The FFML Synopses List REVIEW (3000! ::twang::)
====================== ******
For the week of: May 26, 2000 AD (Next Sunday!)
Moderator on Duty: G. Falconar ("Bird-boy?")
Synopses Reviewed: All of 'em! (La la la!)
* * * * *
[Devilman / Neon Genesis Evangelion]
- - - - -
Title: Dema-fa
Episode: Chapter 08
Genre: xover
Author: Disruptor (Tom Mathews)
Email: mathews1@gte.net
Homepage: <http://home1.gte.net/mathews1>http://home1.gte.net/mathews1/
Archived at
<http://home1.gte.net/mathews1/fanfic.htm>http://home1.gte.net/mat
hews1/fanf
ic.htm
Date Sent to FFML: May 25, 2000
Archive Number: 10995
Size: 14 KB
Series Summary:
Shinji is rescued by a mysterious boy calling himself Dema-fa.
Episode Summary:
Misato finds unbelievable evidence.
In an unbelievable fashion, might I add. Any true data entry person uses the
keypad for numbers, and ain't no way 0 is close to 9 there. Why not just
have the computer start from 2000, say, and count on back, and have Misato
be surprised it's taking so long? The entire piece felt a bit... forced. We
already know Rei's and Kaworu's preferences for food, for example; just have
him ask if anyone minds eggs. (I'm hardly a vegetarian, but I can't stand
the texture of an omelet.) The premise is rather interesting, but the story
trips over its own feet a bit too often to hold my attention.
* * * * *
[El Hazard Mega-Crossover]
- - - - -
Title: Dark Crucible
Episode: Episode 4 v1.01 "Of Demon and Man"
Series: Ranma, El Hazard, KOR, Ultima, etc.
Genre: Dark Mega Crossover
Author: Jitou
Email: mosquiton@crosswinds.net
Homepage:
<http://www.crosswinds.net/~mosquiton>www.crosswinds.net/~mosquiton
Archived at
<http://www.geocities.com/jitou.geo/fanfic.htm>www.geocities.com/j
itou.geo/f
anfic.htm
Date Sent to FFML: May 15, 2000
Archive Number: 11001
Size: 120 KB
Series Summary:
Demons are coming, so everyone's pitching in to fight 'em.
Episode Summary:
The demonlord Isharo discovers the secret of the Kasuga.
Note:
Above date attached to post. Post sent to FFML on May 26, 2000.
Hmm. Generic Fantasy Plot.
What? It _is_. I've seen the same principle in Shampoo 1/2 and Waters Under
Earth, and in several other places as well. That isn't to say the execution
isn't any good, because it _is_, or that you're not handling a multitude of
characters very well, because you _are_, but I can't give you many points
for originality, if I still gave out points for originality. It was an
engaging read, even though I was lost about a couple of the more esoteric
characters - though you always risk that with a megacrossover - but I feel
like I've been down this road before.
* * * * *
[Final Fantasy]
- - - - -
Title: Redemption
Episode: Chapter 1
Series: Final Fantasy VII / VIII
Genre: Crossover
Author: Kus Kus
Email: mamoru_kusanagi@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.crosswinds.net/~dilandau/
Date Sent to FFML: May 26, 2000
Archive Number: 11010
Size: 9 KB
Series Summary:
What if you were given the chance to make another decision? Or what
if... maybe... you were just given the chance to make someone's life
right?
Episode Summary:
Suffering. A plea answered. Choices now doubted. Situations turned.
Will they make the right decisions?
Ooh. Nice start. One can only wonder where and how it will go from-
"-what the )(*&^@# is some guy who shares my name doin' looking like a
(*&^@#$ pop idol?!"
...ah, it's already begun. In all seriousness, though, I can't really judge
something just starting out. It _looks_ impressive, so far, and there's a
lot of potential, but only future chapters are going to tell the extent to
which that potential will be _used_.
* * * * *
[Gundam / Vision of Escaflowne]
- - - - -
Title: Shinji
Episode: Chapter 2: Paranoia
Series: Gundam Wing/Escaflowne
Genre: Fusion
Author: KA/GAMI
Email: hikaru_no_kurai@hotmail.com
Archived at http://members.tripod.com/releena/index0.htm
Date Sent to FFML: May 26, 2000
Archive Number: 10979
Size: 13 KB
Series Summary:
A simple fic pondering on the possible effects of the Zero System on an
unsuspecting Duo Maxwell.
Episode Summary:
Suffering from nightmares, Duo decides not to sleep for the night and
watches Classic MTV instead.
Note:
The post continues the fanfic by Gray Warlock entitled "Cassandra".
...okay, this showed up a day _before_ you said you posted it.
But aside from that, it's interesting enough, some nice little bits of
character interaction. I have to wonder, though, if enough people are using
a drug that every pharmacy in town is sold out of it, wouldn't the girl
Duo's living with a) know what the drug does and b) be more likely to write
it off as just how other people were coping with the situation?
Aside from that little hole, it's an interesting enough fic, not one I'd
normally read since I never saw the series, but certainly a smooth ride.
* * * * *
[Magic Knight Rayearth]
- - - - -
Title: Through the Looking Glass
Episode: Chapter 3: Matchmaker's Dilemma
Genre: Alternate History, Domestic Drama, Romance
Author: Nikholas "elf" F. Toledo
Email: niftol@i-manila.com.ph
Homepage: http://nikholas-f-toledo-zu.webjump.com/fanfics.html
Archived at http://nikholas-f-toledo-zu.webjump.com/thrulg.html
Date Sent to FFML: May 18, 2000
Archive Number: 10696
Size: 52 KB
Series Summary:
Welcome to Ryudo Campus, where worlds meet in a new battlefield. Love
is just around the corner, as the romantics might say, but at Ryudo, it
might be even closer than you think...
Episode Summary:
"... make me a match." Sharing chocolates and prunes, love can make one
jumpy as a box and want to howl at the moon. Is it Emi and Zagato, Umi
and the frog prince, Fuu and Hikaru, Ferio and the girls from the AI
aisle, Eagle and Kuu, Tatra and Tarta, Zazu and Geo, or Ascot and
Caldina?
Okay. Someone said something very interesting to me... if I'd seen the
series, I wouldn't want to read about the cast of MKR being just ordinary
junior/high school students. But I didn't, so I do, and I have found it to
be quite nice so far. Perhaps it's just the "everyday people" appeal of it;
I've always liked stories about the people and not about their powers, and
perhaps this appeals to that, but I honestly imagine that this wouldn't be
for everyone. I find nothing at all the matter with it, except for the
incredible delay between one part and another, but that can't be helped.
* * * * *
[Neon Genesis Evangelion]
- - - - -
Title: Angel Of Mine
Genre: Humor
Author: Jonathan "Katarn" Gaters
Email: KatarnX2B@NetZero.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/katarnx2b_8/
Date Sent to FFML: May 24, 2000
Archive Number: 10958
Size: 13 KB
Summary:
Misato makes "Special brownies". Shinji finds them and spreads them
throughout the cast. Insanity ensues.
Uh... huh. Nothing, no matter how humorous, makes up for awkward writing and
bad formatting. I laughed at the stupidity in a couple of places, but this
wasn't very easy on the eyes at all.
- - - - -
Title: Ascent of the Fallen
Episode: Part Three: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren
to dwell together in unity!"
Genre: action, drama, suspense, some WAFF
Author: Sparky Clarkson
Email: sparkster@writeme.com
Homepage: http://members.tripod.com/Sage_Ohlmin/evafic.htm
Archived at http://members.tripod.com/Sage_Ohlmin/ascent/ascent.htm
Date Sent to FFML: May 24, 2000
Archive Number: 10954
Size: 45 KB
Series Summary:
In the darkest hour, a light from heaven brings new hope. Mankind's
once-bleak future now offers a glimmer of promise. Yet humanity's
protectors must battle not only the angels from above, but also dark
forces from within. An ancient evil seeks to use their greatest hope as
its key to power. Unless the Evangelion pilots can use their own inner
strength to defeat the overwhelming odds, all will be destroyed. Can
mankind survive the ascent of the fallen?
Episode Summary:
A joyous reunion for Shinji reawakens Kouzou's investigative instinct.
As Shinji and Asuka heal, Misato's "family" comes back together, with
some new additions... and some new questions to answer.
Hmm. Keele creeped me out when I read this scene for the first time...
you're making the chapters a little bit longer this time around, and adding
a couple of things here and there. I wonder if those are Kaoru's words or
yours coming out of his mouth about the nature of free will... ah well, I
don't truly mind it unless it begins to grate. And so far, it hasn't. People
are actually ending up happy, even with the threats that are coming...
Maybe not for hardcore EVA fans, but I certainly enjoy it.
- - - - -
Title: Death, Rebirth, & Everything In Between
Genre: Humor
Author: Jonathan "Katarn" Gaters
Email: KatarnX2B@NetZero.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/katarnx2b_8/
Date Sent to FFML: May 25, 2000
Archive Number: 10996
Size: 4 KB
Summary:
Shinji gets a new cereal.
...ah heh. No comment. Noooooo comment.
- - - - -
Title: The Gods Within
Episode: Part 3: Lightning Rides the Light Fantastic
Genre: Elseworlds/superheroic(?)
Author: Scriviner
Email: ebon@i-manila.com.ph
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/scriviner/
Date Sent to FFML: May 25, 2000
Archive Number: 10971
Size: 47 KB
Series Summary:
What would you do when you find out that something that happened around
the time you were born gave you the power to shape reality? What if you
found out you weren't alone? What if they were after you because of it?
Let's not even mention the things that're trying to destroy the world.
Don't believe what they tell you. Reality is yours.
Episode Summary:
Two words: Angel attack. First time. Waiting for it, haven't you?
What if you did it wrong? Nah... you couldn't get it wrong. Could you?
Guess what. You can. You will. You did.
...ooh. You _didn't_ just rip the powerset from canon. I like.
One of the greatest moments of the animated series was Superman, exhausted
and battered, smashing his way through the defenses of Apokolips and coming
face-to-face with Darkseid... and getting sent to the ropes many a time
before finally kicking butt. Supes Fights On. Like Kuno, only without the
prose. Nice to see Shinji's like that too. Also nice to see Asuka coming
into her own... and of course, Wonder Girl. (hah hah!) Keep writing, man.
- - - - -
Title: Lillin
Episode: Chapter 1: The Arrival
Genre: Drama
Author: Jonathan "Katarn" Gaters
Email: KatarnX2B@NetZero.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/katarnx2b_8/
Date Sent to FFML: May 24, 2000
Archive Number: 10962
Size: 53 KB
Series Summary:
Misato's adventures in Antarctica leading up to Second Impact.
Episode Summary:
Misato comes to Antarctica.
...present tense. Huh. It... seems awkward. Perhaps you should consider
rewriting the earlier parts into past tense as well. The narration itself
seems to work better that way, although it seems to me that it goes into a
bit too much detail that the character wouldn't really notice.
The times-down-to-the-second really... don't matter all that much to me.
Unless you're skipping a significant amount of time in Misato's life, don't
bother updating the timeclock. It's not surprising for Misato to get on a
plane after being told she is to get on a plane, or for the plane to reach
its destination after a reasonable amount of time either. The only reason
you _need_ a timestamp in the first place is if two story events aren't
immediately contiguous, like the time between Misato falling asleep and
getting up the next morning, for example.
Assuming she _does_ sleep. Oh well. It looks interesting enough so far, but
this was an awful lot of fic to have nothing happen in.
* * * * *
[Pocket Monsters (Pokemon) / X-Men]
- - - - -
Title: Overexposed X-Mon!
Genre: Crossover
Author: Skyrocket
Email: skyrocket35@hotmail.com
Archived at http://www.fanfiction.net
Date Sent to FFML: May 26, 2000
Archive Number: 11029
Size: 9 KB
Summary:
Just a little drabble meant to mock Pokemania, comic fans (X-Men fans in
particular), American consumerism and self-insertion.
...Wolverpuff. Someone hurt me. Rather funny little bit, all told.
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2]
- - - - -
Title: For A Dying Friend
Genre: Sadfic
Author: Gary Kleppe
Email: kleppe@emediaone.net
Homepage: http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics.html
Archived at http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics.html
Date Sent to FFML: May 9, 2000
Archive Number: 10354
Size: 60 KB
Summary:
While someone close to her lies dying, Akane waits helplessly for her
husband to return. Her mind wanders back many years, to the time when
Ranma became permanently locked in cursed form.
Wow. You know, I've actually reviewed this already. It's a good fic overall,
and one I'd recommend you read, but it also goes out of its way to
explicitly contradict some of the most common Ranma fic stereotypes. This
makes it rather awkward and occasionally wacky in places, which is a rather
sharp contradiction to the rest of the tone.
Aside from that, though, there's nothing to stop you from reading it. Enjoy!
- - - - -
Title: Hearts and Minds
Episode: Part Four
Genre: Continuation
Author: Gary Kleppe
Email: kleppe@emediaone.net
Homepage: http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics.html
Archived at http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics.html#ham
Date Sent to FFML: May 11, 2000
Archive Number: 10491
Size: 82 KB
Series Summary:
Seven years after the end of the manga, Ranma and friends get together
to help defend the Amazon village from a military threat. But will they
be able to put aside their old differences?
Episode Summary:
Ranma and company begin guerilla attacks against the Mongol invaders,
while preparing for a major battle. But they won't last that long if
the Mongols have anything to say about it. Meanwhile, renegade Amazon
Elder Zhen Biaozi has plans of her own.
Ooh. Nice cliffhanger. One wonders if Kodachi is entirely what she seems to
be. (Obviously not, but what _kind_ of difference is there?) The attack was
executed very nicely indeed, and went off rather easily, as well it should
have with superior skill and tactics. Of course, I know this is _not_ going
to be as easy as it would otherwise seem, but it's nice to give your
characters a minor victory before plunging them into the depths of despair,
no?
- - - - -
Title: Let the Curtain Fall
Episode: Act One, Scene One: Higher Education
Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama
Author: Michael J. Noakes
Email: noakes_m@hotmail.com
Date Sent to FFML: May 24, 2000
Archive Number: 10953
Size: 102 KB
Series Summary:
What, and give all the surprises away?
Episode Summary:
An unenthusiastic Ranma checks out his future university, where he has
both an encounter with Happosai, and a strange book slipped into his
possession. Strangers come looking for the text, and Ranma finds
himself forced into a fight over possession of it. Meanwhile, Akane
inadvertently gets herself into serious trouble....
Ooh. Nice descriptions, very nice fight scenes, and some rather disturbing
developments, all wrapped up in a package that will read a lot quicker than
the file size might indicate. Great work, heck, great _groundwork_ for what
promises to be an interesting series all the way through.
- - - - -
Title: Ties of the Ghost, Branches of a tree
Episode: 1
Genre: Continuation
Author: Esa Karjalainen
Email: eruuska@ratol.fi
Homepage: www.ratol.fi/~eruuska
Date Sent to FFML: May 21, 2000
Archive Number: 10846
Size: 15 KB
Series Summary:
In the not-so-near future, we're dropped in the middle of a story and
given hints of what has gone before. Why isn't Ranma a decrepit old
troll? What is Nabiki afraid of? Why can't Akane leave the valley?
What valley? And what's the deal with the pink stripe?
Episode Summary:
A conversation, a fight, and lots of irritating hints.
Irritating hints indeed. Verily doth in medias res rock, and I have ideas
about what's been going on, even though you haven't shown it yet. Toss off a
little backstory mixed with your current story, and you'll end up holding
the readers' attention for a good many chapters. Keep up the writing!
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2 / SailorMoon]
- - - - -
Title: A Different Viewpoint: Curses and Demons
Episode: Chapter 3: Making Desisions
Genre: Continuation/X-over
Author: Christopher J. Olsen
Email: gamers@prodigy.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/
Date Sent to FFML: May 20, 2000
Archive Number: 10804
Size: 36 KB
Series Summary:
Ranma and Akane finally get married, but this is most definitely not the
end of the story.
Episode Summary:
The Tendo and Saotome clans learn of the effect curse of drowned twins,
and react (in)appropriately.
Hmm. Sensible reaction from most concerned... still wondering at Nodoka's
reaction, though. She doesn't really seem like the type to be plagued by
indecision at all; pick something and _stick_ to it, and then pick something
_else_ and stick to _that_... perhaps I'm only reading her wrong. Nice to
see Genma actually holding his own in a fight, but aside from that... not
much I can say. Not much happens, but then this story hasn't been fast-paced
for very long since the beginning. Read, but only if you've read the series
before, as many concepts in this are hardly stand-alone.
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2 Mega-Crossover]
- - - - -
Title: Apotheosis
Episode: 3: Nighthawks at the Diner
Series: Ranma 1/2 (manga), Sailor Moon (anime), and Tenchi Muyo (OAV),
with tie-ins to Birdy the Mighty, Vision of Escaflowne (anime),
etc. etc. etc.
Genre: Cross-over
Author: Reid Carson
Email: rcarson@rcarson.com
Homepage: http://www.rcarson.com/rcarson/
Archived at http://www.rcarson.com/rcarson/nighthawks.html
Date Sent to FFML: May 18, 2000
Archive Number: 10742
Size: 55 KB
Series Summary:
Sailor Pluto has worked for thousands of years to ensure the survival of
the human race and the establishment of the Crystal Millennium. Too bad
she's not the only player. And of course, the danger in playing chess
with living beings is that sometimes the pieces start playing
themselves. Case in point: one Ranma Saotome.
Episode Summary:
Over drinks at the Nekohanten, Cologne gives Happosai some bad news, and
Sailor Pluto drops by. Reminiscences ensue as the three recall the days
when they fought crime together with the Shadow. We also begin to learn
a little of Ranma's heritage, as three master manipulators lay their
plans.
Lots of tie-ins. Lots and lots of tie-ins. But some very interesting and
cryptic dialogue which _is_ the action. Lots and lots of memories, acted out
on the stage of the mind... interesting takes on the Neko-Ken and Cologne
and... well, and just about everyone. A worthy installment of the series.
- - - - -
Title: Apotheosis
Episode: 3.5: A Little Background Music, If You Please
Series: Ranma 1/2 (manga), Sailor Moon (anime), and Tenchi Muyo (OAV),
with tie-ins to Birdy the Mighty, Vision of Escaflowne (anime),
etc. etc. etc.
Genre: Cross-over
Author: Reid Carson
Email: rcarson@rcarson.com
Homepage: http://www.rcarson.com/rcarson/
Archived at http://www.rcarson.com/rcarson/side1.html
Date Sent to FFML: May 18, 2000
Archive Number: 10744
Size: 12 KB
Series Summary:
Sailor Pluto has worked for thousands of years to ensure the survival of
the human race and the establishment of the Crystal Millennium. Too bad
she's not the only player. And of course, the danger in playing chess
with living beings is that sometimes the pieces start playing
themselves. Case in point: one Ranma Saotome.
Episode Summary:
A side piece expanding a little on how Cologne and Happosai met, and how
Sailor Pluto brought them together with the Shadow and the Avenger, as
well as what happened when everything fell apart. For those who are
feeling a little confused.
A... _very_ little side piece. Can't really comment much on a simple
chronology... be a lot better if it were... oh, say, told in story form, but
I can see how the diversity of events would make it rather hard to do that.
- - - - -
Title: Republic of Desire
Episode: Part four: COP OUT! Or SO HOW _DID_ SHE GET CAPTURED?
Series: Original / Megacrossover / Ranma
Genre: Autobiography / Humour
Author: Subi
Email: subi@mono211.com, subi@gameart.com
Homepage: http://www.gameart.com/4ca
Archived at http://www.gameart.com/4ca/rod/rodff04.txt
Date Sent to FFML: May 22, 2000
Archive Number: 10881
Size: 36 KB
Series Summary:
The story of my life... I was eight, living with the parents in a
village that had been transported brick-by-brick from its original
position in middle England to just outside Tokyo. My father worked for
the Japanese government, fooling visiting foreigners about the true
nature of the product of the vast silicon chip mines. One day a girl
called Tuzi turned up and claimed to be my sister. Somehow, everyone
believed her, even my parents, despite the markings on her face and the
rabbit ears. But _I_ knew, oh yes.
Episode Summary:
In which we go and rescue Tuzi and Ranma, someone gets wet and just
about everybody beats each other up. Well, what else did you expect?
There's a talking tree in there as well.
Uh... huh. I can't say it's very funny, I'm sorry, because I've seen all the
gags before in other stories. It's not terribly original, either, because
most of the humor comes from the same things I've seen before and very
little comes from the newer additions to the story. Read it if you've got
time to kill, certainly, but it falls too flat for me to seriously recommend
it.
* * * * *
[SailorMoon / Gen13]
- - - - -
Title: Moonlight Heroes
Episode: 5
Genre: Crossover
Author: Skyrocket
Email: skyrocket35@hotmail.com
Archived at http://www.fanfiction.net
Date Sent to FFML: May 26, 2000
Archive Number: 11025
Size: 12 KB
Series Summary:
Anime's favorite magical girls met comic's hippest teens. A call from
the past of John Lynch has brought the Gen13 kids to Japan. All they
want is a nice relaxing vacation. But unbeknownst to them, their
arrival in Tokyo has garnered the attention of the Negaverse.
Meanwhile, Raye is having bad dreams - dreams that end in the death of
the Sailor Scouts.
Episode Summary:
Following their battle at Juuban Mall, the two teams take some time to
lick their wounds and plan what to do next. But the Sailors had better
think fast. Gen13 are on their trail and the hunt leads them straight
to the Cherry Hill Temple.
Episode Summary:
Information is exchanged as Gen13 and the Sailor Scouts compare notes
and get to know each other. But unbeknownst to our heroes, Malachite is
back with a new plan. A plan to which John Lynch is the key.
This is awkward. Really, really awkward and buggy in places. Not all the
Senshi are so fond of clean breaks with the past... Usagi and Minako would
probably be the only ones who'd really accept any story at face value. The
Three Lights don't show up until a couple years down the road, so the
mention here makes no sense at all, and how come everyone can _speak_
Japanese? The Senshi certainly can't manage English very well, except for
Minako and Ami. The whole piece feels... unpolished. Character X says
something, character Y reacts, and so on and so on, down the rosters of both
sides. There's not much to keep me reading, really, because I don't
understand anything about half the cast and whatever implied parallels there
are just soar over my head. If you're appealing to a wider audience, you may
want to state things a little more explicitly.
* * * * *
[Samurai X (Ruroni Kenshin)]
- - - - -
Title: Masks: The Secrets of Saitou Hajime
Genre: Oneshot Comedy
Author: Jitou
Email: mosquiton@crosswinds.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/jitou.geo
Archived at http://www.crosswinds.net/~mosquiton
Date Sent to FFML: May 15, 2000
Archive Number: 11000
Size: 10 KB
Summary:
The Secrets of Saitou Hajime.
Note:
Above date attached to post. Post sent to FFML on May 26, 2000.
Uh... huh. It makes a nice laugh piece, but that's about all.
* * * * *
[Slayers]
- - - - -
Title: The Slayers: Reward Chapter 2B (Side Story) - Lemon! A Girl's
Fantasy Comes True!
Genre: Continuation, Lemon
Author: Lord Archive
Email: archive@mich.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Fuji/9061/anime.html
Date Sent to FFML: May 23, 2000
Archive Number: 10928
Size: 22 KB
Summary:
It's Lina's wedding night, she hadn't even planned being married yet,
and her husband is completely ignorant on what he's supposed to do.
...I, ah, gave up about halfway through this. Lemons are not my cup of tea,
so I'll just leave you with this... just because your characters are
approaching this whole thing awkwardly doesn't mean the writing has to be
awkward as well.
- - - - -
Title: Slayers: Titled
Episode: Chapter 1: Not Your Ordinary (m)azoku
... The Story of the Five Priests.
Author: David A. Tatum
Email: desaix@sysnet.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7872/fanfics.htm
Archived at above at some future point... (probably not until I finish
the thing)
Date Sent to FFML: May 26, 2000
Archive Number: 11022
Size: 28 KB
Series Summary:
The Lord of Nightmares sends Xelloss on a mission, and EVERYONE gets
involved...
Episode Summary:
The fall of the Water Dragon King, the Creation of Xelloss, and a
Calling by L-sama.
Episode Summary:
Luna and Naga meet. Amelia and Zelgadis leave on a mission for the
state of Sailoon. Lina starts teaching Gourry magic. Oh, yeah -
Xelloss makes appearances throughout.
Since when has Xellos been so serious? Then again, the characters all
feel... subtly off. Not to disparage the plot, which is so far fairly
interesting and involving, but there seems to be one small thing about each
character that I really have trouble swallowing. It doesn't get in the way
of the unfolding action unless the story focuses _directly on it_, and it's
probably personal preference anyway. As I said, interesting plot, and it'll
probably be an enjoyable read for most of you folks out there.
* * * * *
[Sonic the Hedgehog]
- - - - -
Title: Kenal's Story
Genre: Adventure, Continuation
Author: Adrian Tymes
Email: wingcat@pacbell.net
Archived at http://www.franken.de/users/deco/stories/tymes.html
Date Sent to FFML: May 21, 2000
Archive Number: 10866
Size: 35 KB
Summary:
Sally tries to negotiate peace at gunpoint, but Packbell disrupts her
efforts with Rotor's and Dulcy's unwitting assistance. Kenal tries to
fight Snively's control, while Bunnie has a date with a roboticizer...
willingly.
While the Freedom Fighters pick through the FSM's leavings, Antoine
attempts to end Kenal's remaining problems... and Sally faces the worst
decision of her life.
Sally agonizes over Kenal's fate, but more important events soon take
precedence. For example, Tails wishes to lead a mission to erase
Robotropolis forever.
Kenal risked his life to save a friend. But then, everyone has made at
least one mistake at some point in their lives.
All of 'em together, what the heck. All parts of one larger story, no?
This has improved considerably since the first installments. You're actually
managing to give at least some detail to the events that deserve it. The end
was touching as well, and it probably marks the first truly diabolical
Packbell plot I've seen in quite a while. Of course, you've left the whole
sequel door _wide_ open with the ending...
I do recommend you folks read this if you saw the original SatAM series,
really I do. Kenal himself has come into his own as a worthy addition to the
cast, and the story itself is well-told, if still occasionally a bit choppy
and inconsistent in tone.
* * * * *
[Vision of Escaflowne]
- - - - -
Title: Never Forgotten
Episode: Part III Chapter 15
Genre: Drama, Spoiler
Author: Kus Kus
Email: dirandaualbatou@aol.com, mamoru_kusanagi@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.crosswinds.net/~dilandau/
Archived at http://www.crosswinds.net/~dilandau/nv/
Date Sent to FFML: May 24, 2000
Archive Number: 10963
Size: 18 KB
Series Summary:
Celena Schezar has returned home, but the past that was never hers will
not let go.
Episode Summary:
Dilandau's attack is brought short by two Zaibach representatives, both
of whom stir up memories that Van wishes he did not have to face. And
what is his brother's role in all of this...?
Ooh. You should really release this in larger chunks; I was just starting to
sink back into the world when the story ended. But aside from that, a worthy
installment in a worthy series... though, since your writing style seems to
take some time to truly become the immersive experience of the first few
larger parts, I'd suggest holding off until you've _got_ a nice big chunk
for us. I think most of the readers on the list know the virtue of patience
for excellent work.
* * * * *
[Original Fiction]
- - - - -
Title: It's A Rainy Day Sunshine Girl
Episode: Episode 01 - "Carpet of the Sun"
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Rewrite
Author: Matthew Johnston
Email: caravan@cafe-pierrot.net
Homepage: http://www.cafe-pierrot.net/
Date Sent to FFML: May 21, 2000
Archive Number: 10867
Size: 43 KB
Series Summary:
Kenji Terada had writer's block. When his teacher offered him a
solution, he tried it immediately. Only, his teacher never told him
what really happens afterwards...
Episode Summary:
Kenji takes a nap, Caravan takes a trip, Ichiro takes his time, and
Tanako takes up space... all this plus milk and cookies!
"Let's have a warm welcome, please, for Renaissance!"
Yes, I recognize the chapter title. And I like the song. And... whoo. Hasn't
changed much since the first time I read it, and I liked it _then_, and I
like it _now_. The opening flashback scene was a very nice touch, perhaps a
bit of foreshadowing for future developments?
Anyway, some very well-realized characters, and a storyline that could go
_anywhere_ from this point, make this a series to read and follow.
- - - - -
Title: Shadows Without Light
Episode: Chapter 6
Genre: Adventure
Author: Miashara
Email: s2mlmill@titan.vcu.edu
Homepage: http://www.execulink.com/~stryker
Date Sent to FFML: May 23, 2000
Archive Number: 10934
Size: 38 KB
Series Summary:
Everyone's read about normals being thrown uncontrollably into the world
of the supernatural. What happened when a bunch of preternatural
individuals get thrown in instead?
Episode Summary:
The aftermath of the raid on the Dynasty and plans for movement. Plus,
inserts that don't make sense yet.
You need to burn yourself more evenly. There are long stretches of nothing
but dialogue, and long stretches of nothing but description. While this
isn't a bad thing by itself, both the dialogue and the description tend
to... wander. Quite a bit. Pointing out humorous asides and observations on
minutiae... well, it didn't really do much for me. Aside from that, though,
it was a decent read. The action scenes are certainly evocative enough, and
the description and dialogue passages are fine, aside from the occasional
bit of wandering off-course.
*****************************
And another one gone, and another one gone, and another one bites the
dust...
No final words this week either. Really don't have much to say to you folks,
except to remind you again that this is one reviewer's opinion. Your Mileage
May Vary, offer not valid in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and under plaid
tepees, close cover before striking, and remember that you are the only one
who decides what you like. If you're intrigued by a description, by all
means go back and read the fic that's described.
See you folks in two weeks.
--G. Falconar