Zeta Major is one of those rare Doctor Who works where the time is equally divided among all the companions and the Doctor. From the beginning of the story until the very end, there is a clear sense of character, of the author's distinct view on Nyssa and Tegan.
The Doctor finds he is suffering from psychic attacks, and to put an end to his agony and to find the cause, he heads to Zeta Major. The citizenry live in a pseudo-Midaeval culture, where religion is paramount, women are cattle and science is frowned upon--save to help the theocratic government build the Torre del'Orro, a tower of energy to save their dying planetary system. The trouble is, the workers are handling anti-matter, and both their work and the government are using it to change them into something less than human. Oddly enough, it seems the faith of these worlds seems to revolve around the Doctor himself! Tegan pairs up with a self-styled revolutionary, the Doctor with a governmental assasin, and Nyssa strikes out on her own as they all try to solve the mystery of this system.
Zeta Major is a well crafted novel, giving each character their due. The Doctor's portions were nicely written, and stayed very true to Davison's Doctor. Tegan came across a bit softer, and generally more likeable than in the series. She seemed more affectionate, more feminine in this novel, and I, for one, enjoyed the subtle shift. But Nyssa was the crowning glory. She was allowed to go on her own, display the intellegence and spirituality she is credited with, and gives the reader a taste of the regal lady she must have been on Traken. Unfortunately, she falls into the Goth Opera trap of changing Nyssa into something substantially out of character and sending her after Tegan and the Doctor. But otherwise, she shines in this novel, and I commend Mr. Messingham for his work with her.
Overall, Zeta Major is a fine work. The view points change with enough frequency to keep the reader's attention, but with a certain regularity to keep continuity. The humor is subtle, but sparkling. A religion centred around the Doctor and Sarah Jane makes me chuckle even now. The sarcasm and wit with which the religious figures are handled is enviable, but however I found some of the passages containing them tedious. There is room for skimming without missing plot, and I cannot say if that is a detraction or no. Mr. Messingham has crafted a good novel, and one that will hold its own under scruitiny.
