The FFML Reviews List
=====================
For the week of: July 25-31, 1998
Synopses Reviewed: 27
Reviews given are done by the person listed in soft parentheses above
the review. If you have any comments or criticisms, please direct them
to that reviewer.
Paul <arezina@acad1.stvincent.edu>
Helen <Helen@eiw-ca.com>
Shunsuke <shunsuke@mailcity.com>
* * * * *
[Bubblegum Crisis/Black Widow]
- - - - -
Title: Sabre Black, Widow's Legacy Prologue: Spinning the Web
Series: BGC, Black Widow
Genre: x-over
Author: Jiro Maeda
Email: hiryu@tri-isys.com
Homepage: none
Date Sent to FFML: July 29 1998
Summary:
Nene's Aunt Natasha is dying and she is being sent for... what could
she, the one who is known as the Black Widow, want with the hacker
known as Saber Pink?
{Shunsuke}
As a character examination, this works, but as a prologue, there's
no hint of where it's leading. That's not a bad thing, just an
observation. I am waiting to see where it's going next.
On the downside, this looks like it wasn't given the once-over
before it was submitted. There's a lot of work needed in terms of
formatting, spell checking and synonyms; this reads like a rough
draft, and not a final version. It's a good start and worth
continuing with a little cleaning up.
* * * * *
[Bubblegum Crisis/Highlander]
- - - - -
Title: Storm Warnings - Chapter 3
Series: BGC/Highlander
Genre: Xover
Author: Trboturtle
Email: trboturtle@aol.com
Homepage: http://members.aol.com/trboturtle
Date Sent to FFML: 7/28/98
Summary:
Jason finds a new Immortal and an enemy, Priss rescues a girl under
strange circumstances, and the Hunters move in to kill Jason....
{Shunsuke}
Events here follow a logical and purposeful pattern, with a good
fight scene to boot. Despite my personal non-preference for the
Highlander-TV storyline, this works. One thing I didn't like is
that this was clearly not pre-read or spell checked. Several times
I had to check back to figure out just what the author was saying.
Keep with the storyline, but please invest a little more time in
the style and content of your language.
* * * * *
[Dragonball]
- - - - -
Title: Allegiance
Series: Dragonball
Genre: Alterniverse
Author: Rhionae
Email: rhionae@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Island/3226/fanfics.htm
Date Sent to FFML: 1/8/98
Size: Six parts: 12kb, 11kb, 13kb, 12kb, 11kb, 9kb
Summary:
This is the second story in my set of Dragonball alterniverses,
following on from where What Friends Are For and its sidestories left
off. Trunks and Goten have landed up in a universe where Freeza never
existed. The Saiyajin race is still going strong - and they're about
to conquer Earth.
{Paul}
First... the whole theory behind this is quite interesting. One
assumes Trunks has exorcised his own little demon by now... makes
it much easier. Although I kind of share the feelings of most of
the characters... in that I have no idea what the heck is going on.
The plot is driven by several improbable coincidences and builds to
a climax which is less than impressive, despite the powers involved
in it. This is fine for a serial-type of fic, but this work stands
only very weakly on its own. The writing is good, as is much of the
description, but the story itself seems rather flat. 12 or 13 out
of 20.
* * * * *
[Dragonball/Ranma 1/2]
- - - - -
Title: Not Even You, 7: Goten in love; A princess spurned.
Series: Dragonball / Ranma
Genre: Action/Romantic Comedy
Author: Ronny Hedin
Email: thark@swipnet.se
Homepage: http://nabiki.newberry.edu/thark/fanfic/index.html#notevenyou
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 21:16:40 +0200
Size: 20k
Summary:
Goten has gained Ranma-like fiancee troubles, and in this episode,
Goten falls in love. Of course, not only does this cause several cases
of jealousy; the object of his affection is not your average girl.
{Paul}
This is an odd but strangely natural-seeming fic. Odd that Son Goku
and Saotome Genma should manage to land their sons in similar
situations, ne? Watching the whole thing unfold is part of the fun.
And now that everyone (or almost everyone) has been introduced,
perhaps we'll see a few real hijinks begin. The writing is fairly
true to what little I know of the characters involved, but there's
very little which could conceivably be called earth-shaking. Then
again, it takes more skill to pull off an amalgamation of little
things than it does to pull off one big thing. 13 or 14 out of 20
for a servicable read.
* * * * *
[El Hazard]
- - - - -
Title: Nemurenai
Series: El Hazard
Genre: sad
Author: Emily Siazon
Email: emily9@erols.com
Date Sent to FFML: August 2, 1998
Summary:
Ifurita's thoughts late at night.
{Paul}
"I paced about 'till my motion ran down. Then I talked to myself
until my speech ran down. Then I stood and thought until my thought
ran down." --Tik Tok, transcribed by L. Frank Baum.
This is what might pass for the memoirs of a clockwork doll,
contrasting the total power Ifurita once had with her current
state... and her total helplessness to do anything about it, and
the unbelief which must cross the mind of the one she has waited
for. 9 out of 10 on the short scale... this one pushes a goodly
number of the right buttons.
"This is the way the world ends/This is the way the world ends/This
is the way the world ends/Not with a bang but a whimper..."
--T. S. Eliot, "The Hollow Men"
{Shunsuke}
If the above synopsis didn't say who was the narrator, you wouldn't
know it from the story. This one requires some knowledge of EH that
I don't have, so I can't say much about OOC stuff. But I can say
that this story has a good presentation of a sad end to a
relationship. The wording, the pace, and the feeling are a nice
melancholy that I liked.
* * * * *
[Evangelion/Ranma 1/2]
- - - - -
Title: Past/Future Chapter Ten
Series: Evangelion/Ranma cross
Genre: comedy/action/bit of romance
Author: Long Ngo
Email: Shortyes@aol.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/2881
Date Sent to FFML: 07/27/98
Size: 17.7 K
Summary:
Turning point in Ranma/Rei relationship. Battle with 15th Angel.
{Shunsuke}
The story is good from a relationship standpoint, but there's
nothing that sets this apart from the regular series beyond Rei
gaining some emotions. It doesn't have to be Ranma in there, it
could be *any* character from anime put in there and the story
would be the same. That's not a criticism of how the characters
are portrayed, but this didn't fully use all aspects of Ranma's
personality. I like how the action is described, it works as do
the more mundane events (ie Ranma waking up in bed with Rei),
but I would suggest better using him in upcoming chapters (as
well as plain text versions of your story on your web site).
* * * * *
[Iczer/Teknoman]
- - - - -
Title: Operation: Lightsphere
Series: Iczer/Teknoman
Genre: Action/Drama (Mostly action this chapter
Author: Andrew Dynon
Email: adyn1@students.latrobe.edu.au
Date Sent to FFML: 1st August 1998
Size: approx 25 Kb
Summary:
The final battle against Darkon. To quote Marvel Comics, "'nuff said".
{Shunsuke}
A convicing and believeable series of fight scenes, where one by
one the heroes triumph and gradually meet up until they have won.
Full of the usual shout-commands (for which I have been flamed by
readers for pointing out) and last-minute found weapons, it still
works despite the occasional predicibility. My only beef with
this was how there was too much jumping between the fight scenes.
It was a little diffucult at times to keep track of events;
combining one or two scenes into one would help keep things in
line. Aside from that, a good segueway to part 3.
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2]
- - - - -
Title: Birthdays-Ukyou
Series: Birthdays
Genre: Shortfic
Author: Michael C. Won
Email: skeezy5@geocities.com
Date Sent to FFML: July 28, 1998
Size: 10K
Summary:
The third piece to "Birthdays". My portrayal of a scene that has been
written to death in the Ranma fanfic-verse. The two characters are
Ranma and Ukyou. 'nuff said.
{Paul}
A lot of talk. By which I mean a WHOLE lot of talk. A heart can
break with a hammer blow or under a constant, slow, pressure... and
it has been much more painful the latter way, at least for Ukyo.
The scene may not be new, but that which leads up to it.... Even
when told from Ranma's viewpoint, this is a most unflattering
portrayal of his character. The symbolism here is toned down a bit
from the initial work, but is still present... little things
signifying big changes. And this Ranma is, as ever, just bumbling
along with Ukyo... who has put herself through hell in vain. A
very nice portrayal, emphasizing the huge gulf between the two's
opinions and the like... 9 of 10 on the short scale, perhaps even
10 of 10.
- - - - -
Title: Childhood of a Modern Dynasty - Chapter 3A&B: The Amazon Way
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Jim Lazar
Email: jimlazar@earthlink.net
Homepage: http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime
Size: 71K (posted in two pieces)
Summary:
Chapter 3 of a ongoing series documenting 60 years of Akane Tendo's
life. Lost friends, lost loves, happy times and sad. What events
shapped her life and made her the Matriarch of the Tendo family and
all it's branches?
Chapter 3 covers the aftermath of Shampoo's death. Ranma and Akane's
fall after their fight with Shampoo also leaves scars that will take
time to heal, but will Mousse ever be the same again?
{Paul}
You'll forgive my bluntness... but this just doesn't seem real to
me. Ranma, Akane, and Nabiki start spouting cliches at each other
in the hospital, Nabiki completely losing her self-control in the
process... I know what you were trying to show, but it felt like it
was being forced on us. And then she somehow manages to bounce back
to her old self after a thorough reaming by Soun.... This whole
story feels like it was bouncing back and forth between standard
Ranma zaniness and the somberness implied by broken limbs and death
itself. Striking a balance between comedy and tragedy does not mean
giving turns to the extremes. 10 or 11 out of 20... the plot, I'll
admit, is good, but the way it's treated left me more than a little
bit confused.
- - - - -
Title: Complete Control, Part 3
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: lemon, serious verging on dark
Author: Sean Gaffney
Email: gaffney@iconn.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/6529
Date Sent to FFML: 7/30/98
Size: 100K
Summary:
While Ranma reunites with an old rival, Kasumi sets about trying to
change herself - and is more successful than than she'd like. m/f,
mc, nc, m/m sorta.
{Shunsuke}
A much darker tone and a far more malicious Ryouga, (though I won't
go so far as to say OOC) this part is surprising in its events. The
thought of Ryouga as a self-appointed avenging angel and a rational
Kunou take some getting used to, but the explanations and events
causing this make sense.
What I don't like is the too convenient disappearance of the fathers
(from part 1). It seems like the author couldn't figure out how to
use them so he left them out; correct me if I'm wrong, but was this
meant to serve the plot? I would like to have seen how things
transpired with them in the house, and I'm *NOT* suggesting Ranma
would end up doing...eww, I can't even say it. ^_^ I just wonder
how Soun would have handled what happened with his daughters, or
would Genma have fulfilled the promise to Nodoka, even without her
pressure....
- - - - -
Title: Happy Tears -- Chapter 2, The Thief
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Historical(?)
Author: Mike Allen
Email: allenmk@gte.net or m_k_allen@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://home1.gte.net/allenmk
Date Sent to FFML: July 27, 1998
Size: 36K
Summary:
Happosai is a young man learning who he is and how to be a martial
artist. This chapter covers him from 17 through 26 years old.
{Shunsuke}
It makes a nice change to see someone put a human face on Happosai,
and a believeable one at that. This is likeable and emotionally
appealing, while still showing where our infamous lech got his
habits and built upon them. One question, though: isn't Lukkosai
Happi's actual blood relation in the series or manga? Other than
this minor inconsistency (if it is one), this is interesting and
makes the next ep worth waiting for. Certainly this is better
written than the first part, but the style needs some cleaning up.
- - - - -
Title: Hearts and Minds Prelude 3 - Kuno Kodachi: The Contest [revised]
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Gary Kleppe
Email: kleppe@execpc.com
Homepage: http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics.html
Date Sent to FFML: 7/20
Size: 36 kb
Summary:
Seven years after the end of the Ranma 1/2 series, Kuno Tatewaki comes
back to Nerima in search of fighters to help defend the Amazon
village. He encounters his sister Kodachi, and despite his Amazon
training, she beats him as if he were a novice.
We flash back several years. Kodachi challenges Akane to a contest
over the right to marry Ranma. Akane accepts, then finds out the
challenge isn't to a combat. Is there any way she can win at THIS kind
of contest?
{Shunsuke}
Of the first three parts, this one reads most like a regular fic,
not a flashback/explanation of intervening events. And similarly,
this is the first time that the central character hasn't had a
change or revelation in her life, Kodachi still being portrayed as
devious (I'd buy that) and deranged (I don't).
Given the time difference between the flashback and series times,
Akane's improved cooking is plausible, though I have to wonder if
Kunou Sr. wouldn't help his daughter by revealing the judge to her,
or that Kodachi couldn't find some way to find out who. Still,
this is good enough to merit waiting for the next part.
- - - - -
Title: I Like Ucchan: Part 3
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Donny Cheng
Email: chengdo@shaw.wave.ca
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Ginza/4537
Date Sent to FFML: July 31, 1998
Size: 15k
Summary:
Ranma, Akane, and Ukyo contemplate their future.
{Paul}
I never thought I'd actually see a waffling continuation fic. And
yet, here one is. Ranma finds himself unable to decide between
fiancees, just as he always has... one wonders where this will go.
I certainly do. The whole "talk about your future" bit seems to be
just a tad contrived... and it's interesting to note how Ranma and
Ukyo are so very vague about what they see ahead of them. Kindred
spirits? Perhaps. This fic could do with a bit of proofreading, but
nothing breaks up the flow of the story all that badly. 15 or 16
out of 20.
{Shunsuke}
An interesting exploration of how the three get along and how to
resolve their love triangle, this story and series have a slow but
surefooted pace that is believeable. However, the author takes the
points of view that Ranma (a) is totally blind to girls' affections,
and (b) considers Ukyou his "best friend". (Friend, yes, though
best is debatable.) That's not a criticism, but unless you accept
these POVs, the story may not work for you.
I still don't see where the author is going, either leading Ukyou
to acceptance and moving on to someone else, or that through
friendship she can finally win Ranma. Either way, the writing is
good enough to wait for more.
- - - - -
Title: Kunophilia
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Dark, Depressing, Messy, Erotic, Lemon
Author: Uncle Fester
Email: sandborn@microlink.net
Homepage: (not on a dare)
Date Sent to FFML: 7/23/98
Size: 36k
Summary:
Well, it's about the Kunos. You know, Tatewaki and Kodachi.... ya
see, and they are sorta.... bored. Well, things haven't worked out
very well for them since Ranma and Akane got married. Tatewaki keeps
getting beat in kendo and Kodachi... well, Kodachi is still looking
for the edge in life. She thinks she may have found it in her
brother. And that's where the police come in. Afterwards, I mean.
(I give up. I let that demented little dwarf Uncle Fester publish ONE
story a year. Last year it was "Nekophilia". Now this. I detect a
pattern here.)
{Shunsuke}
This story is not suitable for those under 18 years of age.
This story is not suitable for those *over* 18 years of age. ^_^
As I personally said to the author: bleah. Yes, my good man, you
*do* know hentai. Also, please wire me $5 for some new toothpaste
and mouthwash. What I had was used up getting the taste out of my
mouth. ^_^
- - - - -
Title: The Leper Part 10: A Touch to Shatter the Heart
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: New Character, Self-Insertion
Author: Nikholas "NomaD" F. Toledo
Email: niftol@i-manila.com.ph
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/theleper.html
Date Sent to FFML: 2129H 29 Jul 98 (+0800H)
Size: 28 KB
Summary:
The stage is set for the scales to fall, and favors are all that
Kiiroi wants. Whose will be done?
{Paul}
"Perhaps you have even planned all this..." Nah. Couldn't be...
could it? Everything just seems to be going so WRONG for Kiiroi,
who is being buffeted about by fate and malice... the latter more
than the former. Though I felt that the story dropped off rather
suddenly after Ranma exploded - I would have liked a more prolonged
time period, a sense that more had happened...perhaps Ranma
muttering a curse and stalking away.... But that is neither here
nor there. A good story, but the ending, even if this IS intended
to be ongoing, left a few things to be desired. 14 or 15 out of 20.
- - - - -
Title: Memories Chapter 11: Sunsets and a cup of iced tea
Series: Ranma 1/2 (with cameos from Macross, Sailor Moon, Star Wars,
The Real Ghostbusters and Tom Swift)
Genre: Crossover, Comedy, Drama
Author: Nikholas "Mayhem" F. Toledo
Email: niftol@i-manila.com.ph
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/memories.html
Date Sent to FFML: 0130H 01 Aug 98 (+0800H)
Size: 62 KB
Summary:
Basking in the afterglow of the dying day and the newborn heroes,
Monday's children are full of face, when face is all that they might
give. To which do your allegiances lie? Is it in the written word?
The fair kiss? The caring shoulder? The phone call? The sunset?
The black book? Or, is that which makes you weak your greatest skill
and favor?
{Paul}
I am utterly convinced that this story was an attempt to see how
many times a plot could be turned on its head and still survive.
Relationships shift from one extreme to another, with a splash of
water or a spoken word, and no sooner do things seem as though
they'll finally settle down than they fly apart at the seams.
Again. This is one wild, almost surreal, ride, which is a stark
contrast to the exquisite descriptions of thought and action and
setting. 18 or 19 out of 20.
- - - - -
Title: Ranma-ototo: Please Save My Family - Part 1
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Alternate history/original flavor
Author: Jim Lazar
Email: jimlazar@earthlink.net
Homepage: http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime
Size: 43K
Summary:
First of three parts. Follow up story to Ranama-ototo miniseries. The
birth of Akane to Genma and Nodoka begins a series of events which
will eventually lead Akane and Ranma to be swapped between families.
Happy and sad moments as Akane and Ranma grow up and either bash each
other around or end up playing doctor.
{Paul}
The transition between comedy and tragedy is a bit less pronouced
in this story... it actually works pretty well. I can't really
comment much on what takes place, as there are about ten years
before characters develop sufficiently... but I can see that there's
a lot of foreshadowing being set up, deliberately or no. 14 or 15
out of 20... not epic, but certainly worth the time to read.
- - - - -
Title: The Rose and the Worm [part 2]
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Alternate Universe
Author: David Homerick
Email: dhomeric@jps.net
Date Sent to FFML: 7/28
Size: 10 KB
Summary:
Kodachi has just been released from an asylum and begins attending
Furinkan High just before Ranma arrives.
This time: At home with Tatewaki. Ranma arrives.
{Paul}
This proves yet again that even a less-than-insane person can
misinterpret the normal goings-on at Furinkan. Wonder what'll
happen when Kodachi realizes that her older brother isn't as sane
as he seemed in the past. A very nice scene with Kodachi wondering
who could ever care about her...perhaps foreshadowing for a "Roses
of Shadow"-type resolution to the story, perhaps not. The whole
story is very nicely written... humorously understated in some
places. 18 or 19 out of 20.
{Shunsuke}
An interesting take on how different Kodachi would behave were she
not the obsessive person she normally is, this story has good pacing
and humour at just the right times. The quality of English here is
certainly better than most writers, and the author knows how much to
tell the reader without saying too much.
From a personal point of view, being a Kodachi fan, I don't buy the
insanity/drugs thing, though that's just me. But, there's also the
issue of how Nabiki is used in this; she may be manipulative, but I
don't recall ever seeing her as malicious outside of fanfics. This
is another case of wait-and-see before deciding whether it's worth
reading more parts.
- - - - -
Title: Shampoo 1/2 Chapter 32: The Insufferable Lightness of Mother
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Alternate Universe
Author: D.B. Sommer
email: sommer@nb.net
homepage:
http://www.geocities.com/~azatlan/Special-Series/shampoo.html
Date Sent: 7/31/98
Size: 110k
Summary:
Nodoka Saotome at long last discovers her son. Unfortunately she
thinks Shampoo-kun is Ranma, and the others can't reveal the truth
lest the real Ranma parts with his head. So Shampoo-kun and Akane get
to play 'fiancees', much to each other's irritation.
{Paul}
Can we say "subplots"? Can we say "lots of subplots"? Can we say
"seamless integration of subplot and main plot"? Can we say
"cinematic description, plot twists, and engaging writing"?
Can we say "19 or 20 out of 20"? Goooood...
- - - - -
Title: Vampire Hinako
Series: Ranma/DHY, Ranma/Nuku Nuku
Genre: Silly
Author: Jason Liao
Email: jasonl@hun.k12.nj.us
Date Sent to FFML: July 28
Size: 6K
Summary:
Hinako-sensei has always been described as a chi-vampire in fanfics.
What if she truly were a vampire? WARNING: Not quite as dark as other
vampire-related fics.
{Shunsuke}
This is why we must ban spamfics. Silly, silly, silly. ^_^ The
only thing dark here is the chocolate.
- - - - -
Title: A Warrior Arises prt.1# Scrap in Nerima
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: New Chars
Author: Peter "Petes-kun" Detenbeck
Email: peter@icom.ca
Homepage: (main) http://www.angelfire.com/mo/scgcompound/index.html
(fic) http://www.angelfire.com/mo/scgcompound/Awa1.txt
Date Sent to FFML: Somewhere around July,20
Size: 18.7KB
Summary:
Long ago in the 1950s, a warrior known as Maverick Kouryou, died
durring battle. Now he has come back and has been drawn to Nerima.
After a botched attempt to steal a meal from the Cat Cafe, Cologne
hires Maverick to aid her in the hopes of getting Ranma married to
Shampoo.
{Shunsuke}
This has a *lot* of problems. Incomplete scenes, a poor writing
style, and people doing things with no explanation make this feel
rushed, like it was just slapped together and posted with the
thought "get it done", not "get it right".
From the story and plot standpoint, because of what's missing, it's
hard to know what the author has in mind. Is this new character
holding a secret, knowing or unknowing, or is this just the setup
for some mass destruction later? I really can't tell. Sorry to
say it, but without a lot more work on this, it's not worth it.
- - - - -
Title: Wasure Hibiki Ch. 2
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: character-driven
Author: Phoenix 1138
Email: phoenix1138@hotmail.com
Homepage: (none)
Date Sent to FFML: Wed, Jul 29 1998
Size: 9k
Summary:
In the chapter of the series where Ryoga's brother is introduced, we
discover Sazuke's evil intentions for the Saotome's pet while Wasure
searches for Ryoga.
{Paul}
Hmm. A little bit of irony, a little bit of exasperation, a little
bit of development... and a little bit of story. Good writing, but
perhaps a bit short for my taste... too little happened, even if
this is only one part of a story. 8 of 10 on the short scale.
{Shunsuke}
As a first-time effort, this isn't too bad, the English and the
style are fairly good, even if there are some unnecessary line
breaks throughout. One thing did bother me, though, and I have to
wonder about it: what is the link between the scenes in the dojo
and between Ryouga and Wasure on the street? Am I missing it,
because I just don't see a connection.
- - - - -
Title: Wheel of Fire #4: Descending Spiral
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Razorclaw X
Email: spiceoflife@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff.html
Date Sent to FFML: July 31
Size: 50kb
Summary:
Mousse enters a new phase in his life. Ukyo makes a very important
decision regarding her future.
{Paul}
Hmm. It all seems so... sudden. The crossover seems a bit contrived
to me...or perhaps not. Mousse admitting his love... it makes what
he says to Ukyo seem more than a bit empty. Everyone's undergone
some serious changes because of the wedding and suchlike, and this
is more than likely written to show just how much things have
changed. The writing, while not epic, is more than enough to get
the story across... I give it 16 or 17 out of 20.
* * * * *
[Sailor Moon]
- - - - -
Title: Avenging the Forgiven: Part 1 & 2
Series: SM
Genre: Mindless Action
Author: Bastion
Email: bastion@ix.netcom.com
Homepage: None
Date Sent to FFML: July 30, 1998
Size: 32K
Summary:
Gratuitous bad language and needless violence prevail as an original
character, Tracer, faces off with a Self Insert, Strike Fiss.
{Paul}
Hmm. Doesn't seem to be all that unbalanced... then again, it does
take a team to even slow your own character, and a nice deus ex
machina to actually stop him. This is not an anti-fic, I don't
think... but what happens here has its place in the Author Avatar
Association, for the most part. 12 or 13 out of 20... despite the
interludes, this whole story was one big fight scene. Not that
that's a BAD thing, but there was little or no reason for things
to get as out of hand as they did.
- - - - -
Title: Warriors of Ether 7
Series: Sailor Moon
Genre: Continuation
Author: Rarstarr
Email: djfarr@ihug.co.nz
Homepage: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~djfarr/
Date Sent to FFML: 30 July 1998
Size: 22 kb
Summary:
The scouts spend an average day in their lives. Amy encounters a
strange fortuneteller. Katsuko suffers from a strange
seizure. Disaster strikes.
{Paul}
Hmm... this is interesting. Are we to assume that the subbed and
dubbed scouts are different personae? Ah well, it matters little.
This has more than its fair share of foreshadowing, though what
seems to be the main event of the story... the battle and resulting
aftermath... is only seen through the eyes of a very distant
observer, and then only briefly. Perhaps this is deliberate... a
shift in power... but what do I know? Very nice character sketching
and development... about 17 or 18 out of 20.
* * * * *
[Sailor Moon/Chrono Trigger]
- - - - -
Title: Sailor Trigger, pt. 1: a Wrong Turn
Series: Sailor Moon/Chrono Trigger/Red Dragons
Genre: Crossover
Author: Koban Hiryuuno
Email: kobanh@yahoo.com
Homepage: none
Date Sent to FFML: 7/28/98
Size: 25kb
Summary:
The Sailor Senshi arrive in the Chrono Trigger universe and decide to
help destroy Lavos. Also contains characters from the upcoming story
"Red Dragons."
{Paul}
Let's play "spot the original characters". No, that's cruel... but
it is rather obvious that the ones you created are vastly different
(perhaps superior) to the two other series which are crossing over.
It's an interesting idea... but the merging of the Senshi with a
videogame world is more than a bit obvious... and could probably
have been pulled off just as well without your own storyline merging
with the others. Since I have nothing to compare the new characters
against, I can't say much about them... except that it's usually
best to write them in their own continuity before crossing them over
with other ones. 11 or 12 out of 20.
* * * * *
[Yuu Yuu Hakusho]
- - - - -
Title: Entwined Destinies
Series: Yu Yu Hakusho
Genre: Dark, Angst and Yaoi
Author: W. Siew Lee
Email: wsiewlee@tm.net.my
Homepage: http://member.xoom.com/hiei/yyh.htm
Date Sent to FFML: 27 of July, 1998
Size: 37 kbs
Summary:
What if Kurama dies? What will Hiei feel if he was to know that his
best friend was dead? This is a story that involves the inner turmoils
of Hiei when he actually experienced the death of a friend.
{Shunsuke}
This...is *quite* a love story. If you have no problem with yaoi
fics, then there's nothing here that won't get to you. Wow.
It would help to know something about the series, which I don't, so
that made some aspects of the characters hard to follow, but the
language and the style of writing are quite something. I wish more
people would write like this, it makes doing these reviews easier
and much more pleasant. It was a nice way to end this week's list.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
End of the Reviews List for the week of: July 25-31, 1998
