XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS - ALTERNATIVE FAN FICTION REVIEWS
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Reviewer can be reached at lunacy@dc.seflin.org
Last updated: 12/10/00

Please make sure to read the EXPLANATORY NOTES before reading these reviews.

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**BACCHAE VERSUS VAMPIRE by Chris M
The latest offering in Katrina's BLOOD AND ROSES SERIES, this new story is a XWP/BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER crossover tale chronicling the first ever encounter between the Daughter of Bacchus and the ruthless bloodsuckers that thousands of years later would so consistently keep Buffy in business. Lying beside her partner in an ancient forest Gabrielle senses something amiss in the natural order of things - a darkness emanating from a creature she's never seen before - a creature who despite sharing her hunger for blood, exudes a cruelty and an irreverence for life that marks him as something very different from her, something... that must be stopped. Chris does a wonderful job giving this piece an eerie, mystical feel. The characterization of Gabrielle as the Daughter of Bacchus is on the money as is that of the bloodsuckers from the world of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. This is a terrific "origins" story detailing the first confrontation between two of the legendary foes in this BLOOD AND ROSES SERIES. DO NOT MISS! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 9 pgs., 12/14/98
http://whoosh.org/katrina/STO/brose/bvv.html

**BACK AND FORTH by T. Novan
A terrific little story that will just grab that old ticker in a very nice way as it traces the lives of a bard and one decidedly anxious warrior, chronicling all those unforgettable moments on their path toward eternity. A cleverly written, poignant read guaranteed to leave an impression. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 4 pgs., 11/2/98
https://www.altfic.com//subtextfic/Xena/novan/backandforth.htm

BACK FROM SCHOOL by T. Novan
The LEGENDS LEGACY SERIES continues with a surprise for the warrior and bard when one of their baby boys returns home from school. The tale continues the family feel and humor of this fine series. - 5 pgs., 3/15/00
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/ll/legends7.html

**BACK TROUBLE by Della Street
One of our fanfic legends returns with a new series called THE TIMEWASTERS and I must say - these tales are a DELIGHTFUL way to...er waste some time ;-) This first one features a very frustrated Warrior Princess out of commission with back trouble desperately trying to entice a certain bard into breaking healer's orders. Renown for her sense of humor, Della never fails with these spicy little pieces that while amusing also show a wonderfully passionate relationship between her leads. Not to be missed, this one comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 6 pgs., 1/26/99
https://www.altfic.com//subtextfic/Xena/della/backtrouble.htm

**BACK-UP PLAN (THE) by Beowolf
Your face may permanently freeze into a grin after experiencing this marvelously delightful little tale. Fed-up with Joxer dotting on her like a love-sick puppy, a VERY frustrated bard comes up with the perfect solution to discourage him - one destined to prove PURE torture for a certain Warrior Princess >:) This is well-written, a ton of fun and just BEYOND cute! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 11 pgs., 12/29/97
AWARDS: "Fooling Around" Swollen Bud Award (May 1, 2000)
http://xwp-altfic.simplenet.com/theback-upplan.txt

**BAD SEX by WordWarior
After four years of AMAZING fanfic sex we at last get a little reality check courtesy of one of our most gifted parodist and folks - this is an INSTANT CLASSIC! Be FOREWARNED that you should avoid this one in all public settings unless you want to share because passerbys ARE gonna wonder what's so hysterical. If you can read this and keep your composure you're a much better lunatic than I am ;-) Involving a simple scenario - Wordee's latest has the warrior and bard camping by a lake when the bard is compelled to declare her ardor for tall, dark and deadly. Eager to oblige, tall, dark and deadly obliges but...well...that first time just doesn't turn out as smoothly as they'd hoped... ;-) Tragically, I suspect this new contribution is more familiar to most of us than the usual fare alt. fanfic offers. It's an UNJUST world I tell yah! - but fanfic gems like these can certainly help to ease the pain. <:) Run, don't walk to this one guys. It gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! - 3 pgs., 6/20/99
AWARDS: "Fooling Around" Swollen Bud Award (May 1, 2000)
http://cousinliz.com/fanfic/wordwarior_bs.html
[French version: MAUVAISE BAISE translated by Fausta at http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Studio/4243/badsex.html]

BAD TIMING by Kristian S. Fischer
A poignant prologue to Redhawk's ONLY ONE that finds a dark-haired immortal going through the motions that has become her existence after two millenniums spent missing her partner, while in another part of town a golden-haired young woman sleeps restlessly. A solid piece very much in keeping with the feel of the INFINITY SERIES. - 3 pgs., 2/7/99
http://members.spree.com/romance/dmredhawk/Shorts/BadTiming.html

**BARD AND THE BEANSTALK (THE): A XENAVERSE FAERY TALE by Nene Adams
Nene concludes her delightful XENAVERSE FAERY TALES series with a truly magical tale that has an act of kindness giving the warrior and bard immortality in a different world where their love and courage endures while the stories of Xena and Gabrielle continue to be told. A MUST READ! HIGLY RECOMMENDED! - 3 pgs., 4/18/98
http://www.corrieweb.com/faery/beanstalk.htm

**BARD DAY'S NIGHT (A) by DJWP
There *IS* a cure for XWS (Xena Withdrawal Syndrome) - and it is named DJWP!! For those of you who've been faithfully watching reruns but craving a great new Xena story, comes this new novel which is simply going to BLOW - YOU - AWAY!! Only the second Xena story by this extremely talented writer, A BARD DAY'S NIGHT is a gem that is going to shoot straight to the top of many a Xenite's list of favorites. This story is an adventure in the grandest sense of the word featuring EVERYTHING that we love about the TV series and MORE - head-butting action, wicked - WICKED humor, secrets from the past, unforgettable characters, and a wonderfully intricate plot all weaved around a friendship changing into more - a romance discovered. Curiously enough the basic premise is simple and just TOOOO funny - Xena and Gabrielle go on the road as bodyguards for a VERY famous poet on her "Known World Tour DCXXXIV B.C" - an artist so talented in her craft she is known as the Tenth Muse although in centuries to come her name alone will inspire generations...Sappho. DJWP's Sappho is brash, brilliant, FUNNY, hard-drinking, stubborn, fun-loving, and an incredible romantic. A woman who can see into the souls of others and recognizes even before they do what is in the hearts of a certain Warrior Princess and her bard. Intent only on making Gabrielle happy, Xena agrees to stay for one of Sappho's performances when they happen across one of the tour villages, never suspecting that before long she and the bard will be spending ALL their time trying to keep the poet alive...and out of trouble. Featuring some of the most cleverly written and HILARIOUS scenes I've read in fan fiction, this novel also includes its share of emotional moments as Xena, Gabrielle and the Tenth Muse all confront painful, unresolved issues from the past. Make SURE when you start reading this story that you have PLENTY of time available because you will NOT be able to put this down - appointments will be ignored, responsibilities will be forgotten, sleep will be missed - I finished it at 3:45 am only to have to wake up at 6 am to go to work <:) It was worth it!!! Outstanding writing with superb characterizations. This is a definite DO NOT MISS which carries my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!! [Note: this story is not explicit. See also SEVEN DAYS IN POMPEII] - 205 pgs., 7/25/97
AWARDS: "All Nighter" Swollen Bud Award (May 1, 2000)
FANFIC ART: Ciegra Story Cover
http://members.xoom.com/poorldl/SOWP/Fanfic/ABDN/ABDN1.html
https://ausxip.com/fanfic/abard.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

BARD, KNOW THYSELF by Ogami
Amusing little vignette that reveals the TRUE secret behind Xena's amazing abilities. Cute...and surprising! ;-) - 4 pgs., 4/14/98
http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~jeb66038/know.htm

BARD IN THE HAND (A) by Sharona
An acquaintance from Xena's past unknowingly helps to precipitate a decision on the bard's part when a new friend offers to help her learn how Xena truly feels about her. Featuring some very amusing moments, this story is fun, romantic and sweet. - 11 pgs., 4/20/98
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/bard.htm

BARD OF AVON (THE) by Jennifer Bracanovich
A new entry in the popular BLOOD AND ROSES SERIES, this tale is set in 16th century England where Xena, the immortal daughter of Ares, and Gabrielle, immortal daughter of Bacchus have arrived at a little town called Stratford where Gabrielle's storytelling and poetic skills quickly impress a fellow bard there named William lately suffering from a bad case of writer's block. Unbeknownst to the two ancient partners, in London another is aware of their presence in English soil - a woman with the power of an empire in her hands and a heart lonely for the company of kindred souls. Injecting historical figures into the BLOOD AND ROSES canon, this story presents a fascinating premise with a nice blend of humor and drama. One to watch in the coming weeks. DO NOT MISS! [unfinished] - 7 pgs., 4/17/99
http://whoosh.org/katrina/STO/brose/bardavon.html

**BARD'S FAITH (A) by L. Fox
This story is a follow-up of sorts to L. Fox's other very good story CAGE OF ELYSIS which ideally should be read before tackling A BARD'S FAITH. In this WONDERFUL new tale, Ares puts in motion a spiteful plan to break up Xena and Gabrielle. What he doesn't understand, could NEVER understand, is the depth of commitment, friendship and love a certain bard feels for her Warrior Princess. This is a BEAUTIFUL, heartwarming story that has Xena and Gab facing the most desperate of situations together, learning just how much they mean to one another and discovering also how special old friends can be. This is an ALTERNATIVE story but it is NOT explicit. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! NOT TO BE MISSED!! [See also the sequel BELOVED ENEMY] - 41 pgs., 4/8/97
http://www.gabbyfan.com/fiction/faith.htm
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/abardfaith.html

**BARD'S TALE (THE) by Sharona
A delightful new tale GUARANTEED to put a big grin on your face, Sharona's latest has Xena and the bard attending a festival where Gabrielle comes to a conclusion about her feelings after meeting an old acquaintance of Xena's. Determined to explore those feelings she then sets out on her biggest challenge yet! - to seduce a Warrior Princess who can sometimes be surprisingly...dense ;-) VERY cute. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 14 pgs., 7/6/98
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/bardstale.htm

**BARDLY PURSUITS by TZ
A sizzling first-time story that has the bard struggling with her raging hormones and a surprised warrior suddenly very grateful that she's the cause ;-) A sexy romp with a nice tender touch. DO NOT MISS! [Note: Story features rough language] - 9 pgs., 7/20/98
http://www.fortunecity.com/village/villageplace/334/bardly-pursuits.html

**BARGAIN HUNTING by Della Street
With a sense of humor all her own, Della's stories NEVER fail to delight. In this new offering, Xena goes to see a slaver about a new girl he has for sale - a little spitfire with red-gold hair who hails from the land of Potidaea. Get your funny bone ready for this one! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 8 pgs., 5/24/97
AWARDS: "Fooling Around" Swollen Bud Award (May 1, 2000)
FANFIC ART: Barron Story Cover
https://www.altfic.com//subtextfic/Xena/della/bargainhunting.htm
[Spanish version: YENDO DE REBAJAS at http://www.la-concha.com/xena/encarna6.htm]

**BATTLE OF AMPHIPOLIS (THE) by Baermer - [See THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR SERIES]

**BATTLE OF THE ZAMA RIDGE TRILOGY - read in the order listed below:

1. **DREAMS LOST AND FOUND
2. **THE WILL OF THE LION
3. **ASHES ON THE WIND
4. KEOLA'S STORY

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