PhD

(1) What If I Stumble? (Sentinel/Touched By An Angel)

By Laura Picken
Reviewed by Kathryn A on 26th January 2000 (1)

Prequel to Blair Sandburg, PhD.. Good. Reading it for the second time, I see more what the connection between the song of the title, and the story is: both Blair and Jim are walking on tightropes, finding they can't protect the other, saying No more!. Blair runs smack into the dissertation problem: how can he publish his dissertation (or even continue it) without revealing Jim's identity and abilities? And then Blair gets hurt, and Jim, again, worries how he can't protect his partner from the violence of his life. And what have the angels got to do with it? What do you think?

(2) Blair Sandburg, PhD. (Sentinel)

By Laura Picken
Reviewed by Kathryn A on 26th January 2000 (2)

Laura's Alternative Universe solution to the dissertation problem. What If I Stumble? is the prequel to this. Pretty good.

(3) Truth, Justice and the American Way (Sentinel)

By Laura Picken
Reviewed by Kathryn A on 26th January 2000 (3)

Laura's solution to the post-dissertation problem: once Blair has finished his dissertation, how can he keep working with Jim? Sequel to Blair Sandburg, PhD. Pretty good.

(4) Venom (Sentinel/Kung Fu: The Legend Continues)

By Laura Picken
Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th January 2000 (1)
Tags: Novella
(162K)

I had actually forgotten that I had read this one before. I think I found it hard to engage, because I've never seen KFTLC, and couldn't click with those characters.

Addendum: nominated for favourite crossover story in the 2001 Cascade Times Awards.

(5) Blinded By The Light (Sentinel)

By Laura Picken
Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th January 2000 (2)

I have mixed feelings about this one. Continuing on in the author's AU universe, a different way of revealing the Sentinel secret. Seems almost more probable that it would be done by an enemy than by a well-meaning friend; or maybe it's just easier to cope with that way. Anyway, that part was good. However, I'm not comfortable with the Shamanistic stuff when it gets too magical. Call it personal taste. So that was a negative for me. Even though that was a very powerful scene! (shrug)