The biggest problem is
that there really isn’t much conflict in this story outside of the usual peace
conference going wrong and some slightly interesting espionage bits in there,
it just doesn’t do much to be interesting or even that engaging. What the plot does extremely well is the
historical setting and atmosphere as well as getting Steven Taylor into the
oddities of the past which he doesn’t understand. Even in that there are quite a few problems
as there is Christopher Marlowe being alive even if he was supposed to be dead
and the actual history says that there is no way that is a mistake.
Lane however is brilliant
on how he characterizes the First Doctor and Vicki who are pretty much written
as they were in The Romans. They’re pretty much two best friends mucking
about in history and honestly it is hilarious.
The characters are having this wonderful time figuring out just what is
with the weird murders in Venice and the giant floating city before Braxiatel
even shows up. Now Braxiatel is also
interesting as this novel decides to reveal a few little details from his past
and the Doctor’s past. Vicki is
initially suspicious of Braxiatel because she is reminded of the Monk, but the
Doctor obviously knows and even respects Braxiatel. It is almost implied that they are related by
blood.
It’s really interesting as the Doctor seems to have incited a little
rebellion to encourage people to go travelling in time which is a really
interesting idea.
To summarize, The Empire of Glass on the surface is an
extremely mixed bag with quite a few problems in the fact that it really doesn’t
have a lot of plot to go through, yet tries its hardest to be fast paced. There are quite a few problems in its
supporting cast in the area of execution even though they are really ambitious
ideas. Comparing it to his other work The Empire of Glass is extremely weak,
but it is still pretty good overall.
65/100
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