This novelization is probably, of the four, the one most different from the episode that aired. While Day of the Doctor added some new stuff, it was mostly just asides and rearranged scenes and things like that. With Rose, Russel T. Davies really takes the chance to do a total remix on his original episode, and I gotta say that I honestly prefer this novelization to the actual televised story. Where the TV version was filled with camp and cheap visual effects (mainly due to the budget and the expense of CGI in 2005), the novel feels a lot more realistic and a whole lot scarier. The climax of the novel differs greatly from what was aired. While, in the general sense, it plays out the same way; Autons attack London while Rose and the Doctor work together to defeat the Nestene Consciousness in a sewer beneath the London Eye, the details are radically different. The Auton attack is so much more violent in the novel. Like nearly horror movie levels of violence. There are beheadings, brutal murders, and lots and lots of fear. Things that could never have been shown on TV on a family drama in 2005. The novel really utilizes the Autons to their fullest and scariest effect, and the story is all the better for that.

Several characters get a lot more depth in the novel than they did in the TV version. The prologue is entirely dedicated to a character who was killed offscreen in the TV version; H.P. Wilson, the Chief Electrical Officer in the TV series is now Bernard Wilson, senior caretaker and the prologue gives him an entire backstory before he's killed by the Autons. Mickey's backstory is fleshed out immensely in the novel; it differs somewhat from his televised backstory, but it makes him a lot more sympathetic in the novel than he is in the televised story. Even Clive, the man Rose visits to find out more information about the Doctor, gets a more fleshed out backstory in the novel (and a more heroic death). All the characters feel a lot more three dimensional in the novel than they ever did in the televised story, and this novel really shows off Russel T. Davies' ability for strong characterization.

Honestly, I just really preferred this novelization of Rose compared to the televised version. I think Russel T. Davies is able to improve on his original script in every way with this book. The characters are more dynamic, the Autons are far scarier, and the plot just works better. I wish this could've been the episode that brought Doctor Who back from the dead, but I know it would never have happened if it was as intense as this novel is. Rose really reminded me how good a writer Russel T. Davies is and how good he could be when writing Doctor Who. Too many of his episodes ended up being ridiculously silly and overly sentimental for my tastes, but this book is, honestly, peak RTD writing the best version of his style of Doctor Who he could possibly write. I highly recommend anybody who liked his run on the show pick up this book ASAP. And I even recommend it to those, like myself, who weren't totally in love with his run. I really think this novelization of Rose is worth reading for anybody who likes any era of Doctor Who. ( )

It was the best Doctor Who book I've ever read (though I've read only about 6 of them). The only bad thing was RTD's writing. The plot was good but some of the paragraphs repeated what was already written.
Every character got a punch of back story and it was pretty good. Also Rose wasn't a little bitch here like in TV episode (example leaving Mickey).
The chemistry between the Doctor and Rose was even better than in the original episode. ( )

The Target imprint returns for the new series! Typical quick read. The advantage of writing this so many years after it aired is the little things from later in the run that can be references (time travel after all). Clive's research into the Doctor can now include incarnations past what had aired at the time. Even with all the video alternatives, this is still a great way to revisit old episodes. ( )

This is a novelisation of the very first episode of the 21st century reboot of Doctor Who, broadcast in 2005 and which, like its predecessor Spearhead from Space, featured not only a new Doctor and companion, but also the plastic mannequin Autons and their controlling Nestene consciousness. The story's author was one of the key figures behind the programme's return and here expands very successfully on the script for a 45 minute TV episode, adding great depth to the characters, even relatively minor ones like the luckless Clive. All the same events happen in the same order, with some additional scenes, but the greater depth gives it much more impact. A great read, deliberately designed to echo the original Target novelisations of the 1970s. ( )

Wonderful going down memory lane. This was my first Doctor, although David Tennant will be my favourite, I think. I still remember watching it on TV.
I loved the updated version here, with quite a few nice surprises (including references to the Doctors who came after Christopher Eclstone.)
Knowing what was going on inside Rose's head really helped flesh the character out even more. I'm looking forward to more novelisations... ( )