When I was in maybe 4th grade, I read some cheesy book about a kid who played a MUD and then got superpowers. Specifically, the power to burn or melt stuff by looking at it. Does anyone know what this book was called? I think the title had something to do with "melting guy" or "burning eyes" or something. The only other thing I (vaguely) remember about it was that I believe the cover had a picture of a guy with his back towards the reader, but looking over his shoulder and pulling down his sunglasses to reveal glowing red eyes. There may have also been a castle or tower on the cover, too.

If it's any help, I think I read it somewhere between '94 and '98.

!!!!!!!!

I found it! I found it!!!! Holy shit!

It was "Meltdown Man", in the "Cyber Zone" series!

God bless you, OCLC WorldCat!

This was the search that finally cracked the case: http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=ti%3Amelt*&fq=yr%3A1990..1997+%3E+%3E+mt%3Afic&qt=advanced&dblist=638

No, I have never heard of that book, but I just wanted to post in this thread to reminisce about how many hours I ran around MUD's wondering if people in rooms were NPC's or real people.

Sorry for the necro, but someone is looking for the same book over at Stack Exchange: http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/153609/identify-a-fantasy-novel-about-a-boy-who-gains-powers-from-his-mud-character

Well that's reassuring to know that I didn't just imagine the whole thing, haha! Also, I like how someone on THAT thread links to THIS one.