XmagicalX

Author at XmagicalX and G9's Sentinel Fanfic http://www.xmagicalx.net/.

Confidences (Stargate)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 1st October 2001 (27)

This is a post-episode story, set after the episode "Absolute Power" so it won't make sense unless you've seen the episode. I really like this. It's a good solid (angsty smarmy) character-ful conversation (between Jack and Daniel). Of course, if you have an aversion to dialogue-only pieces, you might not be able to sit through this -- your loss. Only one little niggle: Anthropology is supposed to be subjective -- though most people don't know that, so it's a forgivable niggle.

Irreplaceable (Stargate)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 2nd May 2004 (5)
Tags: Novelette
(82K)

I've been meaning to review this one for a long time. The summary says: "Daniel must negotiate with a very alien race while the lives of SG-1 hang in the balance." The summary is an understatement. The amazing thing about this story is that the situation plausibly forces Daniel to bare his soul in order to save the others' lives, rather than it being OTT unbelievable stuff. And naturally much angst is to be had.

This story was nominated for multiple awards in 2002 and 2003 Stargate Fan Fiction Awards, and that is no surprise; the only surprise is that it didn't win any of them (sigh).

Take Two (Stargate)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 28th August 2001 (15)

This is yet another Double Jeopardy epilogue (I told you I went out and read a whole bunch!). I like happy endings, and this one was cool! This had a good Jack point-of-view, some good angst (though I found the Carter/Teal'c thing incredible) and some good banter.

Restored

(1) Restored (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 23rd June 2000 (8)

This was good. One of the few Jim-is-dead stories where I wasn't scoffing at the author, saying to myself "Oh yeah, we all know he isn't dead, he'll turn up any minute." The angst here wasn't hysterical melodrama, but old, grey ashes. This didn't have good lines so much as good scenes, good sections and good moments. I think my favourite bit was the scars scene. It was so understated, so much understood without having to be spelled out. I liked that.

This story was nominated in the 2000 Cascade Times Awards and the 2001 Cascade Times Awards in the "AU story" category.

(2) Destroyed (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 23rd June 2000 (9)
Tags: Novelette
(54K)

Though this is ostensibly a prequel to "Restored", since it is set earlier in time than it, it is really better to read it afterwards, for several reasons. This has an X-Files feel, as if told from the PoV of the conspiracy, people who believe that the end justifies the means. Somewhat sympathetically, though the coldness is the more chilling for all that. They're nuts, of course - testing to destruction. This is only bearable if you've read Restored. But my goodness, I really want these guys to get what they deserve - and have little hope of this happening.

(3) Protected (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 23rd June 2000 (10)

This was very good. It could have been done as an X-Files cross, except that if we'd had Mulder and Scully there, then most of the suspenseful paranoia would be gone, because the reader would have known that the Fed agents could be trusted. As it was, we didn't know which way the bread was buttered, and that was good. Hope and heroes against the deep strong darkness. A pity there probably won't be more. Why did I like this? It felt real. The stress, the fear, the nightmares, the hope, the friendship - not melodramatic, just leavened enough. The supporting original characters were well-sketched. I liked the little touches, like the mascara on Lindsey's face.