The FFML Reviews List ===================== For the week of: October 9, 1998 Reviewers: Paul Arezina Helen Szeto Shunsuke Synopses Submitted: 31 * * * * * [Ah! Megami-sama!/Urusei Yatsura] - - - - - Title:"Urusei Megamisama!", Chapter Twelve: "The Game of the Oni" Series: Ah! Megamisama! and Urusei Yatsura Genre: Romantic Comedy (Epic Tragedy?) Author: Henry J. Cobb Email: hcobb@slip.net Homepage: http://www.io.com/~hcobb/anime/fanfic/chaos.html Date Sent to FFML: 27th Sep 1998 Size: 28404 Summary: The game is tag, but who could have foreseen it would be so dangerous? Don't miss the explosive conclusion of "Volume One: Ataru". {Helen} What happens when Oni and Kami's play tag? ^_^;; Or.... perhaps, the Kami's fiance? ^_^ And playing tag hasn't been so challenging... ^_^;; The story's fun and in both the traditions of UY and AMS... Cobb blends the key components of UY and AMS together to form a third combination that is distinctly fun to read. * * * * * [Blue Seed] - - - - - Title: Hidden Fires chapter 1 Series: Blue Seed Genre: Dark Author: LilTigre Email: mitama@yahoo.com Date Sent to FFML: 10/06/98 Summary: While Kaede and Murakumo set forth some sinister plans of their own, Kusanagi is suddenly infected with a mysterious illness that may take his life! Can Momiji cope with the news? {Shunsuke} Can I guess by the e-mail address that this author is the Blue Seed version of Trakal, that all we'll see are Blue Seed stories? ^_^ This reads very much like an episode of the series, though a little darker than a typical story. (The author mentions in the notes that an earlier version wasn't dark enough, so it's hard to know what the intended feel is.) Being like the TV episodes is both good and bad: in terms of capturing the original feel, it's good, but I found certain elements of the series a little corny and contrived, and hard to swallow. I'm not saying this story is that way, but you probably need to be a Blue Seed fan to enjoy this one. * * * * * [My Dear Marie] - - - - - Title: Music-box Angel, Episode 4: The Longest Night Series: My Dear Marie Genre: Romantic Comedy/Drama Author: Matthew Johnston Email: matt2518@gladstone.uoregon.edu Homepage: http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~matt2518 Date Sent to FFML: 10/7/98 Size: 36K (about 6000 words) Summary: Marie has a snack, Hiroshi has a talk, Tanaka gets some sleep, and Mari gets the nickle-tour. All this, plus super-powered broccoli! {Paul} Do androids dream of electric sheep? The dreams are certainly odd, but perhaps fitting, and perhaps drawing inspiration from the eighty million and one cyberpunk novels out there... but very nicely if surreally portrayed. The question still remains of what will be done now that both Maries know they're copies... 14 or 15 out of 20. * * * * * [Original] - - - - - Title: Pastel Angel, Chapter One Series: Original, mostly Genre: Magical Girl Author: Scott K. Jamison / SKJAM! Email: majks@cyberx.com Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/5990 Date Sent to FFML: 10/9/98 Size: 17k Summary: Mitchell Cole always wanted to be a hero. But he wasn't prepared for what that might cost him... {Paul} This is like Sailor Overdrive, only more mystic and less parodical...which, come to think of it, makes it little or nothing like Sailor Overdrive. This is more or less like the first episode of every other magical girl anime/fanfic I've watched/read/heard of, with the one exception that conventional weaponry actually does something to the Creature of Darkness (tm). The crossdressing is a unique touch, and the background is certainly novel... I just can't get past the feeling I've seen this all before. That doesn't mean the writing isn't any good, though... 15 or 16 out of 20. * * * * * [Patlabour] - - - - - Title: Patlabor: Personal Files, Episode 01 Series: Patlabor Genre: Um... I dunno. Continuing Author: David A. Tatum Email: desaix@sysnet.net Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7872/fanfics.htm Date Sent to FFML: 10/8/98 Summary: Ohta is transferred to the newly formed Third Unit, and doesn't take it very well. Noa and Shinohara try to find out why. A bunch of new recruits arrive. The first episode of a continuing Patlabor fanfic which will hopefully cover the time between the end of New Files and the start of the Second movie... and beyong. {Shunsuke} Beyong, huh? And one swelling error after another. ^_^ This one tries to put a more human and emotional face to characters in a series that is (to my limited knowledge) more comedic and "blow 'em up" in style. I get the feeling there's depth to some characters the author portrays that isn't part of the regular story which can help make for compelling reading. It does require some knowledge of the OAV/TV series to make sense of certain things, but I don't think a reader needs to be a raving lunatic to get something out of this. * * * * * [Ranma 1/2] - - - - - Title: Hearts and Minds Prelude 6 -- Shan Pu: Bie Liao 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: 10/5 Size: 28 kb Summary: With Ranma and Akane newly married and Cologne on her deathbed, Shampoo has to decide on her future. Meanwhile, Cologne has one last request to make of Ranma, and Kaede the shinto priestess chooses an apprentice. {Helen} I remember reading this the first time that it was released...and I liked it a bit. Not alot, not love, but I did like it .. a bit. This second release has gained a different perspective; I've read some more Ranma fics and taken a new look at Shamps... I liked this story because of the character development of Shampoo... the story is not entirely somber but it is certainly much more serious in many ways. I especially like the choosing of the apprentice .. oh my, oh my. ^_- - - - - - Title: Heat Series: Ranma 1/2 Genre: Lemon-scented Author: Lord Archive Email: archive@mich.com Homepage: www.mich.com/~archive/anime Date Sent to FFML: 10-6 Size: 10K Summary: When Ranma's suitors keep coming at him, he feels a little too much pressure for him to chose them and he goes to Akane to help release that pressure. {Paul} Ya know, this goes where the original series didn't, but logically could, go... though not so far as Lurker-san's "They Call Him Mr. Happy". Which is perhaps for the better, hmm? Reading this reminded me of reading one of Kun-chan's drafts with the [insert lemon scene here] separator, only this was a tad more serious/panicked in places. All in all, a very credible setup... at least to my admittedly inexperienced eyes. 14 or 15 out of 20. - - - - - Title: N.F. Series: Ranma 1/2 Genre: SPAMFIC Author: Freemage Email: freemage@hotmail.com Homepage: In continuous production Date Sent to FFML: 10/6 Size: 6K Summary: This bit o' seasoned lunchmeat was the result of reading/writing C&C at 2 in the morning. Consider yourselves warned. Nabiki's going to forgive all Ranma's debts as a wedding gift! Of course, there's a price.... Includes alternate ending. PS: Yes, this really does need a better title. {Paul} Ahem. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Though one wonders why Nabiki would WANT to do such a thing... *shrug*. Ah well, the fic's in the chase, not the capture. Or something like that. 7 of 10 on the short scale. Hmm... "Due Recompense"... nah. Payment and all associated possible titles carry a heavy-handedness to it that this fic just didn't have. - - - - - Title: The Party's Over Part 2 Series: Ranma Genre: Continuation Author: P-R-P-Chan Email: prpchanb@colba.net Homepage: http://www.crosswinds.net/japan/~prpchan/little/index.htm Date Sent to FFML: 10/5/98 Size: 7k Summary: The party finally gets into full swing thanks to Happosai and a bottle of alcohol... {Shunsuke} This is about as polished as Ranma. With a lot of rough edges and nary a correction in sight, this is rough going. The story really doesn't accomplish much more than the typical kind of Ranma-violence; if it's intended to lead somewhere, like an emotional breakthrough for Ryouga, it would be better to wait and collect all the parts of this series before reading it. Right now, this is unremarkable. - - - - - Title: Suicide Blast part 1, fwd by Gary Kleppe Series: Ranma 1/2 Genre: Call it powerful, call it drama, call it frightening, but it's NOT Dark... yet Author: Keener Email: otakunxs@bellsouth.net Homepage: currenlty homeless.net.give.generously Date Sent to FFML: 10/05/98 Size: 20K Summary: It starts with a gentle wind, it starts with a damning phone call, it starts with the empty darkness of a lonely soul... it started with many things, but it'll end with only one... BOOM! Ryouga has all the answers to a lifetime of pain in the palm of his hands, alpha and omega, begining and ending, all in a fragment of light and unimaginable power. Heaven help anyone who gets in his way... {Paul} For some reason, I felt like I should READ THIS FIC and make a few comments. First, the introduction is nicely done and translates almost cinematically into the story itself. And Ryoga... everyone who thinks he can be happy, stop reading now or you'll sprain your rationalizing synapses. I don't see what goes on as being invalid or any less probable than how Ryoga ends up in, say, Lawson's story. Something just ticks the other way... a shadow from the past, perhaps, a stray thought, an attachment that should have been severed long ago... whatever it is, Ryoga comes up with a new technique which is absolutely devastating and completely in character... at least, as he's portrayed here. I can't say I'm looking forward to reading more, but I can say I want to... 17 or 18 out of 20. - - - - - Title: Suicide Blast part 2, fwd by Switch of the Zu crew Series: Ranma 1/2 Genre: Call it powerful, call it drama, call it frightening, but it's NOT Dark... yet Author: Keener Email: otakunxs@bellsouth.net Homepage: currently homeless.net.give.generously Date Sent to FFML: 10/07/98 Size: 23K Summary: Ranma has two weeks to prepare for the fight of his life. How do you stop someone who has already accepted the grave's deadly embrace and wears it like armor? With the power to pulverize anything in his path and shattered fragments where his heart once was, Ryouga may very well be impossible to stop. Even worse, the stakes are completely different this time... this time, it's not a fight to the death, but a fight for someone else's life. {Paul} Oh good GOD. Ryoga's gone... evil? That's the only word I found fit when I READ THIS FIC. It waxes extremely metaphorical in places; nothing you'll have any problems holding on to, and it rings throughout of the somewhat cynical and suppressedly hysterical humor that Keener's become famous? infamous? afamous? for. Perhaps it's because laughter is the least expected response in the face of death... nice exposition out of Cologne's mouth, by the way... nice characterization of everyone, as a matter of fact. Again...I'll read the next part when it comes. Perhaps it'll be a bit happier, given the events at the end of this one... 18 and up out of 20. - - - - - Title: Three Souls, One Heart Chapter 3 Series: Ranma Genre: Continuation Author: David A. Tatum Email: desaix@sysnet.net Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7872/fanfics.htm Date Sent to FFML: 10/8/98 Summary: Ranma and Akane go on a couple of dates while the Oni moves in. {Paul} You know, this is probably the first chapter to seriously deviate from the assumptions a lot of people make about canon... and bring the OVA into conflict with the manga. I just wish there was some other way to explain what went on than having the characters do it and having said explanation stick out from the rest of the story, but I can't think of one off the top of my head. Aside from that... nice story going on, though it doesn't deviate much from the other "Akane Gets a Clue" stories out there. The inclusion of Nodoka is a new touch, though, as is the mysterious voice... and there's one mother of a cliffhanger at the end. 11 or 12 out of 20... simply because the parts I noted above seemed so awkward. - - - - - Title: The Ties That Bind, Intro & Part 1 Series: Ranma 1/2 Genre: Alternate Universe Author: Blade (Chris McNeil) Email: ayiekie@hotmail.com Date Sent to FFML: October 4th Size: 35k Summary: In yet another battle with Ranma, Pantyhose Tarou manages to steal a very special scroll...one that allows the holder to make a wish! But the result of his wish is most definitely -not- what he expected... {Paul} First few paragraphs of Chapter 1: Been there. Done that. But how can you write an alternate universe fic without making reference to the original so consistently? And not be a genius, "A Love Story" notwithstanding.... This incarnation proves to be just as much a mad bad bishonen lad as the original Tarou... which is odd, since his cynicism seems rather out-of-place in the Ranmaverse. More than this I cannot yet say... 10 or 11 out of 20, simply because you can't make a retread any good no matter how much you try and change... - - - - - Title: The Ties That Bind, Part 2 Series: Ranma 1/2 Genre: Alternate Universe Author: Blade (Chris McNeil) Email: ayiekie@hotmail.com Date Sent to FFML: October 4th Size: 23K Summary: Ranma and Panma Saotome are introduced to the Tendo's, and the curses are explained. Ranma ends up being unwillingly engaged to Akane, and Panma ends up with an even more unwilling Nabiki, prompting both sets of siblings to begin to plot to rid themselves of their unwanted fiancees. {Paul} Yet more Direct From Volume 1 events. Pantsuit-boy isn't changing all that much quite yet, and the world is subtly changing so that his arrogance doesn't seem so arrogant. Or perhaps it's just circumstances. Interesting plan on Nabiki's part... one wonders what would have happened had she carried it out in the original manga. The plan also marks the first serious shift from canon; let's hope it can be played up. 12 or 13 out of 20; again, not much here I haven't seen before in a hundred different incarnations. - - - - - Title: The Ties That Bind, Part 3 Series: Ranma 1/2 Genre: Alternate Universe Author: Blade (Chris McNeil) Email: ayiekie@hotmail.com Date Sent to FFML: October 4th Size: 28K Summary: Ever since Ranma and Panma arrived, it's been one battle after another: Ranma vs. Panma, Panma vs. Genma, Genma vs. Ranma, and Ranma vs...Kunou? No surprise that, but Kunou doesn't seem to be the sort to take losing easily...and exactly -what- does Nabiki have up her sleeve, anyway? Also includes outtakes from funny prereader commentary. ;p {Paul} Okay, first of all, the mini-omakes at the end are hilarious. Leave 'em in. Second of all... somehow, the series is filling out quite a bit better with someone for Ranma to bounce things off of. Dialogue, punches, kicks, the occasional tanuki statue... of course, this has all been one big prelude. We'll see more things different next chapter, one hopes. 12 or 13 out of 20. - - - - - Title: The Ties That Bind, Part 4 Series: Ranma 1/2 Genre: Alternate Universe Author: Blade (Chris McNeil) Email: ayiekie@hotmail.com Date Sent to FFML: October 4th Size: 27K Summary: Tatewaki Kunou is MAD...mad at Ranma, and madly smitten by the mysterious, powerful blonde-haired girl that has been seen around Furinkan. And Panma Saotome's rather mad too...mad at being stuck in his girl form, and mad at Kunou for bugging him. And as for Nabiki...does she really have a goal in mind by thrusting Kunou and her unwilling fiancee into conflict, or is she going a little mad herself? {Paul} New scenes, new scenes! Oodles of new scenes! For some reason I get an image of Nabiki saying "I LOVE it when a plan comes together" every so often. The takes on the characters are nicely done; you managed to capture the elegant simpicity that is (NOT!) Tatewaki Kuno quite well. Again, interesting interactions between pantsuit- boy and the rest of the cast; the mold is cracking already. 13 or 14 out of 20. - - - - - Title: The Ties That Bind, Part 5 Series: Ranma 1/2 Genre: Alternate Universe Author: Blade (Chris McNeil) Email: ayiekie@hotmail.com Date Sent to FFML: October 5th Size: 55K Summary: Tempers flare as Kunou and Panma move towards a final showdown. All bets are on Kunou coming out of the battle in more pieces than he entered it, but Nabiki seems confident of another outcome...and what exactly is on Kodachi Kunou's mind, anyway? {Paul} Now this was a rather nice fight scene, I have to admit. Very good interplay among the characters, one subplot gone at least somewhat quiescent, shades of Ranma and Akane actually getting together now that the boy doesn't have to worry about his macho, macho pride... well, at least not so much as he does in the original. All in all, a very nice chapter, and I'm waiting for more. 14 or 15 out of 20. - - - - - Title: Waters Under Earth - Chapter 26 Series: Ranma 1/2 Genre: Darkish, Continuation Author: Alan Harnum Email: harnums@hotmail.com Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Bay/9758 Date Sent to FFML: October 4th Size: 96k Summary: As the unfolding of Ranma's destiny continues in China, he finds himself again encountering old foes as new allies, uniting the people of Jusenkyou against the malign evil that threatens their very existence, and confronting a great power of darkness that may very well consume him and his new allies. {Paul} HOW COULD YOU TAKE ON THE GENRE NAME GUBBY PIGEONHOLED YOU AS?! HOW?! HOW?! HOW?!... Erm, forgive me. I still have nightmares about the guy... and, speaking of which, I'll likely have nightmares about this chapter, particularly the end, for some time to come. Not much else I can say, really, except that this was a wonderfully detailed and well- thought-out look into the innards of the Musk Dynasty... most of which you likely fabricated, as you did for the civilization at Mount Phoenix. And it's a wonderful way of weaving in a support network... very few if any holes show in the work. 18 and up out of 20. * * * * * [Ranma 1/2 / Buffy: The Vampire Slayer] - - - - - Title: Ranma: The Vampire Slayer "Welcome to Nerima" Series:Ranma 1/2 - Buffy: The Vampire Slayer Genre: Crossover [Draft] Author: George Mori Email: morig@cwtel.com Homepage: www.cwtel.com/morig/ Date Sent to FFML:10/07/98 Size:39k Summary: An offshoot of the Hell Mouth has opened near the Nerima ward in Tokyo, Buffy and crew head to Japan in order to investigate, where they eventually shack up in the Tendo Dojo. They meet Ranma and go off from there. Spike and Drusilla have also made it to Japan in the hopes of never seeing Buffy again. Part 1 of 2. {Shunsuke} ... This really suffers from a lack of feel or flow. Things read like a list of events, not a story, and the characters have no personality. I know nothing about Buffy TV (or the movie, for that matter) but there doesn't seem to be any of the borrowed people. Sorry to say it, but this has very few redeeming qualities and is hard going, and the script format doesn't help either. * * * * * [Ranma 1/2 / Reboot] - - - - - Title: Wild Boot v 1.7 Series: Ranma/ReBoot Genre: Fusion Author: David Farr Email: djfarr@ihug.co.nz Homepage: http://www.ihug.co.nz/~djfarr Date Sent to FFML: 9 October 1998 Size: 26k Summary: Mainframe is all in a flurry as the system prepare for an upgrade. Unfortunately not everything goes as planned. Kuno creates a Trojan file and breaks into the Principal Office, sealing everyone out except Ranma and Akane, who have to save the system all by themselves. {Paul} Hmm. This is obviously patterned after an episode of the inspiring series. The little gag with the ghost sprite along the way was quite humorous, and the way Kunou ends up being defeated is both expected and surprisingly fitting. A very nice chapter, all things considered... 13 or 14 out of 20. - - - - - Title: Wild Boot v 1.8.1 Series: Ranma/ReBoot Genre: Fusion Author: David Farr Email: djfarr@ihug.co.nz Homepage: http://www.ihug.co.nz/~djfarr Date Sent to FFML: 9 October 1998 Size: 23k Summary: When Mike the TV shatters Kodachi's looking glass, he releases a force more lethal than any the system has seen before. Ranma, Akane, Nabiki, Shampoo and RyoGA, must use Kasumi's secret weapon to defeat the rampaging Nullzilla, a monster made entirely of the energy saping nulls. {Paul} I'd like to be afraid. I'd like to have blood singing through my veins as a battle is waged which will determine the fate of Mainframe... but I can't. Why? Because this chapter, like many previous, includes references to other shows and roles being cast semi-accordingly. However, this chapter, unlike many previous, has its central gag fall a bit flat. At least for me. It stopped being funny and started becoming boring about halfway through... and I can only give it a 10 or 11 out of 20 for that. * * * * * [Ranma 1/2 / Sailor Moon] - - - - - Title: [FFML][Ranma/SM] A Different Viewpoint pt 36 Series: Ranma/SM Genre: Continuation/Crossover/SI Author: Christopher J. Olsen Email: Gamers@pacbell.net Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449 Date Sent to FFML: 10-7-98 Size: 38 KB Summary: The fight of the century is on, as Ranma and the Senshi fight for the fate of the world against impossible odds. Akane goes one on one with War! Ukyo shows Pelelance how a good chef cooks, and a Demoness and three Godesses do Cameo apperances. [This story could not be found in the FFML archive or on the writer's page; it will be reviewed next week.] * * * * * [Sailor Moon] - - - - - Title: Sailor Moon 4200: Chapter 7 Series: Sailor Moon Genre: Drama Serial Author: Angus MacSpon Email: macspon@ihug.co.nz Homepage: http://shell.ihug.co.nz/~macspon/ Date Sent to FFML: 10 Oct 1998 Size: 140K Summary: SERIES SUMMARY: It's 700 years since the destruction of Crystal Tokyo, and Artemis is looking for a new generation of Senshi. Some of them are the old ones reborn once more; some of them are new; and all of them are in trouble. EPISODE SUMMARY: The reunion between Miyo and Itsuko (Makoto and Rei) goes poorly; the Enemy tries a new (or rather, very old) tactic; a familiar face reappears unexpectedly; and a new Senshi shows up -- but one with a hidden secret... {Helen} Wow. This story is getting better and better as I look forward to the next chapter. I'm reminded a bit.. of Silent Mobieus; don't ask me where or how or why... it just does. Even after thousand- plus years from the Tokyo of now, the method of Senshi is still the same: blind luck ^_^; The story is separated into two parts but it is emotionally- gripping at times... especially the reunion between two very old friends... and Pluto makes an opportune appearance... always there when you need her ^_^ * * * * * [Sailor Moon/Dilbert] - - - - - Title: How Many Pens are Needed for Your Job? Series: Sailor Moon, Dilbert Genre: crossover, humor Author: Nicholas Eckert Email: nicholec@nscc.cc.oh.us Homepage: http://www.fortunecity.com/campus/law/44/fanfic.html Date Sent to FFML: Sept. 30 Size: 35,780 bytes Summary: Hidden inside its inspiring thread, "Sailor Mixup!", it is a story of henshin wands, pocket protectors, and hypnosis that, while not epic in proportions, is rather long for this author. Take the characters of Naoko Takeuchi and Scott Adams, add a sick idea from a spamfic by Matthew Campbell, and stand far, far back as the writer's mind stirs vigorously. {Paul} My reactions to this are twofold. 1: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAA! 2: You know, Dilbert really doesn't work when you try and put it in prose. In all seriousness, though, this was a wild and crazy ride all the way, mixing a somewhat watered-down version of Dilbertian chaos with the best of the magical girls. Although it was rather trying to translate this all, mentally, into doujinshi form so it could be seen in its original setting...as I said, some things just can't make the jump from cartoon to prose. 15 or 16 out of 20, though, simply because I was laughing too hard to care most of the time. * * * * * [Sailor Moon/El Hazard] - - - - - Title: Setsuna's Secret chapters 01-11 Series: Sailor Moon/El-Hazard Genre: X-over Author: Tom Mathews a.k.a Disruptor Email: mathews1@gte.net Homepage: http://home1.gte.net/mathews1/index.htm Date Sent to FFML:Oct 10, 1998 Size:121 k Summary: Neo-queen Serenity finds out that Sailor Pluto is an android that has now been enslaved to her. As Eternal Sailor Moon, she vows to free Sailor Pluto form her enslavement. She takes a small part to the universe where Setsuna was made: El-Hazard Note: Still a rough draft {Shunsuke} I've had the advantage of reading and correcting part of this for the author, so I have an idea of what he has in mind. Though not complete, this has a straight path and knows where it's going. The story and events make sense, though sometimes things happen are a little too convenient, but then again that's how things happen in Sailor Moon. There's still a lot of rough edges, formatting and spelling or word errors to fix, and it seems like not much beyond writing new chapters has been done to this since I first saw it about three months ago. Some elements, especially in chapter one involving Setsuna and Usagi, have been improved, but I would suggest waiting until a rewrite happens to read this. * * * * * [Tenchi Muyou!] - - - - - Title: Heaven and Eterntiy: Final Lesson Series: Tenchi Muyo! Genre: [Action][Intrigue] Author: K'thardin Email: kthardin@geocities.com Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/area51/nebula/9766 Date Sent to FFML: 09Oct98 Size: 34KB Summary: Tokimi is preparing to make her move against this dimension. As she makes plans for her final victory, Cyraqs takes Tenchi to a place where his full potential may finally be realized...assuming it doens't kill him first. Meanwhile Tsunami quietly makes preparations of her own against her sister's coming. {Shunsuke} (None of these were submitted in the order that they are numbered in the series, so my reviews for these stories will be written in a different order than you read them; sorry for any inconsistencies, blame the author if you have to. O_-) Quite a bit rougher and error-filled compared to the others in this series submitted this week. This is another interesting POV, seeing the same details from different people's eyes; I did find it a bit repetitive in certain scenes (i.e. Cyraq's and Tenchi's return from their trip). Still, it's of the same quality and worth a look. One more point...the swearing in this isn't so much offensive as it is pointless. It doesn't add to the story, and may turn off readers who like TM! - - - - - Title: Heaven and Eterntiy: Galaxy Police Dreams Series: Tenchi Muyo! Genre: [Action][waffy?] Author: K'thardin Email: kthardin@geocities.com Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/area51/nebula/9766 Date Sent to FFML: 09Oct98 Size: 34KB Summary: Ryuken has been on Earth for only a month and already he has bit off more than he could chew. For he is attmepting to solve the mystery of Mihoshi. In space, after the recent, destruction of the GP HQ by the cosmic being Kain, a new one is in the middle of construction. However one of those involved has been reassigned to the Juraian protectorate Terra, to back up Mihoshi. Guess who got the job? {Shunsuke} Now here's something rare and very well done: jumping between times and not needing or choosing to explain it to the reader, yet being very clear and obvious. Nice job of switching between the raid and the mundane events. But what kind of weirdo is this writer? "Mountain Dew", as "food of the gods", sheesh. Everybody knows it's Orangina. - - - - - Title: Heaven and Eterntiy: Game Pieces Series: Tenchi Muyo! Genre: [Action][Intrigue] Author: K'thardin Email: kthardin@geocities.com Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/area51/nebula/9766 Date Sent to FFML: 09Oct98 Size: 24KB Summary: The enemy continues to scheme. Alliances are formed, plans are concieved, and allies gathered. Other players in this game show themsleves, but are they friend or foe? Meanwhile on Earth Mihoshi begins to remember pieces of her shattered past, a past that will soon catch up with her. {Shunsuke} This is heavily dependant on earlier parts of the series, and makes for difficult reading without it. Characterization and actions of people are not action-intensive, but are very definite and well defined. There's little wasted space here. The ending paragraph, though, with its silly off-hand nature, kind of spoils it. - - - - - Title: Heaven and Eterntiy: Heaven and Earth, Love and Honor Series: Tenchi Muyo! Genre: [Action][War] Author: K'thardin Email: kthardin@geocities.com Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/area51/nebula/9766 Date Sent to FFML: 09Oct98 Size: 177KB Summary: Tokimi has struck and struck hard! Jurai and the GP real under her onslaught. Others join the fray, but even the protectors of the universe cannot keep up the fight forever. Unfortunately Tokimi has also managed to take Tsunami and Washuu as well. One last gambit remains, but only if Cyraqs can keep Tokimi busy long enough for Tenchi and co to get there. Otherwise all is lost. {Shunsuke} Unfortunately, this is the weakest of the parts in this series listed here; it feels jumpy and sputters at times, not well paced like the others. It has "rushed job" written all over it, and many more errors appear than in the other parts, which makes for tough reading. As for the events themselves, there's nothing out of place, and nothing is farfetched (although Achika's reappearance is a little predictable). My only dislike of the plot and storyline is the aftermath, how *everything* works out perfect and lovey-dovey. I'm not suggesting I expected an evil, dark and black ending, and this ending does fit the Tenchi continuum, but for my money, everything has a price, including victory, and nobody loses here (except for one person, who we don't mind to see losing ^_^). Oh - and a word in your ear: "loose" is to release, "lose" is to be defeated. (Three times? Four? Ten?) - - - - - Title: Heaven and Eterntiy: Washuu and Hayes Series: Tenchi Muyo! Genre: [Action][Ultra Waffy][Lime] Author: K'thardin Email: kthardin@geocities.com Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/area51/nebula/9766 Date Sent to FFML:09Oct98 Size: 23KB Summary: Some say that true love never dies, that it endures no matter how long the two are appart or what they have endured apart. Now must Washuu and Hayes confront that very question...and determine if it's true, or not. {Shunsuke} Hayes? Not a very weird name, if you ask me...nice to see a portrayal of Washuu as a woman, not a mad scientist/boy chaser. This is more of the same as the other stories in this series, and probably needs familiarity with earlier parts, but only to know who Hayes is; for regular Tenchi fans, there's nothing beyond what you already know. * * * * * [Yuu Yuu Hakusho] - - - - - Title: The First and The Last Series: Yu Yu Hakusho Genre: Dark, Angst and Yaoi Author: W. Siew Lee Email: wsiewlee@tm.net.my Homepage: http://member.xoom.com/hiei/ Date Sent to FFML: 9th of October, 1998 Size: 9 kbs Summary: Hiei is dead. Shiori is dead. What can Kurama say anymore? {Shunsuke} Not as impressive as her last YYH piece, Entwined Destinies, but this is still gut-wrenching. A lot of emotion and pain, though with little action other than described in Kurama's memory. This seems meant to be more about portraying emotion rather than doing anything with the characters (other than Kurama's final desperate act), but there's still something here worth looking at. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * End of the FFML Reviews List for the week of: October 9, 1998