April 29 - May 3rd
God. I'm starting this on Cinco de Mayo which is like the World Tequila Marketing kick off day. I must be nuts. Or drunk. I bet it's like June or something before I finish this. Fuck it. I just finished a hellish tour of LA's Mexican bars, I begged off going to WeHo with friends so I could pour myself a killer Margarita, load up the sshp_prophet and read some pr0n.
So in honor of the no-doubt-long-past-by-the-time-you-read-this Cinco De Mayo I have changed my ratings. For today they are as follows:
Tijuana sewer water
Tijuana tap water
Shot of Montezuma brand tequila
No Frills Margarita
Cadillac Margarita
A bottle of Cuervo Reserva, a straw, and some really dark sunglasses
I may also add some cryptic ratings like: Salt! Heavy on the Mixer! Blended! or whatever which you may interpret any way you chose.
Dance Partners by dementordelta Cadillac Margarita, on the rocks, no salt
Post War
Honestly? I love dementordelta. My last set of reviews were also waylaid (I mean in addition to the Martian invasion thing) when I discovered the skyhawke page has far more of her stories than her web page (or I'm an idiot and just noticed, either way) and I got sucked in. Oh! I seem to be in a bracketty kind of mood (must be the tequila).
I quite like this format to tell this story. I'm getting to the point were post HBP saturation is setting in, so an original twist on structure is very welcome. She always manages such a great Snape; intelligent, intense and, well, this:
"I'm…gay," he said, testing the words as they slid over his tongue.
"As any man I've ever met," Snape said, the vibration his chest made as he spoke reminding Harry that they still stood very close together. Harry leaned back a little and dragged a hand over his face before looking up at Snape.
"I'm gay…with you," he said, wanting to be very certain.
I laughed out loud. 4 am and I'm giggling like a monkey (do monkey's giggle?) Damn, there's those brackets again. Romantic, satisfying and damned funny.
Say it Properly by mana_sama (Majenta) (R) Cadillac Margarita, extra lime and salt
Post War
This fic is the reason I was up at 4:30 am despite having to work Cinco in just *er* 10 hours. I love the little heartbreaks of this pairing. This is sad. And human. and so gut wrenchingly real. I wonder sometimes, Snape is such an introspective creature, why I haven't read more where's he's read the situation so devastatingly wrong? Maybe it's out there and I just haven't got there yet. Maybe Painless has a category (though what would it be? Delusional Snape?) You can really blame Harry, though he seems a bit of a cad, because the history here would seem to lead to unresolved messy feelings. I cannot quite feel bad for Snape either, since the affair that set this disaster in motion began when Harry was still a boy. And yet...
Wallflower by sleepless_1111 (PG) Shot of Montezuma brand tequila, salt, water chaser
Post War
This is rather short, a slice of life I guess? Or a character study except I don't think it's really captured the character. Snape is rather a seven faced Dr Lao, isn't he? There's the face Harry sees: canon - and this is the one explored here. But the problem is that Harry still vies Snape through the eyes of an 11 year old boy. So a Snape from Snape's perspective would, by necessity be a rather braver and more heroic figure. Then there's fanon Snape, the sex god, which frankly hell yeah, pass a spoon, I'll take a scoop of that. Then there's Dumbledore's Snape, in whom he has complete confidence, and Voldemort's Snape. Not to mention Narcissa's Snape, Draco's Snape and never forget the Marauder’s Snivillus Snape. Poor man, must be like Sybil in there. What were we talking about?
Ah yes, this fic. Not really sure which Snape she was after. Sort of a hybrid Snivillus and Canon! Harry's Snape but from Snape's POV. It doesn't work for me. Simply: who defines themselves in the terms of people who dislike them?
Seven Year Itch by elanor_isolda (NC-17) No frills to Cadillac Margarita, with salt, blended
Post Voldemort
It's funny how some fics send you on wild tangents, isn't it? Snape's explanation of wordless spells had me wondering about deaf wizards. Are there any? elanor_isolda's explanation as to how language works with magic was so clean that I immediately pictured a legion of deaf wizards. It just made sense, and it's beautiful I think when an author can take the canon beyond what the creator envisioned while still remaining true to the ideas.
I like this fic. Part one was a yet another How Harry found Snape, but part two tells the after story. And three a return. It's all rather optimistic, but I suppose that is what "romance" means.
Exceptions to the Rule by escapism (NC-17) No frills to Cadillac Margarita, no salt
Post Hogwarts
I think what I liked best was the rhythm of the words. She summarizes neatly what doesn't need explanation, leaving reading room for dessert. My favorite dessert has to be the wizard photos. But the overall tone was lovely; it's the relationship that works despite either of them and the things they forgive.
Tactical Invitation by diagonalist (PG-13) Cadillac Margarita, no salt
Post War
I like fics that loosen the time thread. It creates a slight unease on my part, forcing me to read closer. When the words are then lovingly chosen it makes the whole exercise worth while. I love that Harry is the one who has done all the emotional maturing while Snape seems frozen in Snarkville.
More Than Words by treewishes (PG) Cadillac Margarita, splash of fresh OJ, no salt
Post War
It’s nice to see Luna and Tonks get some screen time. And I liked the make-up of the team. It had a JKR honesty to it, even if Snape seemed a bit softer than I imagine him. I read in the comments that they represented the four houses. I guess Tonks was a puff then? <-- had no idea.
I really loved that all of this was framed by four press conferences. The way this was written allowed the exposition is without burdening the reader, kept us apart and yet allowed us to see the slips of Snarry teased in the cracks.
And I rather liked the method of death for Voldemort. Rather clever and nice to see something new on that well traveled path.
Neurosis by lghtgdss_stry (PG) Shot of Montezuma brand tequila
Post War
I can so picture this Snape. I think I used to live with this Snape, and GOD it was not fun. It was like a turbo charged Monica from "Friends" minus the laugh track. This had me. I'd cut the Snape track:
he said, when he was really thinking that that particular shelf was for reading on Tuesday only. because the shifting POV is distracting, and honestly Harry's observations:
His meat was cut into eleven pieces, and other vegetables, such as broccoli were cut into five pieces, or as in the case with his peas, he ate five at a time. It took Harry several days to figure out that Severus always cut his food up into prime numbered amounts.
are both hysterical and illustrate the point perfectly.
But she started to lose me with the explanations. A wizard avoiding "the devil's number" rang false and the old "bleeds for seven days and doesn't die" line is so tired, so stupid and completely out of character for a Snape who exists a fantastic Universe that spends his days contemplating magical oddities and how to use their entrails to cure wizarding pox.
No Bounds by atrata (NC-17) Chan warning. Harry is 16. Cadillac Margarita made with traditionale, on the rocks no salt, no sour mix, fresh lime and a take home glass
HBP
Atrata gives mean Snape. Tightly wound into twisted little knots Snape. On the edge or shattering inside or deliberately breaking outside Snape. And this Snape, like JKR's is caught in his sixth year at Hogwarts forever fighting a long dead war. I wonder why this is? It's so odd, so immature, do you think JKR has a Reason? Do you suppose that Snape's role as a spy and Voldemort' s mastery of Leguimancy forces Snape to rearrange his own head to *stay* in that childish place so if Voldemort looks all he'll see is hate hate hate?
Whatever the reason, Atrata's nailed the character. Snape's horrifying obsession played out yet again on Potter's person. And Potter struggling against it with the small tools condoned by the light, or in this case laughter. It's another one of those fics that just makes me think.
A Hero's Welcome by anise_anise (NC-17) No Frills Margarita
Post War
Oh, the demanding bastard and the unflagging brat. In this case unflappable brat, far more tolerant of Snape's cruelties than perhaps he should be. I have to respect the author for making a go of it: a romantic pairing with bastard!Snape. Obsessive Snape is easier, completely AU cuddly Snape more frequent. This is very clean and fun, with dirty and fun sex, hooray!
Swansong for a Raven by damned_queen (NC-17) No Frills Margarita
Post War
I am very glad she opened this fic the way she did. It felt like a gothic horror story, reminiscent of Mary Shelley or Stoker. There's a wealth of potential here. For my taste, first person is just not conducive to my ADD. The style choices left me struggling against reader's drift. There's a density to the language that while scrupulously correct feels awkward. It breaks the flow and throws off the timing: too wordy in places, too sudden in others.
Shadow of Our Forefathers by hasaidreamer (PG-13) No Frills to Cadillac Margarita
War
This one grabbed me from the get go. The details were wonderful. I liked Hermione. It was fresh. Unique. I'll definitely be rereading it, just to make sure I got it all.
Truths by celandineb and cruisedirector
Post War
Alright. This is now *officially* a WiP. My WiP tolerance is rather like the Phoenix myth: there can be only one, when it dies another will rise from the ashes, etc (which, incidentally the idea of there always only being ONE phoenix, no more, no less goes to the core of my Conundrumdore / Voldemort theory. Eventually I will hack it out) But Anyway, I Love this series. It has replaced AYLNO in my must-have crack habit. I wait impatiently for each installment. But I will not I think review it again until it's finished.
Unless I do.
So in honor of the no-doubt-long-past-by-the-time-you-read-this Cinco De Mayo I have changed my ratings. For today they are as follows:
Tijuana sewer water
Tijuana tap water
Shot of Montezuma brand tequila
No Frills Margarita
Cadillac Margarita
A bottle of Cuervo Reserva, a straw, and some really dark sunglasses
I may also add some cryptic ratings like: Salt! Heavy on the Mixer! Blended! or whatever which you may interpret any way you chose.
Dance Partners by dementordelta Cadillac Margarita, on the rocks, no salt
Post War
Honestly? I love dementordelta. My last set of reviews were also waylaid (I mean in addition to the Martian invasion thing) when I discovered the skyhawke page has far more of her stories than her web page (or I'm an idiot and just noticed, either way) and I got sucked in. Oh! I seem to be in a bracketty kind of mood (must be the tequila).
I quite like this format to tell this story. I'm getting to the point were post HBP saturation is setting in, so an original twist on structure is very welcome. She always manages such a great Snape; intelligent, intense and, well, this:
"I'm…gay," he said, testing the words as they slid over his tongue.
"As any man I've ever met," Snape said, the vibration his chest made as he spoke reminding Harry that they still stood very close together. Harry leaned back a little and dragged a hand over his face before looking up at Snape.
"I'm gay…with you," he said, wanting to be very certain.
I laughed out loud. 4 am and I'm giggling like a monkey (do monkey's giggle?) Damn, there's those brackets again. Romantic, satisfying and damned funny.
Say it Properly by mana_sama (Majenta) (R) Cadillac Margarita, extra lime and salt
Post War
This fic is the reason I was up at 4:30 am despite having to work Cinco in just *er* 10 hours. I love the little heartbreaks of this pairing. This is sad. And human. and so gut wrenchingly real. I wonder sometimes, Snape is such an introspective creature, why I haven't read more where's he's read the situation so devastatingly wrong? Maybe it's out there and I just haven't got there yet. Maybe Painless has a category (though what would it be? Delusional Snape?) You can really blame Harry, though he seems a bit of a cad, because the history here would seem to lead to unresolved messy feelings. I cannot quite feel bad for Snape either, since the affair that set this disaster in motion began when Harry was still a boy. And yet...
Wallflower by sleepless_1111 (PG) Shot of Montezuma brand tequila, salt, water chaser
Post War
This is rather short, a slice of life I guess? Or a character study except I don't think it's really captured the character. Snape is rather a seven faced Dr Lao, isn't he? There's the face Harry sees: canon - and this is the one explored here. But the problem is that Harry still vies Snape through the eyes of an 11 year old boy. So a Snape from Snape's perspective would, by necessity be a rather braver and more heroic figure. Then there's fanon Snape, the sex god, which frankly hell yeah, pass a spoon, I'll take a scoop of that. Then there's Dumbledore's Snape, in whom he has complete confidence, and Voldemort's Snape. Not to mention Narcissa's Snape, Draco's Snape and never forget the Marauder’s Snivillus Snape. Poor man, must be like Sybil in there. What were we talking about?
Ah yes, this fic. Not really sure which Snape she was after. Sort of a hybrid Snivillus and Canon! Harry's Snape but from Snape's POV. It doesn't work for me. Simply: who defines themselves in the terms of people who dislike them?
Seven Year Itch by elanor_isolda (NC-17) No frills to Cadillac Margarita, with salt, blended
Post Voldemort
It's funny how some fics send you on wild tangents, isn't it? Snape's explanation of wordless spells had me wondering about deaf wizards. Are there any? elanor_isolda's explanation as to how language works with magic was so clean that I immediately pictured a legion of deaf wizards. It just made sense, and it's beautiful I think when an author can take the canon beyond what the creator envisioned while still remaining true to the ideas.
I like this fic. Part one was a yet another How Harry found Snape, but part two tells the after story. And three a return. It's all rather optimistic, but I suppose that is what "romance" means.
Exceptions to the Rule by escapism (NC-17) No frills to Cadillac Margarita, no salt
Post Hogwarts
I think what I liked best was the rhythm of the words. She summarizes neatly what doesn't need explanation, leaving reading room for dessert. My favorite dessert has to be the wizard photos. But the overall tone was lovely; it's the relationship that works despite either of them and the things they forgive.
Tactical Invitation by diagonalist (PG-13) Cadillac Margarita, no salt
Post War
I like fics that loosen the time thread. It creates a slight unease on my part, forcing me to read closer. When the words are then lovingly chosen it makes the whole exercise worth while. I love that Harry is the one who has done all the emotional maturing while Snape seems frozen in Snarkville.
More Than Words by treewishes (PG) Cadillac Margarita, splash of fresh OJ, no salt
Post War
It’s nice to see Luna and Tonks get some screen time. And I liked the make-up of the team. It had a JKR honesty to it, even if Snape seemed a bit softer than I imagine him. I read in the comments that they represented the four houses. I guess Tonks was a puff then? <-- had no idea.
I really loved that all of this was framed by four press conferences. The way this was written allowed the exposition is without burdening the reader, kept us apart and yet allowed us to see the slips of Snarry teased in the cracks.
And I rather liked the method of death for Voldemort. Rather clever and nice to see something new on that well traveled path.
Neurosis by lghtgdss_stry (PG) Shot of Montezuma brand tequila
Post War
I can so picture this Snape. I think I used to live with this Snape, and GOD it was not fun. It was like a turbo charged Monica from "Friends" minus the laugh track. This had me. I'd cut the Snape track:
he said, when he was really thinking that that particular shelf was for reading on Tuesday only. because the shifting POV is distracting, and honestly Harry's observations:
His meat was cut into eleven pieces, and other vegetables, such as broccoli were cut into five pieces, or as in the case with his peas, he ate five at a time. It took Harry several days to figure out that Severus always cut his food up into prime numbered amounts.
are both hysterical and illustrate the point perfectly.
But she started to lose me with the explanations. A wizard avoiding "the devil's number" rang false and the old "bleeds for seven days and doesn't die" line is so tired, so stupid and completely out of character for a Snape who exists a fantastic Universe that spends his days contemplating magical oddities and how to use their entrails to cure wizarding pox.
No Bounds by atrata (NC-17) Chan warning. Harry is 16. Cadillac Margarita made with traditionale, on the rocks no salt, no sour mix, fresh lime and a take home glass
HBP
Atrata gives mean Snape. Tightly wound into twisted little knots Snape. On the edge or shattering inside or deliberately breaking outside Snape. And this Snape, like JKR's is caught in his sixth year at Hogwarts forever fighting a long dead war. I wonder why this is? It's so odd, so immature, do you think JKR has a Reason? Do you suppose that Snape's role as a spy and Voldemort' s mastery of Leguimancy forces Snape to rearrange his own head to *stay* in that childish place so if Voldemort looks all he'll see is hate hate hate?
Whatever the reason, Atrata's nailed the character. Snape's horrifying obsession played out yet again on Potter's person. And Potter struggling against it with the small tools condoned by the light, or in this case laughter. It's another one of those fics that just makes me think.
A Hero's Welcome by anise_anise (NC-17) No Frills Margarita
Post War
Oh, the demanding bastard and the unflagging brat. In this case unflappable brat, far more tolerant of Snape's cruelties than perhaps he should be. I have to respect the author for making a go of it: a romantic pairing with bastard!Snape. Obsessive Snape is easier, completely AU cuddly Snape more frequent. This is very clean and fun, with dirty and fun sex, hooray!
Swansong for a Raven by damned_queen (NC-17) No Frills Margarita
Post War
I am very glad she opened this fic the way she did. It felt like a gothic horror story, reminiscent of Mary Shelley or Stoker. There's a wealth of potential here. For my taste, first person is just not conducive to my ADD. The style choices left me struggling against reader's drift. There's a density to the language that while scrupulously correct feels awkward. It breaks the flow and throws off the timing: too wordy in places, too sudden in others.
Shadow of Our Forefathers by hasaidreamer (PG-13) No Frills to Cadillac Margarita
War
This one grabbed me from the get go. The details were wonderful. I liked Hermione. It was fresh. Unique. I'll definitely be rereading it, just to make sure I got it all.
Truths by celandineb and cruisedirector
Post War
Alright. This is now *officially* a WiP. My WiP tolerance is rather like the Phoenix myth: there can be only one, when it dies another will rise from the ashes, etc (which, incidentally the idea of there always only being ONE phoenix, no more, no less goes to the core of my Conundrumdore / Voldemort theory. Eventually I will hack it out) But Anyway, I Love this series. It has replaced AYLNO in my must-have crack habit. I wait impatiently for each installment. But I will not I think review it again until it's finished.
Unless I do.