Big Finish relaunch Benny, using the tagline that started it - "Science fiction has never been this much fun!" - but does this best describe the book?
The Linking Material:
Written by Paul Cornell, the linking material fulfils it's purpose of tying the stories together through a silly storyline featuring Benny and two Bounty Hunters. Sometimes brilliant, but mostly groan inducing, it is probably the low point of the book.
5.5/10
A Question of Identity:
Benny tries being a serious, professional archaeologist and doesn't like it. Caroline Symcox's story is full of enthusiasm from a new writer. The story flows well, tying together Benny's story with a story of thievery at the Collection. A light-hearted, fun start to the collection.
7.9/10
Steal from the World:
Kate Orman retells the story of Benny on Capella Four for the first time, expanding on the story of Benny's survival tying it with the story of Benny's return to the planet to discover it's secrets. Well written, with a good twist, this is one of the better stories in this book.
8.7/10
The Light that Never Dies:
Benny helps Brax catalogue his film collection and makes a disturbing discovery. Eddie Robson's story about an energy being being forced to relive the moment of its death again and again is touching and inventive, both in concept and execution, this another of the better stories in this book.
9/10
Heart of Glass:
A disturbing story from Daniel O'Mahony about acompany stealing DNA from it's clients. Dark and mournful, but incredibly well written, is another highlight in this short story collection.
9.3/10
The Monster and the Archaeologists:
A story about rivalry between archaeologists is what this story boils down to, but Kathy Sullivan's story is very entertaining, introducing some characters I would like to see more of in the future.
8.7/10
Step Back in Time:
Matt Jones once more tells a story based around the theme of love and betrayl with a smattering of time-travel mixed in for good measure. The character of Porl is both tragic and villianous, looking to correct the mistakes of the past, but Benny stops him. Another winner.
8.9/10
The Christmas Spirit:
It's Christmas time at the Collection and Braxiatel is having a traditional Christmas, but there is tragedy, with the death of a student. Cavan Scott and Mark Wright's story is about dealing with grief, and guilt, as Benny is confronted by an apparition of Jason. Unique and refreshing.
9/10
The Door into Bedlam:
A vision of Jason after holding a "joining stone" leads Benny to the planet of Goron IV and its people, while Jason
"volunteers" to be an experimental subject in interdimensional travel. Another zanyily told story from Dave Stone, very entertaining, making want to see more of Jason.
9.4/10
The Least Important Man:
Benny is taking a lecture about Gavin Oliver Scott, a man from the twentieth century whose body has been found preserved in mud when she and he realises that something is happening: she has an influence on his life, which shouldn't be possible... Steven Moffat's story is delightful, one of the best stories in this collection. My only gripe is a lack of differentiation between fonts in one part of the story, which makes it difficult to follow some story threads.
9.6/10
Digging up the Past:
Benny's life is about to become a television series, and when Benny discovers she has inadvertantly agreed to the terms and conditions of the contract, Benny does some research into the head of InterMedia, one Layla Field. Mark Michalowski has written what I consider to be the best story in the collection, due to the prose style, story and excellent characterisation. More from this man please!
10/10
A final wrap up of the book. A nice, interesting introduction to Benny and her new world, my only big gripe being the lack of a contents page. I for one am looking forward to Benny's next adventures.
FINAL SCORE: 8.7/10
Next time: Benny arrives at The Braxiatel Collection...