Subject:      Cold Fusion:  Review by the Happy Guy
From:         gaffney@iconn.net (Sean Gaffney)
Date:         1997/01/04
Message-Id:   <5amavv$3qk@news.iconn.net>
Organization: i-Conn
Newsgroups:   rec.arts.drwho

Well, time for the MA of the month, and it's a corker...

SPOILERS! for Cold Fusion...

This book really needs to be reviewed as both a book and a meta-book.
It works on both levels, quite separately.

PLOT:  Simply complex, it doesn't really seem to play much of a role until
the end.  The way it is solved is a tribute to Lance's understanding of both
the fifth and seventh Doctors.

THE DOCTOR (Davison):  Very much in character, looking bewildered a
lot of the time, yet with the strong moral fibre we know the Doctor has.  We
also see a bit of the reason why so many people tended to die when
Peter was around.

THE DOCTOR:  (McCoy):  Perhaps a little more serious in this book, but
that was to play a contrast to our young, vibrant Doctor.  Not a very big
role, but pivitol, and knows (of course) what's going to happen.

ADRIC:  Smug, annoying, but in three dimensions this time.  Kudos to Lance
for not making him nice.

NYSSA:  Great, paired with Cwej, who she si very sinilar to.  Gets more to
do than most Davison stories.

TEGAN:  Perhaps a little too accepting (it seems as if she's been with the
Doctor longer), but other than that, fine.

ROZ:  Nice contrast to Adric, but doesn't get a lot to do.

CHRIS:  Excellent, doing all of the Chris things, lots of action.  Pairs well
with Nyssa.

OTHERS:  Adam reminded me of John Sessions (as many gits are wont
to do).  The failing romance between Lian and Juno was especially nicely
done.

STYLE:  In terms of actual writing, it was very quick (perhaps a little too
quick), and everything seemed coherent.  In terms of metatext, this is one
of the best in the Virgin line, with refs galore, dropped hints, and a bit of the
Other to boot.

There are so many great quotes I can't even begin to count them.  I loved
"Ive seen Blake's 7", and Adric in the Adjudicator uniform asking how he
looked.

OVERALL:  The book seemed fairly light in terms of actual plot, but the
metatext more than makes up for it.  Cool beans.

9/10.

Next:  Eternity Weeps, and so do I, as Jim Mortimore tortures me once again.
*SIGH*.  I wanna draft of Oh No It Isn't, NOW!!

--Sean Gaffney
--and pretty good cover