Most Recent NetFic Reviews

This contains the 40 most recent reviews, for those who want to see what's new. They are listed in reverse date order (though the oldest date section may not contain all the reviews which were done on that date).

3rd June 2010

Singing in the Sun (1) Singing in the Sun (Tolkien)

By Kielle
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (1)
(21K)

Summary:Alternative universe: Eomer accompanies Boromir on his search for the legendary Imladris.

Even though this was recced, I hadn't expected to enjoy it as much as I did. This adds more depth to the characterisations of both Boromir and Eomer; pointing out things I hadn't thought about, but ring true. I love the touches like Eomer singing from a saga to point out that not all knowledge is kept in scrolls.

Friends Like These (Highlander)

By Mogwai Do
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(12K)

Summary:A Quickening and a couple of almost innocent bystanders.

Vivid picture of the disaster area after a quickening, plus some great Joe and Methos interaction.

Heart Over Mind (Harry Potter)

By Regann
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (3)
(1020K)

Summary:Something odd about Hermione causes her to have unexpected reaction to a love potion. Only it's one which no one expected. How could a lack of reaction cause so much trouble? AU to Books 5 and 6.

Despite the intriguing premise in the first part, I found this story hard to get into; it wasn't until my third attempt that I got caught up in it. But once I did, I really liked it. This is the kind of SS/HG romance I like: slow-growing, friendshippy, angsty, a path to true love that does not run smooth, but not because the protagonists are being idiots, either. Snape is his snarky and sarcastic self; Hermione is as book-loving, perfectionist and driven as ever, but, thank goodness, not a Hermione-Sue. This fleshes out her background with some well-rounded and engaging portrayals of her parents and grandparents.

Another thing I like about this is that it doesn't end with the mutual declaration of love, but also with the fallout, since few of Hermione's friends would actually like or even accept the idea of her and Snape.

4th March 2010

Everything I've Ever Done (1) Everything I've ever done (Harry Potter)

By Duj
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (1)
(284K)

Summary:There were likely to be enough cross words when they finally met. For seven years of his teaching, Hermione had had nothing but cross words from him... Life was a puzzle sometimes.

One of the things that impressed me about this story is that this Snape is prickly, difficult and hard to know, and he remains prickly, difficult and hard to know, even when he and Hermione slowly fall in love with each other.

Another thing that is fascinatingly different about this story is that one can measure their initial attraction even before they know it themselves, not by obsession or words of love, but by how they unintentionally hurt each other with careless words, because what the other person thinks matters to them, when before, it didn't.

For Hermione, unearthing the layers of Severus Snape is like finding a crystal ball in a field of nettles; things become clearer, but they hurt while they do so. Things are never as black-and-white as she thought they were when she was a child.

Sometimes the story is a bit hard to follow, as the story isn't always linear. Still worth it, still very good.

Buffy Carter (1) Can I Keep You? (Stargate/Buffy)

By Jedi Buttercup
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(13K)

Summary:After killing Angel, Buffy runs to Los Angeles... but she doesn't stay there.

I'm surprised I hadn't reviewed this before, when I first read it. This takes an intriguing what-if, and sketches what might have happened. I love the characterisation of Buffy and Samantha here, both unsure and hopeful.

3rd March 2010

The Jewel In Heaven's Eye (Star Trek: The Next Generation/Highlander)

By Icarus Chained
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (1)
(54K)

Summary:An empath, and an Immortal leaving Earth for the first time.

This draws vividly on Troi's empathy, on the deepness of the feelings of the Oldest Immortal, how he is old and yet as open to wonder as a child. A lovely, beautiful story.

Have You Ever (Harry Potter)

By Lady Moonglow
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(1033K)

Summary:With the war looking bleak, the Golden Trio, Ginny, Draco, and Lavender go back to Tom Riddle's 7th Year to destroy Lord Voldemort once and for all. What Hermione DIDN'T count on, however, is a shared common room, a curse, and a little thing called love.

The premise is intriguing, the characterisation is good, the plot hangs together. This gives us a retcon of Tom Riddle's character: amazingly plausible reasons why what we thought we knew about him (before HPB) wasn't the whole story.

However, it is a first draft, and an incomplete first draft at that. It desperately needs a thorough rewrite and a Britpicking. Which isn't going to happen. The potential is there for it to be a very good, even excellent, story. But as it stands, it is mediocre. If you're not the kind of person who gets the urge to take out the red pen when reading, you might enjoy it, especially if you look at one of the fan-made trailers for it first. Otherwise, avoid it, it will be too frustrating.

My Immortal (Buffy/Doctor Who)

By Elisi
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (3)
(484K)

Summary:After settling in Rome in 2004, Buffy started dating a man known only as 'The Immortal', and who was - by all accounts - entirely too good to be true. What if one of his other names was 'Captain Jack Harkness'?

This is an intriguing story. I can't speak for how well it fits with Buffy and Angel canon, not having seen the episodes it references, but it does fit in with Torchwood canon. Not that one needs to know that; it's more evident in small references and allusions. The main plot is independent of what happens elsewhere, and the quotes at the start of each chapter help one get oriented.

I loved the characterisation of Jack; not just his thousand-percent flirting machine, and not just his angst for the things he's lost (especially the Doctor), but insights that he really is from a completely different culture, and sometimes it gets to be too much for him, how bigoted and backward humans of this time are from his point of view. Of course, Jack being Jack, I'd rate this "teen" rather than "general".

I liked how it highlighted how much he and Buffy had in common: how they both wanted a "holiday" from their usual lives, how Buffy understood what it was like to be dragged back into life, how they both knew that world-saving can turn into an emotionally exhausting grind that still has to be done, over and over again; that sometimes the best course is to "sieze the day" and not worry about tomorrow. I also liked how they were different, too; complementary; anchors for each other in different ways.

My Immortal (Buffy/Doctor Who)

My Immortal (Buffy/Torchwood)

18th January 2010

Eternal Sunshine of the Scourgified Mind (Harry Potter)

By Solstice Muse
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(906K)

Summary:The trio have defeated Voldemort but paid a devastating price. How can they cope without each other and without any magical memories? AU.

This is an idea which could have been stupid and melodramatic, but the way it is told makes it intriguing, as we are dumped into the middle of events without knowing how they got that way. Despite the distraction of a number of spelling mistakes, it is still very worth reading; unexpected plot twists, original characters that one grows to care about, depths of despair without being melodramatic; love and care without being sentimental.

11th January 2010

The Husband of Shauri (Mummy/Stargate)

By Jedi Buttercup
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (1)
(14K)

Summary:Evie could not be certain, but it sounded a great deal like the Ancient Egyptian equivalent of "Oh, no, not again," which struck her as a rather bizarre thing for a newly awakened mummy to say.

This probably won't appeal unless one has seen both The Mummy and Stargate, but if one has, it is delightfully spot-on with the interaction between Evie O'Connell and Daniel Jackson.

Lilys Charm (1) Lily's Charm (Harry Potter)

By Obsidian Embrace
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(1589K)

Summary:In a story spanning two decades, Lily and Severus attempt to control the powers of the Dark Mark after Lily's life is threatened. Seventeen years later, Harry uncovers a long-buried truth about his parents.

I don't know whether this is considered to be a classic, but it is certainly recced by a lot of people. It deserves it.

This is set after Order of the Phoenix, but integrates information from the later books into the plot. It is AU in more than one way; besides changing events post-OOTP, it also changes Snape's background somewhat; it isn't inconsistent with what we knew about him in earlier books, but it contradicts what we found out later. This makes me wonder if the initial part of the story had been written before the later books came out. It would have been difficult to change the plot at that point, since Snape's background provides character motivation which was vital in making his and Lily's actions unfold the way they did.

Unfortunately, the difference in background, as well as what Severus and Lily's relationship really was, that gave me quite a bit of cognitive dissonance when reading the earlier chapters; so much so that I gave up on the story the first time I tried to read it. Fortunately, on the second attempt, by the time I got to Chapter 10, I was more comfortable with the premise. And once I was comfortable, the story got better and better.

There were points in this story which were an awesome angst-fest. Maybe I was just tired, but it made me cry more than once; the love, the hesitancy, the hurt, the fear of rejection on both Snape's and Harry's parts - this was well done. The supporting characters were good, too, especially Remus and Ginny. What was even better about it was that people's relationships with each other were very important to the plot; this wasn't just an excuse for angst or soppiness: the course of the war depended on how these people thought of each other. Another good thing in the plotting was that we weren't told everything; important information came out bit by bit as the various characters found things out.

10th January 2010

Becoming Neville (Harry Potter)

By Jedi Rita
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (1)
(610K)

Summary:Neville's Gran breaks her hip just after his fifth year at Hogwarts, and he must spend the summer with Harry and Remus. They discover a hidden message in the candy wrappers his mother has been giving him, and begin to uncover the mystery.

This is a rare thing: a story about Neville Longbottom, from his point of view. Full of self-doubts and uncertainties, quiet, gentle, overlooked, underestimated, wishing he were brave like Harry. And yet what he needs is to learn how to be brave like Neville.

Neville here is very well written, and his Gran is just right. The author portrays very well how Neville's family mean well, and do care, but at the same time discourage him because of their low expectations of him. Neville's parents are well done; Alice is crazy, but there are sadly poignant flickers of method in her madness.

The other supporting characters get a decent shot, particularly Snape and Lupin.

Then we have the mystery itself; the puzzle pieces fitting together into an intriguing whole.

Harrys First Detention (1) Harry's First Detention (Harry Potter)

By Kbinnz
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(44K)

Summary:AU one-shot about Harry's first detention with Snape. Take one mistreated boy, one misinformed man, mix well and watch what happens.

There is almost a genre in Harry Potter AU stories where the Dursleys are more physically abusive of Harry than they were in canon; enough of them, at least, that the potions-and-snitches site has a keyword for "Abusive Dursleys". Some stories take this to sickening extremes; this is not one of them. What this is, is a Harry-Snape reconciliation story, and I love those.

What is appealing to me about this particular story is how very well the author applies the principle of "remember what your characters don't know"; we have a chain of misunderstandings on both Harry and Snape's parts; but it is all sorted out in the end.

Harrys First Detention (2) Harry's New Home (Harry Potter)

By Kbinnz
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (3)
(1734K)

Summary:One lonely little boy. One snarky, grumpy git. When the safety of one was entrusted to the other, everyone knew this was not going to turn out well... Or was it? Sequel to "Harry's First Detention". AU.

This is delightful. Perhaps it should be subtitled "How To Make Snape Squirm Due To Overly Demonstrative Gryffindors". Lots of fun touches, like the letters Snape mentally composes in reaction to various incidents. And it isn't all sappy sentimentality, not at all. Snape is as snarky and grumpy as ever.

This story makes much more of the Dursley's abuse of Harry in the way that it affects his view of the world and his expectations of adults; such as Harry thinking that Snape is being lenient when Snape thinks he is being strict. One of the things I really love about this is how Harry correctly interprets the fact that Snape punishes Harry for recklessly putting himself in danger as a sign that Snape actually cares. Also the way Harry appreciates what Snape does and doesn't let Snape's grumpiness make him think that Snape doesn't care: actions speak louder than words.

In tone, this is rather light-hearted; even though there are adventures and dangerous things, it isn't dark. Harry here is ickle wee Harry, new to everything. Sometimes I wondered if Harry was being written too young, but it was fun enough that I didn't mind.

Another awesome thing about this story is how Snape is so very Slytherin in the way he plots and engineers things to further his goals in protecting Harry.

9th January 2010

Crafting Pandora (Myth)

By Daria234
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (1)
(3K)

Summary:After the box was opened, Pandora has to live with knowing all the pain and suffering she caused. She goes to the one who made her for help. Soon, she decides she has to do more than sit around feeling guilty.

An intriguing and poignant follow-up to the story of Pandora's Box, which, in some ways, turns the original morality tale on its head (but in a good way).

Conspiracy Theory (Harry Potter)

By Ubiquirk
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(153K)

Summary:Working as the Ministry's new Keeper of Records turns out to be not quite what Hermione Granger had in mind. It's ... well, dull, dull, boring, and possibly -- no, very definitely -- dull. She has a mountain of information at her fingertips -- a log of everything officially recorded in the Wizarding world -- and most of it's, yes, dull. Then one day, a filing cabinet sticks, and her busy brain notices the smallest clue, one that will have her and Severus Snape struggling to uncover a conspiracy that, if true, will tarnish the Wizarding world's golden post-war view of itself forever.

While this was written for the SS/HG exchange, and thus has a Snape/Hermione romance in it, that is almost incidental compared with the central mystery. Which is a very mysterious mystery.

This story has a lot of picturesque details, such as the dull Ministry lunch food, which bring liveliness and immediacy to the story.

I enjoyed the more relaxed post-War Snape we had here; not that he was any less snarky, just a bit easier to get on with.

8th January 2010

Where Bunnies Roam (Doctor Who/Buffy)

By Jinxed Wood
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (1)
(5K)

Summary:A Doctor Who Easter story with killer bunnies.

This is a little gem of a story, with - as the summary says - killer bunnies, and delightful snarkage. It does end rather abruptly, but it is still a great deal of fun.

The Secret of Slytherin (Harry Potter)

By Kirinin
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(1391K)

Summary:Amidst misconceptions and reconciliation, the lines that separate the Wizarding World will be destroyed. Enemies will serve one another as friendships are tested and forged. But first, the Sorting Hat Who Will Not Sort has a message for Hogwarts... Sixth year AU.

There were a lot of really good things in this story, starting with what happened with the Sorting Hat. Mind, there were also some mistakes and inconsistencies which should have been fixed, and a number of events were glossed over and only mentioned after the fact, but the rest still makes up for it.

Draco here is very intriguing; clever in a vicious way, making one wonder at his motives, and what he really wants with Harry. I also like the way Hermione and Ron are portrayed; that Ron can actually be a mix of git and insightful, and Hermione isn't just a walking book. Snape is snarky, clever, manipulative (but of course, a good guy!).

I really liked the whole mystery of the Secret of Slytherin itself; how it was built up, how it both used and subverted canon.

Where Your Treasure Is (Harry Potter)

By Zeegrindylows
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (3)
(2053K)

Summary:SS/HG. Post-Deathly Hallows. Severus Snape survives, only to find himself entangled in an enchantment he never expected.

The first couple of chapters felt a bit clumsy, but I really like how the story developed. The relationship between Snape and Hermione grew slowly and subtly, which is how I like it; plausibly slowly, with dollops of angst and denial.

I am also impressed by the way that, though Voldemort has been defeated, the War is not over, even though the war is won; how the author portrays the trauma and strain that the past year has put so many people under. The supporting cast are well-drawn too, not just Hermione and Snape. They have their strengths and their weaknesses, whether they are heroes or villains. Yes, there are villains; this isn't just a romance; there are evil deeds and deaths and rescues and aftermaths. And, of course, potions.

Dear Aunt Snape (Harry Potter)

By Marginaliana
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (4)
(25K)

Summary:Snape's words reach more people than he'd counted on when he is recruited for The Quibbler's new advice column.

Snape doing an advice column? One can imagine the potential for amusement in this, and the author of this story fulfilled that potential admirably. Snape is in full snark, and the reader also has fun trying to figure out who the different writers to the advice column are. What elevates this above something that's just fun is the last letter; I shall say no more for fear of spoilers.

A Winter's Tale (Doctor Who/Narnia)

By Misura
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (5)
(8K)

Summary:The importance of shoes, socks, scarves and other things.

This is the third story I've read where Susan Pevensie becomes a companion of the Doctor. One would think, therefore, that the idea would become old, or stale, but no, this story manages to be fresh all over again. Part of the reason, I think, is because this Susan is different from the other two; a different characterisation, but still in character. It has the feel of a winter thaw; the slow warming of Susan's broken heart. I like how Susan is Not Impressed, practical and with growing affection, rather like Romana.

23rd September 2009

Chivalry (1) The Guiltless (Harry Potter)

By Branwyn
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (1)
(149K)

Summary:When Harry appears at the Welcoming Feast wearing a glamor only Snape notices, Snape decides to find out what the glamor is hiding. His investigation leads to a number of shocking revelations - both about The Boy Who Lived, and about Snape's understanding of himself. Sixth year AU.

I like this. A good proper Harry-Snape reconciliation story where Snape is snarky and tossing multisyllabic insults, and Harry is resigned and defiant in turns, and yet they still manage to come to an understanding. The style was a bit disconcerting at first - I'm not used to third-person present-tense - but I got used to it.

Chivalry (2) The Poor of God (Harry Potter)

By Branwyn
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(557K)

Summary:After Snape's visit to Surrey, Harry writes a thank-you letter that triggers an extended correspondence and a tentative friendship between the two of them.

I really liked this. Yes, it does have the third-person present-tense of the previous story, but as with that story, one gets used to it. And, yes, the ending was more of an overview, an epilogue; as if the author wanted to satisfy people with what happened next, but didn't want to write another story to do so. So, yes, not perfect, but really good anyway.

This story has awesome Luna as well as more Snape & Harry, with highs, lows, angst, snark, misunderstanding, unexpected insight, unconditional love, self-loathing, injuries, self-revealing nightmares, curses and brushes with death. The characterisation of Snape, Harry and Luna was more than spot-on. There were also flashes of lovely prose.

Mud, Blood, and the Sound of Guns (Harry Potter)

By Chase Glasslace
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (3)
(9K)

Summary:A different war begins. The people want a saviour who'll protect them from bullets and Harry isn't it. "Death Eaters killed eleven wizards this week. The Muggles have killed eighty." (oneshot)

An evocative kaleidoscope of images from a war that might have happened. Bleak, chilling, haunting.

In Your Dreams (Harry Potter)

By Duj
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (4)
(526K)

Summary:She gulped and clenched her teeth. How was she ever going to find the words to tell him his only chance of living through the next three months was - Oh, forget it! No one could be brave enough to tell him that!

Yes, yet another Hermione/Snape romance, and another one where they reluctantly marry, and fall in love afterwards. I like how brave Hermione is, how snarky and sneaky Snape is, how the story is plotty and isn't just about them; there are good parts for Draco and Neville too. I like how the theme of the story is that one person can make a difference even when they don't know they're making a difference.

I'd rate it "teen" for "adult concepts" but there was nothing graphic, more fade-to-black.

(Also archived at http://ashwinder.sycophanthex.com/viewstory.php?sid=15998)

Better Be Slytherin! (Harry Potter)

By Jharad17
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (5)
(953K)

Summary:As a first year, Harry is sorted into Slytherin instead of Gryffindor, and no one is more surprised than his new Head of House. Snape mentors Harry fic.

I had been wondering if anyone had followed up the obvious AU of Harry being sorted into Slytherin; this story got multiple recommendations when I went looking for such a story. It deserves the accolades.

Snape starts off with almost the same unreasonable prejudice as in canon, and thus Harry finds his assumptions about the untrustworthiness of adults to be confirmed, because not only does his Head of House hate him, but being a Slytherin, he gets less support from the other teachers also. Yet Harry still manages to make friends, some of them quite surprising; and those friends, in turn, manage to get Snape to realize that Snape is breaking Rule One of Slytherin: Slytherins are the House.

That doesn't mean that it's smooth sailing, after that, not at all. There are secrets, lies, misunderstandings, threats, fear, nightmares, enemies within, unexpected allies, brushes with death, cosy cups of cocoa, and of course, quidditch. One of the amusing things is the way people keep on chiding Harry for his Gryffindorish tendencies, and that he ought to try harder to be a true Slytherin, rather than running headlong into danger.

This covers the whole of Year 1; though some things only get mentioned in passing, as it's a reasonable assumption that the readers are familiar with canon. The viewpoint alternates between Snape and Harry, and some things that we only knew from later books are shown earlier, since Snape already knows about them.

Note that the author is obviously American, since they use the phrase "Sorcerer's Stone" rather than "Philosopher's Stone", but it's no biggie.

15th August 2009

In Care Of (Harry Potter)

By Fangs Fawn
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (1)
(289K)

Summary:During the summer before sixth year, Harry finds an injured bat in the garden and decides to try to heal it...and an unwilling Snape learns just what kind of a person Harry Potter really is.

You may have noticed that I really like Harry-Snape reconciliation stories. I am delighted to have discovered the site that this story comes from, www.potionsandsnitches.net, which is dedicated to Harry and Snape stories of all kinds. So in amongst that bunch I decided to read this one first, because the idea of Snape as a bat... is irresistible.

I liked how this kept in character for both Harry and Snape; that Snape doesn't want to have to reevaluate his assumptions about Harry, but he isn't going to ignore the truth when he's actually seen it for himself. I like how Harry is just the kind of person who would look after an injured animal, how it makes him feel better to be able to look after someone else when he feels so helpless. I like how this isn't all sunshine and puppies when it all comes out, either. This is apparently part 1 of a two-part story; alas the second part isn't finished yet.

Yet Another Snape Meets the Dursleys Story (Harry Potter)

By Rabbit and V-Jinx-V
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(444K)

Summary:When Snape is called to the Dursleys' by an urgent message, he does not find what he expects to find.

This is good. A mix of the serious and the madcap. On the one hand, we have unexpected understanding brought about by adversity, and on the other hand, we have utterly insane hilarious chaos.

Definition/Revolution (Harry Potter)

By Seren
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (3)
(13K)

Summary:Your revolution will not be started with the words Crucio or Imperio, but with Hey, Parvati, how are you? Neville Longbottom finds his own way to fight back.

A lovely hopeful quiet-hero story. It captures Neville in the best way.

Equilibrium and Evolution (1) Equilibrium (Harry Potter)

By Twinheart
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (4)
(465K)

Summary:When Harry Potter comes to Hogwarts, Snape is forced to reexamine his initial impressions.

I really like this. The change between Snape and Harry is slow and subtle; there's nothing particularly big and dramatic about it, though there are big emotional moments, ups and downs, steps forwards and steps back. Snape is snarky and grumpy and angry; Harry is the wondering wee!Harry we first saw, when everything is fresh and new and full of opportunities. I also like the way we get to see the events of the first year through Snape's eyes, how Snape and McGonnagall have a friendly rivalry and mutual respect, and how both of them start wondering what the heck Dumbledore thinks he's doing.

I'm glad to say that there's a sequel, and sad to say that the sequel isn't finished.

9th August 2009

Journey's End: Take Two (Doctor Who)

By Box in the Box
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (1)
(39K)

Summary:He might deserve to die, but the Doctor still saves him. She deserves to be saved, but the Doctor might still lose her.

This was nominated in the Smith Awards, so I had expected it to be good, but it wasn't.

Reasons why I didn't like this: (1) Lacks subtlety; telling and not showing, and ALL-CAPS emoting. (2) The author portrays execution as something beyond the pale, something that could never ever be justified no matter what the circumstances were. But I disagree with the author's idea of a "just" solution to the problem. I feel that the solution is tantamount to psychological torture, and actually executing the villain would have been cleaner and more just. It wasn't poetic justice either.

Getting the Hang of Thursdays (Harry Potter)

By Hayseed
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(516K)

Summary:A good day goes bad and then gets far worse than Severus could ever have imagined. Again and again and again. Inspired by the WIKTT Time-Loop Challenge.

This story has two endings, a sad ending (the original one) and a happy ending, which the author wrote by popular demand. Originally, I didn't realize that there was a sad ending, because the link on the page goes to the happy ending. But since the file was given the name "22b", I wondered if there was a "22a", and, indeed, there was. The sad ending is a total downer, very bleak, a horror story, an unhappy ghost story. I'm glad I read the happy ending first, and I wish I hadn't read the sad ending at all.

I can understand that the author feels that it is more "realistic", but if I had only read the sad ending, I would have utterly loathed the story. It may be wrong of me, but stories that unexpectedly end in despair leave me feeling betrayed. So don't make the mistake I did; don't read the unhappy ending.

However, with the "happy" ending, I love this story. It isn't a happy ending so much as a hopeful ending, but I like hopeful endings. It's amazing what a difference it makes. So, why do I love this story?

It's a time loop story. I really like time loop stories. It's a time loop story that is more plausible than Groundhog Day; there are reasons for the loop, and, even more interesting, there are plausible physical consequences. The author mentions physics equations in the end-notes, and I'm glad that the author took that much care; it shows.

The characterisation is very good. Not just that the relationship between Snape and Hermione develops very gradually, but their reaction to the horrible situation they are in is very human, swinging from denial, determination, despair, apathy, anger, loss, and back again. The feelings run deep in this; it isn't just a little puzzle, a funny game; there are points of gut-wrenching sadness and tremulous hope; guilt-ridden self-loathing and honourable integrity.

I would like to see what happened next, but given that the author probably wrote the happy ending under protest, that is extremely unlikely.

Old Friends Make the Worst Enemies (Buffy: The Vampire Slayer/Doctor Who)

By Sahiya
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (3)
(27K)

Summary:Giles is having nightmares. But he needn't fear they might come true, because they already have. Spoilers for the end of S3 Who and all of Buffy.

I really do like this; if it was, indeed the case that those steeped in magic had hints of what happened in the Year-that-Wasn't, it's certain that Giles wouldn't let it be, and once he started looking, he has enough connections that he could track the right people down, unlike so many. This is a sympathetic and thoughtful Giles, who turns out to have an interesting number of things in common with the Doctor. I wish there was a sequel.

12th July 2009

Connection (Blake's 7/Farscape)

By AstroGirl
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (1)
(3K)

Summary:Jenna Stannis, meet Pilot

This vigniette is nicely bittersweet; you can see that these two would have quite a bit in common.

Navigable Waters (Doctor Who)

By AstroGirl
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (2)
(25K)

Summary:Post-"Journey's End" story featuring Donna, the Seventh Doctor, and added bonus Wilf; Donna gets something more like what she deserves.

This left me grinning. Sure, there were parts of this that were common to most post-JE fixit stories, but other things that were its own. The Seventh Doctor was spot-on; I could not only hear him, but see him. I wish there was a sequel; the further adventures of...

Unravelling Time (Highlander/Doctor Who)

By Settiai
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (3)
(25K)

Summary:At least one Time Lord was well aware that Immortals existed.

This isn't so much a story as a series of mostly unconnected vignettes; meetings between the (Tenth) Doctor, erstwhile companions, and various of the Immortals that we know and love. This being time travel, of course, the meetings aren't all in the same order. Light-hearted fun.

Voiceless (Doctor Who)

By Veldeia
Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (4)
(130K)

Summary:"What if that thing took his voice with it? What if whatever it did was permanent?" An AU that branches off from Midnight (New Who, Series 4).

Another of this year's tardis_bigbang stories.

This was pretty good. It captures the Doctor's helplessness and frustration, we get a sympathetic portrait of Dee Dee, and Donna is determined not to give up. I also like it as a kind of resolution of some of the things in "Midnight"; that at least one of the people (Dee Dee) was able to make amends. The actual resolution of the problem doesn't 100% convince me, but it 70% convinces me.