The best thing in this issue is the pair of A/C stories by Judith
Rolls. Very nice and almost adult, though of course not explicit.
Nothing else really stands out, IMO, but all the stories are
competently written. "Perspectives" is interesting as it shows the
third-season characters from the viewpoint of a sympathetic
outsider; this is a gimmick that I always enjoy. "In the Name of
Justice" is unusual in that it does not involve any of the main
characters; it explains how Ven Glynd became involved in Governor
LeGrand's plot. "Test of Loyalty" is an interesting view of the
Blake of GP, but I thought the basic plot device (apparently
supposed to be a surprise) was too obvious. The two A-V stories,
"Deadly Illusion" and "Long Odds," don't fit my own vision of the
characters. The former has a very nasty Vila and a very gullible
Avon; the latter puts a Gambit-type plot into the third season,
where I don't think it works very well. I think that once Avon
became the leader he had to behave more responsibly; and besides,
with Blake gone, why should Avon and Vila need to conceal their
schemes? "Retracing the Past" is your basic Mary Sue.
For the TN, no Tarrant Quotient to speak of, except a tiny bit of
Ta-hc in "Long Odds," when an unexpected injury to Tarrant delays
the larcenous plans of Avon and Vila.
Worth it for the Judith Rolls stories alone, if you like A/C. Otherwise, I'd recommend borrowing it from a friend.
Fiction:
Judith Rolls, "Second Chances" (S3, post-Sarcophagus; uc A/C)
Nina Lynch, "Deadly Illusion" (alt-S2; A-V)
Pam Crispin, "Retracing the Past" (S4; A-ocf)
Andrew Phillips, "In the Name of Justice" (S2, pre-Voice; Glynd-LeGrand)
Shaan Everson, "Perspectives" (S3; B-ocm, A-hc)
Gillian F. Taylor, "Long Odds" (S3; A-V)
Kathryn Davis, "Test of Loyalty" (S4; B)
Judith Rolls, "Taking Chances" (sequel to "Second
Chances;" S4, Rescue - S3; A/C, past A/J)
Art:
Kathy Hanson cover A-C
p. 43 Ven Glynd, LeGrand, Nagu
p. 65 A-V; illo for "Long Odds"
p. 72 V; illo for "Long Odds"
p. 77 A-V; illo for "Long Odds"
photo p. 51 B
Last updated on 27th of May 2000.