a I read the the book i wanted it to be shown on TV it's that good. Im reading it again and Im on page 190 somethin'. i would give it a 200.5 out of 10 LOL

Jade (15)
The doctor is as brilliant in the books as he is on tv. I am totally obsessed with him. 10 out of 10. xxxxx

Emma Du
A brilliant book!! Jacqueline Rayner is a great author!!!!!

Alex T
wicked book loved it

Adam
The sort of story that if produced on TV, it would make the BBC bankrupt because it would need such a huge budget!

Jenny Sweeney
I loved this story. It was very interesting and I could imagine it very vividly-almost as if I were there! It would be a great episode storyline!The doctor's character was captuerd very well. A good, satisfing ending.I also liked vanessa's character.

Steve J
This is a funny and well written book should be made in to an episode 10/10

ashley mcloughlin
i realy enjoyed stone rose. i thought it was an excellent book, but sometimes it was hard to imagin the seen

Adam Thorley
I thought it was a great book and is the best i have read so far

Victoria
Overall good, i loved the GENIE and the secne in the ampitheratre is excellent. Some of the lines were worthy of RTD but it did lag in places but overall a thoughly enjoyable story.

The Doctor
What a fantastic story, I stayed up all night reading it!

bethany
I collect doctor who books and this one was brilliant it took round about five days to finish it i could not keep my eyes off it igive this book 100/100 never mind 10/10

Jeff Buck
Great book. Definately worth reading! 10 out of 10

steven jaap
I love the book and i had just been to rome so it was more intersting

Jack bool
This book was Fantastic! I wish it was on telly as an episode. Having a genie in it was a great idea. So clear off Jk Rowling. Doctor who books rule!

Miles kingsley
As I was reading the book on holiday in a huge cheateu in france I just felt as if ide benn sucked into the book.This was a very funny book and I especially enjoyed the part when mickey was annoyed rose wouldnt model for his friend and is a roman statue. A very enjoable read for the doctor and rose 10/10

Miles Kingsley
Your book is great I love it. I am a hardcore fan of the show and if i could ever meet rose and the doctor I would .I love the first couple of Chapters up to three,they are my favourite chapters they are so well described and very funny Jacqueline your a great writer For the Docter and rose 10/10

Sarah
I first got the audio book, which didnt have the whole story, then i saw the book and got that to complete the story. It was BRILLIANT. I loved it. Definitely 10 out of 10.

Mary Lou Rath
I read the book while stranded in the middle of no where camping and basically devoted my entire forced family vacation day to it. I really couldn't close it, literally! I like the way Jacqueline Raynor describes the Doctor's actions and emotions and would like an answer as to how she thought up the brilliance of the GENIE character! You bet I'll be reading any other Doctor Who book she decides to write!

Stuff of legends
I dont read alot of books now but this one is good. very good. Im using it for my higher english personal study! i think its the best of the new books, thats the 9th doctor ones aswell. 10/10

Lauren
I decided to buy the stone rose cos I love the doctor who episodes. I loved it so much, I brought another doctor who book! 9 out of 10!

Bec Fatharly
I thought that this book was fantastic! Jaqueline Rayner is a really cool author. The setting of this book reminded me of one of my favourite films. (Gladiator)

imogen
Stone Rose was the best book i have ever read i can't put it down!!!!

Laura
I found the story a little hard to follow, especially nearer the end. I enjoyed the book because it could be funny and I found it hard to put it down. For me it was a very good book, I read it in a day so I will give it a 9/10.

Emz
wicked book i really enjoyed it but a bit confusing in places

Bethany (12)
I loved this book, I think it portrayed the Doctors and Rose' characters perfectly. My fave bit was when the Doctor was put in the arena with all those animals! I think what he did is exactly the sort of thing he would do in that situation. As well as exiting i also found it an emotional and moving story (and funny at times too!). 10 out of 10!

Kerry
I would love to see this book being made into an episode/film of Doctor Who. I have read it a lot of times. Massive Doctor Who fan. I would give this a nine out of ten

Bona wang
I thought it was great,the funny bit was when Rose wished for the Doctor's nose to be green.

Dr Who's biggest fan!!!
I think this is the best Doctor Who book out of all of the ones with the second Doctor. Being a big fan of it i have read the book at least 10 times and i am reading it again. i would recommened it to anyone over the age of 10. It is brilliant!!!

FGA
Every Dr Who writer in our time is amazing, but Jaqueline Rayner goes one step further. Whilst Stephen Cole makes his stories full of drama, Justin Richards makes his stories full of myserty, and it's not until the end we find out what's the truth, great twists! Jaquenline Rayner writes just the the tv show, and I loved this book so much, definitley a 10 out of 10!

Carl Millington 14
Amazing, the characters were exactly like on TV, the story was really exiting and there were a lot of surprising and funny parts

James Ogley
The Stone Rose Is An Excellent Book Recommended To All Ages. For Me It Was A Bit Of A Short Read But I'm A Quick Reader. 9 Out Of 10

Matthew Balne
This is the best Doctor Who book of them all. Jacqueline Rayner certainly knows how to capture the mind and enchance the reader! I love how they found a statue of Rose in a London Museum that claims to be 2,000 years old. What fantastic ideas this author has in mind. The story line was exceptionally brilliant, and I would never tire of reading it again and again and again. I cannot wait to read Jacqueline Rayner's next Doctor Who novel!

Nikita Clesby
I loved this book sooo much. It would of made a good episode with David Tennant and Billie Piper playing the parts, i could picture them doing it. I really liked the bit where The Doctor 'grabbed Rose into a kiss of pleasure and Gratitude of being alive'. I really enjoyed this book!!! It was well wrote!!

Emma
I love how the Doctor and Rose's relationship is explored in this, and I love love love the crossing of each others paths, it excites me!

Eoin McAndrew (12)
I've gotta say, the ideas are good, but the overall writing was absolutely brilliant, Rayner has the ability to captivate a reader like no other Doctor Who writer.

C.J. Mc Girr
I am reading the book, and so far it is facinating, brilliant, and most of all, it is the only book that make me want to read on, it is a great book and i hope every DOCTOR WHO fan has got it, i highly recommend it and i would give a rating of 10/10

Chris Hand
this is the best doctor who book i've ever read! it's funny ,exciting ,thrilling , and very clever. where does Jacqueline Rayner get her ideas they are unique! can't wait for her next one!

Michelle,, from Norway
OMG!! I just read the book and it was brilliant!! The hole book exiting never a dull moment. My favorit part was when the doctor was in the colluseum! I loved the book!! although it might not be the same as a TV show,, It was a really REALLY great book and I hope she writes more of them.

Caitriona
It was awsome. The plot was fanstatic. I couldn't put it down. I really love historical settings. I would give this book a 10 out of ten. The Doctor really was like the Doctor on t.v.

Tom
This book is one of the best.It got better and better as it went on

Eryk Rose (17)
The GENIE bit was a little confusing... It definitely makes you think!

samuel(9)
loved it

Rose
i really loved this book i just sat there reading non stop i like that bit when the doctor goes crazy tryin to find rose then i lent it to my mate and her fave bit and mine to was page 215 right at the bottom i rote it down and in class i fell about laughin if enione said rose

Emma Eustice, 11
i think this is the best doctor who book! i bought it last week and read it in 3 days. As i mainly read it at bedtime, when it came to lights out i didnt want to put it down so i used my torch! excellent book, definite 10/10!

Ruth
Ummm, well my mum took it off me because i wasn't sleeping. It was FANTASTIC

Jodie Vallance
I found that the book was a thrilling tale and kept me entranced wanting to read it tio the end and more! It is so exiting and i can not desipher a favurite part at all as it was equally as amazig all the way through! A total 10/10!!!

antonia halsey
i loved this book from the start it was intriging and exciting whilst a rollar coaster of emotions for the doctor and rose 9/10

yuin
supersupersuper! GENIE was excelent! 10/10

Amy mcinulty
I love all the dotor who books.But the stone rose is the best by far.It was fantastic

liverpool_rool_2k6
It was brill! I couldn't put it down!

Paul Rawling
I enjoyed this despite the crazy time paradoxes which is something Doctor Who usually avoids. Well worth a read and a lot of fun.

Michael Jeremous
it is the best book I have ever read, it paints the picture in your mind like a profesianal artist.

Luke Smith
I thought this book was excellent.Jacqueline Rayner did everything perfectly.The stone Rose should definitly appear on the tv show.9 out of 10!

sean crofts
The book is very good and its the my favourite out of all of them i've read and that only leaves only human. It drags on a bit from where they spot Ursus in the room through a crack. But it was a very good book overall. I give it 9/10

Sam
I read this book in two days. I really liked it, definetely number 1 out of all the ten books i've read. Well done Jacqueline Rayner

Rachel M
I love the new Doctor Who book it was great when I stared to read it I had to finish it.I hope there is loads more Doctor Who books on there way cause I will be getting them and I am sure a lot of other people will be to. I give Stone Rose a 10/10.

Emiloy
The Doctor in a Toga? How could this book not have been fun to read!

Heather
Never a dull moment with the Doctor and Rose portrayed perfectly! Hillarious! Jacqueline Rayner can write the best books- first Winner Takes All and now The Stone Rose!

fishyphil
Just wanted to balance this out by revealing my complete and utter horror that this hackeyned work was ever released. GENIE indeed. Terribly written, terrible story and a terrible conclusion. Sorry, just not my cup of tea.

Ezzi
The Stone Rose is brilliant! the fanatastic author also wrote Winner Takes All which is the best 9th Doctor book by FAR!!!!!!!!!!

Jessica Sayer
It was great. I kept on hanging on my seat and wondering about the end. it would be great if it was on screen. I would like to see the GENIE. it was great how they related it to history. I would give it 9 out of ten.

Kimberley-May Colbert
I have just finished reading "The stone Rose" and I think it hast to be the best book I have ever read! I loved the end when Rose said "where did that statue come from?"and the Doctor said "I made it" I found that very cool! Well done Jacqueline Rayner! Keep it up!

Jack
This book is so much easier to read than others like The Deviant Strain and Only Human - And I loved her last book, Winner Takes All. We need more Rayner now - on TV too.

S Taylor
I read this book in two days, it is excellent definetley number 1 out of all the ten books I've got. Well done Jacqueline!

isi
iloved the book and i tried to write my own but it was rubish so i stopped part way through.

Yasmin
I have read ' The stone rose' and thought it was brilliant, plenty of action and drama but at the same time packed full of laughs. I loved it.

Tom (14)
I thought the book was great- some funny lines by Rose and The Doctor, action from the Roman arena, and some confusing-yet-superb time travel twists. Great idea of th GENIE too.

Rebecca
I really liked Vanessa, she is such a sweet girl and the Doctor in the arena... terrifying! Loved the book!

Megan
I like it when Jacky said "Don't tell me I gave birth to a god!" and when rose hugged the Doctor

Steve Smith
Stone Rose would slip easily into the TV series. Very pacey and very funny. Another corker from Jacqueline Rayner! She beats the pants off the other Doctor Who novel authors. She MUST be asked to write for the television show!

David Bagley
This book started out well if a great idea worthy of the new series of Doctor Who. However as the story progressed it became more nonsensical and worse than some of the flops from the eighties. I give it a 6 out of ten.

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