I know. It's late, but the SL was late, too.
For those who sent e-mail asking for a review. I'll do some stuff, but
I'll mostly restrain myself to this.
Unless, I get really pissed ...
Anyway, to get a review from this, follow the procedure:
1) Post your fic.
2) Send a synopsis to the Synopsis List
3) Wait for me to post this, and hope to whatever deity you pray to,
that I don't get medieval on your Candy Ass(TM). I've been watching
too much WWF. No, just kidding. I'm usually gentle and nice, using
the Kasumi Tendo method of helping bad fanfic writers.
Note: I read every post on the FFML. EVERY _SINGLE_ ONE.
So, I might get delayed. Be patient. To those who say I should
just C&C everything, well, I'm not qualified to do that. My last
name is Bibat, not Kleppe or Sommer.
Also, this post signals a few changes.
First, all contributions to the SLR are welcome. If you think that
the fic deserves a worse thrashing than it will receive or a fic
needs a few defenders or detractors, you are free to send them in.
My SLR address is this one, the Yahoo account is for the laptop,
so don't go messing with it.
Second, to spice the SLR up, articles on fanfics and fanfic-related
topics will be added to the end. All of them will be written by me,
of course. Heh. For this week, Fanfics to Read and Books to Read
will be the featured articles.
And so with the blare of Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku blaring from
WinAmp, Elsa Bibat goes once more unto the breach.
The Synopsis List Reviewer is: Elsa Bibat
Disclaimer:
All opinions of the SLR are the Reviewers' opinions. No input is
gotten from the SL team or the FFML Admin Team or my
parish priest. All is from me, and the dozen other gals who call
themselves Elsa Bibat. ^_-
The FFML Synopses List
======================
For the week of: February 18, 2000
Moderator on Duty: Nikholas "Switch" F. Toledo
Synopses Submitted: 07
* * * * *
[Bubblegum Crisis / Ghost in the Shell]
- - - - -
Title: Shell Games II
Genre: Crossover
Author: Matt Lewis
Email: maybeso@home.com
Homepage:
<http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/flats/9345/index.html>http://www.geocities.c
om/tokyo/flats/9345/index.html
Date Sent to FFML: February 14, 2000
Archive Number: 6708 (+ 20K)
Size: 47 KB
Summary:
In this part, another member of Section 9 appears in Mega-Tokyo, and
Leon is surprised. Wicked Tribe is still up to its antics, but is
getting desperate. Sylia checks out Quitty Den and hears Wicked Tribe's
tale. Nene gets scared. More formatting fun!
Review:
I totally agree with Matt. The formatting is quite fun. Damn, the way he
writes this is so innovative that it makes me sick. ^_^
Anyway, great fic. But typos abound. Have a spellchecker run through it
and read it again. I really think that goves means gloves.
Anyway, excellent fic and excellent way to tell it. Along with the references
to the Matrix and BAA along with others, I think. The only problem is the
that you write too slowly for this series. ^_-
* * * * *
[No Need for Tenchi!]
- - - - -
Title: Vacation Days chapter 9
Genre: Original Flavor
Author: D.B. Sommer
Email: sommer@3rdm.net
Homepage: http://angcobra.jumpfun/dbsommmer.html
Date Sent to FFML: February 13, 2000
Archive Number: 6643 (+ 20K)
Size: 92 KB
Summary:
At last Tenchi and Mihoshi confront Sa'bre Stargave and Malguant as the
truth behind Sa'bre's origins is at last revealed.
Review:
Tenchi fics are, as said by an earlier ranter, quite rare. And as was
mentioned in the rant, Vacation Days is a drop in the bucket.
But what a drop.
One of the most excellent pieces of Tenchi fanfiction by a fellow not named
KaraOhki or Happosai, this is a fic that had me looking for earlier chapters
when I first got a copy of Chapter 3.
Grammar and syntax are no problem, but as everyon who I ever worked with
knows, the good enough story often distracts me from slight grammatical
errors and syntax problems.
And D.B. .... your cliffhangers make me wanna go over to the US and
throttle you !!!! ^_-
* * * * *
[No Need for Tenchi! Mega-Crossover]
- - - - -
Title: Apotheosis
Chapter: 2: Dancing With Myself
Genre: Adventure, Serious
Author: Reid Carson
Email: rcarson@rcarson.com
Homepage: http://www.rcarson.com/rcarson/
Archived at: http://www.rcarson.com/rcarson/dance.html
Date Sent to FFML: February 15, 2000
FFML Archive Number: 6741 (+ 20K)
Size: 106 KB
Series Summary:
A story encompassing several different anime and manga series, as well
as several other sources of inspiration. A story stretching from the
distant past to the far future. One unholy mess of a story, that keeps
growing. The series crosses over Ranma 1/2 (manga), Sailor Moon
(anime), and Tenchi Muyo (OAV), with tie-ins to Birdy the Mighty, Vision
of Escaflowne (anime), Spriggan, another anime series to be named later,
"The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai," A. Merritt's "The Face in the
Abyss," two radio series - "The Fourth Tower of Inverness" and "Ruby:
Adventures of a Galactic Gumshoe," and two old pulp series, the Shadow
and the Avenger.
Chapter Summary:
In this chapter, Sailor Pluto, troubled by Lord Tyddo's revelation that
her plans may bring about unparalleled disaster, visits the fourth tower
of Inverness, and has an unexpected encounter.
Review:
I remember when I first read Reid Carson. If I remember correctly, it
was a Ranma 1/2/Dunsany-esque tale and it was also his first fic.
Requiem for a ... damn, forgot ! Anyway, Reid send that one over
along with all your other fics. The Archives were wiped out awhile
back and I forgot the names of the people I had to contact.
Anyway, back to the review.
This fic, well, to best put it I once tried to read the entire Wold-Newton
universe. Entirely. Every book and every story. Well, every one that I
could get a hold of, of course. This is the Philippines where I live in. I
had to go to the second-hand bookstore capital of the country to get
half of the stuff I wanted to read. Heck, I'm not even finished.
The feeling I got when I was about 1/100th through my current stockpile,
is the same feeling I'm getting now. I'm gonna be in for a really long wild
ride.
Anyway, the fic is what I've come to expect from Mr. Carson. Very
detailed, very talky and filled with quite a lot of ideas. If I didn't know any
better, I'd say you were Alan Harnum's long lost brother with this
writing style. But as far as I know, you don't have a wild dog fetish.
Keep it up and you better add a few more exposition since you'll be
using worlds that the young 'uns don't know about. I'm familiar with
the Shadow pulps and the Avenger pulps but, man, Ruby and
Inverness ?! The kids'll freak.
Anyway, cool song sequences, by the way.
And damn, someone finally beat me to The Shadow/SM crossover.
And wasn't that Corum Jhaelin Irsei in the dream sequence ?
* * * * *
[Oh My Goddess!]
- - - - -
Title: Obeying Destiny
Chapter: Part 2
Genre: Alt
Author: Raja
Email: atendido@mindspring.com
Date Sent to FFML: February 13, 2000
Archive Number: 6681 (+ 20K)
Size: 22 KB
Series Summary:
Kamisama has prevented Urd and Skuld from interfering with Belldandy's
recall notice. Now Urd and Skuld find themselves forced to deal with
the consequences of Bell's leaving...
Chapter Summary:
Bugs are popping up on the surface world, memories begin to return, and
Urd has to rush around to keep things from unraveling. Meanwhile, Skuld
discovers an important clue to what might be causing the whole mess.
Review:
Okay. Did you send this out ? The Archives have no record of it's
arrival so I'm assuming you made a mistake or there's a little problem
with my mail server again.
You want C&C, send it over and I'll see what I can do.
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2]
- - - - -
Title: Nabiki - New Horizons
Chapter: Chapter 22 - Night of Demons
Genre: Continuation
Author: G.L. Sandborn
Email: sandborn@microlink.net
Homepage: http://www.microlink.net/~sandborn
Archived at: http://www.microlink.net/~sandborn/n_nh_22.txt
Date Sent to FFML: February 15, 2000
Archive Number: 6753 (+ 20K)
Size: 94 KB
Series Summary:
This is the ongoing story of Nabiki Tendo after her marriage to a
wealthy man. Life is not as easy as she thought. They're both young,
bound by their Shinobi heritage, and struggling to make it in Hawaii.
The series also follows the other two Tendo sisters as they grow and
face not only the crazies found in Nerima but also the day-to-day
frustrations of becoming adults in Japan.
Chapter Summary:
Jeff finally allows Nabiki to learn how to drive. She attends the Elsa
Bibat Driving School where on her first day, she's taken hostage by a
fleeing bank robber. Eventually, the robber also takes Jade hostage in
the Lawrence family home. Who could rescue them? The police? The
Shinobi? Or could they find their own way to freedom? As usual, Jeff
does his best, leaving Nabiki just glad not too many people were
watching. Meanwhile, back in Japan, Mrs Suzuki gets the bad news about
her dog. Her reaction is typical Japanese; outward acceptance in public
and full emotional meltdown in private.
Review:
I reviewed this earlier and sent private C&C since, of course, my little
cameo appearance did kick ass.
Anyway, NNH is one of my favorite fics. Yes, my Nabiki fetish is showing,
but Nabiki-sama is cool !! Anyway, this is, IMHO, _the_ Nabiki fic to read.
I know quite a few readers are jaded by Ranma, but trust me, read the
fic. It'll be quite a nice surprise, in more ways than one since quite a few
FFML regulars make cameos all over it.
- - - - -
Title: The Nature of the Curse
Chapter: Part 13: The Dew of Love
Genre: Light Comedy / Continuation / New Character
Author: Douglas MacDougall
Email: dougmacd@dougmacd.net
Homepage: http://www.dougmacd.net/fanworks/
Date Sent to FFML: February 14, 2000
Archive Number: 6712 (+ 20K)
Size: 121 KB
Series Summary:
Does new boy from China know the 'true' effect of Jusenkyo curses?
Akira's description sounds right, and explains a lot, but it has a
consequence that none of the Nerima martial artists had considered (and
Ranma will be forced to accept kicking and screaming).
Chapter Summary:
After a night of drinking, Akira reveals why he's been trying so hard to
prove Ranma is a girl. And after a night of passion, other secrets
start revealing themselves.
Review:
Honesty dictates that I make a confession.
This is the only chapter of this fic I have.
My fic archives are quite extensive, but some do get through my little
net that's steatched all over the World Wide Web. Anyway, I still
reviewed, giving allowances for my lack of knowledge of the fanfic.
Which means, I'm asking you for all the other chapters. The fic
is excellent from what I can glean from one chapter, though a few
typos managed to slip through. But a fine fic nonetheless.
* * * * *
[Samurai X]
- - - - -
Title: Desires of the Heart (Kokoro no Nozomi)
Chapter: Prologue
Genre: Fantasy Alt. Universe
Author: Kitsune
Email: hitokiri_battousai_@email.com
Date Sent to FFML: February 11, 2000
Archive Number: 6597 (+ 20K)
Size: 13 KB
Series Summary:
A smitten fox spirit follows an unknowing Kenshin throughout his life,
until...
Chapter Summary:
Nozomi, a kitsune, meets a young slave boy.
Review:
Very good. Very, very good. Everyone, I would like to present the
next Krista Perry. Or Madam Hydra, if you think the fic 'That Which
Lingers' is more appropriate.
Well, that is if she, or a he but I prefer a she, continues this fic with
the same vigor and love as I see in the prose of this initial offering.
My Japanese mythology is bad, but from my readings of Perry and
my afternoons with that quaint book of Japanese myths back in
high school, I'd say you've got a good handle on the fantasy part.
The grammar and syntax, perfect. Damn, if every new writer
wrote like this, everyone would be reading every post on the FFML.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fanfics To Read
Hello !!! Hi, everyone. Welcome to the new section of the SLR that
is entitled Fanfics to Read ! Me, Elsa Bibat, will recommend you
three fanfics that you should read before I set in motion my plans
for global domination !!!!
The fics that would be recommended will be fics that in my opinion
are underrated or in a genre that would usually result them in being
ignored by the majority. Also the fact that I really like 'em !
Anyway, the first fic is Pokemon Master by Ace Sanchez !!
Yes, a Pokemon fic. I don't like Pokemon that much but this fic
makes Pokemon cool, not cute and cuddly, but cool. Yeah,
Pokemon Dark fics are running around, but IMHO, Ace Sanchez
is the only person capable of pulling the Pokemon Darkfic
genre off. It magnifies the elements of Pokemon that I like and
man, it makes a great job of it.
How good is it ?
Let's just say that if I would ask anyone to write the WoT/Pokemon
crossover seriously, I'd ask Ace Sanchez.
Next fanfic, Missy Foxglove by David Homerick !!!
The newbies may not recognize it, but Missy Foxglove is the one
of the coolest original Magical Girl fanfic ever written. Why ?
For the sole reason that the lead character's a Yakuza assasin !!!
No, not just that. The fic is well written, the characters are engaging
and damn, the concept alone kicks ass. Hell, I incorporated a
few of the concepts in some of my draft fics here in The Archives.
I cursed the gods when I lost my copy of this fic and you would, too,
after reading it.
The only problem ?
Mr. Homerick seems to have discontinued the series. I encourage
you to find a copy, read it and if you think it's good enough, send
e-mail to him to get his ass in gear and go kill some magical girls.
The third fanfic is Curtiss Nelson's Night Sabers !!!
Yeah, I know, the fic is quite popular but since Curtiss hasn't posted
anything of it in quite awhile, I might as well give the newbies their
first great lesson in crossovers. This fic is the perfect example of
a crossover. Detailed, fast-paced, well-written the way all crossovers
should be written. And this baby is a WoD/BGC crossover and as
all WoD fans on the FFML know it ain't easy pulling off a WoD
crossover.
That's enough for this installment. Time to run !!!
Ja Mata Ne !
Books to Read
Hello ! This is another new section of the SLR, The Books To Read.
This section introduces a book that in my opinion would positively
influence fanfic authors in general. Usually, the book I will cite will be
obscure. Which is to be expected since the family hard-copy Archive
rivals my e-text Archives by...oh... three rooms. My family loves its
books. The book can be a technical treatise to an adventure novel,
the genre and type will vary with my mood and memory.
Well, then let's start.
For this week, we have Louis Cha's The Book and The Sword.
I think Louis Cha's Chinese name is Jing Yo, but I can be mistaken.
Anyway, on with the book.
The Book and The Sword is a martial arts epic. It kicks ass. Find
it and read it. The story starts with a young girl that wanted to learn
martial arts and ends with master martial artists duking it out with
Chinese Imperial Army. In between, everything happens.
Crossdressers, love triangles, arguing lovers, sibling rivalry, secret
societies, hidden cities, rabid wolf packs, master martial artists,
old crones, kidnappings and, of course, martial arts duels. Heck,
Ranma has nothing on this book's Master Chen. The martial arts
duels are masterfully written, with the requisite acts of the impossible
that you would normally see in a HK martial arts movie. And probably
one of the coolest martial arts duel of all time, one with no punches
thrown or kicks released or weapons unsheathed, not even Ki blasts.
And this Louis Cha fellow was supposed to have written a dozen
others like this. They are originally in Chinese, and I've looked around
and picked up a few of his other books. Yeah, my Chinese is bad
but it did get me through a night in Hong Kong, so give me a few
years. The Book and The Sword has already been translated by
a nice fellow with the name of Graham Earnshaw. His site for it
is at: http://village.ios.com/~earnshaw/B&S.htm
If that doesn't work, check out the Hong Kong Cinema Database and
go to Links and go to Misc. and look under Books.
Anyway, that's it for this week. I have a few samurai novels from the
local Japanese bookstore and I'll see you next week !!