Subject:      Burning Heart:  Review by the Happy Guy
From:         gaffney@iconn.net (Sean Gaffney)
Date:         1997/01/15
Message-Id:   <5bh6q0$pa0@news.iconn.net>
Organization: i-Conn
Newsgroups:   rec.arts.drwho

Well, this was a lovely change of pace after the dark depression
that was Eternity Weeps.

SPOILERS! for Burning Heart...

Ah.  I love Dave's books, and Colin is one of my favorite Doctors, so I was
really looking forward to this.  And I wasn't disappointed.  Burning Heart is
more serious than Dave's other two Who books, but still has the Dave Stone
derangedness that we love.

PLOT:  Well, I've never read Judge Dredd, so I can't comment on its
similarity.  It clipped along, though.  The groups are presented very realistically,
and it is perhaps easier to see why Peri falls in with one of them.

THE DOCTOR:  Fabulous.  Dave's got Colin's dichotomy down.  There's a
lovely scene where he behaves like a prick towards Peri, then regrets it, and
we see the reasons he behaves the way he does.  Several of the speeches
could not be said by any other Doctor.  Chris, you'll love this portrayal, btw.

PERI:  Very interesting.  She seems to be driven by her emotions in this one,
and has the decency to admit later on that her behavior was entirely her
fault.  The examination of Peri's reaction to the 32nd Century was also
excellent.

KANE:  Yay!  Dave's made my day, after watching the destruction of the
relationship in Eternity Weeps.  Benny Kane's comments on family tradition
were excellent, and his anguish at Chong's death was touching,  Long live
the Kanes/Summerfields!

OTHERS:  Craator - well, others will be able to tell me how much he's like
Dredd.  The villains were truly potty, and one reminded me of Vorbis from
Pratchett's Small Gods.

STYLE:  Brilliant.  Every time there's a serious, depressing bit, you know a
laugh is coming up.  This book *flew* by - the length suited Dave.  And
the moral arguments were well presented without being a lecture.

OVERALL:  Sorry I can't get deeper, but it's just a really enjoyable book.
Even if you didn't like Dave's earlier books, give it a try.  And Colin fans
will love it.  In fact, for the first time since ROTLD...

10/10.

Next:  Well, while I wait for Kate's next book (Kate must be getting bored
with me giving her books 10/10...), I'll try to slog through Twilight.

--Sean Gaffney
--fnerk